Once you’ve completed the psychometric test, the next step is our online Written Questions Assessment.

You’ll be asked to answer two written questions. This is your opportunity to show us how you communicate your ideas, what matters to you, and how your perspective shapes the way you approach different circumstances.

When preparing your answers:

• Answer the question directly. Make sure you address every part of the question and stay focused on what you’ve been asked.
• Keep it clear and concise. As a Policy Adviser, you’ll often need to turn complex information into ideas that are clear and easy to understand.
• Consider different perspectives and trade-offs. Where relevant, show that you can look at an issue from different angles.
• Proofread before you submit. Take a moment to check that your answer is clear, well-structured and answers the question fully.

Your answers will be assessed based on Civil Service behaviours and we’ll inform candidates which behaviours are being assessed closer to this stage of assessment.

For more information, you can read about the Civil Service Profile Behaviours, at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) level. The positive indicators for these behaviours can give you a good idea of what we’re looking for.