The Civil Service Exam is a springboard for pursuing civil service jobs. If you’re carving out a career in the federal, local, and state governments, you should take and pass the Civil Service Exam as a requirement for application. There is a diverse range of Civil Service Exams covering various duties, roles, positions, and fields.
Civil Service roles generally offer long-term employment stability, benefits, and substantial wage. A common reason for choosing a career path is the idea of paying it forward to the community by delivering essential services for its citizens through a variety of duties, roles, positions, and fields!
Let’s learn the ins and outs of Civil Service Exams! Explore this topic using these quick links:
What Is Civil Service?What Is the Civil Service Exam?What Are the Types of Civil Service Exams?What Comprises the Civil Service Exam?* Clerical Ability
* Mathematical Ability
* Verbal Ability
* Others
Types of Career Requiring Civil Service ExamPros and Cons of The Civil Service Jobs* Pros
* Cons
Preparations for The Civil Service ExamTop Sites to Prepare For The Civil Service Exam* USA Hire
* Peterson’s: Master The Civil Service Exams
* JobTestPrep
* Mometrix Test Preparation
* Kaplan Civil Service Exams
* Practice Test Bank
What Is Civil Service?
Approximately 2.8M civil servant jobs are filled in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the U.S. government. The executive division, the primary employer, has at least two million civil service professionals. Each month, the number of federal employment vacancies reach up to 55,000, covering a diverse range of non-military and non-political career opportunities within the government sectors.
The Office of Personnel Management, also called OPM, is an independent government agency that administers civil service job vacancies within the U.S. federal government. It has the official word on the Civil Service Exam application process and requirements and the job openings.
For online evaluation purposes, the OPM uses the USA Hire website. This online platform also details the employment requirements of government offices and agencies.
What Is the Civil Service Exam?
The Civil Service Exam is a mandatory prerequisite for candidates who want to pursue career opportunities within a specific department or agency in the federal government. Its main objective is to assess applicants’ competence and eligibility for a particular role and sort out the qualified from the non-qualified.
The Civil Service exam also serves as a baseline exam that highlights whether you are a perfect fit for further evaluation. However, taking and passing the civil service exam alone won’t guarantee that you’ll get the job! Various factors must come into play, such as the information contained in your letters of recommendation, the outcome of your interviews, and the strength of your resume. You can also take more specialized examinations other than the Civil Service Exam to increase your chances of being hired.
The Civil Service Exam is a timed test—and it does not come in a standard type or format. Your exam will depend on the government job levels and the field you wish to be part of.
The primary test that applicants will take is on the USA Hire website. It determines the reading comprehension and reasoning skills, colleague interaction habits, work preferences, analytical skills, and basic mathematical aptitude. Depending on your preferred position, you will have to accomplish additional requirements, such as a writing assessment, career simulation, and job knowledge exam.
The Civil Service Exam is scored holistically, ranking you as unqualified, qualified, highly qualified, and best qualified. The passing scores are generally within the 70% range.
What Are the Types of Civil Service Exams?
Civil service exams have three major types, namely promotional, continuous, and open competitive.
Open competitive exams indicate that your scores can make you qualified to compete against other candidates for a category of government positions that are actively accepting applicants. Continuous exams evaluate applicants for government positions that aren’t actively hiring. Promotional exams are suitable for current civil service workers who want to pursue career advancement.
Civil service exams consist of numerous sections, including written and verbal components and electronic-based multiple-choice examination.
As mentioned, some civil service exams include job simulation sections. For instance, you can accomplish typing tests for clerical government positions or physical exams for firefighters.
What Comprises the Civil Service Exam?
The civil service exams differ according to specific roles, with each test focusing on relevant knowledge and skills. Some of the factors that determine the content of the civil service exam you’ll take include the following:
- Whether the exam is non-competitive or competitive
- Type of job you’re applying for
- Whether the job vacancy is a municipal/state job or a federal job
In most cases, the civil service exam consists of the following components:
Clerical Ability
The clerical ability exam will assess how accurate and quick you are in completing various clerical tasks. It measures how efficient you can perform some of the following duties:
- Coding
- Filing
- Name/Number Checking
- Stenography
- Typing
Mathematical Ability
The mathematical ability exam is only mandatory for specific roles, needing some level of mathematical skills. The exam will cover some of the following topics:
- Algebra
- Arithmetic
- Geometry
- Interpreting/Analyzing Graphs, Tables, and Data
- Ratios and Proportions
- Reasoning Problems
Verbal Ability
In general, all civil service exams include a verbal ability exam. Your verbal ability assessment will help evaluate how well you can accomplish specific tasks such as writing memos and letters, using instructional guides and manuals, proofreading, and reading. The verbal ability exam will cover the following subjects:
- Grammar and Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Spelling and Vocabulary
Others
Depending on your chosen career position, some topics of the civil service exam include the following:
- Reasoning
- Decision-Making
- Analytical Thinking
- Coding/Memory
- Following Directions
In some cases, competence in specific apps or software such as Microsoft Word or Excel may be included, especially if required in a particular job. In case you’re wondering how long the civil service will take, rest assured you will only spend a few hours to accomplish it.
