What do you do for an ICT Technician Practical Test?

[Ric_]

The test for my current job was an 'interesting' affair. I can't remember a lot about it (because of my sieve-like memory). Some of the things I can remember are:

 

1. Informal situation, chatting with the existing NM while I 'worked'

2. Access to Internet/Technet

3. Test network of 1 'server' and 1 client

4. Crippled NIC (dodgy static IP - should have been dynamic)

5. Rogue entry in the hosts file stopping connection to the DC

5. I think there was also basic user maintenance - i.e. password reset/username check

 

I would definately recommend dislodging the patch cable and turning the screen brightness right down since these are common 'faults'. You should also give pointers to the candidates as you go along... you can always make a note of the pointers given so that the candidates can be compared later. Chatting to the candidates will also help you find out if you will be able to work with them for more than 5mins without wanting to throttle them!

[k-mart]

2 computers (we use laptops), a length of wire, cable making tools, user has to complete a file transfer from one computer to the other, we usually use an ISO of office. Or if you don't want them to make a cable have two, a straight patch and a x patch, then they will just need to spot the difference.

 

They would then have to set up the IPs etc and share the folder and transfer the file. simple....

 

Why give them such a meaning less practical 'test' as wire some cat 5?

 

I've worked in in edu IT now for 5 years or so and never *had* to make my own cable! If anything if I was asked to do that at an interview - I would do it of course - but at the back of my mind I would be concerned that the school would be right for me!

 

In fact I'd probably tell you to stuff the cat5 up your jacksy and assess my practical skills in something that I would be doing on a daily basis - supporting apps - Office-IE-Macromedia-CAD, WSUS, AD admin, network security and most importantly test my communication and inter-personal skills!

 

I've always said practical tests are VERY LIMITED in their use. Nothing can replace being a good interviewer who can spot when someone is blagging and when someone is 'right'.

 

I didn't get the highest mark in the written test for my current post - but I still got the job because I came across best at the interview and, of course, I had the experience and ability to the job.

 

All of the above of course is IMHO

[GrumbleDook]

A good practical test should be part of a general interview process that also has a written test, a chance for a group chat with existing staff and not forgetting the formal interview.

 

Our tests are relatively progressive and go from making sure a machine works to connecting to a domain, mucking about with GPOs and even deploying software.

 

The written test is a 'answer the 5 questions most appropriate to your talents' type ... with the instruction at the top of "Read all questions and instructions before answering" ... and the answer 5 questions is at the bottom. Some people might think this is a pathetic trick but I would prefer someone who will, when told that you must read some materials before progressing, will do so ... and it means I can trust them to do so before something gets seriously cocked up.

[k-mart]

A good practical test should be part of a general interview process that also has a written test, a chance for a group chat with existing staff and not forgetting the formal interview.

 

Our tests are relatively progressive and go from making sure a machine works to connecting to a domain, mucking about with GPOs and even deploying software.

 

The written test is a 'answer the 5 questions most appropriate to your talents' type ... with the instruction at the top of "Read all questions and instructions before answering" ... and the answer 5 questions is at the bottom. Some people might think this is a pathetic trick but I would prefer someone who will, when told that you must read some materials before progressing, will do so ... and it means I can trust them to do so before something gets seriously cocked up.

 

Written / aptitude tests are far more valuable IMHO....

 

but even though I believe that practical tests are limited they do, I guess, have a place but as long as they are relevant to the post applied for. I still can't see the point in asking someone to wire some a cat5 cable!

 

Nobbling a PC - yes to test if people are logical and approach tasks in a measured way but again, perhaps it's just me, I really do think practical tests have a limited part of a selection process.

[Nij.UK]

just a suggestion, and i had to do this as part of my interview process. We were told what facilities the school had, and was shown around the school. Later on we were asked "based on what u have seen...... what improvement would u make to the IT around school....."

 

I also had to do a written test..... with questions like,

 

1)what does DHCP stand for and what does it do.

2)What would be your backup strategy...

3) which is the most secure out of the following protocals, HTTP, FTP, HTTPS

4) how would u test that the network card is working on the machine....

 

The practical exam was i had 4 machines and had to find the fault and get logged on

 

1) Mouse and Keyboard connectors swapped

2) Network lead just pulled out, but looks like its plugged in

3) Monitor colour turned right down

4) Created a mess with the network leads, plugged then from computer to computer... etc

[buzzard]

2 computers (we use laptops), a length of wire, cable making tools, user has to complete a file transfer from one computer to the other, we usually use an ISO of office. Or if you don't want them to make a cable have two, a straight patch and a x patch, then they will just need to spot the difference.

 

They would then have to set up the IPs etc and share the folder and transfer the file. simple....

 

Why give them such a meaning less practical 'test' as wire some cat 5?

 

I've worked in in edu IT now for 5 years or so and never *had* to make my own cable! If anything if I was asked to do that at an interview - I would do it of course - but at the back of my mind I would be concerned that the school would be right for me!

 

In fact I'd probably tell you to stuff the cat5 up your jacksy and assess my practical skills in something that I would be doing on a daily basis - supporting apps - Office-IE-Macromedia-CAD, WSUS, AD admin, network security and most importantly test my communication and inter-personal skills!

 

I've always said practical tests are VERY LIMITED in their use. Nothing can replace being a good interviewer who can spot when someone is blagging and when someone is 'right'.

 

I didn't get the highest mark in the written test for my current post - but I still got the job because I came across best at the interview and, of course, I had the experience and ability to the job.

 

All of the above of course is IMHO

 

To go back to the topic and the question that was asked, That is one of the things I have done as a test, not the entire interview, just part of a process. It isn't a pass or fail, just so I could see how the person worked, As mentioned by others I would be in the room chatting and giving pointers.

 

The test isn't to wire a patch 5 cable, its to transfer a file using the supplied materials. the point is to see if they know what to do, as regards making the cable some people on the interview just say "sorry don't know how to do it, we just buy one when we want one" others make one without questioning, and others ask for the colour sequence of the cables.

 

As I said, this forms part of the process, and was given in response to the original question