online eu training sample situational judgement test report

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Situational Judgement Test

Personalized Report


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Situational Judgement Tests

Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) are the most novel and unknown part of the new EPSO recruitment system, especially because they are labelled as "non-eliminatory", that is, you cannot fail them. In the following, we will overview why they are crucial to perform well at nonetheless.

SJT Test Format

These tests include a short description of a work-related situation where you are asked to choose both the most effective and least effective answer option. "Your head of unit plans to give you an extra task that is not in your job description. You are already overwhelmed with work and your next door colleague is known to have fewer tasks to complete. How do you react?", and you are offered four answers. Each of the four options is a viable course of action, but you are required to choose those that are the best and worst in your view.

The Importance of SJT Tests

Each question and answer option refers to a so-called competency that EPSO wishes to test you on (see more on this below). The answers you provide offer an indication of your way of thinking and approaching a certain situation, therefore your personal competency profile can be established in a relatively reliable way. Given this "relative" reliability, situational judgement test results must be further fine-tuned and cross-checked, hence the Structured Interview in the Assessment Centre,where the assessors are forming their questions on the basis of the report created from your SJT test answers. It is therefore crucial to provide honest answers that truly represent how you think given that you can be seriously downgraded in your performance at the Assessment Centre if you don't take SJTs seriously enough.

Competencies

Based on a detailed job analysis of EU officials, EPSO, with the help of experts, created a list of 7+1 competencies that you need to possess in order to qualify for a job in any of the European Union institutions. These are the following: analysis and problem solving; communicating, delivering quality and results, learning and development; prioritising and organising; resilience; working with others and leadership (only for Administrators). The above example would fall into the "resilience" and the "prioritising and organising" competencies: your related competencies would be judged based on the course of action you choose.

You should also bear in mind that a situation could conceivably measure several competencies, and it is the exact wording of the test that will determine which category it falls into. Referring back to the above example of being given an extra task while already being overwhelmed, it is always worth taking a moment to consider which of several possible competencies the situation might measure. How to do this? If the options you are given are related to how you would talk to your head of unit about the situation, the test is likely geared toward measuring your communication skills. If the same situation is complemented by answer options describing how you would juggle several tasks all at once, the same scenario can become a test of your prioritising or stress management skills.


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Situational Judgement Tests

Institutional Values

In addition to the competencies discussed the above, the EPSO SJT is also infused with the declared values of the Institutions. As an example, consider the competency ‘Communicating’ in the context of an SJT situation where you are asked to present a policy initiative to an external audience. The audience seems very interested in what you have to say but they are extremely critical of the work of your organisation in the past. When selecting the most effective course of action in such a scenario, it is not only your ability to diffuse such situations that will be measured, but the institutional values of loyalty, public image and supranational neutrality might also come into play. As an example, while discussing the shortcomings of the previous management of your organisation might be an effective way of diffusing the situation, such an approach would certainly not be in alignment with the values of your organisation.

SJT and Common Sense

It is vital to understand the meaning of each competency, the logic of the SJTs, the framework in which they operate in and some good methods to prepare for them. For instance, you should be able to quickly identify which competency a given question refers to, and this may be challenging if you are unaware of the detailed meaning of each skill set. Apart from the personal side, certain values that EU institutions consider as important should also serve as guidance when answering these tests. Only tests that were created by recruitment specialists will serve your preparation, since the trick is to map each situation to a specific skill feature that you are being evaluated on.

The Importance of Practice

It is vital to understand that the aim of SJTs is to check whether you possess the above competencies, not to find out more about your personality. In this sense, you are measured against a pre-established set of criteria without anyone wishing to explore the inner layers of your personality. Because of this reason, knowing what will be expected of you and trying to make the most out of it can immensely help your scores. Getting a sample snapshot of your EPSO competencies before the exam can contribute to a much more conscious performance at the exam and it will also improve the overall impression you make.

