Agent Promotional Examination (APEX)

APEX Components

Situational Judgment Test (GS-14 Only)

The Situational Judgment Test (SJT) presents candidates with various scenarios followed by a set of potential courses of action that could be taken in response to each scenario. Test takers are asked to indicate the effectiveness of each response option, given the scenario they just viewed. The scenarios are animated with avatars to create an engaging experience. Each scenario is brief (e.g., a paragraph) and is independent of other scenarios in the SJT. As such, the SJT format allows for the assessment of a wide variety of situations that a GS-14 supervisor could encounter on the job.

Virtual Role Play (GS-15 Only)

In the Virtual Role Play (VRP), candidates adopt the persona of a Secret Service Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAIC) working in a fictitious field office. The candidate receives information about the hypothetical field office and the personnel who work there. The VRP focuses in-depth on one primary scenario (an investigation/case). Through interactive branching technology, the nature of the scenario evolves on the basis of the candidate’s choices. Candidates can ask questions and view file attachments (e.g., Ops Plan, Memorandum of Investigation, emails) to obtain additional information about the “investigation”. The richness and complexity of the VRP require the candidate to make a wide variety of choices, including which action to take next and how to prioritize various courses of action. Candidates may also be asked to evaluate the extent to which various issues are problems.

In-Box Assessment (GS-14 and GS-15)

In-Box Assessments were developed for the GS-14 and GS-15 levels. The GS-14 IBA focuses on stimulus materials that a GS-14 agent would likely encounter on the job as an Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge (ATSAIC) in a fictitious field office (e.g., emails, telephone calls, and drop-in meetings with subordinates or persons external to the USSS). Similarly, the GS-15 IBA focuses on stimulus materials that a GS-15 agent would likely encounter in an ASAIC position in a fictitious field office. Like the SJT and VRP, the IBAs include animation, but the IBAs rely more heavily on the use of emails, telephone calls, voice mails, and forms than the other two assessments.

Scheduling, Rescheduling, or Cancelling Your APEX Test Session

You may schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment in-person at a test center, through the Pearson VUE website, or by calling a Pearson VUE Call Center.

Scheduling Policy

You will only be authorized to take your exam during the open period dates specified by the Office of Human Resources, HR Research and Assessment Division. Test administration dates are published at the beginning of the SA MPP cycle. You must schedule to take your exam on a date within the specified testing window. Scheduling or rescheduling outside of this time period is not permitted. Candidates who fail to schedule and take the exam during the open period will be discontinued and will not receive further consideration in the promotion cycle. All exam scheduling will be the responsibility of the candidate. Reference should be made to your Authorization to Test Email provided to you by Pearson VUE which contains important information regarding your exam (e.g. your candidate ID, test administration open period, exam series, etc.).

Reschedule Policy

If you wish to reschedule your exam, you must contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled testing appointment. Rescheduling less than 48 hours prior to your testing appointment will result in you being denoted as a no-show. Please note that rescheduling alternatives are only limited to the published test administration open period outlined in your Authorization to Test Email and published on the SA MPP website.

Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your exam, you must contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled testing appointment. Cancelling an exam less than 48 hours prior to your testing appointment will result in you being denoted as a no-show. If you cancel your exam date with the intention to withdraw from the SA MPP cycle, you must contact the HR Research and Assessment Division, SA MPP Coordinator via email at mpp1811@usss.dhs.gov within 48 hours of canceling your test session.

What to expect at a Pearson VUE Testing Center

Admission Policy

It is strongly encouraged that you arrive at the test center 30 minutes before your scheduled testing appointment time. This will give you adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. Please be prepared to show one current and valid form of personal identification that includes both your photo and signature. Acceptable forms of personal identification include Driver’s License, Passport Book/Card, State/Local ID, Military ID, and Employee ID.

If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your testing appointment, you may be considered a “no-show” if the test center does not have the space or time to accommodate your appointment. To receive further consideration in the SA MPP, you must reschedule and take your exam within the test administration open period. Contact the HR Research and Assessment Division, SA MPP Coordinator via email at mpp1811@usss.dhs.gov within 48 hours of missing your original scheduled test session.

Personal belongings such as bags, backpacks, purses, books, newspapers, notes, cellular phones, tablets, watches, coats, or wallets will not be permitted in the testing room. Some test centers will have lockers for the secure storage of your personal belongings.