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Unsupervised Internet Testing

• What is an Unsupervised Internet Test?
• Information for job applicants on Unsupervised Internet Testing
• Unsupervised Internet Test of Cognitive Ability-Level 1
• Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills
• Examples of the types of questions you will see on the Second Language Evaluation test
• Public Service Entrance Exam

What is an Unsupervised Internet Test?

What is an Unsupervised Internet Test?

An Unsupervised Internet Test (UIT) is a test that is administered in an unsupervised environment, accessible at any location where the test taker has access to a computer and an Internet connection.

Why is Unsupervised Internet Testing being used?

Each year, the federal public service receives over one million job applications. Some job advertisements receive thousands of applications. The UIT is a new, additional screening tool being used to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the staffing process.

Although receiving many applications for a job can be helpful, processing too many applications is costly and time-consuming. When used in combination with other screening criteria (e.g. education and experience), a UIT can help reduce the volume of applications to a reasonable amount and yield a sufficient number of promising applicants.

To ensure that applicants have completed the UIT based on their own abilities, the UIT results of screened-in candidates will be verified by using another assessment instrument in a supervised setting. For example, when the UIT of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 is used in the screening process, the General Competency Test: Level 1 will be administered later to those who passed the UIT and met the other screening criteria.

Given that an Unsupervised Internet Test is taken without supervision, doesn't that encourage cheating and make the test result questionable?

Research on unsupervised tests has shown that test takers are unlikely to cheat when they are told that, should they get screened in, their UIT will be followed up with a mandatory supervised test that measures the same qualification as the UIT. Poor performance on the mandatory supervised test will end the applicant's participation in the selection process.

Information for job applicants on Unsupervised Internet Testing

Time limits

The UIT currently in use has a time limit of 60 minutes, but most people are able to finish it in approximately 30 minutes.

Necessary computer skills

Minimal computer skills are needed to complete a UIT. You simply need to navigate through the text, select buttons on your computer screen (e.g. "Next," "Yes" or "No") and select your answers to the UIT questions.

Requirements

Job seekers can complete a UIT only once when applying for a given job opportunity. Job seekers must complete the UIT questions based on their own abilities, without help from others.

Unique test versions

Each applicant is presented with a different set of questions for the same UIT. All versions of the same UIT are of equal difficulty.

Unsupervised Internet Test of Cognitive Ability – Level 1

Description

What does the Unsupervised Internet Test of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 measure?

The Unsupervised Internet Test (UIT) of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 measures a person’s general problem-solving and reasoning ability.

What can I expect when I take this test?

• Number and type of questions: The test is comprised of 20 multiple choice questions.
• Time limit: You have 60 minutes to complete the UIT, although most people finish it in approximately 30 minutes. If you take extended breaks during the test and keep your browser open, you may not have sufficient time to complete the test. At the end of the 60 minutes, all the questions that you answered up to that point will be scored; this will be the UIT result used in your job application.
• If technical difficulties arise during the test (e.g. your computer crashes or you accidentally close your browser window), you will be able to continue the test by logging back into the system and continuing where you left off. In the event of extreme technical difficulties (e.g. extended power outage), you can use the e-mail address provided to submit a request to take the test again. You will only be permitted to re-take the test once, and you will be given an entirely new set of questions to complete. A request for a re-test can only be addressed from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. There can be a delay in the time required to provide a re-test during periods of high call volumes.
• Pass mark: Each hiring manager sets the pass mark for their process. As a result, pass marks on the UIT of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 can vary across selection processes.

Test result

How will the results of my Unsupervised Internet Test of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 be used?

The results of your UIT will be used along with the other screening criteria established by the manager who is filling the position(s).

If you fail the UIT of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 or any of the other screening criteria used by the manager (e.g. education), you will be screened out and not considered further for the position.

If you pass the UIT of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 and the other screening criteria used by the manager (e.g. education), you will be further considered for the position and required to write the General Competency Test: Level 1 (GCT1) in a supervised location. For a description of the GCT1, please visit www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc-cpp/psc-tests-cfp/gct1-ecg1-eng.htm.

How can I obtain the results of my Unsupervised Internet Test?

Once the advertisement is closed, log into your "My Jobs file" and you will be advised whether your application met the unsupervised internet test requirement.

Can the results of my Unsupervised Internet Test of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 be re-used when I apply for other jobs?

