How To Study For Civil Service Test

Civil service jobs aren't just a career. They are a path to a better life, complete with healthcare benefits, paid time off, stability, and retirement funding. If yous're looking for a job that volition take intendance of you for the residuum of your life, civil service jobs are for you. However, before you lot tin get hired, you lot'll probably demand to pass a ceremonious service exam.

There are thousands of civil service jobs, ranging from the adrenaline pumping FBI or clandestine service roles to the more sedate postal worker or IRS roles. With and so many different types of positions available, there is no single civil service exam to cover the federal, state and municipal roles. Regardless of where you are applying, expect your test to test your verbal, clerical, and mathematical abilities.

Did you know?

The Ceremonious Service Examination has a minimum of three sections: (1) verbal ability, (2) math skills, and (iii) clerical power. Some positions may require additional tests. To be added to an eligibility list, you'll demand to score 70%. Top-scoring candidates on the eligibility listing are invited in for interviews.

Civil Service Test Types:

Federal exams
State exams (click here for test facts by state)
Municipal exams

Gratuitous Practice

Civil Service Navigation Pad

Civil Service Tests Question Types Explained

Most questions in civil service exams are multiple choice, with either 4 or 5 options for y'all to choose from.

Verbal Ability

This section measures your word skills. Information technology is used if the task you are applying for involves tasks such as proofreading, editing, organizing files of related materials, and following written instructions.

Y'all can look the following types of questions:

Spelling, word definitions, and word relationships
Grammar
Reading comprehension

Clerical Power

This department measures your ability to handle clerical tasks, and is oft timed. It is used for many civil service roles, including those involving police piece of work.

You lot can expect the following types of questions:

Alphabetization
Clerical speed and accuracy
Keyboarding
Function practices

While most questions in civil service exams are multiple choice, the typing and stenography portion of the exam requires y'all to accurately type information exactly as it has been presented to you. Scoring of the typing test is based on speed and accuracy.

Only stenographers need to take the stenography examination. To pass the test most agencies require yous to accept dictation at eighty WPM.

Math Skills

The difficulty of the math exam is based on the role that yous are applying for. Some roles, such as cashiering jobs, require basic arithmetic skills, while other roles may require more advanced math skills.

You may be tested on the post-obit types of math problems:

Working with fractions, decimals, and percentages
Reading graphs and tables
Calculating ratios and proportions
Story and reasoning bug, covering areas similar piece of work, distance, taxation. and payroll

Additional Skills

In addition, your civil service test may also assess soft skills, such equally decision making, communication skills, service orientation, or retentiveness. For some roles, the examination may test your professional knowledge in areas like legal terminology, safety instructions, or bookkeeping, or claiming specific soft skills, such equally principles of social investigation.

Civil Service Tests Preparation Strategies

While getting gear up for your exam, here are some things you lot can do to requite yourself the best gamble of passing the test:

Written report the prep manual given by the hiring agency, which will include a detailed clarification of the test material
Take practice tests, like those offered by iPrep
Determine your weaknesses, and spend more fourth dimension studying those department of the cloth
Work with a partner or study group
Attend a refresher grade either in the classroom or online
Exercise, eat right, and get enough of sleep the nighttime earlier the exam

Test Features

United States-based civil service exams fall into one of the iii different categories. There are exams for federal jobs, which are managed past the Usa federal government; state exams, which are managed by each individual country; and local exams, which are managed by each municipality.

It'southward important to recognize that each hiring body is subject to different laws and processes. Equally such, they practise accept different testing requirements. That being said, civil service tests from all branches of the regime have much in mutual.

Many agencies administer the exam online. However, some still apply paper question books and answer sheets.

Yous'll be tested on your verbal, clerical, and mathematical skills. Each question is multiple choice, and typically features some blazon of time limit.

You'll also receive a question booklet or scratch newspaper, which you lot can utilize to work out problems to determine the correct respond.

Tests can be quite long. You should expect your test to last about 3 hours, and contain effectually 200 questions.

