124 replies to this topic

[Ben.]

Ive been on holiday and just got a text from
My skipper:

I passed!

From what I have read and heard you Ben that is well deserved and overdue! Huge well done.

[museman]

I think Ben broke the Met record for sitting the exam, he was outta there in like 1 hour 15 minutes...

only 1 question off from passing, ah well always next year!

[weston841]

Got the full feedback now and it seems that only 34% passed. That seems quite low - anyone know how that compares to previous years or is that about right?

[JackDaniels]

The 2011 breakdown (from my feedback sheet was...)

I was 2200th and something out of 7016 (I just tell myself a pass is a pass...)

Overall Candidates - 7016
Exceptionals - 247
Passes - 2351
Unsuccessfuls - 4222
Low band fails - 196

[adslegend]

The 2011 breakdown (from my feedback sheet was...)

I was 2200th and something out of 7016 (I just tell myself a pass is a pass...)

Overall Candidates - 7016
Exceptionals - 247
Passes - 2351
Unsuccessfuls - 4222
Low band fails - 196

I was about to say that those looked very similar to last years, then carefully re-read your post

[bensonby]

I've been on the bush telegraph trying to find out who else has passed failed from my old team and, so far, I've not heard of anyone else passing

[weston841]

bensonby, i'm curious as it seems from other posts that you completed the exam in something like 1hr 15mins - what was your score? Did you score the 90% ??

[bensonby]

I did leave at the half war point. I always do exams very quickly. I don't know my percentage as I have been on annual leave for the past fortnight and don't go back to work until nex week. I found out I passed by getting a text from my skipper. I might pop into a nick thi afternoon to find out my score.

[weston841]

Ah, didn't realise that you don't have your feedback yet. I'm only curious because it is apparent from the feedback that the highest score was 90% and it was a met officer. Personally I got 65% with an exceptional in roads policing.

[bensonby]

I wager that I only just passed..... leaving early is not an indication that I would have done exceptionally well: I always go
with my gut instinct and what I believe is correct first. Otherwise I go over and over it, tie myself in knots, doubt myself and end up changing answers for the worse!

[Ben.]

I've been on the bush telegraph trying to find out who else has passed failed from my old team and, so far, I've not heard of anyone else passing

Well we have three SNT skipper posts open, get over here!

[bensonby]

I just popped into a nick and it's as I thought. I absolutely scraped it: 55%!!!!

A pass is a pass though

[JackDaniels]

Haha... I'm in great company!... still as you say a pass is a pass and 30-odd percent pass rate shows it is a tricky little exam... or the media would have you believe we are just all dim.

[TroyTempest]

I reckon the latter, and I'll tell bensonby when I see him. I'm sure he'll twat me on your behalf

[bensonby]

Put a sock in it WAID: I'll be with you in 5 mins hopefully...

[TroyTempest]

I'll have (another) peroni on your way up...

Seriously, well done everyone. I'm actually heartened to see some of the most level headed of forum dwellers now at least qualified for promotion and ones with a view on the special constabulary.

Is it a bit scary the thousands passed though? Not a slight on the exam but what's the actual promotion requirement?

[bensonby]

OSPRE part 1 is only that: part one of a process.

The exam qualifies you to apply for promotion. It certainly doesn't guarantee it. Part 2, or whatever individual forces run, consists of more practical job-based assessment. (in theory at least)

[JackDaniels]

It is sad though that the extent of the changes to pay and conditions may ultimately provide opportunities for the likes of myself and Ben to take up skipper positions over the next year or two. I feel that so demoralised are many of the longer serving officers.... of all federated ranks that they will hang on until after the Olympics (in the case of the Met) and leave before they are pushed.

Problem is, two or threee years down the line will we be in the brave new world of policy redundancy and/or five year commissions.

[bensonby]

And no, there is nothing wrong with replying to your post when we are both in the same building!

[Hades]

I'll have (another) peroni on your way up...

Seriously, well done everyone. I'm actually heartened to see some of the most level headed of forum dwellers now at least qualified for promotion and ones with a view on the special constabulary.

Is it a bit scary the thousands passed though? Not a slight on the exam but what's the actual promotion requirement?

Mets do it different, but most forces do the process as:

OSPRE Part 1 (knowledge exam)
OSPRE Part 2 (scenario based competency exam)
Application for promotion with papersift (where most people get eliminated!)
Promotion Boards

and only then do you get put in the pool for a posting when one is available. In between the OSPRE part and the promotion application part you have to fight for Acting/Temporary roles by the very poor process that they are allocated (which doesn't generally allow for the best candidates to compete for the opportunities or for officers to better develop themselves and gain valuable experience).

My force has been running boards roughly every year or two recently (some are due fairly soon allegedly), but my force also has over 200 officers qualified to Part 2 level and therefore competition for just a few postings will be significant!

I think my force is, as of this year or next, bringing in a process whereby you need to be recommended before you can apply for Part 1 (at the moment anyone is permitted to have a go at it).

Well done to those who passed - it's not an easy exam at all... And by virtue, commiserations to those who didn't make it this time!

[SkinSte]

In the Met there were lots of officers who had passed part 1 and then simply held on to it as there were no opportunities for towbar as there simply were so few postings. No idea what the current state of play is like though.

[hobnob gti]

Does OSPRE Part 1 pass expire after a certain time or can you do it and then keep it awaiting a posting or a good time for yourself?

[Hades]

Does OSPRE Part 1 pass expire after a certain time or can you do it and then keep it awaiting a posting or a good time for yourself?

Part 1 expires after 5 years, though this has been extended by a further 2 years at the moment apparently

[rego_psp22]

Yea the part 2 is in the spring time, it's not too bad really and certainly doesn't require the same amount of time and effort as the part 1!

It's important to keep people up to date... Part 2 results were out today and I passed. No more OSPRE ever, lovely!!!!

[Hades]

It's important to keep people up to date... Part 2 results were out today and I passed. No more OSPRE ever, lovely!!!!

Congrats!

Fingers crossed for all of us with a sgt or insp promotion qualification under our belts that the new policing body doesn't change the requirements for promotion!