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Knowledge Test on the PSC's Appointment Framework
Questions and Answers
Reason for Test
1. Why is there a knowledge test on the Public Service Commission's (PSC) Appointment Framework?
About the AFKT
3. What is the purpose of the AFKT?
4. What does the AFKT evaluate?
6. What is the format of the test?
7. What is the pass mark for the AFKT and how was it established?
8. Why is it a closed-book test?
9. How long are the test results valid for?
10. How can people prepare for the test?
11. Is there a waiting period before being able to take the AFKT again when a person is not successful?
12. What happens to people who fail the AFKT?
13. How should the results of the AFKT be interpreted?
Test Administration
14. Who looks after administering the AFKT?
15. How will departments and employees obtain the results?
16. Will external service providers of staffing services be able to take the AFKT?
18. Will it be a requirement for all external service providers to write the test?
19. How can an external service provider make a request to write the AFKT?
20. How will results be communicated to external service providers?1. Why is there a knowledge test on the Public Service Commission's (PSC) Appointment Framework?
The Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) and the PSC's Appointment Framework place more emphasis on the PSC's oversight role and on accountability to Parliament. In addressing these requirements, the PSC has adopted a renewed approach to its delegation and accountability relationships with departments.
As one of the conditions for the delegation of authority to deputy heads, the PSC requires those to whom authority is sub-delegated to have access to a human resources (HR) specialist with PSC-validated expertise in the Appointment Framework.
The mechanism the PSC has chosen for validating this expertise is the Appointment Framework Knowledge Test (AFKT).
2. How are small organizations that do not have their own HR services expected to meet this condition of delegation (i.e. access to an HR specialist whose expertise in the Appointment Framework has been validated by the PSC)?
The condition of delegation must be met by each deputy head who has an Appointment Delegation and Accountability Instrument (ADAI) with the PSC, regardless of whether or not the organization in question has HR specialists on staff. This means that if an organization uses external human resources advisory services for its own appointment processes, then the organization is required to ensure that the service provider(s) have had their expertise in the PSC's Appointment Framework validated via the AFKT or that they have access to a HR specialist whose expertise in the Appointment Framework has been validated. The condition is the same whether the service provider is located in another part of the public service or is an external consultant.
About the AFKT
3. What is the purpose of the AFKT?
The primary purpose of the AFKT is to validate the expertise of HR specialists in the PSC's Appointment Framework in order for deputy heads to meet a condition of delegation. The test is not intended to be used as a means to assess merit criteria in relation to appointment processes.
4. What does the AFKT evaluate?
The test is designed to evaluate knowledge of all parts of the PSC's Appointment Framework, including appointment policies, delegation of authority and accountability, as well as the legislative framework.
The PSC developed the AFKT for HR specialists providing staffing advice and guidance to managers in organizations governed by the PSEA.
Departments are responsible for determining who should take the test.
6. What is the format of the test?
The AFKT is an on-line multiple-choice, closed-book test in which no reference material may be used. The test includes 54 knowledge questions, that evaluate the understanding of the application of the PSEA and of the three components of the PSC's Appointment Framework.
The time allocated for answering the questions is 75 minutes. Including the time to administer the test, a testing period session takes approximately 95 minutes.
7. What is the pass mark for the AFKT and how was it established?
The pass mark for the knowledge test is 30/54. The pass mark was set using a technique known as the Angoff Procedure, one of the most commonly used and accepted means for setting pass marks on tests like the AFKT. The technique involves establishing the level of knowledge necessary for performing the job.
8. Why is it a closed-book test?
The reason for making the AFKT a closed-book test is that test takers should have a certain level of knowledge without having to refer to reference material. In addition, multiple-choice tests are rarely "open-book".
9. How long are the test results valid for?
The test results will be valid indefinitely, unless major changes are made to the PSEA or the PSC's Appointment Framework.
10. How can people prepare for the test?
There are a number of ways to prepare for the test. These include studying relevant documentation, which you may find at http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/plcy-pltq/learn-apprend/afkt-eccn/index-eng.htm, or learning about the Appointment Framework through activities such as the PSC SmartShops or the courses offered by the Canada School of Public Service.
11. Is there a waiting period before being able to take the AFKT again when a person is not successful?
Test takers will be able to take the AFKT again after a 90-day waiting period has elapsed.
12. What happens to people who fail the AFKT?
Each department will decide upon which approach to take in this situation. However, the PSC sees no objection to allowing people who have failed the AFKT to continue to perform their duties. However, such people must have access to the services of a HR specialist who has successfully passed the test, whether that specialist works in the same organization, another organization in the public service, or the private sector.
13. How should the results of the AFKT be interpreted?
Once persons have successfully passed the test, the knowledge is deemed to be possessed, regardless of the overall score obtained. This means that they have demonstrated the necessary knowledge of the Appointment Framework.
Test Administration
14. Who looks after administering the AFKT?
The PSC is responsible for administering the AFKT. In collaboration with the Personnel Psychology Centre (PPC), the PSC will conduct on-line testing sessions in its regional offices across Canada. Departments should communicate with the PSC regional contacts to register the persons who are to take the test.
15. How will departments and employees obtain the results?
The PPC is responsible for marking the AFKT. PPC will provide departments with the test results of their employees on a pass/fail basis. They will also receive sealed envelopes for the individual employees which will contain more detailed test results. This information may be of value to employees wishing to improve their knowledge of the Appointment Framework.
16. Will external service providers of staffing services be able to take the AFKT?
Yes, the PSC has authorized the administration of the Appointment Framework Knowledge Test (AFKT) to external service providers of Staffing Services conditional on them being registered on the National Master Standing Offer (NMSO) or the Professional Services Online system of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).
17. Can an external service provider outside the National Master Standing Offer (NMSO) or the Professional Services Online system of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), write the AFKT?
The federal government's contracting procedures require that all federal public administration organizations use existing standing offers or other supply arrangements that have been approved by PWGSC. At this time, PWGSC has approved the NMSO and the Professional Services Online, and only those listed on these supply arrangements have access to the AFKT.
Should an organization be granted approval from PWGSC to hire outside these supply arrangements, a request can be made to the PSC for consideration.
18. Will it be a requirement for all external service providers to write the test?
No. Departments and agencies may request successful completion of the AFKT at the time of negotiating a contractual arrangement, either through the National Master Standing Offer (NMSO) or Professional Services Online. However, the PSC intends to request that the AFKT be included as a mandatory requirement for suppliers on both the NMSO and the Professional Services Online.
19. How can an external service provider make a request to write the AFKT?
National Master Standing Offer (NMSO): The companies listed on the NMSO (not the individual consultants) are required to provide the PSC Regional Contacts the names of the providers that they wish to register for the AFKT.
Professional Services Online: external service providers within the following four categories (Human Resources Consultant, Human Resources Policies Specialist, Employment Manager and Employment Interviewer) may register directly with the PSC Regional Contact.
20. How will results be communicated to external service providers?
The PSC will provide the requesting company with the test results of each individual on a pass/fail basis only. A sealed envelope marked "Protected Information - To be opened by addressee only" will include more detailed test results for each individual who wrote the AFKT. Individuals may then choose to share this information with their respective company. The company on the NMSO or the supplier in cases of the Professional Services Online system will be required to update the PWGSC company profile/qualifications to indicate successful completion of the AFKT.
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