I have a CTB scheduled as part of a government job application process in about 3 weeks. I've taken pre-employment tests before but I'm not sure exactly what this battery covers or how strict the time limits are.
From what I've found, it tests typing speed and accuracy, data entry, alphanumeric filing, and sometimes basic math. My typing is around 55 WPM with decent accuracy, which I think is adequate, but the filing and data entry components I've had less practice with.
Alphanumeric filing specifically concerns me — the rules for filing names, numbers, and government agency designations aren't intuitive if you haven't drilled them. I remember struggling with ARMA filing rules back in school.
Any advice on the best way to practice in 3 weeks? And does anyone know whether the typing component penalizes errors or just measures net WPM?
Alphanumeric filing is the sneaky part. Practice ARMA rules specifically — nothing before something, article handling, abbreviation rules for government entities. It's learnable in 3 weeks if you drill daily with sample filing exercises.
Typing components on government tests typically score net WPM — errors are subtracted from gross speed. At 55 WPM with good accuracy you should be fine for most clerical grades. Accuracy matters more than raw speed.
Data entry on these tests is usually a split-screen format where you copy information from one panel to another under time pressure. Practice with any data entry simulator you can find online — the format is more disorienting than the content.
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