Written Test Date: May 8, 2014

Transcription

1 CANDIDATE PREPARATION GUIDE Administrative Clerk, Medical Clerk and Court Clerk Written Test Written Test Date: May 8, 2014 Personnel Board of Jefferson County 2121 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Suite 100 Birmingham, AL 35203

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents... 2 Candidate Preparation Information... 3 Date, Time, and Location of Test... 3 What to Bring... 3 Parking... 3 Personnel Board Cheating Rule... 3 After the Personnel Board Test... 3 Results... 4 General Questions about the Examination... 4 Reasonable Accommodation... 4 Change of Address or Phone Number... 4 Listening Exercise... 5 The Written Test... 5 Example Test Items... 6 Sample Listening Exercise Questions... 6 Sample Written Test Questions... 6 General Test Taking Tips... 8 Page 2

3 Candidate Preparation Information The Personnel Board of Jefferson County is pleased that you are interested in the jobs of Administrative Clerk, Medical Clerk and Court Clerk and has prepared this information packet to acquaint you with the testing procedures. The examination measures the knowledge, skills, abilities and personal characteristics required to succeed in these jobs. The following pages tell you more about each part of the test, and give you a few examples. This exam consists of a written test. In developing the selection process, the job was analyzed by conducting interviews, meetings, and administering job analysis questionnaires to employees who currently perform the jobs. Date, Time, and Location of Test The examinations will be administered on May 8, 2014 at the Personnel Board, located at 2121 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama In order to be admitted to the test, you must sign-up online by the date indicated on your invitation notice. Be sure to carefully read your invitation notice! If you sign up quickly, you will also receive a confirmation notice stating your check-in time. Make sure you arrive on time! Due to the nature of the examination and the large number of applicants that must be processed, NO exceptions will be made to accommodate individuals arriving more than 15 minutes after their scheduled check-in time. What to Bring You should bring a government issued photo ID (e.g., driver s license, passport) in order to check-in on the day of the test. You will NOT be permitted to take the test unless you have a government issued photo ID! The Personnel Board will supply all other materials including pencils, erasers, and scratch paper. Do NOT bring any communication devices (e.g., cell phones, laptops, tablets). If you bring a cell phone, you will be asked to return it to your car. We will not confiscate them. You must comply with this rule in order to be admitted and you will still be subject to the check-in time deadline. Using any communication device after you have checked in to the test site will be considered cheating, and you will receive a zero on the test. Parking You are responsible for your own parking. You should arrive to the test site early in order to avoid parking issues. Parking is available at the BJCC parking deck across from the Sheraton. The cost is $1 per hour or a maximum of $7 per day. Parking may also be available on the street in which you must feed a parking meter. However, you will NOT be permitted to leave the test after it has begun. If you arrive after the test begins, you will NOT be permitted to enter the facility and take the test! Also, Do Not Park in the large empty lot across 22 rd Street from the 2121 Building. The Personnel Board does not own this lot, and your vehicle will be towed. Personnel Board Cheating Rule The Personnel Board has a strict no cheating rule. If you are caught cheating during the test your answer sheet will be taken and you will receive a zero on the test. In addition, you will be barred from taking any future merit system examinations (Rule 9.14). NOTE: Using any communication device (e.g., cell phones, smartphones, tablets, etc.) after you have checked in to the test site will be considered cheating! After the Personnel Board Test If you successfully pass the test, your name will be added to an eligible register of candidates for the job for which you applied. Your name will be placed in rank order according to your score on the written test. Names are sent to departments with vacancies throughout Jefferson County according to rank on the test. (Keep in mind that your rank will improve as other individuals are selected and hired off the eligible register.) Page 3

