Pass the Civil Service Exam

Many countries require citizens to pass a civil service exam in order to obtain jobs in public service. There is no standardized exam, although no matter where you are, the exam procedures are fairly similar. To pass the test, you need to meet the application requirements and show that you are proficient in subjects related to civil service work, such as math and language skills. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and you may find the test to be easier than you expect.

Steps

Applying for the Exam

1. Watch for exam testing dates on your government’s website. The exam can be administered through your city, state, or national government. Depending on where you are located, the test may be given out as infrequently as once or twice a year. These testing dates are posted online by the government administration responsible for the test.
   • If you live in the U.S., for instance, cities and states post job titles online. You take the test after you apply for the job title.
   • Countries like the Philippines and China have overall service tests administered at set times throughout the year.
2. Become a resident in the testing district if it is required. No matter what test you take, you have to be a legal resident of your country. If you immigrated to your country, you may be able to take the exam after obtaining legal permission to live there permanently, such as by getting a green card in the U.S. Keep in mind that you may need to relocate if you pass the test and get a job offer.
   • For state service exams, you typically need to live in the state.
   • For city tests, you may not have to move into the city’s jurisdiction until 6 months after you obtain a civil service job.
3. Review any education and experience requirements for the exam. Most civil service exams are open to anyone over the age of 18, regardless of education. For exams that cover specific jobs, you may be required to have educational or field experience. These requirements will be listed online along with the job postings, so read the details carefully before applying.
   • For example, to be a parole officer, you might need a year of experience or an associate’s degree in law enforcement.
   • City-run exams are all different, so the requirements differ from place to place.
4. Submit copies of transcripts and other required documents. Any requirements you need to apply for your exam are listed online. Official documents are often needed when taking exams for specific jobs. The testing administration may ask for your school transcript to prove educational requirements, as well as any licenses and certifications needed to perform the job.
   • For example, if driving a truck is part of the job covered by the exam, the government will want to see your driving credentials.
   • National exams, like those given in the Philippines and China, do not require any certification and are open to any applicant.
5. Return the application to the government. This can usually be done online. Visit your government’s website, select the test you want, then fill out the application provided. You may also be able to return the application in person to a government facility. Then, wait to receive notification of the testing date.
   • Some civil service exams are competitive and receive lots of applications. Submit your application as soon as possible to ensure you get a testing spot.
   • You will hear about the testing date after the application deadline closes. Watch your mail for more information if the dates aren't posted online.
6. Pay the fee when you turn in your application. You will be asked to cover the fee when you submit your application. Expect the fee to be around $15 USD, although this varies from test to test. Pay online using a credit or debit card, or send a check or money order to the testing facility.
   • If you are a veteran or receive public assistance, you may not have to pay the fee. Submit any award letters with your application.

