9242 Louisiana Accounting Paraprofessional Test Preparation

It is no secret that proper accounting is a crucial part of running almost any organization. Civil service agencies and offices require the diligent performance of this function on a day-to-day basis. As a result, the strife to fill accounting paraprofessional vacancies

holds particular importance. As the merit system principles suggest, testing is a reliable method of personnel selection.

The Benefits of Taking a Civil Service Test

As a pre-employment screening procedure, testing provides both the civil service employer and the job candidate with unique benefits. It ensures that only the most capable job candidates receive employment in the public sector. Also, unlike traditional hiring process techniques such as an interview, it allows for much less potential bias.

Most civil service job seekers regard civil service tests as just technicalities. Instead, they rely on secondary factors that facilitate employment, such as them being a graduate with a relevant degree. While your credentials and professional background may be helpful in employment, they are seldom decisive factors. What truly showcases that you are the right candidate to hire is your scores on the civil service test.

Why You Need to Take a Civil Service Test in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of State Civil Service is the sole civil service authority in the State of Louisiana. Its assessment centers both schedule and administer civil service tests across the state and its municipalities. As a result, it not only establishes testing requirements for various job positions and professional roles in civil service. It also determines the format and the content of civil service examinations.

Due to these factors, the testing requirements will remain the same regardless of where you apply for the job. This applies to all the accounting paraprofessional jobs in the State of Louisiana as well. According to the LA State Civil Service Department, all applicants for these jobs have to take the same examination, called the 9242 Accounting Paraprofessional Test (APT).

Below are some tips on what accounting paraprofessional job positions in Louisiana may require taking this civil service test:

• Accounting Specialist ranks 1 and 2.
• Accounting Technician.
• Assistant Accountant.
• Accounting Systems Specialist.
• Accountant-Auditor.
• Administrative Accountant.

Louisiana APT Test Scores

To become eligible for accounting paraprofessional jobs in Louisiana, you have to score at least 70% on the test. Scores of less than 70% on the APT test will prevent you from making it to the state’s eligibility board. At the same time, scores higher than the required minimum can increase your chances of employment.

What Is on the Louisiana Accounting Civil Service Exam?

The 9242 Accounting Paraprofessional Test consists of 60 multiple-choice and time-limited questions. Its questions rely on the psychometrics that places your aptitude for performing accounting paraprofessional duties under assessment.

In the course of your accountant civil service exam, the following areas of your aptitude will undergo evaluation:

• Basic Math Aptitude
  This section of the test consists of 15 questions based on information given in the form of charts and passages. All of them evaluate your ability to accurately perform basic arithmetic functions. You will have to demonstrate that you can perform division, multiplication, subtraction, addition, and operate with percentages and averages.
• Familiarity with Accounting Terms
  This section includes 10 questions which test whether you are familiar with basic accounting terminology.
• Journal Entry Competence
  In this section, you will have to analyze a sample scenario question and an accounts list. You will then have to select an alternative with an appropriate journal entry that has the correct account information.
• Problem Solving
  This section contains 20 questions that evaluate your ability to effectively deal with the common accounting and bookkeeping issues. It may also evaluate how well you can apply the skills from other areas of your accounting paraprofessional aptitude.

How to Prepare for Your APT Exam

Being unfamiliar with the format of the test causes many applicants to experience exam-induced anxiety. Such anxiety may have detrimental effects on your performance during the examination. While traditional advice for coping with anxiety can help, there are better tactics to achieve the same result.

Consider boosting your APT exam preparation with the following study aids:

• Accounting civil service exam study guides.
• Accounting paraprofessional test study booklet with detailed explanations.
• Online practice with free example questions.
• Case studies with sample exam questions and answers.

Combining these study tools can yield major benefits for your confidence during the exam. Becoming familiar with the test, you will be able to stay calm and collected during the entire examination. This will help you to achieve the scores you want to get.