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Appointment Framework Knowledge Test is now Available (05-25)

2005-09-21

LETTER TO HEADS OF HUMAN RESOURCES

I am writing to follow-up on the Letter to Heads of Human Resources dated May 11, 2005, in which my predecessor announced the development of the Public Service Commission (PSC) Appointment Framework Knowledge Test (AFKT). I am pleased to inform you that the AFKT is now available to be administered to human resources (HR) specialists for the purpose of validating their knowledge of the PSC's new Appointment Framework.

The new Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) and the PSC's new Appointment Framework place more emphasis on the PSC's oversight role and on accountability to Parliament. As well, the PSC will be maximizing the appointment authorities delegated to, and strengthening the accountability of, deputy heads. This will include the introduction of a new condition of delegation whereby deputy heads will need to ensure that their sub-delegated officials will have access to HR specialists whose expertise in the Appointment Framework has been validated by the PSC.

The new PSC AFKT was developed for the specific purpose of validating this expertise. The test was constructed, and its pass mark established, so as to differentiate between those HR specialists who demonstrate that they possess the required expertise in the Appointment Framework and those who do not demonstrate this. The pass mark of 30/54 was derived by means of an internationally accepted approach for setting the pass marks when using tests of this type known as the Angoff Procedure. In essence, the Angoff Procedure relies on the pooled judgements of subject matter experts about the expected performance of persons who possess an acceptable degree of knowledge, given the content and difficulty level of every question on the test.

The AFKT has been developed for HR specialists who provide staffing advice to front-line managers. The test assesses knowledge of all components of the Appointment Framework (policy, delegation and accountability) and the legislative framework. The test consists of 54 multiple-choice questions. Reference material is not be permitted. Once a person has successfully passed the test, the knowledge is deemed to be possessed, regardless of the overall score obtained. Unsuccessful test takers may re-test after a 90-day waiting period has elapsed. The test results are valid for an indefinite period unless major changes are made to the new PSEA or the PSC's Appointment Framework.

Further information about the AFKT, including the outcome of the pilot tests conducted in June and July, and a series of frequently asked questions can be found on the PSC's PSEA web site at www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/psea-lefp/learning/knowledge_test_e.htm.

In order to better serve departments and to help us with the planning of the administration of this test, Chiefs of Staffing were consulted in July to identify the following:

• the number of HR specialists expected to take the test;
• their locations;
• the expected date for writing the test; and
• the name of a departmental contact person.

The Chiefs of Staffing were also provided with a list of considerations to assist them in determining and prioritizing who should take the test.

Based on the information received, approximately 1,400 HR specialists are expected to take the test in the first phase of testing scheduled to occur between September and December 2005. The PSC will be responsible for the administration and scoring of the AFKT. In collaboration with its regional offices and the Personnel Psychology Centre (PPC), the PSC will conduct testing sessions in various locations across Canada. Departmental contact persons identified by the Chiefs of Staffing should call the PSC regional contacts as soon as possible after the receipt of this letter to discuss potential testing dates and subsequently provide the necessary information to register employees scheduled to take the AFKT (please use the attached template [pdf file]). In remote locations, the PSC will work with departments to establish a protocol for test administration.

As explained in the Letter to Heads of Human Resources, the PSC will end its current Staffing Certification Program upon the coming into force of the new PSEA.

Work will soon start on a second version of the AFKT and departments may be requested to provide subject matter experts to assist in its development.

Should you have additional questions regarding the AFKT, please contact your strategic staffing consultant at the PSC.

[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]

Linda Gobeil
Senior Vice-President
Policy Branch

For the latest information on the new PSEA, visit:
The new PSEA Web site - www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/psea-lefp
The Public Service Modernization portal - www.psmod-modfp.gc.ca