If you want to work in a civil service job, chances are you’ll be asked to take a Civil Service Exam. A Civil Service exam is used by certain job classifications to test a candidate’s skills for specific positions.
The test is utilized at every level of government—local, state, federal—so the exam structure will differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. It’s an important test that requires preparation and an excellent study tool to help candidates prepare.
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Civil service, a term dating back to the 19th century, refers to professional jobs that are required to properly run and maintain a government’s policies and programs.
The US federal civil service system began in 1871, and workers were hired based on a merit-based system. As the civil service system grew and was modified, the Civil Service exam became a mandatory assessment for every person applying for a civil service position, particularly if the position was directly government-related.
In 1978, it was decided that specific exams should be created and administered for each civil service job, which is how the system operates today.
That will vary, depending on the position you apply for. Air traffic controllers, for example, have stiff education and training requirements in addition to the test. Here are some other examples:
In short, each test measures an applicant’s strengths based on the job they’re applying for.
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Your success on test day depends not only on how many hours you put into preparing but also on whether you prepared the right way. It’s good to check along the way to see whether your studying is paying off. There are numerous Civil Service practice methods to choose from, but one of the most effective is taking Civil Service practice tests like the one above to evaluate your progress.
Practice tests are useful because they show exactly where you need to improve. Every time you take a Civil Service practice test, pay special attention to these three groups of questions:
This will show you exactly what your weak areas are, and where you need to devote more study time.
Ask yourself why each of these questions gave you trouble. Was it because you didn’t understand the material? Was it because you didn’t remember the vocabulary? Do you need more repetitions on this type of question to build speed and confidence?
Dig into those questions and figure out how you can strengthen your weak areas as you go back to review the material.
Many Civil Service practice tests have a section explaining the answer choices. It can be tempting to read the explanation and think that you now have a good understanding of the concept. However, an explanation likely only covers part of the question’s broader context. Even if the explanation makes sense, go back and investigate every concept related to the question until you’re positive you have a thorough understanding.
As you go along, keep in mind that the Civil Service practice test is simply practice. Memorizing these questions and answers will not be very helpful on the actual test because it is unlikely to have any of the same questions.
If you only know the right answers to the sample questions, you won’t be prepared for the real thing. Study the concepts until you understand them fully, and then you’ll be able to answer any question that shows up on the test.
When you’re ready to start taking practice tests, follow this strategy:
Civil service employees work for a government department or agency in the public sector. Civil service does not include the military, judicial branches, or elected officials.
Here are some examples of civil service jobs:
If you are pursuing a job as a town comptroller, you will generally need to take a Civil Service exam. Check with your local government officials to procure more details.
It depends on the test, but you can expect the exam to last at least 2-3 hours.
Some exams are available on a continual basis, while others have specific test dates.
Some jurisdictions will allow candidates to take the test online. Others require candidates to take the test in person.
No. The test can be just one part of the application process. Some jobs may also have training, experience, educational or other requirements. Firefighters, for example, may have to meet minimum requirements for the amount of weight they can lift. Police officers may have to meet certain minimum physical fitness requirements. It’s always best to check with your local jurisdiction for the specifics.
That varies as well. Candidates who take the clerical Civil Service exam, for example, must score at least 33 on the verbal abilities test portion, and a combined minimum score on the clerical and verbal portions of 80.
Yes, and that fee is set by each jurisdiction. Fees could include a test fee and/or a filing fee.
Veterans can receive preference points and may be eligible for the Veteran’s Recruitment Appointment Rule. Veterans who meet certain criteria can have an additional five or 10 points added to their final Civil Service Exam passing score. Under the Veteran’s Recruitment Appointment Rule, veterans can be appointed to white collar posts without competing with other applicants.
There’s a lot of information for anyone who wants to be a civil servant to consider. That’s why Mometrix has created study tools to help you prepare for this important exam. Remember, this is your career we’re taking about, and you need the best. Our Civil Service Exam study guide walks you through the questions you’ll likely see on the exam, and offers test taking tips. The best way not to get overwhelmed is to get these study materials.
Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University.
by Mometrix Test Preparation | Last Updated: August 1, 2024
