Columbus, OH 2011

[csvt18]

My test is 5/14 at 800am... Heading down from MI.


Is Columbus the place where they do all 3 tests in one day? Written, FOAM and agility? I thought it was here, or maybe it was another place....

[doubled8206]

Nope, not all 3 tests in one day. Once you pass the written you get dates on Physical agility and FOAM

[csvt18]

Nope, not all 3 tests in one day. Once you pass the written you get dates on Physical agility and FOAM

Cool thanks.

[bbell1977]

Crap!!! I am scheduled for 5/21 and already have a test that day in Evanston IL. Need to see if I can reschedule Columbus for another date or just not go to Evanston.

[OHFirestopper]

Crap!!! I am scheduled for 5/21 and already have a test that day in Evanston IL. Need to see if I can reschedule Columbus for another date or just not go to Evanston.

I have to reschedule mine as well, let me know if they let you reschedule it please.

[Phiman252]

I'm renting a car and heading out from Brooklyn.

I just looked online and they have me scheduled for 5/14 at 1PM.

I'm in Jersey City. I scheduled to take the test on the 21st, but I would like to change it to an earlier date.

I don't have a car so I'm looking for some other guys who are heading down there.

[columbusfire10]

Good luck on getting it reschdule, but remember this is a large city with a lot of people to talk too. It's civil service and we all know what thats like. Columbus has been hiring as the past year and should continue in the years to come. You are just one over how many thousand that signed up, good luck changing the date. If they don't ,you should do what ever it takes to be here for the test.

[Phiman252]

Good luck on getting it reschdule, but remember this is a large city with a lot of people to talk too. It's civil service and we all know what thats like. Columbus has been hiring as the past year and should continue in the years to come. You are just one over how many thousand that signed up, good luck changing the date. If they don't ,you should do what ever it takes to be here for the test.

That's definitely true. I'm from New Jersey though , where we have perhaps the worse civil service system in the country, I'm sure dealing with Ohio will be a pleasure.

I'm going to make it out there regardless.

[bbell1977]

I have to reschedule mine as well, let me know if they let you reschedule it please.

On the email they sent it said you can go to another date May 10-21 I think but you will only be aloud in based on available space. You can't call and change dates. I will be there as I think Evanston is only establishing a list, not sure on their hiring or how many. I know Columbus is hiring 100-150.

[galice]

what is meant when i se people talking about i wasin the 80 band or 100 band whats this mean?

[bbell1977]

what is meant when i se people talking about i wasin the 80 band or 100 band whats this mean?

It was from a previous exam. They band you buy score etc.

[jeffrobombero]

So the band is the percentile rank in groups of 10 that you scored on the FOAM. So the 90 band is a score from 90 - 100%. Columbus will take everyone who scored in the 90 BAND at one time. If they are hiring 150 and there are 200 who scored in the 90 band and they get 150 out of that band, that's pretty much it unless they hire again within the eligibility list. So the 80 band is 80-89 basically. Now, within your band is your raw score and that is how they move through the band. So, you MUST do your absolute best on the FOAM and score as high as you can.

[TL678]

So the band is the percentile rank in groups of 10 that you scored on the FOAM. So the 90 band is a score from 90 - 100%. Columbus will take everyone who scored in the 90 BAND at one time. If they are hiring 150 and there are 200 who scored in the 90 band and they get 150 out of that band, that's pretty much it unless they hire again within the eligibility list. So the 80 band is 80-89 basically. Now, within your band is your raw score and that is how they move through the band. So, you MUST do your absolute best on the FOAM and score as high as you can.

Is the FOAM test used anywhere outside of Columbus? It sounds pretty intense.

[jeffrobombero]

Not sure if it is used anywhere else.
It's not THAT intense, but it is pretty subjective based upon how a panel feels you presented yourself.
Basically, you watch a video of some scenario and you place yourself into the scene in the first person point of view. The video suddenly stops and you have x amount of time to complete the scene as you would in real life. Then you are judged and ranked by the panel. This becomes your ultimate band.

[TL678]

Not sure if it is used anywhere else.
It's not THAT intense, but it is pretty subjective based upon how a panel feels you presented yourself.
Basically, you watch a video of some scenario and you place yourself into the scene in the first person point of view. The video suddenly stops and you have x amount of time to complete the scene as you would in real life. Then you are judged and ranked by the panel. This becomes your ultimate band.

Thanks for the info. Sounds kinda like a popularity contest.

[jeffrobombero]

This is why the panel is usually made up of FF from other departments around the state, and not from CFD. That was the explanation I received when I took it. I think they judge your reaction, demeanor, what your actions were, if you are confident or arrogant, personable, etc. I have no idea what they are really looking for, but that seems to me to be about what it was.

[zack_kcaz]

Ohhhh boyyy. I have a few friends who took the bpad, which is the police version of FOAM by the sounds of it, he said don't be a dick, be polite, well spoken, good tone, don't be an ***. Basically treat it like customer service, like your answering a phone at a business.

Others have said the oral board(for police) was the same as the bpad, but in front of the officers and not into a camera.

Good luck!

[bbell1977]

I just printed the study guide. I am glad I did as this doesn't look like the typical civil service test. All types of tools to memorize. I know what a hammer is and a phillips head but some of these tools I don't know the real names for. Print it out and look at it if you have not done so. I have never taken this test so maybe it is basic stuff but the study guide seems to prove otherwise.

[Desire4theJob]

I have a question maybe someone can answer. I'm due to process into the military in the next week or two and will most likely leave for basic late July early August. I know that in any civil service test if they call your number and your in active duty they save your spot until your done. But what happens if I take my written and get sent to basic before I can do the physical or FOAM? I tried to call Columbus today but didn't make it home before they closed and I don't think the office is open tomorrow.

[TL678]

I have a question maybe someone can answer. I'm due to process into the military in the next week or two and will most likely leave for basic late July early August. I know that in any civil service test if they call your number and your in active duty they save your spot until your done. But what happens if I take my written and get sent to basic before I can do the physical or FOAM? I tried to call Columbus today but didn't make it home before they closed and I don't think the office is open tomorrow.

Are you active or going guard? They don't have to hold anything because you don't have a job. To my understanding all you are entitled to is the test. They don't save you a spot because you haven't been selected for employment. I would assume if your national guard you could finish the process and get on the list for a future class