Knowledge Test on the PSC's Appointment Framework

Questions and Answers

Reason for Test

1. Why will there be a knowledge test on the Public Service Commission's (PSC) Appointment Framework?
2. How are small organizations that do not have their own HR services expected to meet this condition of delegation (i.e. access to an HR specialist whose expertise in the Appointment Framework has been validated by the PSC)?

Impact on Certification

3. Does the AFKT replace the Staffing Knowledge Exam (SKE) from the PSC's Staffing Certification Program established under the former PSEA?
4. When will the PSC stop certifying HR specialists?

About the AFKT

5. What is the purpose of the AFKT?
6. What does the AFKT evaluate?
7. Who can take the AFKT?
8. What is the format of the test?
9. What is the pass mark for the AFKT and how was it established?
10. Why is it a closed-book test?
11. How long are the test results valid for?
12. How can people prepare for the test?
13. Is there a waiting period before being able to take the AFKT again when a person is not successful?
14. What happens to HR specialists who fail the AFKT?
15. How should the results of the AFKT be interpreted?

Test Administration

16. Who will look after administering the AFKT?
17. How will departments and employees obtain the results?

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. In addressing these requirements, the PSC has adopted a renewed approach to its delegation and accountability relationships with departments.

As one of the conditions for the delegation of authority to deputy heads, the PSC requires those to whom authority is sub-delegated to have access to a human resources (HR) specialist with PSC-validated expertise in the Appointment Framework.

The mechanism the PSC has chosen for validating this expertise is the Appointment Framework Knowledge Test (AFKT).

2. How are small organizations that do not have their own HR services expected to meet this condition of delegation (i.e. access to an HR specialist whose expertise in the Appointment Framework has been validated by the PSC)?

The condition of delegation must be met by each deputy head who has an Appointment Delegation and Accountability Instrument (ADAI) with the PSC, regardless of whether or not the organization in question has HR specialists on staff. This means that if an organization uses external human resources advisory services for its own appointment processes, then the organization is required to ensure that the service provider(s) have had their expertise in the PSC's Appointment Framework validated via the AFKT or that they have access to a HR specialist whose expertise in the Appointment Framework has been validated. The condition is the same whether the service provider is located in another part of the public service or is an external consultant.

Impact on Certification

3. Does the AFKT replace the Staffing Knowledge Exam (SKE) from the PSC's Staffing Certification Program established under the former PSEA?

No. The AFKT will be used to validate HR specialists' expertise in the Appointment Framework in the context of the new PSEA and is tied to a condition of delegation. The AFKT will not lead to any certification from the PSC. It is a tool to confirm knowledge of the new Appointment Framework. The AFKT will not be used to reassess the existing competencies of HR specialists.

4. When will the PSC stop certifying HR specialists?

Should departments feel that it is still worthwhile to recommend employees for certification to the PSC, they will be able to do so until the coming into force of the new PSEA as long as their employees have successfully passed the Staffing Knowledge Exam (SKE) before October 31, 2005. After this date, the SKE will no longer be available. Departments are to continue to provide proof of completion of all other mandatory elements as per the Attestation of Readiness for Staffing Certification.

About the AFKT

5. What is the purpose of the AFKT?

The primary purpose of the AFKT is to validate the expertise of HR specialists in the PSC's new Appointment Framework in order for deputy heads to meet a condition of delegation. The test is not intended to be used as a means to assess merit criteria in relation to appointment processes.

6. What does the AFKT evaluate?

The test is designed to evaluate knowledge of all parts of the PSC's Appointment Framework, including appointment policies, delegation of authority and accountability, as well as the legislative framework.

7. Who can take the AFKT?

The PSC developed the AFKT for HR specialists providing staffing advice and guidance to managers in organizations governed by the PSEA.

Departments are responsible for determining and prioritizing who should take the test.

8. What is the format of the test?

The AFKT is a multiple-choice, closed-book test in which no reference material may be used. This first version of the test includes 54 factual knowledge questions, some of which evaluate understanding of the application of the PSEA and of the three components of the PSC's Appointment Framework.

The time allocated for answering the questions is 75 minutes. Including the time to administer the test, a testing period session takes approximately 95 minutes.

9. What is the pass mark for the AFKT and how was it established?

The pass mark for the knowledge test is 30/54. The pass mark was set using a technique known as the Angoff Procedure, one of the most commonly used and accepted means for setting pass marks on tests like the AFKT. The technique involves establishing the level of knowledge necessary for performing the job.

10. Why is it a closed-book test?

The reason for making the AFKT a closed-book test is that test takers should have a certain level of knowledge without having to refer to reference material. In addition, multiple-choice tests are rarely "open-book".

11. How long are the test results valid for?

The test results will be valid indefinitely, unless major changes are made to the new PSEA or the PSC's Appointment Framework.

12. How can people prepare for the test?

There are a number of ways to prepare for the test. These include studying relevant documentation, which you may find at www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/psea-lefp, or learning about the Appointment Framework through activities such as the 2005 PSC Get Ready "Series 1" sessions or the courses offered by the Canada School of Public Service.

13. Is there a waiting period before being able to take the AFKT again when a person is not successful?

Test takers will be able to take the AFKT again after a 90-day waiting period has elapsed.

14. What happens to HR specialists who fail the AFKT?

Each department will decide upon which approach to take in this situation. However, the PSC sees no objection to allowing people who have failed the AFKT to continue to perform their duties. However, such people must have access to the services of a HR specialist who has successfully passed the test, whether that specialist works in the same organization, another organization in the public service, or the private sector.

15. How should the results of the AFKT be interpreted?

Once persons have successfully passed the test, the knowledge is deemed to be possessed, regardless of the overall score obtained. This means that they have demonstrated the necessary knowledge of the Appointment Framework.

Test Administration

16. Who will look after administering the AFKT?

At this time, the PSC will be responsible for administering the AFKT. In collaboration with its regional offices and the PPC, the PSC will conduct testing sessions in various locations across Canada. Departments should communicate with the PSC regional offices to register the persons who are to take the test. Please consult the Letter to Heads of Human Resources 05-25 to obtain the list of the names of the PSC regional contact persons responsible for the registration

17. How will departments and employees obtain the results?

The Personnel Psychology Centre (PPC) is responsible for marking the AFKT. PPC will provide departments with the test results of their employees on a pass/fail basis. They will also receive sealed envelopes for the individual employees which will contain more detailed test results. This information may be of value to employees wishing to improve their knowledge of the Appointment Framework. Employees may choose to share this information with their management for developmental purposes.