Fast Stream Assessment Centre guide

You will be assessed by a team of specially trained assessors. These assessors are a mix of civil servants, assessment specialists and some very experienced retired civil servants. All are trained to a high level to make sure that they are assessing you in a fair and consistent manner. They are not there to catch you out, they want you to be able to give your best. 

Each exercise you complete will be assessed by a different assessor, so no one person is making a decision about you. 

Fair and open recruitment is important to us. We will assess you solely on your performance in the exercises.  
 
The assessors will have no information about you except your name. They will not have seen your application form or your scores from earlier stages in the selection process. They will not know which university you attended or are attending (if you did go to university). Nor will they know whether you have applied before. 

The Civil Service is committed to equal opportunities, so your socio-economic or ethnic background, gender, disability, appearance, age, sexual orientation, accent, political views, religion, personal beliefs or previous employment play no part in our final decision. We want you to feel free to express your point of view throughout the assessment.

– Stay relaxed and try to enjoy the day.  

– Be yourself. There is no such thing as a typical fast streamer. The Civil Service is committed to increasing the diversity of the Fast Stream intake.

– Remember that assessors can only give credit for what you say and do. They are not trying to trip you up; they want you to do well and show what you are capable of.  

– Remember that you are not competing with others, you are all being assessed against an independent standard. 

– Go into each exercise with a positive frame of mind. It is hard to do well in every exercise. In any case, you may not be the best judge of your own performance and the process is designed so that, if you do less well in one exercise, you have a chance to perform better in another.  

– Read the exercise instructions and follow them carefully. If you are unsure of something, ask before the exercise begins. Don’t feel embarrassed about doing so. 

– The exercises require you to work reasonably quickly. This is to reflect the demands of Fast Stream jobs. Make sure you keep an eye on the clock and use your time as effectively as possible. 

We use the 4D (4 Dimensions) Assessment Framework, developed by the Cabinet Office. It is designed to evaluate the capabilities, skills, and qualities considered essential for fast streamers. Different elements of the 4D framework are assessed in each of the three exercises at FSAC.

The four dimensions are:

Think
It aims to evaluate how effectively candidates can gather, process, and analyse information, as well as their capacity to consider the broader context and engage in critical thinking and decision-making.  

Essentially, it is concerned with candidates’ potential for tackling complex issues, thereby contributing effectively to the government’s objectives and the wellbeing of the public.

Relate
Assesses candidates’ interpersonal skills, personal impact, and emotional intelligence. It aims to evaluate how effectively candidates can engage with others, influence perspectives and actions, and manage their own emotions and interactions. 

The assessments aim to identify individuals who can foster inclusive teamwork, drive innovation, and deliver impactful outcomes in service to the public and in line with the government’s objectives.

Adapt
Assesses the ability to navigate change, learn quickly, and innovate. Evaluates flexibility, learning agility, and innovation in addressing complex and evolving challenges.  

These capabilities support agile and forward-thinking approaches, which are crucial for handling multifaceted and evolving policy landscapes, delivering effective public services.

Strive
Assesses motivation, drive for success, resilience, and ethical behaviour, to ensure high standards of performance and integrity.  

These qualities are crucial for effective performance and leadership in government roles, maintaining the highest standards in public service delivery.