No. The results of your UIT of Cognitive Ability – Level 1 can only be used within the selection process for which you took that UIT. If you apply for another job that includes the UIT in its screening process, you are required to take another version of the UIT of Cognitive Ability – Level 1.

I have a disability or require assessment accommodations. Can I ask for them?

As part of the on-line process, applicants will be asked whether they require accommodations for the UIT. Applicants do not have to officially self-identify as a member of one of the Employment Equity groups to request assessment accommodations. If an applicant indicates that they require accommodations, the applicant will be exempt from taking the UIT. If the applicant is subsequently screened in based on the other criteria and without having completed the UIT, the applicant will be required to provide information on their condition or disability or their circumstance (e.g. cultural or religious reasons) to enable appropriate assessment with the supervised test.

Who do I contact for more information about the Unsupervised Internet Test of Cognitive Ability – Level 1?

Send your questions via e-mail to ppc-cpp@psc-cfp.gc.ca, or telephone
613-992-9741.

Doing your best on the Unsupervised Internet Test of Cognitive Ability – Level 1

• Set aside sufficient time to complete the UIT.
• Arrange to do the UIT in a location that you believe will be conducive to doing your best.
• Answer all questions . Read the whole question. Eliminate answers that you know are wrong. By reducing the number of choices, you increase your chance of selecting correct answers. Guess if you are not sure of the correct answer. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
• Before you take the UIT, try the following practice questions. Answers are provided for each question, along with the rationale for the correct answer.

Examples of the three types of questions on the test

Similarities questions

In each similarities question, five pairs of words are presented. Your task is to select the pair that refers most clearly to the same general concept.

Try to find the pair in the following example:

Question 1

Question 2

Numerical questions

In this type of question, you must choose the correct answer to a practical numerical problem. Use of rough paper is permitted.

Question 3

Question 4

Number series questions

In a number series task, you are to determine the number that would come next in the series. You first have to establish the rule that has been used to make up the series, and then apply this rule to complete the series correctly.

Question 5

Note: If you accessed this Web site from an advertisement for a job in the federal public service, you will need to return to the advertisement to apply for the job and take the UIT.

Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

The Second Language Writing Skills test is a self-assessment tool that evaluates the test takers’ ability to express themselves, in writing, in their second official language. It is self-assessment because the results will only be seen by the test taker. The results are designed to help job applicants decide whether or not it makes sense for them to apply for bilingual imperative positions.

This test is being offered to applicants who submit their application to certain bilingual job opportunities that are advertised using the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS).

Which job opportunities will use this Unsupervised Internet Test?

• Applicants are given the opportunity, on a voluntary basis, to take this test if they are working on an application to a bilingual position within PSRS.
• No distinction between the various levels of bilingual job opportunities (i.e. A, B or C) are taken into consideration. The UIT is available to applicants whenever the word “bilingual” is used to describe one or more of the available positions.

How does taking this test affect the applicants?

• Test results do not affect the applicant’s status in any job selection process for which they apply.
• Results are solely for applicant use and for anonymous research purposes.
• Results do not affect previous or future achieved levels on the statutory Second Language Evaluation (SLE) Test of Written Expression in the applicant's second official language.
• Applicants will still be required to take the statutory SLE test in their second official language if they apply to and are screened into bilingual imperative job opportunities.

Taking the test

• This test is designed to be completed within 15 to 30 minutes. For the test takers’ convenience, a time limit of 60 minutes has been allotted to complete the test.
• A test taker can remain idle for 60 minutes before the system will log them out of the test. Once logged out, the test taker will not be able to complete the test, nor will they be given the opportunity to take the test again. Rather, they will need to send an e-mail to the Help Desk in order to re-set their test.
• If the test is interrupted prematurely due to a disruption of service for any reason, the test taker will be given an opportunity to re-take the test. This can be accomplished if they send a request to the Help Desk during their hours of operation.

Results

• The results are provided to the test taker automatically following the completion of the test.
• Test takers will receive feedback about whether they scored low, medium or high on the test. Those who receive a low score will be told that, if they maintain their current level of performance, then it is unlikely that they will pass the SLE Test of Written Expression in the Second Official Language at the intermediate (B) or advanced (C) level.
• Your results will not be shared with the HR Advisor and/or Hiring Manager.
• There is no indication to the test taker as to what rating level they received, such as A, B, C or E.

What if the applicant fails the test?

• There is no consequence. The results do not impact an application process. It is up to the candidate, based on the results of the test, to decide whether or not they wish to continue with their application for the position or withdraw from the process.
• Applicants who have applied to and been screened in for bilingual job opportunities will still be required to write the statutory SLE test for each process if they do not have valid SLE test results that meet the language requirements of the job opportunity.

