Congratulations! One of the most competitive part of the Government of Canada’s hiring process is now behind you. Now we must get ready for the written exam(s). Depending on the future job position, the number and types of exam(s) that you are required to write will vary.Depending on the department and the requirements of the Canadian Public Service hiring manager, the exam will be different having their pros and cons. I will discuss in this article I will briefly discuss advantages and disadvantages of an open book written exam.
At home/office, open book
What is an open book exam? In an open book exam, the candidate is usually provided with a short backgrounder (usually 2 – 5 pages) to read and analyze and another document with a page of questions. Candidates are allowed to look for additional information online or at other sources to support their answers.
Advantages:
• You have access to a wealth of information online that you can use to construct informative and detailed answers.
Disadvantages:
• The sheer amount of information can be overwhelming.
• There are tight time lines – as the exams are open book, the time limit is usually 2-3 hours.
• As the exam is open book, hiring managers may expect detailed answers within tight time constraints.
At home/office, take home
In a take home exam, the candidate is usually provided with a long and detailed document as well as another document with the questions of the exam. As the backgrounder is extensive, it is usually difficult to find related information by other sources.
In addition, the time limit is usually 48 hours, thus calling for strong time management and writing skills.
Advantages:
• More time allows you to structure your response in a detailed manner.
Disadvantages:
• Most exams are not provided on the weekends, thus your time must be balanced around other work or academic commitments.
• Many of the documents are lengthy and are time consuming to read.
At the department, group written exam
These exams are usually conducted at the federal government department’s location. It is customary to sit at a desk and be given a document containing context information and a list of questions. The candidate has no access to a computer nor additional materials.
Advantages:
• The exam is usually a maximum of two hours, hence hiring managers do take that into consideration (excluding standardized tests).
Disadvantages:
• Group exams usually entail that many individuals were screened in for the position that you are applying for, hence the competition is more fierce for the position.