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Eldar,  Expert on Irish Civil Service Exams at JobTestPrep.

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Third Secretary & Development Specialists Online Tests

The TS&DSO online assessment is provided by Aon's Assessment Solutions (formerly known as cut-e). The assessment consists of 4 different tests:

1. Verbal Reasoning Test - in the answer format of True/False/Cannot Say, and in the unique cut-e 6-tabs format. You will have 12 minutes to answer 49 questions. Most candidates don't finish the test on time.

Verbal Reasoning Sample Question

In the past few years, the government has turned to shock tactics to fight the battle against smoking and the burden smokers pose to the country's economy—manifested in sick days and health issues. The latest anti-smoking campaign showed tumours growing from a cigarette. Needless to say, this advert was contentious. On the one hand, the advert has become a viral sensation since its launch and has attracted plenty of attention to the subject. The government estimates approximately 300,000 people will attempt to quit smoking because of the campaign. One the other hand, some argue that using a hard-hitting approach is not the best way because people become very afraid. If someone thinks they might have cancer or a symptom of cancer, they're likely to push it out of their mind. Health experts claim the new campaign is not effective in targeting all smokers and recommend using it alongside other measures.

Statement: The advertisement is not effective because it scares people.

What is the truth value of the statement based on the text?

A. True

B. False

C. Cannot say

 

Solution

The passage presents two opposite approaches of pros and cons to the anti-smoking campaign. The opinions presented are not addressed as absolute truths; therefore, it cannot be determined whether the advertisement is effective. The passage states: ‘Some argue that using a hard-hitting approach is not the best way because people become very afraid'. The opinion of 'some' cannot be used as a generalisation. Thus, you cannot say whether the argument is true or false.

 

2. Numerical Reasoning Test - in the answer format of True/False/Cannot Say, and in the unique cut-e 6-tabs format. You will have 12 minutes to answer 37 questions. Make sure you are fully equipped with rough paper, pencil/pen and a calculator.

Numerical Reasoning Sample Question

2005 Results of the 'Daily Magic' Newspaper Global Delivery
 
  Successfully Delivered Newspapers (excluding lost) Per Day Percent of Newspaper Lost During Delivery Number of Couriers Working Annually
London 12,504 5% 758
Sydney 7,704 11% 321
Paris 8,007 13% 569
New York 15,600 6% 358
Milan 3,069 8% 259

What would Sydney’s lost rate have to be to match the number of successful deliveries in Paris (excluding lost papers) per day?

A. 5%

B. 7.5%

C. 10%

D. 12.5%

E. They will never match

 

Solution

With a loss rate of 11%, the 7,704 newspapers that are successfully delivered in Sydney make up 89% of the total newspapers delivered (100% -11%).
In Paris, 8,007 newspapers are delivered successfully.
Therefore, find the percentage of successful deliveries 8,007 newspapers would be in Sydney, using the rule of 3:

7,704 -> 89%
8,007 -> x
x = (8,007*89%)/7,704 = 92.5%
Therefore, 8,007 successfully delivered newspapers in Sydney constitute 92.5% of all delivered newspaper. Hence, Sydney’s lost rate of newspapers = 100% - 92.5% = 7.5%

Another way for solving this question:
With a loss rate of 11%, the 7,704 newspapers that are successfully delivered in Sydney make up 89% of the total newspapers delivered (100% -11%).
The total number of deliveries in Sydney (including lost papers) is (7,704 × 100) / 89 = 8,656

In Paris, 8,007 newspapers are delivered successfully.

Calculate the percentage we have to deduct from 8,656 to receive 8,007.
(The total number of successfully delivered newspapers in Paris x 100) / the total number of newspapers delivered in Sydney (including lost papers) = (8007 x 100) / 8656 = 92.5% of Sydney’s newspapers have to be delivered successfully to match Paris’s successful delivery rate.

The rate of lost papers is therefore 100 – 92.5 = 7.5% (in comparison with the current existing 11% lost paper rate).

