If you are reading this, you are thinking about attempting the pre-entry test for the Inspector's Promotional Program (IPP). Please find below some introductory information and then some frequently asked questions (FAQs).
The pre-entry test for the Inspector's Promotional Program (IPP) uses reading and writing as the basic method of assessment. Section 2 of the pre-entry test for the university component will be based on an article provided during the test. This piece of writing will have been completed by an author focused on human or social behaviour in relation to the emergency services. By working through the 2005 and 2006 test papers provided on this site you will become familiar with the expectations of Section 2.
1. Summarise the article (Descriptive question)
2. What were the key findings of the study? (Analysis question)
3. What were your thoughts about the study? (Critical question)
4. What points did you find relevant to your work in the NSWFB? (Application question)
The Test will be 2 hours long.
It will have 3 sections:
Section 1: basic computer skills general knowledge quiz that will test your knowledge about a) internet searching; & b) word processing
Section 2: comprehension test. This will be based on a journal article handed out at the test; it will focus on aspects of leadership and management.
Section 3: writing test. This will be a test that asks you to show your ability to sequence ideas, to punctuate and to write your ideas clearly.
Familiarise yourself with the style and format of articles. For examples of journal articles read through the Australian Journal of Emergency Management . It is located on the EMA website www.ema.gov.au/ follow links through "Current AJEM".
If you can, talk about the ideas in journal articles with colleagues, so that you get used to summarising and discussing other people’s ideas.
Out of a possible 100% for the IPP pre-entry test the university component paper is worth a maximum of 30%.
The 2008 IPP pre-entry test to the university component will be set and marked by the Emergency Management team situated in the School of Social Sciences and Liberal Studies , Charles Sturt University.
As will be expected of you as an Inspector, you will need to be able to analyse material, write in a way that effectively communicates your ideas, and have some ideas about leadership and management. From the perspective of a Station Officer, it may be that you currently think being able to write well is not as important as operational and team based expertise. Fair enough, but there is no doubt that the role of the Inspector will involve you in substantially more project management, analysis, report writing, and higher level professional writing tasks.
You do not have to be an ‘academic’. The pre-entry test is set up to be as fair as possible, whether you have no formal education other than trade qualifications, or a Masters degree in Management. You do not have to learn about management or leadership theories. It can be argued that not much leadership and management theory has been written in the context of fire services, or even emergency services- and it doesn't always ‘fit’ anyway. You do not have to be able to quote from theory.
Section 1: basic computer skills: 20% [20 marks]
Multiple choice [right/wrong]
Section 2: comprehension: 60% [60 marks]
a) Question/answer [15 marks]
In this part, you will be asked to demonstrate that you understand the basic meaning of the article.
b) Interpretation [20 marks]
In this part, you will be asked to demonstrate that you can interpret aspects of the article.
c) Critique [25 marks]
In this section, you will be asked to critique the ideas expressed in the article, and explain why.
Section 3: writing: 20% [20 marks]
In this section, you will be asked to proofread a piece of writing and suggest correctionsto it. It could include punctuation, sequencing, paragraphing, and so on.
Remember, spelling is an important part of writing and comprehension, but in regard to this component of the pre-entry test you will be given some latitude in relation to your ability to spell words correctly. Nowadays if you know your spelling is poor, then it is assumed you'd use a spell checker on the computer.
As an Inspector you will be required to construct and critique complex documents. Some of these documents may be submitted by staff under your supervision or command. There is an expectation that you will be able to offer constructive feedback regarding correct presentation, content and spelling. This being said, please understand that this is not a test of your spelling or handwriting. What we are looking for is that you answer the question, and express your ideas well. It is important that you are able to interpret and critique information - these are critical skills you'll need to be job ready for the role of Inspector.
It is important that you are able to demonstrate that you would be able to make basic corrections to a draft piece of writing that has some errors in it. That is why there is a Section 3 in this test. This section is worth 20 marks out of total 100 marks.
The role of the Inspector is about balancing priorities, making decisions under pressure, reporting, political manoeuvring, managing conflict and competing demands on time and resources, and so on. None of these activities are right/wrong where they do not directly respond to SOG's. All of them are about interpretation, communication, and complexity. That is the real world of the Inspector. It is wishful thinking to think it will be about right/wrong or order!
The university component pre-entry test reflects this real world, particularly Section 2, which has the greatest weighting.
The test is not about Standard Operating Guidelines. It is about your capacity to use professional writing skills as a leader and manager. Universities are the experts in this area. There is no "right" answer, there are interpretations. Just as it takes skill, knowledge, expertise and experience to interpret an incident on the fire ground and respond to it accordingly - it takes skill, knowledge, expertise and experience to interpret the 'fireground' which in the university sense is the written word. Just as you'd look for clues at an incident to help you decide your operational response, academics look for clues in the written word.
Section 1 = 20 marks…………or 6% of the total university + FB marks
Section 2 = 60 marks…………or 18% of the total university + FB marks
Section 3 = 20 marks…………or 6% of the total university + FB marks
Charles Sturt University has a well developed understanding about what job readiness means for the role of Inspector. We conduct a very secure test process, and have extensive experience in setting and marking test papers.