4 The departments then may conduct background checks, criminal record checks, or other procedures to review candidates. The department may call or write you to schedule interviews so keep your phone number and address current. Results You will receive test results by after all testing has been completed. Results should be available by June If you successfully pass the test, your name will be added to the Eligible Register for the job/s for which you have applied. Names are placed in rank order according to scores on the written test, where the highest score is 100 and the lowest passing score is 70. The number of candidates sent to each jurisdiction for employment consideration depends upon the number of vacancies for that jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction makes the final hiring decision. General Questions about the Examination If you have questions about the examination or administration, please contact Dale Frey Brett Cooksey Tonya Dawson Personnel Board employees are not allowed to divulge specific information about the content of the exam. Questions should be limited to the administrative aspects of the examination components. Reasonable Accommodation Persons requiring special conditions to accommodate a disability in the examination process, must notify the PBJC in writing by the date indicated on the invitation notice. The accommodation request can be completed online at or sent via to parkerc@pbjcal.org, via mail or hand-delivery to: Personnel Board of Jefferson County Attn: Cynthia Parker 2121 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr., Blvd. Suite 100 Birmingham, AL Change of Address or Phone Number It is important to keep your contact information such as your address, address or phone number updated. If you have a change of address or phone number, you must go to and login to your account in the Personnel Board application system and go to edit application and change your contact information. The remaining pages of this booklet provide you with the types of exercises on the test, a few examples, and general test taking tips. Good luck! Page 4

5 Listening Exercise The listening exercise was developed based on a review of the job duties performed by Administrative Clerks, Medical Clerks and Court Clerks and the skills and abilities needed to successfully perform these duties. This test component consists of three (3) scenarios designed to assess the following Abilities: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. These scenarios will be presented to you audibly over the speaker system in a room. After each scenario has been played, you will be asked to answer questions regarding each of the scenarios. You may take notes while the scenarios are being played. The scenarios will be played only once, so you will have to listen carefully and take good notes. When answering the questions, you will be given four multiple-choice responses from which to choose. You will be given approximately 30 seconds to respond to the questions related to each scenario. The Written Test The written exam consists of approximately 100 multiple-choice questions. You will have approximately 1 1/2 hours to complete the written portion of the exam. The goal of the written test is to identify candidates who are likely to succeed in the job of Administrative Clerk, Medical Clerk and Court Clerk, Medical Clerk and Court Clerk. The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are measured by the written exam: Reading Comprehension The ability to read and understand written sentences and paragraphs. Attention to Detail The ability to pay close attention to detail in order to ensure the completeness and accuracy of work. Basic Mathematics Knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This includes fractions and decimals. English Language Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, syntax, word usage, and sentence structure. Organizational Skills - Skill in organizing information, materials, and/or documentation in a systematic and logical manner. Editing The ability to review written material and identify errors with regard to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. Example items are presented on the following pages of this document. Please note that the example items are not comprehensive of the types of items you will be required to answer. Page 5

6 Sample Listening Exercise Questions Example Test Items Listening - Ability to attend to, listen to, and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences During this portion of the test, candidates will hear information on a recording. They will take notes on the information they receive and then answer the questions following the recording. Sample Written Test Questions Reading Comprehension The ability to read and understand written sentences and paragraphs. Please read the information presented below and answer the following question: Today is Tuesday, August 15 th, Your supervisor, Kristin Davis, has left you instructions to call David Shoemaker and schedule a meeting with him for next Wednesday, August 23 rd for anytime after 2:00p.m. Before you contact Mr. Shoemaker, you are told to pick up the letters off the copier and take them to the office of Shannon Bentley. You should also call and schedule a conference room in the Jackson Annex for a meeting to be held on August 21, You are told to contact Lionel Haynes with any problems reserving the room. With whom are you scheduling a meeting on August 23 rd? A. Mr. Jackson B. David Shoemaker C. Lionel Haynes D. Kristin Davis The correct answer is B. Attention to Detail The ability to pay close attention to detail in order to ensure the completeness and accuracy of work. For this question compare the copy on the right with the original on the left and determine which lines of copy contain errors, if any. Line Original Copy 1 2 Mr. John Smith 1607 Pocahontas Court Mr. John Smiht 1607 Pocahontas Court 3 Jamestown, Virginia Jamestowne, Virginia A. Line 1 C. Line 3 D. Lines 1 & 3 E. Lines 1, 2, & 3 The correct answer is D. Page 6