Competitive vs Noncompetitive Tests

For federal government positions, the hiring bureau volition ofttimes pit qualified candidates confronting each other. In these competitive tests, you'll have a meliorate hazard of landing the job if you outscore your competitors.

In a noncompetitive test, you are existence tested to determine whether or non you are qualified for the role. If you pass the test, you lot will evidence the hiring director that you take both the aptitude and the power to perform in the task.

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Technical Facts by State

Over twenty-one thousand thousand people are employed by land and local governments, and each state'southward examination is created and managed independently. Mostly speaking, each state's Civil Service Department is tasked with creating, scheduling and administering the civil service test.

Nosotros're constantly updating information near dissimilar state'due south exams. If your state isn't listed below, let united states of america know and we'll make certain it's included in the next update.

Quick by state navigation links:

CA | CT | IL | LA | MA | NJ | NY | NYC | OH | PA

California (CA) Civil Service Tests & Country Jobs Exams

With over 235,000 country jobs, at that place is no bigger state employer than the country of California. With jobs across the country in every industry, they offer a wealth of opportunity to those who laissez passer their civil services examination.

Administered by: The California Department of Human being Resources (CalHR) administers all civil service exams in the state.

Exam Structure: Almost tests in California are multiple choice. Tests are based on the position beingness applied for, and can include: Written, oral, typing, and experience.

Exam Announcements and Information: Each exam has an test bulletin, which provides the details of the test, including pass/fail score, the type of test, and content being tested.

Test Results: Results for online tests announced in your calcareers.ca.gov account 3 days after completing the test. In-person exams typically require 6-8 weeks for results to enter the system.

Passing Scores: Passing criteria for each test is included in the exam bulletin. Individuals who pass a test are placed on an eligible list, where they are considered for open positions.

Connecticut (CT) Ceremonious Service Tests

Connecticut has over forty,000 people on its state's payroll. If you lot'd like to be part of the team serving the citizens of the state you lot will need to pass a ceremonious services exam first.

Administered by: The Department of Administrative Services manages Connecticut's civil services exams.

Test Structure: Civil service tests in Connecticut at multiple choice and tailored to the role.

Exam Announcements and Information: In Connecticut tests are but administered when there is an open up position. Details of the exam are included in the job list.

Test Results and Passing Scores: Candidates who pass the exam are added to the eligible list. Superlative performers on the list are brought in for interviews.

Illinois (IL) Civil Service Tests

Illinois has nearly 65,000 state employees on its payroll, helping ensure that the state runs smoothly. To exist considered for a position working for the state of Illinois yous volition demand to laissez passer a ceremonious service exam.

Administered by: The Section of Central Managed Services (CMS) is responsible for testing in Illinois. Exams are given at testing centers across the state.

Test Construction: At that place are two types of tests. About civil services roles require a multiple choice exam, which will be customized to the function. Applicants who want to work for land universities have the SUCSS (Country Universities Ceremonious Service System) exam, which includes a written test to measure problem solving, reading comprehension, and ability to follow directions.

Examination Announcements and Information: Exam announcements tin exist constitute in job listings on work.illinois.gov. Examination takers can also find examination information guides which include a number of sample questions, content covered, and different sections within the test.

Test Results: Nigh tests are scored immediately, and include a section-past-section breakdown. Other test results are reported past mail, within five-7 days.

Passing Scores: All passing candidates are added to an eligibility list. Candidates with "A" scores are interviewed before other candidates. If you did non score an "A" you lot can retake a test after xxx days to try and improve your grade. Passing scores are valid for up to six years.

Louisiana (LA) Civil Service Tests

Louisiana employs over 45,000 employees across its state. State citizens who are interested in working for the authorities demand to pass a civil services test earlier they tin get started.

Administered past: The Louisiana Section of Land Ceremonious Service manages and administers all civil service exams.

