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POSS

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Plant Operator Selection System (POSS): Used to help select employees for operator jobs in electric power plants (fossil, nuclear, and hydroelectric). Examples of jobs covered by POSS are power plant operator, control room operator, and nuclear reactor operator.

Plant Operator Selection System (POSS)
POSS is a set of test batteries that were developed and validated to aid in selecting power plant operators. POSS is the culmination of a large research program sponsored by the Edison Electric Institute and carried out by the Personnel Decisions Research Institute. A total of 70 investor-owned electric utility companies initially participated in the project. Research information was obtained and analyzed from thousands of company officials, supervisors, and plant operating personnel working in hundreds of plants. The result of this extensive research effort is a battery of paper-and-pencil tests that predict the likelihood of success in various power plant operator jobs.

POSS can be used to select candidates for operating jobs in fossil, nuclear, or hydro power plants. The tests take about two hours to administer. Components of the batteries measure how a candidate compares with others on a number of important aptitudes or abilities. Each POSS test battery consists of a number of aptitude tests.

The aptitude tests measure the cognitive abilities found to be important to successful job performance for plant operators. The aptitude tests are arranged in two alternate batteries which differ slightly in the test components and time required for administration.

Although the content of the aptitude batteries differs somewhat, both batteries have been found to be related to success in plant operations work. Some of the aptitude tests included in the battery are described below.

Reading Comprehension. This test measures a person's ability to read and understand the type of material found in power plant operator training and safety manuals. The Reading Comprehension test consists of five reading passages, each followed by several multiple-choice questions about the passage. The test has 36 items and a 30-minute time limit.

Mechanical Concepts. This test measures the ability to understand mechanical principles. There are 44 multiple-choice items. Each item contains a pictorial description of a mechanical situation, a question, and three possible answers. This test has a 20-minute time limit.

Mathematical Usage. There are two versions of this test. The short version measures candidates' skill in working with basic mathematical formulas based on information provided at the beginning of the test. This version of the test includes 18 questions and has a 7-minute time limit.
The longer version of the test measures skill in solving and manipulating mathematical relationships. There are three sections: formula conversion problems, algebra problems, and word problems. The total test contains 46 multiple-choice items and has a 17-minute time limit.

Spatial Ability. This test measures the ability to visualize the properly assembled form of an object. In this test, candidates are to assemble the parts so that the places having the same letter are put together. The test contains 20 multiple-choice items and has a 10-minute time limit.

Tables and Graphs. This test measures speed and accuracy in reading tables and graphs. Part I contains a table of numbers which is used to answer 60 multiple-choice items. It has a five-minute time limit. Part II contains a graph which is used to answer 24 multiple-choice items. It has a four-minute time limit.

Scoring and Interpretation:
A job candidate's answers to the POSS tests are scored and converted to an Aptitude Index ranging in value from zero to 15.

Candidates' standing on the Aptitude Index should be interpreted as a measure of their cognitive abilities that are important in plant operations work. Candidates with high Aptitude Index scores should be expected to understand mechanical principles, comprehend written materials including tables and graphs, use and understand mathematical relationships, and perceive details quickly and accurately.

The Aptitude Index provides a prediction of overall plant operations effectiveness. The Aptitude Index is used to determine the probability of success or failure in plant operations jobs; as such, it can differentiate between potentially effective candidates and those applicants less likely to succeed.

Federal regulations mandate that employment tests must be job-related. EEI’s employment test batteries are designed and validated for specific energy industry job families, including power plant operators, maintenance and craft positions, power dispatching positions, customer service representatives, and more.

EEI does not administer any of its employment tests directly to applicants. If you are interested in a position with an electric utility, please contact the utility directly for job and pre-employment testing information.

If you have previously taken an EEI employment test and are looking for your results, please understand that EEI does not provide results directly to applicants. If you have applied for a position with a utility company that requires an EEI test that you have already taken elsewhere, please be sure to notify the company to which you are applying.

Good study guides:

Master The Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relations Test

ARCO Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relations Tests

Arco Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relations Tests, Fifth Edition

Barron's Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relations Test


You can find EEI Practice Tests for CAST, POSS/MASS, SASS, TECH, SO/PD here.
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« Last Edit: Nov 02, 2013, 10:56 by Rennhack »

Atomic_Punk

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #1 on: Mar 30, 2005, 03:29 »
The book Nuclear NASCAR listed is the one I bought.  I passed the test, so it must be a half way
decent study guide.:D  Good luck.

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #2 on: Mar 30, 2005, 03:47 »
For what it's worth: TVA recommends using an ASVAB study guide. They are cheaper (perhaps even at the local library!)
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M1Ark

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #3 on: Apr 18, 2006, 01:58 »

I got my test date today.  Test on May 5th, 2006.  Then I hope to get the interview.  And, then transfer when able.  Or, SRO anywhere TVA.


Honeycomb,

If you're going for the EEI P.O.S.S. test then you must practice taking the test.  I have seen brialliant people fail this test.  Search this message board for POSS or P.O.S.S. for guidance.

There are 7-8 modules that are timed.  Some you'll finish some you will not.  Tips for success...

1. Make sure answers you give are correct.

2. You must have 11 correct answers per module (each utility picks a different number and 11 is the highest I've heard of.  I also heard 15 is the max score per module)

3. The last module is math conversions and you only have 7 minutes to get your 11 right answers.  A legend is provided but it'll help if you have some (all) of the conversions memorized.

4. There is a module on print reading (follow the line).  Use a straight edge like half of your scratch paper or break the pencil they gave you in half.

Items 3 and 4 are what gives most people trouble.  I'm not sure if TVA will give this exam but most (all?) utilities give it and is an INPO standard expectation.  If you fail any of the modules you probably won't make the interview list.  Also, I'm not sure how the scores change on selecting incorrect answers.  I've taken it twice and gave the same advice as above to others who have taken it and passed.  I made sure all answers I chose were correct.

Here's the practice exam...

http://www.progress-energy.com/aboutus/employment/eei/index.asp

« Last Edit: Apr 18, 2006, 02:01 by M1Ark »

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #4 on: Apr 18, 2006, 02:07 »

I'm not sure if TVA will give this exam but most (all?) utilities give it and is an INPO standard expectation.  If you fail any of the modules you probably won't make the interview list. 

You must pass the POSS, or you don't make the interview list. TVA sets a high passing score (realtively). The Progress or TVA link to practice exams are good advice.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #5 on: Apr 18, 2006, 02:13 »
Glad to help!
I believe I remember different sections were required for different jobs. Do well and everything is open......
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
.....
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

M1Ark

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #6 on: Apr 18, 2006, 02:47 »
You have to get 11 on ALL modules.  If you don't they won't tell you you failed they'll tell you qualify for a fossil gen plant or a maintenance position (MOSS).  I believe the POSS is the mac-daddy of them all.  Yes they're all essentially the same.  I passed the POSS in the early nineties before the internet and knew nothing of it and did not prep for it and took it cold.  I was shocked when right after lunch and after taking the POSS test they escorted 18 out of 30 ex-navy nuke candidates with varying experience (Retired enlisted, Officers, etc) out of the room we where in and drove them to the airport immediately and wished them luck in their job hunting.  That left 12 of us for the 6 open positions.  The plant I just described needed 11 correct answers per module.

I took the POSS test again in 2003 and the test was almost identical to the one I took a decade earlier.

Good luck, Honeycomb!

Fermi2

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #7 on: Apr 18, 2006, 03:58 »
Did St Lucie Require the POSS for an SRO Position?

In addition to the 11 questions you have to get right you also have to get a certain amount done in the section or it won't even be graded. That's why a lot of former Navy nukes fail. It seems anti ethical to a nuke to have to work quickly just for the sake of working quickly. When I took it in 1990 we had a guy from my nuke school class take it with us. He had a 3.75 in Nuke School and failed the test!.

So far as I know DTE used it as a Go No Go. I don't recall them telling anyone who failed that they were qualified for anything else based on POSS results. TVA sends the results to the examinee with what positions they are qualified for.

The POSS really isn't tough at all. In 1990 when I took it I had no idea I'd be taking any sort of exam. I thought I was there simply for an interview. They herded us into a room and told us we had some testing to do just to see where our aptitudes might lie, nothing was mentioned about it being a Go-No Go for the job. They put it in front of us, explained the rules and when I opened the test booklet I thought oh an ASVAB. When we interviewed for a class in 2003 (or was it late 2002) I went up to talk with one of the interviewers and we were giving the POSS using the exact same testing booklets.

I'd go to Bellefonte in a heartbeat. I did see on the TVA website we have a bid out for Lead Instructors at Bellefonte.

Mike
« Last Edit: Apr 18, 2006, 03:59 by Broadzilla »

M1Ark

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #8 on: Apr 18, 2006, 04:32 »
<Did St Lucie Require the POSS for an SRO Position?

NO

<So far as I know DTE used it as a Go No Go. I don't recall them telling anyone who failed <that they were qualified for anything else based on POSS results. TVA sends the results to <the examinee with what positions they are qualified for.

I wasn't talking about DTE.  One of our NLO's recently took the TVA POSS and was told he could retake it in a month but he only qualified for fossil gen.

<The POSS really isn't tough at all. In 1990 when I took it I had no idea I'd be taking any sort <of exam. I thought I was there simply for an interview. They herded us into a room and <told us we had some testing to do just to see where our aptitudes might lie, nothing was <mentioned about it being a Go-No Go for the job. They put it in front of us, explained the <rules and when I opened the test booklet I thought oh an ASVAB. When we interviewed for <a class in 2003 (or was it late 2002) I went up to talk with one of the interviewers and we <were giving the POSS using the exact same testing booklets.

DTE has only one POSS test and if you "fail" you can't take it again.  Hence you can never be an NLO there.

Fermi2

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #9 on: Apr 18, 2006, 05:05 »
Thanks,

I thought that smacked of TVA. I hadn't even heard of graduated POSS grading scales until I came here.

At one time DTE used to tell you that you could take the POSS again in 6 months but I never saw what good that did.

Mike

shayne

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #10 on: Apr 18, 2006, 08:39 »
I didn't think it was too bad.  I had taken a couple before.  My last experience, DTE, just about half of the ~20 people passed during the first interview cycle.  At that rate, I was a little nervous.  I found it was easy to go through quickly and answer the questions that I knew off the top of my head.  My second pass through required little more thought or figuring, then last pass was the more difficult questions or the ones that required lots of time to solve.  I do remember some of the graphs.  The second set of problems were easier than the first and didn't require as much time.
 

M1Ark

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #11 on: Apr 18, 2006, 09:36 »
Shayne,

Did you skip questions or do them out of order and not answer earlier questions?

shayne

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #12 on: Apr 19, 2006, 12:26 »
Yes I would look at the question, if I knew the answer I marked the score sheet.  If I got to a question that I thought I knew but it would take some time I would skip it.  If I came to a question that I just didn't know, skipped it also.  When I got through the questions, I would go back and start doing the questions that I knew but would take time.  Last I would try to make the best educated guess on the questions I had no idea on if time had not expired.

Fermi2

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #13 on: Apr 19, 2006, 07:09 »
Man I couldn't take a test in that fashion. I have to start at the beginning, work everything through in order and be done in 25 minutes or less. Skipping questions would drive me nuts!

Mike

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #14 on: Apr 19, 2006, 07:26 »
Man I couldn't take a test in that fashion. I have to start at the beginning, work everything through in order and be done in 25 minutes or less. Skipping questions would drive me nuts!

There are treatments available, but the first step is admitting you have a problem.  ;)

Seriously, you have to get a certain number right per section; the best way to do that is to answer the simple ones first...
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
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And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

shayne

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #15 on: Apr 19, 2006, 09:51 »
I only have to pay more atttention to the score card to make sure I skip there too.  I usually can finish all the sections, except maybe the math.  Seems to have more questions than time or I'm rusty since I use calculators all the time.

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #16 on: May 06, 2006, 03:38 »
So do you want me to autograph your wings?  ;D

Congratulations. I have seen many go into the test cold and get KO'ed. Glad you took the advice, and I hope you don't have to find out about the difference in taking it another time.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
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And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

aturner

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #17 on: May 07, 2006, 02:30 »
Couldn't agree more.  The ASVAB I had two weeks to study with paid off well.  One thing that struck me was I didn't realize how time intensive the tests were.  Luckily I caught a message that it wouldnt be likely to finish every test.  This lowered my stress level quite a bit and helped me to concentrate more on being sure every answer I put down was correct.  Had I not known I would've been sweating it worse than I was already.

I finished the Reading Comp. for the same reasons as above also, becuase I knew some of the passages.  I also finished the Long-Math section.  I believe my minor in math paid off with all of the algebra i've done recently. 

I posed the question to the test administrator about guessing.  He caught my ear when he said if you could rule out a few answers then go ahead and guess.  The flip side he recommended was that if you couldn't rule out anything, it would be best not to guess.  He did say he had never been told to recommend/not recommend guessing.  I went with the safe side and made sure I had everything right I marked down.  Maybe a few left blank that I actually attempted, but that's it. 

I don't know what passing grades are for the various jobs, but I don't feel like I bombed anything.  Considering I got up 3:30 Friday morning from out here on the left coast and flew in to Nashville, drove to NE AL to see family and drive to Tuscumbia friday night, I don't feel too bad about it.  I wish we could actually get our scores, at least if something were bad, we could find out what to work on.  I guess only time will tell.

Adam

NucEng for Hire

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #18 on: May 08, 2006, 05:21 »
In the interest of memorizing conversions ahead of time, is the conversion table included in the EEI online sample POSS test representative of the one on recent actual tests?