Studying for the Exam

1. Order a review guide online. Search online for civil service exam study guides or questions. If you are taking an exam for a specific job, make sure the questions focus on that line of work. You may be able to find some free sample questions, but you can also purchase review guides to help you focus your studies.
   • Review guides cannot use the official questions from the test. They are designed to prepare you, so keep in mind that the exam questions will differ.
   • Read reviews from other customers before purchasing a guide.
2. Read a lot to prepare your language skills. Language is an important component in almost every test. The best way to prepare for this is to read. Read literature or watch movies to see how people speak. This can enable you to speak fluently with proper grammar.
   • Memorizing lots of vocabulary may not help. It’s important to know how to build sentences in order to communicate effectively with coworkers and the general public.
   • In the Philippines, for instance, English proficiency is part of the test, but you also need to be proficient in your home language so you can communicate better.
3. Create a study schedule so you stay active. Set aside at least an hour a day, then use it to brush up on whatever topics will be covered in the exam. Try to do this every day until you take the test. Reviewing the material more often may help you score better on the exam.
   • Stick to a schedule so you aren’t stuck cramming at the last minute. Chances are you will remember more and feel more comfortable taking the test.
4. Take a refresher course to cover mathematics. You can take a class online or look for courses at schools in your area. This is particularly helpful for the mathematical portions on some tests since this can be hard to tackle on your own if you never studied the material before or have been out of practice for a while.
   • Focus on basic math first, such as the order of operations and some geometrical calculations like volume.
   • A refresher course can also help you with word-based math problems, like “Jim is 20 years younger than Amy. What is Jim’s age?”
5. Research daily tasks for the job you want. Exam tests focus on the daily responsibilities you will handle while working. In addition to basic math and language skills, you may get exam questions about work tasks and solving problems. This also includes government regulations that affect your work.
   • For example, if you are testing to be a manager, you may need to select the best option for settling a disagreement.
   • For national exams, know your country’s constitution as well as regulations like environmental protections.
6. Practice working through test problems more rapidly. You receive a limited amount of time to complete the test. To ensure time management isn’t an issue, download some sample tests or questions online. Time yourself working through them, and keep practicing until you can get through each problem in a minute or 2.
   • Depending on the test, you may have anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to complete it.
   • Remember that you don’t need to answer every question correctly to pass the test. If a question has you stumped, skip it.

Taking the Exam

1. Select a testing time and place. After you complete your application, look on the government’s website for exam details. All of the information you need to begin planning for the test will be there. If the test administrators have not yet scheduled the examination, you will have to wait for a notification card in the mail.
   • The notification card is sent up to 2 months after the application period closes. This is common for some national tests.
2. Sleep and eat well before the test. Take care of your health so you feel more prepared on test day. Getting a full night’s sleep is important, and you should go to bed at a reasonable hour for at least a few weeks before the test. Eat healthy food, and on the day of the test eat a filling meal in the morning.
   • At most facilities, you cannot bring food with you and are not allowed to leave until you have finished the test. Some tests can take several hours to complete, so be prepared.
   • Some locations may let you bring some small snacks. Check the exam guidelines first.
3. Travel to the testing facility early during the exam date. You do need to travel in order to take the exam. It is administered at an official government location. Get there early, since if you’re late you may be disqualified from the test and have to reschedule it again.
   • Make your travel plans in advance so you can get to the facility in time.
4. Bring a form of valid identification. You will need an ID card containing your signature and photo. A driver’s license or state ID is fulfilling these requirements. You may also need a document with your birth date, such as your birth certificate if it isn’t on your ID.
   • Bring your notification card with you if you have it. Think of it as your ticket to the event.
   • If you do not have a proper ID, you may not be allowed into the facility.
5. Avoid bringing electronics into the testing facility. Civil service examinations can be competitive, so there are strict rules in place to prevent cheating. Most facilities have a strict, no electronics policy. This can include cell phones, calculators, and tablets, so leave these at home or in your car.
   • Some exams permit the use of a calculator. Check the exam regulations before bringing one.
6. Guess on questions you do not know. Do your best on the test, but don’t feel pressured to be perfect. If you can’t figure out a question, you are better off penciling in any answer on your sheet. Reason through the answers to narrow your choices down as much as possible.
   • There is no penalty for guessing, so if you’re truly stumped, you can still get credit for a right answer.
7. Score between 70 to 80% to pass the test. The majority of tests are multiple choice. They may be done by hand or on a computer. You select the answers that sound right to you, then fill them in on the test. Even if you make mistakes, you can still pass.
   • A few exams may have oral or essay sections. Look for information on this when you sign up for the test.
   • You will get your test results within 2 months. If you did a computer exam, you may get the results immediately.

Tips

• National exams are much more comprehensive and competitive than state or city exams.
• Exam requirements and topics differ from place to place, so read about the test before you sign up for it.
• Most basic service tests cover high school level material and can be taken by anyone.
• Exams for specific jobs may have special requirements. Look about these requirements when you apply for the exam.

Warnings

• Passing the exam does not mean you have a job. It means you can apply for civil service positions.

References

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