Test Construction: Well-nigh tests are multiple option and taken on the figurer. In that location are several role-specific tests. They are:

Police Enforcement and Protective Services test (LEAPS) – for entry level law enforcement roles
Professional Level Exam (PLE) – for managerial and supervisory roles
Part Support Exam (OSE) – for function support staff
Accounting Paraprofessional Test (APT) – for accounting-related positions.

Exam Announcements and Data: Job candidates are expected to take the test before applying for a job. The Louisiana Online Civil Service FAQ folio contains a list that shows y'all which tests need to be taken for various roles.

Examination Results: Test results are delivered by email or mail, usually inside a week of completing the test.

Passing Scores: Passing scores range from seventy-100. Candidates who pass the exam are added to the state's eligibility list, where hiring managers tin choose them to come up in for interviews.

Massachusetts (MA) Civil Service Tests

Massachusetts has nearly 65,000 state employees on its payroll, who work hard to ensure that its citizens are taken care of. If you'd like to work for Massachusetts you will need to pass a ceremonious service exam.

Administered by: The Land of Massachusetts administers its tests.

Examination Structure: The Massachusetts civil service exam is a multiple choice test given to all civil service applicants. There is also a police enforcement exam, fire-eater exam, and maintenance workers exam given to candidates for those roles. These exams may include physical components in addition to the multiple selection test.

Exam Announcements and Information: The schedule for Massachusetts exams is online, on the mass.gov website.

Test Results: Test results are emailed to y'all as soon as they are available.

Passing Scores: Typical civil services tests crave a lxx% to pass. Candidates who pass are placed on an eligible list. Hiring managers review candidates on the listing when determining who to hire.

New Jersey (NJ) Ceremonious Service Examination

New Jersey boasts almost 90,000 land employees, providing employment in a wide array of fields. Before being hired, candidates in New Jersey must pass their state'south civil service exam.

Administered past: Civil service exams in New Bailiwick of jersey are administered past the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (CSC). Tests are given at testing centers across the state. You volition receive 2-iii weeks detect detailing where and when your test is scheduled to take place.

Test Structure: Civil service exams in New Bailiwick of jersey are multiple selection. At that place are essentially 3 types of tests:

Exams by Role – testing related to a specific position
Supervisory Exam Battery – work simulation test
Management Test Bombardment – work simulation test
Bilingual Skills Testing

Test Announcements and Information: Civil service exam information is included in the job announcement and on the CSC website.

Test Results: Test results are delivered by post. If you pass, yous will receive a notification of eligibility. Candidates who neglect receive a notice of ineligibility.

Passing Scores: Generally, most tests require a seventy% to laissez passer the test. Candidates who pass are placed on an eligible list, where they will exist assessed by hiring managers and potentially invited in for an interview.

New York (NY) Ceremonious Service Tests

At that place are over 1 one thousand thousand civil service jobs in New York, including police, fire and court officers. Civil service jobs in New York pay wages that are competitive with those in the individual sector, which increases the stakes of the ceremonious service exam. Passing the ceremonious service examination in New York State will put you on the eligibility list, where positions are filled from.

Administered by: The New York State Department of Civil Service administers exams for all land civil service tests too as for a number of localities inside the land.

Exam Construction: NY Country civil service exams typically include the following: Written exam, oral exam, operation exam, and training and experience evaluation. Tests are multiple choice, and the exact content of each examination is based on the position. Test takers are told a week before the exam where the examination will have place.

Test Announcements and Data: New York Land jobs are posted on the ny.gov website. Each job list includes the test you lot are required to accept to exist considered for the position.

Examination Results: Test results are available 90-120 days after taking the test, and are valid for 4 years. To find out whether or non yous passed, yous tin call the department, log into your account online, or visit the open data portal and search for civil service exams.

Passing Scores: Individuals who pass their exam are added to the eligible listing, where hiring managers can invite them in for interviews. If yous fail your test, you lot must wait xc days before attempting the examination once again. Yet, since information technology takes 90 days before you receive results, near candidates can annals for another test try immediately later learning well-nigh poor results.