By taking Online EU Training’s Situational Judgment Test, you did just that. We hope that this personalised report will help you establish what areas you need to improve in and become more conscious about your performance in the measured competencies. It is worth exploring your way of thinking and of approaching situations after reading this report, and we encourage you to come back and take subsequent tests a few weeks apart to see how being conscious about your performance and exploring alternative courses of action has affected your performance.

Disclaimer: It should be noted that the exact methodology used by EPSO in devising the Situational Judgment Test you will face at the exam is confidential; therefore good or bad performance in this measure will not automatically mean good or bad performance in the EPSO tests. However, by completing this test you will gain an insight into the question types faced as well as plenty of useful general feedback that will be invaluable in your preparation for the real thing.

Introduction

Dear Sample,

Thank you for taking Online EU Training’s Situational Judgment Test.

This report summarises the findings of the test you took on 10/05/2010.

Your personalized test measured the following competencies:

Communicating With ClarityCollaborating With PeopleAnalysing and Creating SolutionsLeading and Inspiring OthersFocusing on DeliveryHarnessing the Power of DevelopmentPlanning and OrganisingCoping Under Pressure

Below, you will find some basic information about your test and your performance.

EPSO AD Situational Judgment TestTaken by: Sample Person

Total test-taking time 36m

# of Competencies with Strong Performance 1

# of Competencies with Moderate Performance 5

# of Competencies with Poorer Performance 2

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© 2010 ARBOREUS. All Rights Reserved

SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT TEST REPORTTEST-TAKER: SAMPLE PERSON

EMAIL: [email protected]: 12/05/2010

Strengths and Weaknesses Summary

In this section, you will find a summary of your performance across various measured skills andcompetencies.

AREAS OF STRONG PERFOMANCE

Analysing critical, complex information and suggesting workable solutions

AREAS OF MODERATE PERFOMANCE

Tailoring your communication style and content to suit an audienceCo-operating with and caring for a range of people of different backgrounds andmotivationsMaintaining quality of work output, even in challenging situationsDeveloping your knowledge and personal style and skillsCoping with pressure and adapting to change

AREAS OF POORER PERFOMANCE

Acting as an inspirational role model; and guiding the work and personal development ofothersPlanning and organising your working time and individual projects

In the following section, you will see a more detailed description of what practical consequencesthis may have, and what you may want to do to improve your perceived performance in thesefields.

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Detailed Description of Performance

The following detailed descriptions of performance by competency describe your performance

at a more detailed level and where you may look to develop. These have been scored in terms of

how closely your answers fitted with the competency definitions being looked for. These

competency definitions have been written especially for this test, and they reflect all areas being

sought by the EPSO situational judgment tests as well.

Analysing and Creating Solutions

In the competency of Analysing and Creating Solutions, your performance would be classed as

strong. This means that, based upon your answers, you are very likely to cope well with

numerous data sources, identifying relevant points in order to identify the root cause of issues

and then devise multiple creative solutions. You are less likely to suggest standard, conventional

ideas or ideas that may be impractical to implement; fail to gather relevant information to inform

decisions and become confused by complexity. This is unlikely to be an area you need to develop:

make sure that you are using this strength to its full potential.

Communicating With Clarity

In the competency of Communicating With Clarity, your performance would be classed as

moderate. This means that, based upon your answers, you are fairly likely to include the correct

balance of detail and conciseness in your communications, identify the needs of your audience

and tailor your communication to suit. However, at times you may communicate in a manner

which fails to capture the attention and interest of your audience, fail to pick up on audience cues

and go into too much detail when presenting. There may be some potential for you to develop

further in this area: reflect upon where your specific areas of weakness may lie and research

how to develop them.

Collaborating With People

In the competency of Collaborating With People, your performance would be classed as

moderate. This means that, based upon your answers, you are fairly likely to show concern for

people; involve others in decision making (including consulting across organisational

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boundaries), and praise other’s ideas and contributions. However, at times you may work in

isolation and pay little attention to people’s individual differences, needs or concerns. There may

be some potential for you to develop further in this area: reflect upon where your specific areas

of weakness may lie and research how to develop them.

