Competence assessment

New advisers will only be able to access the level 1 assessment once they have completed a CRB check, undertaken the Codes and Rules Assessment and submitted a completed competence statement with supporting documentation.

The Office of the Immigration Commissioner (OISC) competence assessments

Level 1 assessment

• All those listed as prospective advisers in the application will be invited to sit the assessment.
• The OISC will send an email to each applicant inviting them to complete the assessment within a 14-day window.
• The assessment can be accessed via the link provided in the email or through the assesment area on this website.
• The assessment tests the applicant's understanding of immigration law and practice.
• There are 30 multiple choice questions to complete within a one hour time limit.
• The pass mark is 70% (21/30).
• The applicant will receive immediate confirmation as to whether they have passed or failed.
• The assessment provides the OISC with one indication of the applicant's competence and it will be reviewed by the caseworker, along with other information submitted, before a final decision is made.
• Your caseworker may provide more detailed feedback, if necessary, and identify any training needs you may have.
• Successful completion of this assessment does not constitute permission to practice with the OISC.

Level 2 or 3 assessment

(This only applies to applicants wishing to work at level 2 or 3)

• Applicants applying to work at level 2 or 3 must initially pass the level 1 assessment before they are invited to complete either the level 2 or 3 assessment.
• An applicant applying for level 3 is only required to undertake a level 3 assessment and not the level 2 as well.
• The level 2 and 3 assessments are open book and therefore applicants are allowed to bring with them and use reference materials such as the JCWI Handbook, electronic information such as E.I.N., periodicals, other law handbooks, reference to case law, etc.  Access to the Internet will be provided during the assessment.  USB sticks and any other electronic device that would need to be plugged into our computers are not permitted due to the risk of a computer virus.
• The assessments usually take place at the OISC office and are carried out in the presence of an invigilator.
• The assessments are in the format of scenario-based questions tailored to meet each applicants requirements and are timed as follows:-
  • level 2 assessment takes one and a half hours
  • level 3 assessment takes two hours
• The assessment will be marked within 20 working days and feedback provided on whether the applicant has demonstrated sufficient competence at the level of the assessment taken.
• In order to undertake the assessment we require that each applicant produces photographic proof of identity in the form of either a passport or driving licence. The document must be an original and the applicant will not be allowed to sit the assessment without this proof of identity.

Please Note: If you are unable to attend or need to cancel for any reason, please notify your caseworker as soon as possible as there are many other applicants waiting to sit the assessment.