EXPANDED SCOPE
FOR
MATERIEL
CONTROL CLERK II OC & PR 1,2,3
MATERIEL
CONTROL CLERK III OC & PR 2,3,4,5
PURCHASING
AGENT OC & PR 2,6,7,8
PURCHASING
TECHNICIAN OC 2,6,7,8
STOCK
CLERK OC 1,2,3
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF STORESKEEPING
AND INVENTORY CONTROL-These questions will test for candidates' knowledge
of the principles guiding large scale storeskeeping 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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 on line at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.
USE OF CALCULATORS IS RECOMMENDED