Our Field Ops Supervisor said that in the 2000 census they were hiring people with scores of 78 because they were desperate for workers and didn’t have that many applicants. With the current economy, she said they have pages of people who scored 100. I scored a 98, but my Veteran’s preference of five points put me up to 103. Also, they tend to hire people who have prior census experience first. In my class, at least half of the students worked on census projects before. When they start doing the enumeration in your area, you will probably get a call. They will also need office workers, clerks, data entry people, etc.
No surprise there actually. I am not surprised there are a lot of people with scores of 100. I can’t figure out what I missed, since the questions were not difficult.
A few of them were worded in a way that could trip you up if you weren’t reading carefully.
I noticed that on one of them about the shortest route to get from one location to another. 4 answers, and at first glance, 2 of them had the equivalent distance. Then I noticed one said left turn, which on that road would have taken you off the map. Some of the sorting ones also had some tricky options. More likely, I added wrong. 
It took them four tries to get acceptable fingerprints from me. Just got a phone call from the mother ship: Can you come all the way up to the main office in northeast Portland, cuz we have to redo your prints again? They really need to buy electronic print readers. I had more ink on me than the Sunday NYT.
You didn’t use to be one of the Men in Black, did you?
How would he know? They flash the ones that quit.
Human.
Congrats to all that got some Census jobs.
We need a Dopefest more on the east side next time, although I’m awful spoiled by having it at Queen Tonya’s place all the time.
I am taking the test next week - the 30 questions in 28 minute thing is off the wall IMO. That is very fast math calculating - reading of graphs and maps - thinking and then making sure you fill in ther right bubble on the answer sheet. I have 2 copies of the practice test - I know we can take the test multiple times (not the same day). Plan to get out a math book and practice my math a bit (when you don’t use it everyday sometimes you forget). Anyone want to give me any hints or help that would be great. Timed tests tend to annoy me and I like quiet when I am testing - tend to be a perfectionist. I know I can jump around to do the bubble sheet - got to be careful to get the right bubble filled in. As many tests as I have taken in my life you would think it would be a breeze - but I am still nervous about it.
Well, it is actually 28 questions in 30 minutes, not the other way. And it really isn’t that hard. Basic math skills are more than enough, as long as you pay attention to the questions. None of the sections are very big.
We did have an article in the local papers about needing more census workers in the county, they have not had enough apply. So with luck, that indicates I will get called for an enumerator position if nothing else.
Don’t stress about the test, that’s my suggestion. It’s not that hard a test, really. I’ve taken 3 tests for the census (enumerator last year, and enumerator and supervisor this year) and each time the room was absolutely silent during the test (except for the faint sound of pencil-scratching).
I’ve always had difficulty with math, but still managed the math on the test and finished completely before the time was up.
I will say that when you are asked to compare lists look very carefully - often the difference between a right and wrong answer is just one letter or one digit of a number.
You don’t need a perfect score to get a job (though of course that never hurts).
I worked both phases of census last time and it was a great experience, esp. when the pig farmer chased me with the pitchfork.
Or when I had to listen to 20 mins. of how government should have school vouchers for religious schools before the woman would answer any questions.
Or how about the old bachelor who told me he mailed his census back via “air mail” (wood burner). By the time I was through with him (took two hours to gain his confidence) he had taken me for a tour of his two room shack, his hand made woodcarving tools, carvings and gave me a carved bird. 
You’ll love it.
Most people have been cooperative so far. There are a couple who are pushing back and one guy who is going to be a problem. And this is only the Advance Visit for group quarters, which takes about ten minutes and doesn’t ask for any really specific information. I think he’s just one of those cantankerous assholes you run into from time to time.
I took the test and got my score - our tests had to be sent to the big city to be graded - anyway - I haven’t been called yet - I plan to call again later this week - I figure squeaky wheels get oiled - there is massive unemployment and underemployment and many people are no longer getting unemployment benefits. I am hopeful that I will get a job.
Good luck, and thank you for your decennial service to our country!
I quit the job. It bothered me that many of the people in my class were out of work and there didn’t seem to be enough hours to go around. I don’t need the money, but others who have mortgages and kids do, so I resigned in week three. Free again.