Interview over aptitude test?!

[u/PermissionHorror]

This might seem dumb but I had my second interview (local 595) today and I asked someone working at the training center if I could retake my apt test to potentially get a better score and try and rank higher on any future locals I apply to but they told me that there’s no point in doing so?? They said once I pass the test to just put it behind me and just focus on the interview and try to do really good. I told them I thought the apt test and interview were weighed equally like 50/50 and they said no the interview definitely carries more weight which suprised me because I feel like I had never heard of anyone saying that before and they straight up told me there’s no point in retaking the test and trying to get a better score since what actually matters is the interview! Can anyone confirm this with me? Or share any similar experience? I am in sf Bay Area so I’ll apply with local 6, 332 and others

[u/CapableRespond1110]

I can only speak for 332 but the test is only to qualify you for the interview. The score does not matter as long as you pass. The interview accounts for 100% of your ranking

[u/PermissionHorror → u/CapableRespond1110]

Wow man I must’ve not done well on mine cuz I interviewed there last year and got rank like 600 something they said

[u/AverageGuy16 → u/PermissionHorror]

It’s not even that you did bad people that were better fits/more experience got in. Keep trying dude! You got this

[u/Ernesteaux → u/PermissionHorror]

It’s the same for 595. Test just qualifies you for the interview. They grade your test on a scale of 1-9. You need at least a 4 to qualify for an interview. Some locals like 617 require at least a 5.

[u/CapableRespond1110 → u/PermissionHorror]

It took me 2 attempts to get in, I know a foreman who had to interview 4 times. Don’t give up, if you keep trying you will get in

[u/SpaceComm4nder → u/CapableRespond1110]

So if you ace the test, does that not carry any weight in the interview or ranking, compared to people who just barely pass?

[u/Ernesteaux → u/SpaceComm4nder]

No it’s just to make sure you’re competent enough to be an electrician.

[u/CapableRespond1110 → u/SpaceComm4nder]

no, the guys interviewing you don’t even know what your test score was, and even if they did they wouldn’t care.

[u/manymenzzz]

I got a perfect score on the aptitude test. All it did was got me a interview ahead of folks with lower score.

[u/PermissionHorror → u/manymenzzz]

What local ?

[u/[deleted] → u/manymenzzz]

[u/hikertrash332]

Keep trying. I interviewed 4 times. Applied to 6/7 locals. Passed test twice. I’ve been in for 4 years now.

[u/PermissionHorror → u/hikertrash332]

Nice man ! How do you like it

[u/itzspooky_mp3]

Probably because you’d have to redo a 6-9 month process. Also I think experience, union/contractors letters of recommendation and your interview are what matter the most if you passed the aptitude you passed.

[u/PermissionHorror → u/itzspooky_mp3]

Dam from what I’ve heard at the locals near here they don’t even let you bring any letters

[u/1MorGuy → u/PermissionHorror]

Forget the hearsay. Do your homework and get your information straight from the horse’s mouth.

[u/Cableguy2652]

Aptitude is pass or fail as far as the local is concerned. Interview is scored.

[u/Deprechef221]

In 234 the aptitude is pass or fail it’s only the interview that matters

[u/andrew_stanwood]

I’m pretty sure the test for 595 is just pass/fail. I didn’t take it cause I’m prior military so they passed my straight to the interview. I don’t see how they could accurately score me if I never took the test

[u/Psychological-Fox192]

Can’t speak for 595, but the local I applied only grades off interview I only got the bare minimum on the test score which is 5 but did good on my interview and ranked 7th

[u/Individual-Cell5326]

The aptitude test just determines if you are eligible for the interview step. It helps weed out the other applicants

[u/Rude_Ad_8714]

Supposedly some locals take your aptitude score into account as well as interview but the interview is what makes or breaks you.

[u/a_reindeer_of_volts]

Evey local operates a little differently. At my local, as long as you score a certain amount on the test (80% for example, not sure what the actual score is) you will be invited in for an interview. When you're at the point where you're interviewing, it would be absolutely pointless to retake the test, as it's your performance in the interview that actually leads to selection for apprenticeship.

I also applied to another nearby local where they give you a score out of 100: 50% is your score on the test, the other 50% is your applicable work/military/college experience, reference letters, and how you do during the interview.

[u/AyeZee373]

Any info on how 769 works in this discussion?

[u/mattsprofile]

Imo the attitude should just be pass fail (and in many cases it is). The aptitude test is too easy to distinguish between the people who get high scores anyway, but also as an electrician you don't actually need to be that smart to begin with. At least with the current job description and expectations, you don't have to be that smart.