Administrative Careers with America (ACWA)
Questions and answers
No, agencies may not replace the ACWA assessments with education requirements (http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=2064). Education and other such minimum qualification requirements do not constitute a rating and ranking (i.e., assessment) procedure as required by the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook (DEOH): http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/deo_handbook.pdf
Minimum requirements screening is the first step in the examining process, but by itself does not satisfy the requirement to rate and rank applicants (see Chapter 5, Section B of the DEOH).
If you have any further questions regarding ACWA or validating selection procedures, please contact Assessment_Information@opm.gov.