1. MATURE ENTRY TO NURSING Preparation for the Written Assessment

2. Written Assessment Date Saturday 14th April 2012 Dublin Details of written assessment including time and venue will be available on 21 March 2012 on PAS website www.publicjobs.ie www.publicjobs.ie Cavan AEGIS

3. First Correspondence 9th March Each mature code applicant will receive an email from the Public Appointment Service to include attachment of booklet “Nursing / Midwifery - A Career For You 2012”. Cavan AEGIS

4. Invitation to Written Assessment Invitation available on www.publicjobs.ie from Wednesday 21 st Marchwww.publicjobs.ie Require your CAO number to access your information Details are NOT automatically sent by post/email Print off invitation and bring with you to test centre Cavan AEGIS

5. Other Dates to remember.. Details of Test: Wed 21 rd March 2012 Test Familiarisation Booklet: available at www.publicjobs.ie on Wed 21 rd March 2012 www.publicjobs.ie Written Assessment: Sat 14 th April 2012 Results available online: Fri 18 th May 2012 Cavan AEGIS

6. The Written Assessment Consists of four obligatory competitive pencil and paper tests that are in multiple choice short-answer format. They have been designed so that they are fair to all applicants. The answers to these tests are objectively scored using a standardised answer and score key. There are no penalties for incorrect answers on any of the tests. Cavan AEGIS

7. The Written Assessment Put maximum effort into each of the tests as they all contribute to an applicant’s overall test result. A minimum standard is required on each of the four tests. A final overall score is awarded. Cavan AEGIS

8. Test 1: Skills/Experiences Questionnaire This questionnaire is about the applicant and their experience, interests and achievements. The purpose of collecting this information is to compare an applicant’s preferences with characteristics that have been identified as being necessary for a career in nursing/midwifery, in a way that is fair and consistent with everyone. Cavan AEGIS

9. Test 2: Verbal Test This test is designed to measure the ability to understand relationships between pairs of words. Cavan AEGIS

10. Test 3: Numerical Test This test is designed to measure the ability to work out the relationships between numbers. Cavan AEGIS

11. Test 4: Job Simulation Exercise This exercise attempts to identify your likely response when presented with scenarios typical of what could occur in a job situation….. Cavan AEGIS

12. Test 4 Job Simulation Exercise continued… What does it measure: –It measures a range of skills and qualities required in the Student Nurse role, ranging from taking care of someone, through to taking responsibility in a situation…. Cavan AEGIS

13. Test 4: Job Simulation Exercise continued… Format: –read through a number of scenarios and choose your response from a list of possible actions, based on the information presented in the scenario. Cavan AEGIS

14. Preparing for the Written Assessment Cavan AEGIS

15. Preparing for the Written Assessment Appraise yourself with the publication: Test Familiarisation Booklet 2012. It is important to have the most up-to-date issue. Cavan AEGIS

16. The Test Familiarisation Booklet…. Contains: –Information on the different tests being used –How the actual test booklets and answer sheets work –The time limits for each test, and how the tests are scored. –Practice questions are provided for each test Cavan AEGIS

17. 2012 Test Familiarisation Booklet The 2012 version will be placed on the Public Appointments Service (PAS) website on 21 st March 2012: www.publicjobs.ie You should use your CAO number to access the information Cavan AEGIS

18. Take Note! The onus is on each applicant to download/print off this document from the website. Test Familiarisation booklet is not being sent by post to applicants Cavan AEGIS

19. Results Available at www.publicjobs.ie on Friday, 18 th May 2012. www.publicjobs.ie PAS will issue results and feedback by email to applicants To access your results, you will need your CAO number If not received by Monday 21 st May contact the PAS Cavan AEGIS

20. Written Assessment An applicant must be successful at the Nursing Careers Centre (NCC) Written Assessment before being considered for an offer as a mature code applicant. However, success at the NCC Written Assessment does not guarantee an offer of a place. Cavan AEGIS

21. Appeals.. To appeal the result applicants should contact the PAS within 7 days on receipt of results. Results will not be given over the telephone or discussed with a third party. Cavan AEGIS

22. Feedback on Written Assessment The Public Appointments Service (PAS) will email you by Friday 18 th May 2012 with detailed feedback on your Written Assessment Cavan AEGIS

23. Checklist: What to bring to Written Assessment! Print-off of the invitation to attend the written assessment with your name and number identifier (available on www.publicjobs.ie on 21st March)www.publicjobs.ie Photographic identification: (Driving License or Passport) 2 soft pencils 1 eraser 1 pencil sharpener. Cavan AEGIS

24. Good Luck! FROM CAVAN ADULT EDUCATION GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION SERVICE (Cavan AEGIS) E: cavanaegis@cavanvec.ie www.cavanadulteducation.ie Cavan AEGIS