JAC Update - Nov 2011

A short note from Interim Chief Executive Nigel Reeder on the JAC's progress towards moving qualifying tests online.

Testing Developments

In my update in July, I mentioned that the JAC was working towards moving tests online. Candidates have told us they want this to provide improved anonymity when applying for judicial roles and to enable them to sit a test at a convenient time and location. Online tests should also help to improve the speed and cost effectiveness of selection processes.

Online tests are initially being run for three selection exercises:

Fee-paid Specialist Lay Member of the First-tier Tribunal, Health, Education and Social Care Chamber (Mental Health) and of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales. The exercise launched in October and the online test is planned for 16 and 17 November.

Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Court). This exercise is expected to launch in November and the online test is planned for January 2012.

Fee-paid Specialist Member of the First-tier Tribunal, Social Entitlement Chamber, Criminal Injuries Compensation. This exercise is expected to launch in December and the online test is planned for early February 2012.

The tests will be similar to those used to date and as now they will be developed and marked by judges.

A dry-run of each test will be held prior to candidates sitting it online to quality assure the material and process and ensure people are not disadvantaged. Each test will be evaluated again after they have been sat. Other measurements that will be used to determine the success of the online tests and whether we want to use them in the future will include candidates’ ease in accessing the test, ability to navigate through the online test and an analysis of the diversity of candidates progressing to the next stage of the selection process. We will also be asking candidates and our partners for their views.

Candidates will be expected to take the test online and this is in accordance with the Government’s strategy of ‘digital by default’. They will be able to request reasonable adjustments to ensure they can participate in the selection process fairly.

In the last update, I also said that we would be asking candidates to take three short multiple choice aptitude tests consisting of numerical and verbal reasoning, appropriate to judicial roles. We have decided to focus on moving our existing tests online at this time, although we will continue to explore new styles and format of test.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Nigel Reeder
Interim Chief Executive
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or his assistant This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on 020 3334 0573