The ADC Stage 1 or ITOP refers to ‘Initial Test of Potential’. This exercise is now referred to as ADC Stage 1, but is still the preliminary sifting exercise which examines your performance of the 5 or 6 PQAs identified as most crucial for success as a FRS Manager. These PQAs vary depending on the level of promotion you are applying for.

The National ADC Toolkit

Most FRS in England and Wales use the National ADC Toolkit. This Toolkit is a standardised set of Assessment Exercises. Although there are a number of versions of these exercises, you can expect the exercises for promotion to be the same in most FRS in the UK. Depending on how frequently an FRS has to run these assessments will depend which exercise set they are currently using. For instance, larger organisations may be using later version of the exercises whereas smaller FRS may still be using earlier ones. The different exercises can be used a number if times, but usually vary every couple of years or so.

A National ADC process means that performance levels are consistent across different FRS. For instance, the standards attained by someone promoted to a Strategic Manager post will be the same irrespective of location. It also promotes fairness; all candidates across the country will face the same challenges in terms of layout, context, and exercises used in the ADC. Candidates will be assessed in the same way, measured using the same criteria and expected to perform to similar high standards.

The National ADC Toolkit is not used in Scotland. However, many of the Scottish FRS have adopted a common ADC system, which involves using and sharing standardised ADC exercises. The system is not hugley dissimilar to the National Toolkit, but does allow further regional flexibility where required. Click here to find out more about VCA’s involvement in the design and implementation of the Scottish ADC process.

The Tests

The ADC Stage 1 of the UK National ADC Toolkit is divided into two distinct exercises at Supervisory and Middle Manager level- the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and the Simulation Exercise.The two parts of the ADC 1 are very different, but what they both have in common is that they assess how closely your performance matches up to the standards outlined in the PQAs. Both tests are administered under supervised conditions. 

At Strategic Manager level the exercise used as the ADC Stage 1 is an In-basket Exercise. This requires the candidate to deal with a number of different items, deciding on their level of priority and writing responses as appropriate. There is a great deal of information to deal with and limited time.

Want more information on the Strategic Manager ITOP/ ADC Stage 1?

The ADC 1 tests serves to take a snapshot of your potential, as measured by the PQAs. If you do not quite match the PQA requirements this time, it may simply be the case that you need to improve specific aspects of your attitudes, actions and behaviours, in order to progress to the full ADC next time.

Find out how to develop your potential before your ADC 1 and improve your chances of passing.

Taking the ADC 1

The tests that you have to take in the can be unfamiliar and daunting. Not getting to grips with what is required can lead to candidates making simple mistakes, such as not managing their time effectively, or failing to adequately detail what their actions would be. You will be given all the instructions that you will need on the day that you attend the tests. Read them carefully.

General Info

• The SJT explores the PQAs. Answer from this, and not a technical perspective
• For the Simulation Exercise will need to write fairly lengthy answers to 3 tasks (this may be more at Strategic Manager level). This can be difficult if you are not used to writing, so try to do some practice writing quickly and legibly prior to the test- it’s amazing how quickly you will improve
• In your Simulation Exercise, explain why you would do things, not just what you would do. A clear rationale can make all the difference, and unless you write it down, no-one is ever going to know what your reasoning was.
• If you are running out of time, use bullet points to get some of your answer down
• Show your working out for numerical calculations
• Don’t panic! Read the questions slowly before putting down your answer in your SJT, double checking to make sure you have understood.