Posted by MistarellaFL on 1/4/09 10:20am
Msg #273493

Does anyone have the census "practice test"?

I have to take my real test tomorrow, and the test has not been available on their website for some time.
If anyone has it, I'd appreciate if you'd email to me.
[e-mail address]
Thanks in advance.

Reply by Bev/NC on 1/4/09 11:21am
Msg #273503

You do NOT need to practice. This is just common sense. It is so very easy. Got 100%.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/4/09 11:22am
Msg #273504

Bev, they told you your score?

They weren't allowed to give us our scores when we finished - all we were told was if we wanted to we could retake the test and told us the next testing dates in our area...

Reply by Bev/NC on 1/4/09 11:34am
Msg #273506

Re: Bev, they told you your score?

Yes, as soon as we finished he graded it and showed us and then we left.

Reply by ananotary on 1/4/09 12:43pm
Msg #273519

Agree 100% Bev! I didn't study either for my 100% n/m

Reply by sue_pa on 1/4/09 1:37pm
Msg #273524

I was reading on another board how 'difficult' the test was ... how some couldn't finish in time ... how someone needed to use their 'higher math skills'. I cracked up. Higher math than what? Fourth grade? I finished in 15 minutes. Alas, I had one wrong ... it was an opinion type question about supervision rather than a factual answer. If you have 'basic" not advanced math skills (adding a column of numbers with decimals, reading a table, putting dates in order, etc) and if you can put things in alphabetical order and spell (Anna is not the same as Ana, Marie is not the same as Maria) this test is a snap. I must admit, there were 2 people who failed on the spot. One announced that he just couldn't do it after a few minutes. The other poor guy ... answered in the test book rather than on the answer sheet ... and the instructor had to spend several minutes going over that 'instruction' prior to the test.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/4/09 2:15pm
Msg #273528

Keep in mind, Sue

Most if not all people today don't add or subtract without benefit of a calculator - heck, I'd wager most don't even balance a checkbook any more - computers and online banking take care of all this...so the math part, in a way, is understandable - many, math without a calculator IS advanced math..<G>.....I barely had time to finish the test, not because of the math (that was my strong point) but, I guess, because I took extra time to read the questions a bit more carefully since it's been almost 40 years since I tested for anything other than my notary and signing agent-related matters.

I do agree - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to pass this test.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/4/09 3:04pm
Msg #273535

I took the test and also missed one - the same one that sue_pa missed. I did take the full 30 minutes to finish the test but I think it was because, like Linda_H/FL said, I read the questions carefully. Some of the alphabetizing was tricky if you weren't really paying close attention. There was also a question about putting dates in order, but it was from most recent to oldest, and I noticed that I started doing it from oldest to most recent but then I caught myself.

I didn't even know a practice test was available. One person in my group failed and was dismissed. Another guy had taken the test a month earlier and failed - he was back and passed this time, but he also had some sort of status that gave him extra points, so he could miss more than I could and still pass. I think it was because he had served in the military. There was a special name for qualifying for the extra points but I can't remember what it was called.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/4/09 3:32pm
Msg #273539

It's a Veteran's Preference given to those

who served in the military - 5 points if they served - 10 points if they had a service-connected disability. My husband got the 10 points when he took the civil service test for the post office back in the "old days"..

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/4/09 3:41pm
Msg #273540

Re: It's a Veteran's Preference ...should also add

The post office used to "open" their test every few months - in the case of someone with Veteran Preference, he could just contact the main office and make a request to take the test and they had to let him take it - he didn't have to wait for testing to open.....

It also offered him a certain degree of job "stability" - protection from termination unless under the most extreme circumstances....

A lot of info you probably didn't need but that's what it is..

Reply by sue_pa on 1/5/09 7:05am
Msg #273568

...also missed one - the same one that sue_pa missed...

Amazing isn't it !!! My initial thought was the correct answer but I thought about the question and figured the US government would not allow any human emotion at all in decision making ...

Reply by KODI/CA on 1/4/09 12:15pm
Msg #273511

as of this morning the practice test is available at www.2010censusjobs.gov Happy testing.

Reply by LauriecPA on 1/4/09 12:25pm
Msg #273512

Re: This link should take you right to it.

http://www.census.gov/2010censusjobs/documents/Practice_Test.pdf

Reply by MistarellaFL on 1/4/09 4:36pm
Msg #273542

thank you everyone

I did print the test a week or so ago, and didn't look at it then.
I looked at it yesterday, and it was a bunch of gibberish.
I have found this is happening to me with pdf files that are printed on the spot, and not saved.
This started happening to me with Adobe Reader V.9.
I looked at it, and feel qualified to take it without a practice test.
The gentleman who made my appointment said it was important that I "practice".
Makes me wonder about the people who need to "practice", lol.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/4/09 4:42pm
Msg #273543

Re: thank you everyone

"practice"...LOL....like doctors and lawyers??!!...

Reply by Kate/CA on 1/5/09 12:40am
Msg #273563

I took it 10 years ago, it was really easy. I was a crew leader, really enjoyed the job. Would be easy to work around your signings.

Reply by MonicaFL on 1/5/09 7:31am
Msg #273569

Just make sure you really read the questions. That is the trick. I took the practice test and after making a few mistakes I went back an re-read the questions. You can do it!!!!!!!!!

Reply by parkerc/ME on 1/5/09 11:53am
Msg #273591

I just took the final test this morning. No problem. Only missed one and it was one of those "go with your first gut feeling" and I kept changing my answer from my first choice. I found that if you go through and do the ones you find easier to answer, then go back and spend more time on any that you found confusing, you can get it done within the 30 minutes allowed. The sample test just gives you an idea as to the types of questions that will be asked on the final.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 1/5/09 7:58pm
Msg #273623

I didn't need the practice test

I was called soon after the test to be advised I scored the highest out of the 20-some folks in attendance.
Next stop, the supervisory test.
Does anyone have a heads up on that one?