Ace the Fast Stream Assessment Centre With 2024 Prep

The Fast Steam selection process consists of several stages in the application process.

Click here for our dedicated page on the Fast Stream Online Tests. This page has lots of info, free sample questions, and a full preparation pack to help you pass the online tests.

Once you have successfully completed your online tests, you can now move on to a more comprehensive version of the Civil Service Fast Stream application form.

In this application form, you are given the opportunity to input your scholastic qualifications as well as answer some competency questions.

These questions centre on the key values of the Civil Service. In order to answer the questions correctly, you need to incorporate the key values of the Civil Service into your answers.

Learning how to incorporate these values into your answers is an art form of sorts.

After you have completed the previous Civil Service online psychometric tests, you are asked to take an e-tray exercise and a video interview. In the e-tray exercise, you are given a list of e-mails, tasks, and data to organise and prioritise in the manner you would in the role for which you have applied.

There are three different stages in the Civil Service e-tray exercise: understanding and comprehending e-mails; responding in the correct manner, and writing a response to a particular e-mail.

In the response to the e-mail, you need to create a well-written report complete with an introduction, a main section outlining your ideas, and a conclusion summing up what you have written along with a proposal or recommendation as to the best course of action. You will have 80 minutes to complete this exercise.

The applications for Fast Stream Assessment are now closed.

The online tests are only the first step in many. We have created a 2024 updated version of the Fast Stream prep. Don't start the hiring process unprepared! 

Once you have passed the online assessments you will be invited to a half-day assessment centre consisting of the following assessments:

• A group exercise
• A leadership exercise
• A written analysis exercise

Candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours:

Seeing the Big Picture
Understand how your role fits with and supports organizational objectives. Recognize the wider organizational priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.

Changing and Improving
Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

Making Effective Decisions
Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions, and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.

Communicating and Influencing
Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.

Working Together
Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.

Developing Self and Others
Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others, and the organization as a whole.

The assessor will be evaluating performance against three of the Civil Service behaviours:

1. Making Effective Decisions
2. Working Together
3. Communicating and Influencing

In this part of the assessment, candidates are expected to engage in a group discussion. Candidates are given a fictitious scenario and are asked to advise on a government objective or commitment. Candidates are provided detailed information on the main issues and on the position, they are representing.

All group members are given the same information regarding the scenario and an overview of the options. Each candidate will also have further information on two of the options; one option requires candidates to promote to the group, and the other to oppose.

The group has up to 40 minutes to come to an agreement on the best recommendation. The candidate's goal is to obtain the best outcome for the position they are representing as well as for the whole group.

The assessor will be evaluating performance against four of the Civil Service behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing 

This is a written exercise. Candidates are given various pieces of information from different sources relating to a number of fictitious scenarios.

Candidates need to analyse the issues at hand, answer a series of questions, and make a recommendation on which scenario to select.

Candidates will compare and contrast the features of each scenario, using the given criteria, and explain the reasons for their recommendation convincingly.

The important thing here is that candidates demonstrate how they support their decisions using facts and figures and how they express this in writing.

Candidates have 90 minutes to complete this task, whereby it is suggested they look through the materials for 30 minutes and then spend 60 minutes carrying out their analysis and producing their written response.

The assessor will be evaluating performance against five of the Civil Service behaviours:

• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Developing Self & Others
• Communicating and Influencing

The exercise is designed to test the candidate's ability to take on a leadership role. Candidates partake in a one-to-one role-play exercise in which they play the part of a Fast Streamer in a UK government department. In this role, candidates are given the responsibility for leading an important initiative, task, or project.

Candidates have 30 minutes to review related information on the initiative in various formats such as emails, videos, and articles.

Each candidate then has a 30-minute long meeting with an assessor, who plays the role of someone with a particular interest in the success of the initiative.

All it takes to sail through the assessment centre is some preparation.

• Start getting ready for it early on, so you can alleviate the stress that comes from procrastinating. JobTestPrep expert at assessment centre preparation.
  With our numerous resources—exercises, guides, and tutorials—you are sure to feel confident for the assessment day.
• Figure out beforehand your route to the centre because you don't want to be late.
• Get a good night's sleep so you are refreshed and ready to impress.
• Keep the Civil Service competencies in mind so you can perform at your best.

The Civil Service Fast Stream is your fast track to a top position in the Civil Service.

As we have seen, there are many different stages to the Civil Service recruitment process, each assessing you against a specific set of skills, and in a variety of ways. Preparation is key to progressing through the stages, and with our help at JobTestPrep, you can be assured that you are performing at your best.

Fast Stream offers 15 schemes, each for a different profession, and the opportunity to contribute to the whole of society. They are all open to final year undergraduates, existing graduates, or degree apprentices. 

When you apply to the Fast Stream you will be able to select up to 4 schemes in preference order and they will be considered throughout the hiring process. 

Visit the official Fast Stream website to take a deeper look into each of the schemes: