EEI CAST, POSS, MASS, TECH and SO/PD tests

[misteree]

I just wanted to thank this forum and everyone's advice and all the threads with useful knowledge concerning the POSS test.

I retook my POSS test yesterday morning, and this morning I received my results. I am happy and proud to say that I have passed and am now waiting to interview. 

Thank you everyone for being extremely supportive through posting all the information. It was truly helpful and I'm so happy that I finally get a chance to make a difference not only for me but for my family as well.

You guys are awesome!!

[eaton1981]

Congrats!

[Willy]

Good job!!!

[misteree]

Thanks guys!! I heard about my interview!! I'm very excited. Can anyone please point me in the direction of the interview threads? I couldn't really find anything when I did a search. I really want to knock this one out of the park. I'd greatly appreciate any help that I can get. Also, does anyone have any personal advice about the interview process?



-misteree

[GLW]

Thanks guys!! I heard about my interview!! I'm very excited. Can anyone please point me in the direction of the interview threads? I couldn't really find anything when I did a search.

-misteree

You're kidding me right?!?!



Well, no "game on, flame on" today, just go here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,34581.0.html

and here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,33323.0.html

and here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,26974.0.html

and here:

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,26959.0.html

and here:

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,26487.0.html

and here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,26272.0.html

and here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,25169.0.html

and here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,22757.0.html

and here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,17531.0.html

and here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,5831.0.html

and here;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,5387.0.html

(that last one is from a user who did quite well for himself and still posts here regularly)

Also, does anyone have any personal advice about the interview process?

You might want to PM the usual suspects, they can be very good when positively approached,...

good luck,.....

[NukeLDO]

Took my POSS yesterday with utility in SC and passed thanks to all the great advice on these forums.  Subsequent interview also went very well.  Now just waiting for the post-interview phone call.
I will say that in spite of taking practice exams, the actual experience of taking the exam was humbling.  I found it difficult during the practice exams to truly time myself and focused more on answering the questions properly.  In practice, and pressed for time, I found I simply did not have the luxury I had been giving myself on the practice exams.
Reading comprehension and mechanical concepts were by far the easiest sections of the exam, and the only two sections that I completed 100%.  The spatial construction and visualization was by far the hardest portion for me.  I found it easier to tackle certain types of those than others.  Building blocks and piping assemblies were much easier than some of the others.  Graphs and tables were straight-forward, but again, I was not able to complete all of the questions in the allotted time.  Math was also straight-forward, but I did not complete any single portion in its entirety.
All in all, a humbling experience with a good outcome.
More interviews on the horizon.  I can't say enough about how helpful and informative this site has been, and I consider the money I spent on a Gold membership to be worth every penny!

[misteree]

I had my interview over a week ago. They said 2-3 weeks I should know something. I have to say that when I went in, I sat down confident, went through the interview confident, and left confident. The interview went very well in my opinion, the hardest part for me right now is waiting to hear back from them. I'm hoping I get a phone call with good news.

Thank you for all the links on interview advice. I appreciate the help.

[MacGyver]

I had my interview over a week ago. They said 2-3 weeks I should know something. I have to say that when I went in, I sat down confident, went through the interview confident, and left confident. The interview went very well in my opinion, the hardest part for me right now is waiting to hear back from them. I'm hoping I get a phone call with good news.

Thank you for all the links on interview advice. I appreciate the help.

Glad we could help.

[Velcro]

I took the POSS, passed and didn't get the job that I interviewed for.  But, the good thing was I impressed them so much with my interview I was called back to interview for another position.  I didn't get the RO position I was hoping for instead I will be a Nuclear Planner/Scheduler at the Farley Plant near Dothan.  Super excited.  I have been out of the Nuclear world for 5 years now and this is going to be nice change of pace.  Who knows, in a couple of years I may be able to apply for the RO or SRO position and actually get the job the next go around.  At least I will have the POSS under my belt and won't have to worry about that.

[UncaBuffalo]

I took the POSS, passed and didn't get the job that I interviewed for.  But, the good thing was I impressed them so much with my interview I was called back to interview for another position.  I didn't get the RO position I was hoping for instead I will be a Nuclear Planner/Scheduler at the Farley Plant near Dothan.  Super excited.  I have been out of the Nuclear world for 5 years now and this is going to be nice change of pace.  Who knows, in a couple of years I may be able to apply for the RO or SRO position and actually get the job the next go around.  At least I will have the POSS under my belt and won't have to worry about that.

Congrats on the new job! 

[misteree]

I took the POSS, passed and didn't get the job that I interviewed for.  But, the good thing was I impressed them so much with my interview I was called back to interview for another position.  I didn't get the RO position I was hoping for instead I will be a Nuclear Planner/Scheduler at the Farley Plant near Dothan.  Super excited.  I have been out of the Nuclear world for 5 years now and this is going to be nice change of pace.  Who knows, in a couple of years I may be able to apply for the RO or SRO position and actually get the job the next go around.  At least I will have the POSS under my belt and won't have to worry about that.

Congratulations Velcro! That's awesome news to hear!! 

[Velcro]

Thanks....One month on the Job as a Scheduler and it is very interesting for sure.  Feels good to be back in the Nuclear world.  Oil and Gas is nice but in order to make money you have to travel.  I got out of the Navy to stop traveling, glad to be back!