7 Basic Mathematics Knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. ( )(64-49) = A. 15 B. 27 C. 570 D. 630 The correct answer is D. English Language Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, syntax, word usage, and sentence structure Please select the word or phrase that has the SAME or similar meaning as the word in bold. Difficult A. light B. simple C. complex D. alone The correct answer is C. Editing The ability to review written material and identify errors with regard to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. Choose the sentence that contains incorrect punctuation. A. John said, My car is blue. B. Gloria exclaimed, How silly! C. Jim remarked, This is crazy. D. Jeff questioned, Why is that? The correct answer is C. Page 7

8 General Test Taking Tips Have a positive attitude. Approach the test as you would approach a difficult task. It might be tough, but you can do it! A positive attitude goes a long way toward success. Remind yourself that you are well-prepared and are going to do well. Get plenty of rest. If you have followed a study plan, the night before the test you should do a quick review and get to bed early. Remember, your brain and body need sleep to function well, so do not stay up late! Eat breakfast. You think better when you have a full stomach. Therefore, do not skip breakfast the morning of the test. Come prepared. Bring all the materials you will need such as your picture ID. Being prepared will help you focus on the task at hand. Arrive early for the test. Allow adequate time for parking at the test facility. Candidates who arrive late will not be permitted to take the test. After the test begins, the doors will be locked and no one will be allowed inside the examination room. Make sure you have all necessary materials. Before the test begins, make sure you have everything you will need scratch paper, extra pencils, and an eraser. Also, make sure you have all pages of the test so that you answer all items. Use only the number 2 pencil provided by the test administrator. Listen to and read all instructions. Listen to all instructions from the test administrator and read all instructions contained in the test. You want to make sure you are marking answers correctly. If you cannot hear or understand the instructions, raise your hand. Do not disturb yourself or others. Do not do things to disturb your concentration, or others. Do not chew gum, eat or drink during the exam. Sit quietly if you finish a section before others. Stay relaxed and confident. Do not let yourself become anxious. If you feel anxious before or during a test, take several slow, deep breaths to relax. Do not get worried or frustrated. If you get stuck on a question, reread it to make sure you understand it, and then try to solve it the best way you know how. If you are still stuck, circle it and move on. You can come back to it later. Manage your time. Answer the test questions in a strategic order. Scan through the test quickly before starting. Answering the easy questions first can be a time saver and a confidence builder. Plus, it saves more time in the end for you to focus on the more difficult questions. Work quickly, but carefully. Try to answer every question. Be neat. Be careful when filling in the grids on the Scantron answer sheet, and do not make extra marks on your answer sheet. The answer sheet is machine-scored and the machine cannot tell an answer from a doodle. Erase your mistakes thoroughly. Also, make sure you mark only one answer for each question. Page 8

9 Use your scratch paper. Use scratch paper to work out problems or write down questions you did not answer so you can go back if there is time. Be sure to mark your answers on the separate Scantron answer sheet, because you will not receive credit for any answers you marked on scratch paper. Guess smart. You are not penalized for guessing, therefore if you do not know an answer you should guess. If you can rule out one or more answer choices for a multiple-choice question as definitely wrong, your chances of guessing the right answer improve. What if you have no idea about the answer? Review your options and make the best guess you can. Answer honestly. Be yourself and use common sense when making decisions and responding to the test questions. The questions are not designed to be tricky. Do not try to anticipate or guess the expected answer. Reserve time for review. Resist the urge to leave as soon as you have completed all the items. Check the clock and go back through your answer sheet to make sure you have answered all the questions. Review your answers, making sure that you did not make any careless mistakes (such as putting the right answer in the wrong place or skipping a question). Since your first choice is usually correct, don't change your answers unless you are sure of the correction. Spend the last remaining minutes going over the hardest problems before you turn in your test. Follow these test tips, and you will know you did your best Best of luck! Page 9