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #19 on: Nov 13, 2006, 05:24 »
The POSS really isn't tough at all. In 1990 when I took it I had no idea I'd be taking any sort of exam. I thought I was there simply for an interview. They herded us into a room and told us we had some testing to do just to see where our aptitudes might lie, nothing was mentioned about it being a Go-No Go for the job. They put it in front of us, explained the rules and when I opened the test booklet I thought oh an ASVAB. When we interviewed for a class in 2003 (or was it late 2002) I went up to talk with one of the interviewers and we were giving the POSS using the exact same testing booklets.

Mike,

I was in the same boat as you. I was working in a non-nuclear job so I never heard of the POSS. They flew me here to interview for an NLO position and take some test.  I didn't know what to expect.  I thought they might be asking about the neutron lifecycle or something like that. When they handed out the results 3/4 of the room emptied out because they did not make it.

I never had to take a POSS for my SRO interview.

Doug

Fermi2

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #20 on: Nov 13, 2006, 02:18 »
I'm not sure anyone would make a candidate for an SRO Position take a POSS Test. In most cases the skill set is different and if they're interviewing you you've probably proven youself in some way in the industry. It wouldn't be a bad idea to give it to Engineering instants and candidates who are just getting out of the Navy. Then again, I don't believe the test has any validity whatsoever.

Mike

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #21 on: Nov 13, 2006, 03:29 »
"Then again, I don't believe the test has any validity whatsoever.

Mike"

After having finally taken the dreaded POSS for the first time I am now thinking I was worried about that?!?  Do'nt get me wrong I amnot saying I blew it away (after all for all I know I passed it by 1 point, and I guess I will probably never know) but it was neither hard or brain wracking, if you are slightly prepared!  The guys who say practice the ASVAB are, as with most of thier other advice, right on point!  The test requires you to sacrifice the "need" to answer every question, and makes you (IMHO) move on to questions you can answer quickly. 

Here are my tips (and hey what do I know, just trying to help others in thier cause!)
1. Reading is the easy section with lots of time feel free to read the passages fully then do questions.
2. Tables and Graphs, I would like to meet the man or woman who can truly finish that section!!  On mine there were  two columns each had different thing they wanted. Stay in one then move to others, this will minimize changing the way you are reading the table. I have talked to two others who "Passed" and they only finished the first col, and I got 2 bubbles into the second and passed, so just foucus on accuracy in getting the first done!
3. Assembly seemed to have drawing slightly harder than practice test, but not impossible. Just remember that they can be rotated after they are put together and some do have left or right perspective that will be different.
4. Mech Concepts if you are weak (did not almost ace practice) then you need to study an ASVAB book that explains these basic physicis concepts!! All I can say on this one is you get it or you do not!
5. Math Usage!  Ok on this one practice test was only half the picture.  To start with the conversion were about the same but there seemed to be a few more mulit-step ones (I skipped most of them for speeds sake). The big trick was the fact that there was an "algebra" (more like basic math that most middle schoolers can do) problem is if you get wrapped up in conversions the you are cheating yourself on lots of easy math points on algebra section.  Again in this section if you can not look at it/answer it in head then move on!! I skipped a few in the conversion section (mostly multi-step / obscure units ones) and some in the algebra section and still did not finish the section.  In fact once I turned the page and saw alg section I felt like I should have skipped more conversions in favor of more simple math!

Of course this advice comes with the disclaimer "USE AT YOUR OWN RISK" what worked for me may not for you, (my lawyer said I should say that often in life!! :P)
Good Luck! 
Being adept at being adaptable I look forward to every new challenge!

nearexnuke

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #22 on: Apr 14, 2007, 09:27 »
How can you take this test?  Is it only after applying to a plant?  Does each plant have there own or is there only one POSS test?

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #23 on: Apr 14, 2007, 09:40 »
How can you take this test?  Is it only after applying to a plant?  Does each plant have there own or is there only one POSS test?

The POSS test is given as part of pre-employment testing.  Usually the results aren't shared between plants as I understand it. 
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Fermi2

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Re: Power Plant Operator Selection System Test - Help!
« Reply #24 on: Apr 16, 2007, 11:07 »
So far as I know the results aren't shared. The best way to determine if results are shared is if you aren't required to sign a release for allowing shared results the odds are they won't be shared.

Also no utility wants to invest money to give an exam only to give the results to someone else.

Some utilities don't give the entire POSS. For example the version DTE gave is a watered down version of the one TVA gives. By watered down I mean shorter not less challenging!

Mike

 


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