Assessment FAQ stage
Look through the questions and answers below for more information about the assessment process.
Personal Statement
- Will I receive my sift scores? Yes your scores will be sent to you via email.
- I have been rejected at sift, can I get feedback? Feedback is not provided at the sift stage, but you will receive your score.
- Can I use Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) at any stage during the application process? We recognise that AI may be helpful when applying for this role, but it is important to use it in the right way. Read the page on Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/ to understand how you can make the best use of GenAI while ensuring your application remains authentic and effective.
Statement of Suitability
- Will I receive my sift scores? Yes your scores will be sent to you via email.
- I have been rejected at sift, can I get feedback? Feedback is not provided at the sift stage, but you will receive your score.
- Can I use Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) at any stage during the application process? We recognise that AI may be helpful when applying for this role, but it is important to use it in the right way. Read the page on Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/ to understand how you can make the best use of GenAI while ensuring your application remains authentic and effective.
Situational Judgement Test
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How is my SJT score calculated?
The score is determined from your answers to a
sequence of realistic job preview questions. The
questions are multiple choice with options ranging
from a poor answer to an excellent answer and the
score is the sum of your responses.
The SJT scoring is a fully automated process based on the sum of your individual responses.
The benchmark score may differ from vacancy to vacancy as it is dependent upon several factors. These include the number of candidates who applied for the campaign, the range of scores achieved and the number of vacancies available within the campaign.
Role Suitability Assessment
- Will I receive my sift scores? Yes your scores will be sent to you via email.
-
How is my Role Suitablity Assessment score
calculated?
For all roles, your results from the Values-Based
Assessment and Capability Based Assessment are
combined to produce an overall score. The scoring
is a fully automated process based on your
individual responses. The Capability Based
Assessment score is scaled so that both assessments
contribute equally to the combined score, which has
a maximum of 480
You must achieve the required minimum score on each assessment before your combined score can be considered. This means that a high score on one assessment cannot compensate for a score below the minimum requirement on the other. Candidates who meet both minimum requirements are then ranked using their combined score.
The combined score required to progress to the sift may vary from vacancy to vacancy depending on several factors such as the number of candidates who applied for the campaign, the range of scores achieved and the number of vacancies available within the campaign. All candidates applying within the same campaign will be assessed consistently against the same score. Meeting the minimum scores does not automatically guarantee progression, as only the highest-scoring eligible candidates may be invited to the next stage.
- Do I receive feedback from my Assessment? You will get both your individual assessment scores and an amalgamated score that reflects your overall performance aross both of the assessment elements.
- Can I use Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) at any stage during the application process? We recognise that AI may be helpful when applying for this role, but it is important to use it in the right way. Read the page on Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/ to understand how you can make the best use of GenAI while ensuring your application remains authentic and effective.
Interviews
- I applied under Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) but did not get invited to interview, can you tell me why? Disabled applicants who have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme will only progress to the interview if they pass the online assessment and have met the minimum requirements at the sift stage. In the case where a vacancy proceeds straight to interview without a sift, applicants would still be required to meet minimum requirements
- Can I refer to notes during my interview? Yes you can look at any notes you have during the interview time and while recording your answers but you should not simply be reading from a script.
- Can I have someone with me during the interview? Candidates can only have someone with them only as part of an agreed Reasonable Adjustment. If you advise you need additional support, we will contact you to establish the reason for this and agree what is appropriate. If it is confirmed you need someone to assist you such as an interpreter, this would be arranged by the Department from our contracted provider.
- Can I use Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) at any stage during the application process? We recognise that AI may be helpful when applying for this role, but it is important to use it in the right way. Read the page on Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/ to understand how you can make the best use of GenAI while ensuring your application remains authentic and effective.
-
Is there a specific time slot for my interview?
For PRVI interviews, there will be a deadline for
you to complete the interview and you will be
alerted to this deadline in the email invitation.
You can take your interview at a time that suits
you from the time you receive the email with the
link up to the deadline.
For Live Video Interviews and Face to Face Interviews you will be able to book one of the available interview slots in your Application Centre and you will receive a reminder of this. You receive the email with the link that will allow you to join, along with information on how to access the interview if a Live Video Interview or details if where to attend for Face to Face Interviews.
- What do I do if I have technical issues during the pre-recorded interview? There is help available 24/7 via the Help button on the system (Tazio). If this does not resolve your issue and you require further help and assistance, please contact the SSCL Customer Hub via:
- Will the pre-recorded interview work with assistive technology? Yes, the interview has been Accessibility tested and this worked well. If you use Assistive Technology and have difficulties during the interview, please contact the SSCL Customer Hub via:
- What do I do if I have technical issues during the Live Video Interview? It is your responsibility to ensure you are using a suitable platform, Wifi connection and equipment. You can try coming out and re-entering the meeting and the panel can arrange for your interview to be rescheduled. An interview can only be rescheduled once and the rescheduled interview will ONLY cover the missed elements of the interview.
- I currently work in DWP, can I take my pre-recorded interview on DWP equipment? Yes, you can however you will need to ensure that you have an up to date version of the internet browser Microsoft Edge to do this. If you do not have an up to date version on your DWP equipment you will need to undertake the interview on an alternative device.
- Do I need both a camera and microphone? Yes, for PRVI and Live Video interviews. It is your responsibility to ensure the panel can hear and see you throughout, otherwise a PRVI interview will not be assessed and a a Live Video Interview cannot continue.
- Do I need to provide my ID? Yes for Live Video interviews we will ask for a suitable photographic ID document to be sent in ahead of your interview. The panel will use this to check they are speaking to the correct person. They will also ask you to show the same ID to the camera at the start of the interview. For face to face interviews you will be required to take your ID to the interview and the panel will ask to see this before the interview can commence.
- What ID is suitable? You will need to provide photo ID that proves your identity such as a passport or driving licence.
- I have been rejected at interview, can I get feedback? You will be provided with your interview scores but feedback is not provided automatically. If you would like to request feedback then please contact the SSCL Customer Hub:
Contact Us
If you have further questions about the role please contact the SSCL Customer Hub via: You can do this by contacting the SSCL Customer Hub via: