I had a big long witty reply brewing about believing 4th hand anecdotes, etc. but I'll paraphrase the words of one of my least favorite NNPS instructors ages ago that turned out to be quite wise: Study as hard as you can, show all your work , and don't put that pencil down until they take the test sheet away from you. Notice that nowhere in that advice was how to game the test, guess/don't guess, 10-15% is okay, etc.
There really isn't any light to be shed on inconsistent test strategies, grading, etc. Each year, thousands of potential power plant operators (whether nuke, fossil or hydro) take the same standard EEI POSS test that has been in use for decades. A large proportion of the applicants receive a score too low for consideration for hire, and frankly that is a good thing. The test is a valid screen of aptitude, or the utilities that pay those pricy EEI dues would discontinue its use.
I appreciate the reply. I did study hard and go to the bell andnot waste time, but I think it's human nature to know where you were weak on a test OR how badly or closely you failed. I'm so lost I feel like taking the test again could be a waste of everyone's time. I wasn't really trying to "game" the test, but everyone has a different story to tell about the POSS and no AO's at my plant besides my best friend seem to remember anything on the test.
Honestly, I don't feel it's gaming the test when simple advice like, make a guess or never guess is handed out. The problem is that adviceis all over the map. One last thing, I'm not trying to sound bitter or pouty, but I will say this. I have worked in a Nuke facility for 10 years. I know some of the people who pass this test and work as AO's at my plant. Some of the pizza cooks and shoe salesmen that passed the test aren't the best AO's. Most are good/great, but it would serve the plant better IMO if the POSS came with some human interpretation of the scores so maybe the personal interaction could be used as a way to figure out if Person A came close to recommended, but wow they sure did blow us away during the interview. At my plant, if you pass you're in...which is great, but the flip side is now I have an HR lady tell me I fail and can't tell me why, it's just what Scantron said.
No biggie I guess. If I knew how the test is graded it would help, but all I can do is hope someday they let me retake it. I also don't feel like I'm trying to game or play the test because, if what some of what I have heard is true, than this test causes you to ignore some test taking impulses that have been instilled in us from a young age, like narrowing down choices and educated guessing.
Thanks for reading guys, any other info/comments are welcome and I look forward to maybe someday sharing some better news with you all.