OPC Mini SCAAT advice, please.

[Eddie303]

Hi all,

I have to complete the OPC Mini SCAAT by Sunday. I was hoping someone who has completed it can give advice on how it is imputed on the real test (Obviously, I wont be using a pen and paper like I am for the practices since it'll be online.) I want to be mentally prepared for how I need to complete the test before I go in. Do you just click with a mouse, or will you use a keyboard system similar to the online tool pinned to this forum?

Also, will the symbols be the same for the real test as in the practice? In the practice, it's numbers (easy), symbols (difficult) and letters (easy). At the moment I'm scoring double on numbers and letters than I am for symbols, and only with symbols am I finding omissions since they are harder to remember.

I need to work out a system for memorising the symbols more easily by assigning them names in my head (like open bracket, open brace, closed parenthesis etc.), but this wont help me if the real test uses different symbols as the practice paper.

Anyone with experience in taking this particular test would be greatly appreciated. Obviously I understand there is the tool pinned in the forums, but I want to know about the OPC Mini SCAAT specifically. That tool uses different symbols than the OPC practice paper does. Also, I'm not sure if the keyboard inputting is the same (like not being able to go back)

Any help of people with experience in taking this specific test online is really appreciated. I've searched the forums and only found people asking the same question with no answer.

Thanks a lot,

Eddie

 

[Fancythis]

Hi all,

I have to complete the OPC Mini SCAAT by Sunday. I was hoping someone who has completed it can give advice on how it is imputed on the real test (Obviously, I wont be using a pen and paper like I am for the practices since it'll be online.) I want to be mentally prepared for how I need to complete the test before I go in. Do you just click with a mouse, or will you use a keyboard system similar to the online tool pinned to this forum?

Also, will the symbols be the same for the real test as in the practice? In the practice, it's numbers (easy), symbols (difficult) and letters (easy). At the moment I'm scoring double on numbers and letters than I am for symbols, and only with symbols am I finding omissions since they are harder to remember.

I need to work out a system for memorising the symbols more easily by assigning them names in my head (like open bracket, open brace, closed parenthesis etc.), but this wont help me if the real test uses different symbols as the practice paper.

Anyone with experience in taking this particular test would be greatly appreciated. Obviously I understand there is the tool pinned in the forums, but I want to know about the OPC Mini SCAAT specifically. That tool uses different symbols than the OPC practice paper does. Also, I'm not sure if the keyboard inputting is the same (like not being able to go back)

Any help of people with experience in taking this specific test online is really appreciated. I've searched the forums and only found people asking the same question with no answer.

Thanks a lot,

Eddie

Eddie, the reason that people have asked the same question with no answer is that most people see it as unfair for you to go into the test with more information than your competition.

 

[TonyMontana]

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[Eddie303]

Well why do they tell you to practice if they can't show you the mechanics of how the test works? What am I supposed to be practicing? Will I have to use the keyboard or click buttons with a mouse? These both require honing different muscle memories. Will I be able to go back or will I have only once chance like in the app posted in this forum? All these greatly differ the strategies used to get the highest score without any mistakes or omissions.

For example, if I knew I was doing a pen and paper test, I would probably practice scanning two lines at a time at a faster rate, knowing that you will see any mistakes and correct them on the next line. If you can't go back (like on the computer app), you have to practice being slower and more deliberate because going too fast can cost you.

I don't want to be blindsided with how the test is carried out, which I think is fair enough.

 

[Fancythis]

Well why do they tell you to practice if they can't show you the mechanics of how the test works? What am I supposed to be practicing? Will I have to use the keyboard or click buttons with a mouse? These both require honing different muscle memories. Will I be able to go back or will I have only once chance like in the app posted in this forum? All these greatly differ the strategies used to get the highest score without any mistakes or omissions.

For example, if I knew I was doing a pen and paper test, I would probably practice scanning two lines at a time at a faster rate, knowing that you will see any mistakes and correct them on the next line. If you can't go back (like on the computer app), you have to practice being slower and more deliberate because going too fast can cost you.

I don't want to be blindsided with how the test is carried out, which I think is fair enough.

No Eddie, what would be 'fair enough' would be for you to take the test having had the same information for your preparation as all the candidates that have gone before you. Not for you to have extra information, allowing you to hone your skills in order to achieve a higher score.

 

[New York Giant]

There's a lot at stake for all who sit these tests Eddie, as I am sure you're well aware. Thus their reluctance to offer sound advice which would potentially give you an advantage.

The best way for me to describe my experience, sitting the recent Avanti OPC tests, is that it is probably like competing in that Ninja Warrior on TV. You can practice all day but it's all about how you perform in the moment.

Mate, my heart rate went through the roof and my clammy hands resulted in me clicking both mouse buttons at the same time (imagine the shock of wondering why some random box had appeared during my test). But I kept my composure and completed the tasks. So far I have not had a rejection email so I can only keep my fingers crossed that I am still in contention.

Mate, I really do wish you well but I also wouldn't want anybody going in these with an advantage. If you are good enough then you will advance, simple as...

 

[Bucephalus]

Eddie.

It has been mentioned previously on this forum that is a good idea to practice scaat slowly first, maintaining maximum accuracy then gradually introduce speed. It also states in the guidance supplied with scaat practice papers not to work on more than one line at a time.

The above publicly available advice should help regardless whether you have to use a mouse or keyboard. And as new york said, composure will make or break the situation