New York City (NYC) Civil Service Tests

If you want to piece of work for New York City, virtually likely you'll have to have a test. New York City offers a number of unlike opportunities including in health care, finance, and public condom.

Administered by: The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) schedules and administers ceremonious service exams. Tests are taken at Computerized Testing & Awarding Centers in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Test Construction: There are three types of New York City civil service exams:

Multiple choice test – Up to 100 questions, either administered on calculator or with a scantron
Educational and Experience test – A questionnaire covering your background and experience
Practical exam – These include physical exams, required for police and firewoman positions, and stenographer tests, which times typing speed

Exam Announcements and Information: New York City civil service test schedules can be found at DCAS website. Positions that require tests include testing information in the task listing.

Test Results: Calculator-based multiple-option test results are available immediately. Tests taken using newspaper are bachelor shortly after taking the test. You tin can run into your results by logging into New York Metropolis'southward Online Application System. Tentative Educational and Experience test results are normally bachelor immediately, or posted on the Online Application Organisation. Last results are mailed to test takers once the results list is established.

Passing Scores: Well-nigh tests require 70% to pass. If you laissez passer, yous will be added to the city'southward eligible listing, which hiring managers utilize to screen candidates.

Ohio (OH) Ceremonious Service Tests

Ohio employs nearly 70,000 country employees. These roles cover all areas of employment, including accounting, public safety, and healthcare. To be considered for one of these positions, you must pass an Ohio civil service test.

Administered by: The State of Ohio administers its tests.

Test Construction: There are four types of tests:

Oral and essay tests
Typing exams
Experience and grooming ratings
Multiple pick tests

Exam Announcements and Information: Examination information is included in the job list

Test Results and Passing Scores: Candidates who laissez passer the test are added to the eligibility listing, where they may be selected to exist interviewed for a position.

Pennsylvania (PA) Civil Service Tests

With well-nigh 100,000 land government full time employees, Pennsylvania is ane of the largest authorities employers in the US, with positions roofing all aspects of Pennsylvania life. The vast bulk of state jobs in Pennsylvania require you to take a test equally part of the application procedure.

Administered by: The Pennsylvania State Ceremonious Service Commission (SCSC) oversees all testing activities relating to state hiring in Pennsylvania. In that location are 7 testing centers across the state.

Test Structure: The content for each test is based on the role beingness practical for. There are four types of civil service tests in Pennsylvania:

Oral and Essay Exams – Frequently washed before a panel of judges
Typing Exams – Testing on accuracy and speed
Experience and Grooming Ratings – Documentation of past education and work experience
Multiple Pick Exams – completed on a computer

Test Announcements and Information: Exam information is included in task listings. One time you have applied for a position, you will exist asked to schedule and manage your test taking, through the SCSC awarding dashboard.

Examination Results: Results are sent to candidates via email. Emails can also exist accessed by signing into your employment.pa.gov account.

Passing Scores: Passing scores for most tests are 70% or college. For most tests, candidates who laissez passer are placed on an eligibility listing, and may be called in for interviews. Other roles don't use the list, and allow candidates to apply after passing their test.

Results Scale and Interpretations

Civil service tests are scored on a scale of 100, regardless of the number of questions in the test. A score of 70 is typically required to pass the examination. The exception to this is typing and stenography tests, which are scored based on speed and accuracy.

Exam Ratings

After passing a test, yous'll exist given an exam rating, and placed on a list of eligible candidates. Hiring managers use that list to find people to fill up open roles. If you pass the test, and a hiring director chooses someone else to fill the role, you lot are still eligible to exist selected for a different role within the ceremonious service.

Once you lot have passed a test yous will non need to have the examination once more for similar jobs inside the agency. However, passing scores exercise not transfer from ane branch of the government to another.

Examination ratings eventually elapse; typically, if ii years have passed, you will need to retake a civil service examination.The rating form, which you lot will receive after completing the test, will bespeak the expiration date of your score.