Examples of the types of questions you will see on the Second Language Evaluation test

Question Type I

In this question type, you are given a sentence in English followed by four answer choices in French. You are to select the sentence that is closest in meaning to the sentence written in English and is grammatically correct.

Example 1

Question 1

Question Type II

In this question type, you are given a sentence in which words or groups of words have been underlined and printed in bold text.

You are to identify, from among the four underlined words or groups of words, the one that constitutes an error. If none of the words or groups of words constitutes an error, select the circle beside "no error / pas d'erreur" on your screen.

Example 2

Question 2

Send your questions via e-mail to ppc-cpp@psc-cfp.gc.ca, or telephone
613-992-9741.

The Public Service Entrance Exam

Description

The Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE) assesses problem-solving and reasoning abilities.
The exam includes four different types of questions: arithmetic reasoning, logical reasoning, analytical reasoning and numbers and letters series. This unsupervised exam can be completed wherever you have access to a computer and an Internet connection. 

What can I expect when I take this test?

• Number and type of questions: The unsupervised PSEE is comprised of 25 multiple choice questions.
• Time limit: You will have 80 minutes to complete the PSEE.
• Pass mark: Each hiring manager sets the pass mark for their appointment process. As a result, pass marks on the PSEE can vary across hiring processes. The minimum pass mark is 40%, but hiring managers may use a higher cut score at their discretion.
• If technical difficulties arise during the PSEE (e.g., your computer crashes or you accidentally close your browser window), you will be able to continue the test by logging back into the system and continuing where you left off. In the event of extreme technical difficulties (e.g., extended power outage), contact the HelpDesk between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday Eastern Time.
• We strongly encourage you to give yourself sufficient time to complete the PSEE.

Test results

How will the results of my PSEE be used?

Your unsupervised PSEE results will be used along with the other screening criteria established by the manager who is staffing the position(s).

If you pass the unsupervised PSEE and the other screening criteria used by the manager (e.g., education) then you will be further considered for additional testing and required to write the Graduate Recruitment Test in a supervised location. No appointment will be made to the Federal Public Service without a candidate having passed a similar follow-up test in a supervised setting.

Can the results of my PSEE be re-used when I apply for other jobs?

No. The results of your unsupervised PSEE can only be used within the appointment process for which you took it.

What process do I follow if I have a disability or require assessment accommodation?

As part of the on-line process, applicants will be asked whether they require accommodation for the PSEE. Assessment accommodation will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who meet all other screening requirements (e.g., education) and indicate that they require assessment accommodation due to a disability or a medical condition will be contacted by the PSC about alternate testing arrangements. The applicant will be required to provide information on their condition or disability or their circumstance (e.g., cultural or religious reasons) to enable appropriate assessment.

Who do I contact for more information about the PSEE?

• Technical questions (i.e., computer-related) should be directed to the HelpDesk.
• Questions regarding test content should be directed to the Personnel Psychology Centre (PPC) via e-mail to ppc-cpp@psc-cfp.gc.ca, or telephone 613-992-9741. Typically, the PPC can respond to these inquiries within 48 hours, Monday to Friday.
• Questions regarding the staffing process should be directed to the hiring manager or the program.

Doing your best on the PSEE:

• Set aside sufficient time to complete the PSEE;
• Arrange to do the PSEE in a location that you believe will be conducive to doing your best;
• Answer all questions. Read the whole question. Eliminate answers that you know are wrong. By reducing the number of choices, you increase your chance of selecting correct answers. Guess if you are not sure of the correct answer. There is no penalty for wrong answers; and
• Before you take the PSEE, try the practice questions. Answers are provided for each question along with the rationale for the correct answer.

Frequently asked questions

Do unsupervised PSEE test results count?

Yes, unsupervised PSEE results count since they can be used to make staffing decisions; for example, screening applicants in or out of an appointment process.

What are the consequences if I copy and/or share the online test questions?

