Do You Have to Take the spot in Oklahoma Immediately after the AT-SAT test?

Question

I've applied to take the AT-SAT test for the general public announcement which closes on 31 July. I'm hoping to hear back and take the test obviously. I really have two questions:

1) How do they give you a test date? Is it a set date that you MUST be in this city, or do you have a few to choose from?

2) If you pass, do you have to go to Oklahoma right away, or can you tie up your loose ends and go later? I read that the test scores are valid for 3 years. So does that mean you can pass the test, and then start in Oklahoma anytime during the following 3 years?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Take the test on the day they assign.  The AT-SAT is sort of like a traveling road show.  They appear in your city for a few days with a list of people to take the day each day they're in town then its off to the next location.  If you don't want the day you're assigned you MIGHT be able to get another test date, but unless you're willing to wait 6 months until the next one is offered in your area you might be taking a trip cross country to squeez in.  

You will not have to go to Oklahoma right away...in fact you'll be wondering if they forgot about you or if you got selected (my wait from at sat to Oklahoma was around 10 months I believe and I know of people who waited 3 years...don't quit your day job).  What happens is the areas you applied for get a pile of applicants and their scores.  They meet every few months and haggle over people.  IF you get picked they wait until they have an open class (if not you'll be informed and asked to reapply).  You'll then be asked to show up for processing and you should for this be given a few dates and locations.  You will get processed and offered a job at one location and if everything goes well (and you take the position you wait about another 2 to 5 months before getting a call asking you if you can be in Oklahoma city on XYZ day.  If you say no I don't want the job, I don't know about public applicants but I don't think they get recycled.  Its either take the job or go through the application process again.

If you get to the hey we have a job for you come get processed stage, thats the point I'd make sure my loose ends were locked and ready by, so don't sweat it, you've got plenty of time.

Answer 2

The school in okc has about a 2 month waiting period right now.  You will have time to tie up loose ends.  When I got hired, they asked me if I was able to make it on the first available school date and I said yes, but obviously they wouldn't ask if there was no choice.  Sorry can't help you with the testing stuff though cause I was a prior controller, so I didn't take it.  Good luck!