The USA Hire Occupational Reasoning Assessment is part of the USA Hire battery of assessments developed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). These assessments are used by various federal agencies in the United States to evaluate the qualifications and suitability of job applicants for specific federal positions.
What Is the USA Hire Assessment Test
USA Hire online assessments, and Federal Government job application is an online assessment designed to match qualified applicants to the job openings.
The specific assessments you will be asked to take will differ depending on the job to which you are applying.
USA Hire process and application
The USA Hire process is part of the federal hiring procedure in the United States. It’s designed to streamline and standardize the selection process for federal government jobs. Here’s an overview of the general steps you might encounter when applying for a job through the USA Hire process:
- Search for a Job: Begin by searching for available positions on the USAJOBS website. This site lists all federal job openings and provides detailed information about job responsibilities, qualifications, salary, and location.
- Create a USAJOBS Account: To apply for a job, you’ll need to create an account on the USAJOBS website. This will allow you to save job searches, keep track of your applications, and store different versions of your resume.
- Prepare Your Application: Carefully read the job announcement to understand the qualifications and requirements. Tailor your resume to the specific position, emphasizing relevant experience, skills, and achievements. Some positions may also require additional documents like transcripts or certifications.
- Submit Your Application: Apply directly through the USAJOBS website by following the instructions in the job announcement. You’ll typically be asked to submit a resume, answer eligibility questions, and provide any requested supplemental documents.
- USA Hire Assessment Test: Depending on the position, you may be required to take the USA Hire Assessment Test. This online examination evaluates your competencies and potential to perform the job effectively. Make sure to carefully follow the instructions for completing the assessment.
- Interview (if applicable): If you pass the initial screening and assessment, you may be invited for an interview. This could be in person, over the phone, or via video conference.
- Background Check and Other Assessments: Selected candidates may undergo a background check and possibly additional assessments, such as a medical examination, depending on the position.
- Job Offer: If you are selected, you will receive a formal job offer. This may be conditional on passing additional checks or completing other requirements.
- Onboarding: Once you’ve accepted the offer and completed any remaining steps, you’ll begin the onboarding process, which includes orientation, paperwork, and other activities to integrate you into your new position.
USA Hire Test Scores
It’s important to improve your score by practicing before you start the assessment test.
Generally, your scores will be valid for 12 calendar months from the completion date.
If in your account has an existing USA Hire assessment score, you do not need to retake it.
The existing USA Hire score will be automatically applied to the positions you apply to
Assessment test sections
USA Hire will include the following sections
- Biographical Data Questionnaire
- Cognitive Exams
- Occupational Interaction Assessment
- Occupational Math Assessment
- Occupational Judgment Assessment
- Occupational Reading Assessment
- Personality Test
- Verbal Reasoning Tests
Start practice today and improve your hiring chances
Online USA Hire Assessment Preparation
General interview questions
examples of the types of questions you might encounter during a government job interview. These questions are often designed to assess your qualifications, experience, and alignment with the competencies required for the position.
Most common job interview questions
- Behavioral Questions: Expect questions that ask you to describe how you handled specific situations in the past. For example:
- “Can you describe a situation where you had to work under a tight deadline? How did you manage your time?”
- “Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict within a team. What was your approach?”
- Technical Questions: Depending on the position, you might be asked questions related to the technical skills required for the role.
- “Can you explain how you would analyze a large dataset?”
- “What methods do you use to ensure cybersecurity in your current role?”
- Motivational Questions: These questions help interviewers understand what drives you.
- “Why are you interested in working for this agency?”
- “What motivates you to pursue a career in public service?”
- Competency-Based Questions: These questions assess specific skills or competencies relevant to the role.
- “How do you prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail?”
- “Can you provide an example of a project where you demonstrated leadership?”
- Questions about Your Application: Be prepared to discuss your resume, experiences, and how they relate to the position.
- “Can you elaborate on your experience with [specific skill or technology mentioned in the job description]?”
- “How does your background prepare you for the challenges of this role?”
- Questions about Knowledge of the Agency or Role: Understanding the mission and functions of the agency or department is crucial.
- “How does our agency’s mission align with your career goals?”
- “What challenges do you believe our agency faces, and how would you contribute to addressing them?”
- Situational Questions: You may be presented with hypothetical scenarios related to the job.
- “Imagine you’re faced with [specific scenario]. How would you approach it?”
Open Jobs at USA Hire:
Keep in mind that the federal hiring process can be competitive and often requires patience and attention to detail when preparing your application and resume. Make sure to read the job announcements thoroughly and tailor your federal resume to the specific job announcement to which you are applying.
- Public jobs
- Federal employees
- Veterans
- Military spouses
- National Guard & Reserves
- Students & recent graduates
- Senior executives
- Individuals with disabilities
- Family of overseas employees
- Native Americans
- Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA
- Special authorities
Occupational Reasoning Assessment USA Hire
USA Hire is a talent assessment tool developed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for use by federal agencies in the United States. The Occupational Reasoning Assessment (ORA) is a component of the USA Hire system.
The ORA measures cognitive abilities and job-related reasoning skills, including:
- Verbal Reasoning: measures a person’s ability to understand and analyze written information.
- Numerical Reasoning: measures a person’s ability to understand and use mathematical concepts.
- Inductive Reasoning: measures a person’s ability to identify patterns and make logical inferences.
- Deductive Reasoning: measures a person’s ability to apply rules and make logical conclusions.
- Spatial Reasoning: measures a person’s ability to understand and manipulate visual information.
The purpose of the ORA is to provide a quick and objective assessment of a candidate’s cognitive abilities and to determine their potential for success in various federal job positions. The results of the ORA are intended to be used in conjunction with other factors, such as education and experience, in making hiring decisions.
Below are the most common ones:
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Police Exam | State Trooper Exam | Firefighter Test |
Police Records Clerk Exam | Toll Collector Exam | GardaWorld Screening Officer X-Ray Test |
USPS Exam 474 | TSA Exam | HSI Special Agent Test |
census employment test | US Capitol Police Exam | Immigrant Enforcement Agent Test |
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FBI Special Agent |
Sample Question
Sample Question 1: Situational Judgement
You are working on a project with a tight deadline when a coworker asks for your help with a problem they’re experiencing on their own project. How do you respond?
A) You stop what you’re doing and help them, regardless of your own deadline. B) You explain that you’re too busy with your own project and can’t assist them. C) You ask them if the problem could wait until you’ve finished your current task. D) You suggest they seek help from someone else who might not be as busy.
Sample Question 2: Reasoning
Consider the following pattern of numbers: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32. Which number comes next?
A) 40 B) 48 C) 64 D) 100
Sample Question 3: Problem Solving
You’re leading a team that’s facing a challenge due to a lack of communication between team members. What’s the most effective first step you can take to address this problem?
A) Hold a team meeting to discuss the problem and suggest ways to improve communication. B) Implement mandatory communication training for all team members. C) Speak with each team member individually to understand their communication issues. D) Ignore the issue, hoping it will resolve itself over time.
Online USA Hire Assessment Preparation
The USA Hire Assessment, conducted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is a collection of online evaluations tailored to measure the fundamental cognitive and interpersonal skills of applicants. Typically, the completion of the entire USA Hire Assessment process requires approximately 2-3 hours.