This means the correct answer is B.

 

3. Deductive-Logical Thinking Tests (cut-e scales lst) - in this test your task is the find the underlying pattern in a group of items. Here you will have 6 minutes to solve as many questions as you can.

4. 'chatAssess' Situational Judgement Test (SJT) - in this interactive format of online chat conversations, you will be given different scenarios/questions and you will need to choose one of 3 answer choices presented. There are 7 different conversations in the test, each will contain a number of questions. You must answer all questions within a 30-minute time limit.

 

Think you got it? Check your performance in our free Cut-e Test!

Third Secretary

From public to foreign affairs, a Third Secretary is charged with a range of responsibilities including:

  • Analysis and Research.
  • Organizing, participating, and reporting on meetings.
  • Liaising with embassies, consulates, and government agencies.
  • Ensuring uninterrupted consular services to Irish citizens abroad 

Work abroad

Due to dealing with foreign affairs, work abroad is part and parcel of the job and will include travelling between 90 locations worldwide, including challenging regions.

Therefore, success in this position demands a number of personal qualities, including: 

  • Commitment and capacity to work in foreign languages
  • Strong resilience
  • And a High degree of adaptability

Additionally, while the position will open doors for you in the field of diplomacy, be prepared to serve for extended periods in various locales around the globe.

You are going to have to learn how to keep your hands in many pots, while maintaining a tight ship.

From budget management to programme development; from trade promotion to arranging high-ranking diplomatic visits; and of course, ensuring that the needs of Irish travellers and ex-pats are met, you will need to be a super-organized personality.

Development Specialists Position

In parallel to the position of Third Secretary, the government is also recruiting Development Specialist Officers.

This job is more technical in nature and demands providing technical support to ensure the implementation of a range of programs like Irish Aid, the Government’s international development programme, and other objectives related to foreign affairs.

The job will also necessitate travel between embassies and missions across the globe.

Irish Civil Service Hiring Process:

The recruitment process for Civil Service Officers is managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and is comprised of several stages.

third-secretary

 

After the questionnaire in your application submission, you will be invited to take an online assessment test.

If you are invited to progress to the next stage, you will participate in an interview, and in more steps down the road.

In the Third Secretary PrepPack you will find accurate prep for the Verbal, Numerical and Logical parts of the exam, while for the 'chatAssess' test you will find a tailored study guide and regular SJT practice tests, not in the interactive format.

Only 10% of candidates pass the first stage of tests - Start practising now to be at the top!

Get a Full Preparation Now


Third Secretary & Development Specialists Application

The Stage 1 online questionnaire is the same for both positions and aims to measure the competencies necessary for the Third Secretary & Development Specialists roles.

 

Third Secretary & Development Specialists Interview

An interview can be an intimidating experience, but with good preparation, you will a great chance to pass the interview stage.

A successful candidate must display a high degree of resourcefulness, organisational ability and flexibility.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for your interview (taken from the official Irish Civil Service website)

• Learn about the organisation

• Know the skills and qualities needed for the job

• Know your strengths, skills, and qualities

• Prepare your examples and experiences

• Think why does this make you suitable for this job?

• To build confidence, practice what you would say in the interview with a friend or colleague.

FAQ - Irish Civil Service

What does a third secretery do?

From public to foreign policy, Third Secretary is charged with a range of responsibilities including:

  • Analysis and Research.
  • Organizing, participating, and reporting on meetings.
  • Liaising with embassies, consulates, and government agencies.
  • Ensuring uninterrupted consular services to Irish citizens abroad   
What is an Third Secretary & Development Specialists salary?

The starting salary for this position is €33,053.

What are the Third Secretary & Development Specialists hiring process's stages?

These may include some of the following:

  • An online application form
  • Online assessment tests
  • An online video interview
  • Assessment Centres
Is it likely to work abroad as a Third Secretary or Development Specialists?

Yes. Be prepared to serve for extended periods in various locales around the globe.

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