Eligible Lists

Subsequently passing the test, your proper noun volition exist added to an eligible listing for a position. The list is sorted by test score, with individuals who achieve the highest marks on the top of the list. The hiring agency reviews the list, and usually invites the individuals for an interview in the order of their overall exam rating when positions become available.

Job Offers

Passing any examination does not guarantee you a position. It is just one part of the application process, and at that place are often other requirements. Applicants who are institute higher on the eligible listing are usually offered a position start. However, passing the ceremonious service exam volition put y'all in a position where you can exist offered a job in the future.

Civil Service Exam FAQs

Is there a standard civil service exam?

No, there isn't a single civil service exam roofing all different types of positions. However, just near every test will have verbal, mathematical, and clerical elements.

Practice U.S. Armed services Veterans Have a Scoring Advantage?

Aye, U.Southward. Military machine veterans do take some advantages when applying for ceremonious service positions. Their exam score receives 5-10 preference points, based on their eligibility. Nevertheless, non all veterans authorize. Rules are complicated, and if you are a veteran, you should inquire the hiring agency for clarification.

What is included in my civil service test?

The civil service exam is based on the position existence offered. Exam topics will unremarkably be included in the job listing. Yet, you should expect that your test will have a verbal, mathematical, or clerical component to it.

What ceremonious service positions require passing the civil service exam?

Many jobs crave candidates to laissez passer a civil service exam, including law enforcement agencies, the IRS, mail handlers, secretarial and clerical positions, HR roles, and more than.

Gratis Practice

Ceremonious Service Examination Tips

Once y'all are sitting in front of the Civil Service exam, here are a few things you tin can practice to requite yourself a better chance to acing the test.

Manage your fourth dimension well. If you have 30 minutes to respond lx questions, you take xxx seconds per question. Don't linger too long on a single question.
If you have fourth dimension at the end of a section, go back and check your answers
Earlier taking the test, notice out if wrong answers will count against yous. If yous are not penalized for wrong answers, guess where y'all are unsure. If wrong answers count against you lot, get out items you don't know blank.
If you are using newspaper and an answer sheet, be conscientious marking your answers. If you write the reply to one question on the wrong line, or accidentally give two answers to 1 question, the question will be marked wrong.

Assistants

Exam Announcements: When government agencies want to build up their list of candidates for different positions, they release an test announcement. The announcement contains all the relevant information, then you lot will know what to expect on the test, and when and where you can take the test.

Sample Local Civil Service Exam Announcement (Source: OC Civil Service Committee)

Test Location: Civil Service tests are generally taken at the bureau where y'all are applying, with an examiner in the room to hand out materials or respond any questions. At that place are some agencies that allow you to take the examination online.

Test Schedule: Some exams are given on a continual ground, and can be taken any time. Other tests have specific test dates.

Examination Format: Almost all the questions are multiple-selection questions.

Test Materials: Test is typically taken on computer, although some agencies use question books and answer forms. You volition accept scratch paper bachelor to work out any issues.

Cost:There are fees to accept the exam, which is set by each jurisdiction. Fees may include both a test-taking fee and a filing fee.

Retake Policy: If you fail the test, y'all can usually take information technology again as long as applications are being accepted for a position. If you passed the test but would like to take it again to meliorate your score, you typically must expect a year to endeavour again.

Test Provider

There is no single civil service test, and no single test provider. The U.Due south. Part of Personnel Direction (OPM) is the chief HR bureau for the federal authorities, and oversees all hiring. U.s. Hire, which is office of OPM, has created standard assessments for federal jobs, ranging from entry level to senior positions, and measures general competencies and technical skills. Usa Jobs is a job board for federal positions. Each declaration includes exam information.

State and local exams are managed past the state or municipality. The tests are either created past the state or municipality, or past a third-political party assessment visitor.

Disclaimer – All the information and prep materials on iPrep are genuine and were created for tutoring purposes. iPrep is not affiliated with whatsoever branches of the United States federal or local authorities, or any third political party providers of assessment tests.