EXPANDED SCOPE

 

FOR

            CHIEF PURCHASING AGENT PR                                                                                                                                                                      1,2,3,4,5

            MATERIEL CONTROL CLERK I OC                                                                                                                                                                 6,7,8

            MATERIEL CONTROL CLERK III OC & PR                                                                                                                                                   7,8,9,10

            PURCHASING AGENT OC & PR                                                                                                                                                                        1,2,3,7

            PURCHASING TECHNICIAN OC                                                                                                                                                                       1,2,3,7

            SENIOR PURCHASING AGENT OC & PR                                                                                                                                                        1,2,3,10

            STOREKEEPER OC & PR                                                                                                                                                                                    6,7,8

 

1.      PREPARING WRITTEN MATERIAL-These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.

 

2.      UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING WRITTEN MATERIAL-These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages. You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and not on what you may happen to know about the topic.

 

3.      PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF PURCHASING-These questions test for candidates' knowledge of the principles guiding governmental purchasing operations and the ability to put them into practice. These questions may deal with but are not necessarily limited to such matters as the analysis of bids, the use of specifications, the award of contracts, the analysis of market factors that can affect the cost of a purchase, and the application of a set of rules to determine how to proceed with a purchase. Some arithmetic computation may be necessary. No specific knowledge of NYS purchasing laws, rules and regulations will be required to answer these questions.

 

4.      UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING TABULAR MATERIAL-These questions test your ability to understand, analyze, and use the internal logic of data presented in tabular form. You may be asked to perform tasks such as completing tables, drawing conclusions from them, analyzing data trends or interrelationships, and revising or combining data sets. The concepts of rate, ratio, and proportion are tested. Mathematical operations are simple, and computational speed is not a major factor in the test. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function of your cell phone.

 

5.      ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISION-These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.

 

6.      NAME AND NUMBER CHECKING-These questions test for the ability to distinguish between sets of words, letters, and/or numbers that are almost exactly alike. Material is usually presented in two or three columns, and you will have to determine how the entry in the first column compares with the entry in the second column and possibly the third. You will be instructed to mark your answers according to a designated code provided in the directions.

 

7.      ARITHMETIC COMPUTATION WITH CALCULATOR-These questions test for the ability to use a calculator to do basic computations. Questions will involve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. You may also be asked to calculate averages, to use percents, and to round an answer to the nearest whole number. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function of your cell phone.

 

8.      KEEPING SIMPLE INVENTORY RECORDS-These questions test for the ability to follow instructions in keeping simple inventory records of different materials received and distributed from a central location. The ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide will be required. You may have to compute total costs from quantities (number of units) and cost or price per unit. Knowledge of specific record keeping systems and techniques will not be needed.

 

9.      PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF STOREKEEPING AND INVENTORY CONTROL-These questions will test for candidates' knowledge of the principles guiding large scale storekeeping operations and their ability to put them into practice. Some of the areas covered may include analysis of rates of use, the determination of reorder points, choosing locations for the storage of goods, and determining how to handle stock to maximize the efficiency of the operation. Some arithmetic computation may be necessary.

 

10.  SUPERVISION-These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.

 

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates may find information in the publication 'General Guide to Written Tests' helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available online at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.

 

USE OF CALCULATORS IS RECOMMENDED