[otter]

I recently took and passed the MASS test. This forum was helpful in my preparation. Thank you all for that.

I never got a 100% solid answer as to how the tests are scored (even if there is some very good, constructive advice). Here is what I can contribute to that end: On the first portion of my test, Assembly, I had neglected to watch the clock. While confident about the answers I was putting down, I only completed 14/20 (70%). Of course I had read that the quality of answers was more important than quantity, but this still had me worried. Hopefully knowing this will be comforting to others waiting for results, and helpful to future test-takers.

Another important item I can share is that EEI seems to be testing out a new format. We actually took 5 tests, including two versions of Assembly. We were told that one of the five was experimental, but that it was important to do our best on all of them. I am making the assumption, of course, that this second Assembly test was the experimental one. It was split about 50/50 between the same type of questions as the regular Assembly test, and what I believe are Spatial Aptitude questions. These were not covered on the practice tests. They were very similar, in concept at least, to the link below. Maybe it was just mental exhaustion at that point, but some were extremely difficult.

https://www.pgworks.com/documents/44/SpatialAptitude.PDF

[Levar1970]

I graduated with my AAS energy technical specialist in may 14,2013 & now am doing the online BAS energy Management degree from bismark state-energy center. how/where do I take the POSS/MASS tests? at a loss here, need help, cannot find anything online.

[HydroDave63]

I graduated with my AAS energy technical specialist in may 14,2013 & now am doing the online BAS energy Management degree from bismark state-energy center. how/where do I take the POSS/MASS tests? at a loss here, need help, cannot find anything online.

Those tests are given by companies as part of their hiring process. Try finding a utility that is hiring.

[Vogt641]

Hi guys I have a few questions about the EEI MASS test i have searched the forum and could not find the answers if i missed them I apologize.

First off- How is the test scored. For example I have read that you have to get at least 11 correct answers, and that every question you get wrong counts against you, also I have read that un answered questions don't go against your score. So for example if I answer 15 questions an I get 12 of those answered correct do I end up with a 12 out of 15 and essentially I have passed the section or do my 3 incorrect answers get subtracted from the 12 I answered and would I then end up with 9 correct which would obviously be a fail.

Also I have seen on here some people recommending that you memorize all of the conversions to help with speed does anyone think this is a good tactic. And if anyone feels obliged to share some other tactics they used to help pass this test that would be appreciated as well thanks.

[ddickey]

When is your test?

[Vogt641]

My test will be in december. I know it might seem like overkill but inhave already started studying and using a asvab book for practice.

[ddickey]

What utility?

[Vogt641]

Exelon

[Grover09]

I just found out I passed my POSS exam!!  I was worried because I didn't finish the Math section (just finished the algebra section (so about 2/3 finished))  I also didn't finish the table reading section.  I was going as fast as possible and only got like 4-5 done on the second half. of the table and about the same for the graph. 

I hope this post will encourage others who expected to not have a problem but then didn't finish.

Next step is an interview.  time to buy a new shirt and tie.  I already wore my only stain free tie to the test.

[balucero1905]

I recently applied to a health physics specialist job at scana, and was wondering what type of testing would I be asked to take if selected. I've taken the NUF before but that was about 5 years ago, so I'm sure I will asked to take that again. Just need help figuring out if I will need to pass any of the EEI testing. Thank you in advance for any help, and it is very much appreciated.

[mccantfitness]

I took the Poss Mass 3 days ago and now it's the weekend! A guaranteed 2 more days with no results! The position is for Operator for Entergy plant in Montz, LA. There were only several people taking the test including me. I'm very confident that I pass, but I rather see in front of my face! 

[Chimera]

LOOKING FOR TIPS ON HOW TO PASS THE GRAPHIC ARITHMETIC SECTION OF THE EEI TECH TEST, PRIMARILY THE TOWER, DIAGRAM IS DIFFRENT THAN THE STUDY GUIDE?

I may be misunderstanding your post but . . .

The purpose of those tests is to get some idea of your ability to deal with the subject matter of the questions - not memorize answers from some practice exam and spit them out on the test.  I expected the tests to be different from the practice tests and I wasn't disappointed.  The practice tests are there to prepare you for the TYPE of questions you can expect to encounter.

[cheme09]

LOOKING FOR TIPS ON HOW TO PASS THE GRAPHIC ARITHMETIC SECTION OF THE EEI TECH TEST, PRIMARILY THE TOWER, DIAGRAM IS DIFFRENT THAN THE STUDY GUIDE?

Graphic arithmetic? Like, if theres a large cube and you can only see one face of it which is made of a 3x3 array of small cubes, you need to answer how many small cubes there are?

Not sure of any tips for that kind of stuff. You either know it or you don't.

The rest of this post isn't directed at you, but just my take on the POSS.

A test like the POSS is meant as a very coarse filter to see who has the requisite level of knowledge and can perform well enough to go through an operator training course. That second part is key: "can perform". While it is useful to learn tips on taking tests, it's my opinion that it takes a certain type or person to be an operator. Those who cannot perform well under pressure or are not sure and confident in their decisions don't need to be (and I feel, should not be) tasked with the responsibility of operating a nuclear plant. I'm all for students who study tirelessly and put forth effort and look for ways (tips) for learning things. But that doesn't mean much if the material cannot be internalized or when under pressure the correct answer cannot be produced.