opc employment testing policy employment testing

OPC Employment Testing Policy

OPC has identified certain positions that require applicants to pass pre-employment skills test(s) in order to qualify as a potential candidate. These tests are conducted to assist with our efforts to hire qualified individuals as well as ensure that applicants are successful on the job. Testing may also be required for internal transfers or promotions.The test(s) administered are skill-based tests that have been developed using extensive research and recognized validation standards. These standardized pre-employment skills tests help us evaluate applicants in a consistent, job-related and efficient manner.

In the event that an applicant is not recommended for the position based on the preemployment skills test he/she will not be eligible for hire.

Retesting:Eligible applicants may be allowed to retest for the same position after a waiting period of 90 days. No waiting period is required if an applicant is testing for more than one position provided that the positions are not the same. Applicants who are eligible for retesting will be contacted by OPC.

PLEASE NOTE that passing the pre-employment skills test is not a guarantee of employment. Additional pre-employment screenings and interviews may be required before an offer of employment is made.

Employment Testing

Oglethorpe Power Corporation utilizes pre-employment testing on certain jobs to identify and assess a candidate’sabilities and skills when they are required. Our pre-employment tests have been validated and shown to be jobrelat-ed, fair, objective and a consistent means to help identify qualified candidates for these jobs.

Testing Process

1. Candidate applies for a job 2. Recruiter reviews applicant information and selects candidates to test and interview 3. Selected candidates are invited to an interview day for pre-employment assessment and onsite interviews 4. Candidate attends test session and interviews 5. After assessment results are in, recruiter meets with hiring team to determine which candidates proceed in the consideration process 6. All candidates are notified of their status, whether selected to proceed or if they are no longer in the consideration process

Prepare Yourself

If you have received an invitation to test and interview or want to explore the types of tests we give, please scrollbelow to view the practice test battery. Utilizing these practice tests or preparation tips may improve your chances ofqualifying to move forward in the consideration process.

OPC Selection Test Battery Samples

INTRODUCTION TO THE COMBUSTION

TURBINE TECHNICIAN SELECTION TEST

BATTERY

Oglethorpe

2011

Developed by

Human Systems Technology Corporation

10632 Little Patuxent Parkway

Columbia, MD 21044

410-730-2600

HUMAN SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Page 1

____ OPC Selection Test Battery Samples

This battery of aptitude tests was designed and validated to aid in the selection of

candidates for the Combustion Turbine Technician job classifications at Oglethorpe Power.

There are seven paper-and-pencil tests in the battery. No prior knowledge of Combustion

Turbine Technician job tasks is required. The tests are designed to assess underlying abilities

that are necessary to readily learn critical job requirements and perform successfully on the job.

The tests in the battery are timed and the entire administration session lasts

approximately two hours. The tests measure reading comprehension, attention to detail, logical

reasoning, mechanical concepts, and electrical aptitude.

The aptitude tests comprising the battery with test item examples are provided below.

Reading Comprehension

Oglethorpe Power Reading Comprehension Test - This 35-minute test assesses the ability to

quickly read, understand, and interpret written material. The examinee reads passages and

answers questions that follow. The test was developed by Human Systems Technology for OPC

and has both content validity and face validity for Rocky Mountain and the combustion turbine

sites. An example of this test is:

Read the Sample Passage below and choose the best answer.

The governor will have two centrifugal mechanical speed switch assemblies. These assemblies

will be used for overspeed protective tripping of the unit. The speed switch assemblies will be

either direct or gear-driven and will have adjustable set points.

The speed switch assemblies will:

a. be used when the governor alarm sounds.

b. will have adjustable set points.

c. require maintenance to prevent overspeed.

d. be gear driven.

____________________________________________________________________________

You should have circled the letter “b” because “will have adjustable set points” is the correct

response.



ATTENTION TO DETAIL – Two tests measure the ability to pay careful visual attention to the

details of a job. They include the following:

Attention to Detail Test – This 5-minute test assesses the ability to see differences in small details in

figures. Examinees identify flaws in parts that are supposed to be the same as a referent part.

However, some are imperfect. Below are two sample items:



Visual Speed and Accuracy Test – This 5-minute test requires persons to determine

similarities or differences in pairs of numbers. It provides an indication of visual

discrimination among similar objects. Examples are provided below.



LOGICAL REASONING - Two tests are used to measure this ability. Scores are

combined on these tests to form a composite.

Verbal Reasoning Test: measures the ability to identify relationships and arrive at

supportable conclusions. Examinees are required to read a set of facts and determine

whether certain conclusions are supported by the facts. An example of the Verbal

Reasoning test is shown below:



Numerical Reasoning Test: measures the ability to determine relationships of patterns in

a series of numbers. Examinees read series of numbers and identify the next one in a

sequence. An example of the Numerical Reasoning test is shown below:



MECHANICAL CONCEPTS

Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test – This 30-minute test assesses basic

comprehension of mechanical principles such as leverage, rotation, momentum, and flow.

Respondents are provided with paired pictures or diagrams of possible mechanical

relationships and are asked to identify the correct alternative. An example of the

Mechanical Concepts Test is shown below:



ELECTRICAL APTITUDE

Electrical Aptitude Test – This 30-minute test assesses the basic comprehension of electrical

principles such as current and resistance, reading meters, and interpreting diagrams and

schematics. No previous electrical knowledge is required. The test is published by Human

Systems Technology.

Below is a sample meter question. You are asked to precisely read the value indicated on the

meter.

Example a) What numerical value is indicated above?

A. 13

B. 75

C. 65

D. 80

A is the correct response.



WIRING DIAGRAMS

Below are sample wiring diagram questions. You are given a point on the diagram and

are asked to find the connecting point (or points).

Example a) In the above diagram, point “3” is directly connected to which of the

following points?

A. 4

B. 6

C. 1

D. 7

B is the appropriate response.

Example b) In the above diagram, point “1” is interconnected to which of the following points?

A. 4 & 5

B. 6 & 3

C. 8 & 9

D. 4 & 9

A is the appropriate response.

opc employment testing policy employment testing

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