Numerical reasoning practice tests – Arranged by supplier. Here’s a list of supplier-specific numerical reasoning practice tests. This list will always be maintained, so feel free to check back at any point in the future for the latest versions of each supplier’s test software. Demiology and Evaluation Branch, Division of Health Educa tion, Center for Health. KCaIsieep+ KCaloccupation ' KCaliejSure = KCaltotal daily physical activity. Vigor, alertness, fatigue, and enjoyment are not eas ily measured.
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I’m the person who assesses whether or not your medical condition is stopping you from being able to work – and I have never felt so dejected by a job.
It’s my job to carry out work capability assessments to see if people qualify for Employment Support Allowance (ESA). For 18 months, I’ve been working for a private company to which the the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) outsources this task.
I’m a healthcare professional who joined after being disillusioned with working in the NHS. I will be honest: for me, as for many of my colleagues, the salary, which is far higher than NHS pay, was a big draw. But like all healthcare professionals, we want to do a good job. We go into caring professions because we care.
But in this job I just don’t always have the time to be as sympathetic as I’d like to be or give people the time they need. We are under constant pressure to assess at least six claimants a day, spending 65 minutes on average with each.
I'm a DWP call handler and have no time to care about your disability claim
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If the company I work for fails to meet its assessment targets it can get fined by the DWP. So I often get a knock on the door to ask how much longer I will be and when I can pick up another case.
ESA is a contentious type of benefit and the people who walk into my assessment room are often anxious, angry, scared, pessimistic or resigned. Many have lost faith in the system and feel the government is abandoning them. We are often the sounding board for the people who come in. They confide in us about the horrific things that have happened to them.
About 80% of the people we see have mental health problems. I have assessed clients who were actively psychotic, in a manic bipolar phase, or severely depressed to the point where they couldn’t speak and a family member had to do the talking for them.
There has been a general improvement in reports since the company I work for took over the contract, but there still isn’t always the time to give full consideration to the complexity of cases. Some people have as many as 15 medical conditions and we have to document and obtain a history for every single one. When this happens, staff know it will take longer. It can lead to us rushing and missing things because we are so concerned about not seeing enough people during the day. It is relentless.
Most people I assess understand we are just there to do a job. But some people are very volatile and some do resort to verbal abuse, intimidation, and occasionally, physical violence. They’re angry at the system – and I can understand why.
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As the face of that system, I am the one who bears the brunt of their ire. We all try to placate and soothe the people who come in as best as we can. But sometimes we just can’t. I have had to abandon cases and there have been countless times where the emergency services have been called. Sometimes I feel genuinely scared.
As we don’t make the ultimate decision, we never find out what happens in the end. When someone asks how they have done, it can be very difficult. I’m not allowed to tell them anything, but I know that if I have scored them little or no points, they will most likely lose their benefit and be expected to hunt for a job. It makes me feel so dishonest and I imagine their face when they’re hit with that letter or phone call, delivering the bad news.
It is most difficult with the ones who are trying their best to get by but just aren’t deemed bad enough to qualify for any support. Many claimants are older and underskilled, which makes it much harder for them to find work. I have cried on two occasions after an assessment because I felt so awful that I couldn’t help.
The job is incredibly demoralising and psychologically draining – by the end of the day I’m exhausted. I honestly don’t know how much longer I will last.
This series aims to give a voice to the staff behind the public services that are hit by mounting cuts and rising demand, and so often denigrated by the press, politicians and public. If you would like to write an article for the series, contact [email protected]
Talk to us on Twitter via @Guardianpublic and sign up for your free weekly Guardian Public Leaders newsletter with news and analysis sent direct to you every Thursday.
An Army soldier asked me about the week prior to taking the PFT.
Here is his question:
'What is it that you recommend to do one week out from your PFT? Is it similar to preparing for a running race like a marathon and tapering a few weeks before it?'