Focusing on Delivery

In the competency of Focusing on Delivery, your performance would be classed as moderate.

This means that, based upon your answers, you are fairly likely to keep quality standards high

whilst working to stretching deadlines, enjoy pressurised situations and be proactive in

responding to challenges. However, at times you may break established guidelines or

procedures, possibly compromising quality in the process; wait for instructions before acting

and be content with meeting rather than exceeding targets. There may be some potential for you

to develop further in this area: reflect upon where your specific areas of weakness may lie and

research how to develop them.

Harnessing the Power of Development

In the competency of Harnessing the Power of Development, your performance would be

classed as moderate. This means that, based upon your answers, you are fairly likely to take

active steps to improve both your level of knowledge and your working style and also finding

effective ways of sharing your knowledge with others. However, at times you may allow your

professional knowledge to become outdated, repeat mistakes without learning from the

experience and keep learnings that could be more widely beneficial to yourself. There may be

some potential for you to develop further in this area: reflect upon where your specific areas of

weakness may lie and research how to develop them.

Coping Under Pressure

In the competency of Coping Under Pressure, your performance would be classed as moderate.

This means that, based upon your answers, you are fairly likely to remain calm under pressure

and display a generally positive outlook; including remaining motivated and productive during

times of change. However, at times you may display negative emotions under pressure and look

for the negative side of situations, especially around times of organisational change. There may

be some potential for you to develop further in this area: reflect upon where your specific areas

of weakness may lie and research how to develop them.

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Leading and Inspiring Others

In the competency of Leading and Inspiring Others, your performance would be classed as

poor. This means that, based upon your answers, you are unlikely to be effective at directing and

motivating a team; delivering tough messages when necessary and role modelling positive

organisational behaviours. Instead, you may be more likely to avoid difficult conversations with

your team or have trouble in developing them effectively; provide your team with unclear

instructions and also have a need to develop a greater range of motivational tactics. This reflects

a likely area for you to develop: seek to understand your performance in this area more deeply

by asking for feedback and then research how to develop in this area in a way that suits you.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to develop in this area, you may simply wish to choose roles in

which this plays a less significant part. However, please remember this is not intended as a

career guidance tool and you should seek further evidence before taking any further action on

this.

Planning and Organising

In the competency of Planning and Organising, your performance would be classed as poor.

This means that, based upon your answers, you are unlikely to work in a planful manner, setting

deadlines and monitoring progress; adapt to changes in plans effectively and manage your own

workload well. Instead, you may be more likely to work in a less efficient way; failing to prepare

or to set realistic timescales; judge priorities incorrectly and become flustered when unforseen

issues arise. This reflects a likely area for you to develop: seek to understand your performance

in this area more deeply by asking for feedback and then research how to develop in this area in

a way that suits you. Alternatively, if you do not wish to develop in this area, you may simply

wish to choose roles in which this plays a less significant part. However, please remember this is

not intended as a career guidance tool and you should seek further evidence before taking any

further action on this.

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Online EU Training

Thank you for taking Online EU Training’s Situational Judgement Test. We hope it will be useful in

your preparation for your EPSO exam.

Arboreus is an innovative e-learning company offering professional online training on European

Union policies and EU Careers. Our clients include European graduates, officials, managers, job

seekers, Brussels professionals and others.

Given the high interest in EU careers, institutional affairs, competition law, trade policy, consumer

protection, environmental issues and other regulatory matters, we offer our online training and

webinar services to the global business and academic community as well.

We do this by creating a community of professionals, academics, diplomats and job seekers

covering European affairs all over the world so they can network and learn about the EU.

Click on the links to learn more about our services:

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Tips & Tricks for succeeding at EPSO exams: http://www.eutraining.eu/tipstricks

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