Supervised and unsupervised tests and their contents are designated Protected. Any form of reproduction (copying), retention (keeping), or recording of the content of a test is strictly forbidden. After completing the unsupervised test, any rough notes relating to test content should be destroyed and must not be shared with others. On the day of the supervised test(s), all material related to the test, including rough notes, must remain with the test administrator following the administration of the test. Any unauthorized reproduction, recording and / or disclosure of test content is in contravention of the Government Security Policy and the use of such improperly obtained or transmitted information could be found to contravene the provisions of the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). Parties involved in the disclosure of or improper use of Protected test content may be the subject of an investigation under the PSEA, where a finding of fraud may be punishable on summary conviction, or may be referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). You should also note that the PSC scans blogs, web sites, etc., to detect inappropriate and/or fraudulent duplication in whole or in part of its assessment tools.

How will the PSC deal with people who cheat on a UIT?

It is essential that you complete this test honestly, by yourself, without assistance from other people or other resources (e.g., books, notes, etc.). In the interest of fairness to you and others, it is also essential that you respect the confidentiality of the testing material and agree not to share or copy any of it. It is also expected that you respect the copyright, trademark, and any other legal rights associated with the testing material.

Please note that all suspected cheating will be referred to the responsible manager and the PPC for action. Suspected cheating may result in the invalidation of test results and may be the subject of an investigation under the PSEA, where a finding of fraud may be punishable on summary conviction or may be referred to the RCMP.

Sample questions

Arithmetic reasoning

In this question type, you will need to identify an unknown value based on the information provided. Try the following example:

Question 1

An employee worked 11 hours in a day; 7 1/2 hours were regular hours and the rest were overtime hours, for which she received payment at time and a half. If she was paid $112 for the day, what was her regular rate of pay per hour?

1. $6.79 per hour
2. $8.78 per hour
3. $14.93 per hour
4. $19.48 per hour

The employee is paid for 7.5 hours in regular time and for 1.5 x 3.5 hours for her overtime. The total number of paid hours is 12.75 (7.5 + 1.5 x 3.5). She received $112, so you would divide 112 by 12.75 to get $8.78/hour. Therefore, you would select option 2.

1. $6.79 per hour
2. $8.78 per hour
3. $14.93 per hour
4. $19.48 per hour

Note: The contextual information in the test questions is fictional.

Logical reasoning

In this question type, you need to use logical reasoning to choose the best response based on the information given in the first part of the question. Try the following example:

Question 2

The accounting department just finished a staffing process and is setting up a training session. All recently hired employees are very well qualified. All of the trainees are recently hired employees. What can be validly concluded from the information provided above?

1. All of the trainees are very well qualified.
2. None of the trainees are very well qualified.
3. Some of the trainees are not very well qualified.
4. All very well qualified employees are trainees.

All of the trainees are recently hired employees, and all recently hired employees are very well qualified. Therefore, you would select option 1.

1. All of the trainees are very well qualified.
2. None of the trainees are very well qualified.
3. Some of the trainees are not very well qualified.
4. All very well qualified employees are trainees.

Note: The contextual information in the test questions is fictional.

Analytical reasoning

These questions include some invented words as well as some real words found in English. You will be asked to select the best response. In all cases, finding the best response will involve making inferences based on the information in the question. In others, it will also involve making assumptions based on your knowledge of the relationships between the real words.

Try the following example:

Question 3

• A FOBU resembles a XIXU but is heavier.
• A XIXU resembles a car but is heavier.
• A MIRU resembles a bicycle but is lighter.

Which of the following is the best response?

1. A FOBU is heavier than a MIRU.
2. A car is lighter than a MIRU.
3. A bicycle is heavier than a XIXU.
4. A XIXU is heavier than a FOBU.

Based on the relationships outlined in the first two statements, we know that a FOBU is heavier than a XIXU, which is heavier than a car. We also know that a car is heavier than a bicycle from the knowledge we have of these real words, and, from the third statement, we know that a MIRU is lighter than a bicycle. From heaviest to lightest, the order of the words is: FOBU, XIXU, CAR, BICYCLE, MIRU. Therefore, you would select the option 1.

1. A FOBU is heavier than a MIRU.
2. A car is lighter than a MIRU.
3. A bicycle is heavier than a XIXU.
4. A XIXU is heavier than a FOBU.

Number or letter series

In the number or letter series task, you are to determine the number or letter that would come next in the series. You first have to establish the rule which has been used to make up the series and then apply this rule to complete the series correctly.

3,  6,  9,  12,  15,  18,

1. 19
2. 20
3. 21
4. 22

In this example, each number of the series is the preceding number plus three. The number that completes the series correctly is obtained by adding 3 to 18. Since 21 is the correct answer, you would select option 3.

1. 19
2. 20
3. 21
4. 22

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Date Modified:

2011-09-18