A week before the physical fitness test is an easier week than your normal workouts should be. If you are on a fitness program similar to the Six Week Physical Fitness Testing plans on the Military.com Fitness eBook store, it is best to take the last week prior to the PFT and rest the following methods:
1) PFT Strategy: Practice the Way You Test
Do not try anything you have not done before the week of or the day of the test that you have not done over the time of your workouts. The PFT should be accomplished by dividing the events into smaller sub-goals. Take the Army PFT for instance:
Push-ups - 2:00 of pushups is challenging. It is recommended to do the pushups as fast as possible while adhering to proper form of course. Try to let gravity push you in the down position so you do not waste muscle stamina by controlling the movement in the down position. When you move slow in the down position, you will waste energy and reduce your pushup score. Only use your muscles to push in the up position. This is a sprinting style exercise. Resting may help you catch your breath, but it will reduce your pushups when resting in the 'up' position.
Sit-ups - 2:00 of situps should be paced. Many people err in testing by starting off too fast. Usually people will get 30-35 situps in 30 seconds but they will not be able to match the 30-35 reps in the next 1:30. This happens because you burn out too fast. Just as with running, the goal is to start slower at a pace that will help you attain your goal. For instance, if your goal is 80 situps in 2:00, your pace should be 20 situps in 30 seconds. You will have a much easier time reaching your goal if you pace the situps.
Two Mile Run - The run is a pacing drill as well. During your daily workouts you should know what your pace is to run a 2 mile run. For instance, if your goal is to run a 14:00 two mile run, you should pace your 1/4 mile at 1:45 or your 1/2 mile at 3:30. This will insure a 7:00 mile pace.
2) Four Days From the PFT, Your Workouts Should Start Tapering
This means you should take it easy and do not push yourself to failure. Easier runs at 7-8:00 mile pace if your goal is 14:00 run, pushups and situps should be limited to 30-60 seconds of timed events so you do not hit muscle failure. Do knee pushups or crunches just to keep the joints lose and stretch well to remain limber.
3) Three Days From the PFT Should be a Day Off of Exercise
Eat foods that are low in fat, higher in protein, and high in complex carbohydrates. Personally, green leafy salad or spinach with lean chicken or tuna fish are great examples of the types of food to help you have more energy. Of course, these foods should be part of your normal weekly diet anyway for best physical results. Consult my diet plan for more ideas. Drinking water to stay super-hydrated will help you regulate your body temperature during the PFT as well as other muscular-skeletal benefits.
4) Two Days From the PFT Should be a Light 1-2 Mile Run
This should be followed by twenty minutes of stretching from head to toe. Pushups and situps should be performed at goal pace for 1-2 sets of 30-60 seconds. Learn your pace and know it for the test. Knowing your pace will help you get rid of the anxiety prior to PFT. (Read the 'Physical Fitness Test Anxiety' article for more ideas).
5) One Day Prior to the PFT Should be a Day Off
Take a light walk, run or bike for 15-20 minutes with an equal amount of time spent of stretching. The night prior to the test should be spent relaxing and eating foods high in protein and carbohydrates such as pastas, green leafy lettuce, spinach, fish, chicken, lean meats. Lay off high fat foods. Drink water all day long.
6) Have a Normal Breakfast (Water, Cereals, Yogurt, Fruit, and Juice)
Foods higher in carbohydrates like apples, bananas, and carrots are great snacks to add glycogen to your muscles and give you that extra kick in the PFT. When you push yourself to muscle failure and maximum effort you will expend the glucose you consumed, so make sure you eat these one hour prior to the PFT.
These tips will help you but they will not be fully beneficial if you do not practice these pre-workout methods during the weeks prior to your PFT. You will be better off however if you were unable to prepare for the PFT if you follow the above tips. Good luck in your next PFT!
Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. If you are interested in starting a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle - check out the Military.com Fitness eBook store and the Stew Smith article archive at Military.com. To contact Stew with your comments and questions, e-mail him at [email protected].
Related TopicsPhysical Fitness Test - PFT PrepWorkoutsArmy FitnessAir Force FitnessCoast Guard FitnessNavy FitnessMarine Corps FitnessMilitary FitnessRunning and CardioWorkouts
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