Prepare for Administrative Officer Hiring Process and Online Tests (Aon)

JobTestPrep provides you with the resources you need to excel in the Irish Civil Service's competitive recruitment process. This preparation package is designed to prepare you for the critical analysis test, job simulation exercise, and competency-based interviews.

The AO 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.
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.
3. Deductive-Logical ThinkingTests (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.

In the Administrative Officer 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.

The recruitment process for Civil Service Administrative Officers is managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and is comprised of several stages. After completing an initial application, you must complete verbal, numerical, and job simulation online tests.

If you are invited to progress to the next stage, you will participate in a preliminary interview, a presentation exercise, a competitive interview, and any other tests or exercises that are deemed appropriate. Read on to learn about the interviews which follow the online tests.

JobTestPrep will provide you with the resources to prepare for the online tests, interviews, and presentation stages involved in the Administrative Officer hiring process. Start preparing yourself now for the Civil Service's aptitude tests and interviews with our Principal Officer preparation pack.

Following the online tests, you will participate in two interviews: preliminary and competitive. Read on and learn about how to prepare for each type of interview.

Your preliminary interview will be conducted face-to-face on site in Dublin. The interview will focus on your career to date, with particular emphasis on how you have demonstrated the following Administrative Officer competencies in your past experience:

Familiarise yourself with the following Principal Officer competencies:

• Leadership potential
• Analysis and decision-making
• Delivery of results 
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Specialist knowledge and expertise
• Commitment to public service values
• Motivation for self-development

Before your interview, it is wise to read through each competency and think of achievements during your career in which you demonstrated leadership, project management ability, communication, and good judgement. For example, you can think of a time when you had to make a difficult decision and saw it through, which would encompass judgement and decision making. To prepare for your preliminary interview and practice answering competency-based questions, utilise our Administrative Officer preparation pack.

The final interview stage consists of a 15-minute presentation on your solution to a management issue, followed by another competency-based interview. You will be given an hour to read a dossier on which to base your presentation. While organising your presentation, make sure to back up each point you make with solid reasoning, and also to consider other points of view so you are able to describe why you did not choose an alternative point. For the interview portion, make sure to draw upon your past experience and to demonstrate the competencies to show your suitability for taking on an Administrative Officer role. Interview practice exercises and study guides are included in our Administrative Officer PrepPack to help you succeed in the recruitment process.

Before you take your Administrative Officer tests, you will be provided with a Familiarisation programme using the same IT system as used for the test. Ensure that you can access the programme successfully to be assured that the actual test will work as well. 

When taking the tests, it is important that you work in a quiet environment with no distractions, which will allow you to devote your full attention to the questions. It is also key to have a reliable connection to the internet.

To improve your chances of being among those who move on the next stage of the selection process, use JobTestPrep's preparation packages for the Administrative Officer online aptitude tests.

JobTestPrep's Administrative Officer preparation pack will provide you with the interview practice and online test resources to prepare you for the Civil Service's online tests and competency-based interviews.

JobTestPrep is not a part of Irish Civil Service and is not related to them in any way. JobTestPrep offers preparation services for psychometric tests.

The Administrative Officer grade is the highest entry-level position in the Civil Service. Administrative Officers often work on policy initiatives, research, and analysis. They are employed in most government departments, and the greatest number are in the Department of Finance.