Request ID: FOI-0205-2425 Date published: 13 May 2024
You asked
Please see attached the response I received from recruitment regarding my FOI request. The attached letter states “Please note it is not possible to confirm which questions you answered correctly or share correct answers with you. This is because the integrity of the test material may be compromised for future use once answers are in the public domain”. However as the assessment was taken over 2 years ago I believe I am now entitled to see questions, answers, scoring etc.
Can this please be relooked at.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-0205-2425/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 15 April 2024 asking for information about a recruitment test.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we do hold the information you require, however we are still not able to provide you with the requested information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests. Whilst we appreciate the assessment you took was 2 years ago, the questions posed can still be used in current recruitment assessments, and therefore releasing the requested information could compromise the integrity of the assessments and give some applicants an unfair advantage. Were we to release the answer to assessments we would need to produce new questions for future recruitment exercises, which would incur costs.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we can preserve the integrity of existing recruitment questions and assessments, and are able to recruit candidates with the best knowledge and skills, outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt
FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