Types of Career Requiring Civil Service Exam
Hundreds of government positions are available each month, requiring different mentality and skills to perform efficiently. The type of profession you prefer is dependent on you. It’s all about your skills and career aspirations that you want to aim through apprenticeships, on-the-job training programs, or vocational/technical college. Be ready to pursue further studies since most job vacancies within the government sectors will require one. Other supplementary requirements include letters of recommendation, exam, background check, or drug test.
Not all federal work vacancies need computerized or paper-based government examinations. Some occupations such as financial analysts and nurses are assessed based on the applicants’ experiences, training, and education. On the contrary, most government positions are competitive. That said, they require civil service exams from applicants, with open competition between them. Some of the government agencies or sectors that require a civil service exam from applicants include the following:
- Air Marshal
- Air Traffic Control Specialist
- Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
- Border Patrol
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Foreign Service Written Exam
- Internal Revenue Service
- Mail Handlers (USPS)
- National Security Agency
- Secret Service
- Transportation Security Administration
- Treasury Enforcement Agent
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- U.S. Marshal
- U.S. Postal Inspector
Although some government jobs are categorized under the federal civil service, they still require a special federal civil service exam. It is known as the Expected Civil Service. Job openings under this category are not advertised through the Office of Personnel Management’s list of vacancies. Instead, they’re posted on the agency’s websites. For job openings, these agencies have their requirements and qualifications. Some of the agencies include the following:
- Postal Office Services
- Firefighting
- Law Enforcement
- Emergency Services
Special opportunities and career pathways are available for college graduates and students who want to pursue government positions. These professions are directly related to academic degrees or college programs and require a civil service exam.
Pros and Cons of The Civil Service Jobs
Some government positions require applicants to undergo job training. Job training programs are beneficial because workers can pursue their studies to gain more and advanced skills for the job while earning. If you’re lucky, your employer will offer financial assistance for your training and education for career advancement. Depending on the government office or agency you work for, tuition reimbursem*nts are also available.
Does working for the government sound like a great idea for you? We highlight the pros and cons to help you decide whether you should pursue the Civil Service Exam.
Pros
Location
Working in the government sector provides you with the opportunity to work anywhere in the U.S. and sometimes abroad. Because the government is available in the national, state, and local sectors, you can find numerous career opportunities in your home state or any location you prefer.
Career Stability
Career stability and security are highly evident in government sectors. Unlike the private sectors, stability is an excellent advantage since government functions are prominent and needed regardless of the economy. Job openings are always available, and new candidates are regularly required to replace positions of retired employees.
Benefits and Flexibility
The majority of government positions will provide you with substantial benefits and a great deal of flexibility to help you balance personal and professional obligations. Sick leave and vacation leaves are always part of the benefits. Aside from these benefits, you will also be enrolled in a retirement fund, and the majority of government positions will match and compensate for your contribution. Working for the government will offer you an excellent healthcare plan that includes visual and dental packages. That said, you and your family are provided with the best healthcare services.
Another benefit of working for the government is you will have fixed working schedules. You can start your workday from 8 AM until 5 PM, consisting of 8 hours a day for five working days excluding weekends. You also enjoy paid federal holidays, which means you’ll indeed spend Christmas and Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Cons
Lengthy Application Process
Applying for government positions can have lengthy hiring and application procedures. There are specific timelines and deadlines that civil service careers need to follow. Aside from that, your application and credentials have to undergo screening by several assessors and go through electronic checks before getting called for an interview. There are times you need to undergo a series of interviews and expect to wait for a long time before you receive feedback from a prospective employer.
Minimal Control at Work
Unlike most private companies, government positions have a top-down hierarchy. As a result, you don’t have any control or say regarding decision-making endeavors, especially if you’re still new to the position. You also won’t have the opportunity to accelerate your career the way you want; hence, a great deal of patience is beneficial. Advancement and changes take time. Knowing this arrangement beforehand will help you thrive in your current position.
Low Salary
Government workers are compensated according to the General Schedule pay scale. The General Schedule level relies on the position you are pursuing and the state you are working in. As a result, salary packages depend on the job’s requirements and the cost of living where your work is located.
Although you will have the opportunity for wage increases and promotion, government positions are low and hard to promote, depending on the field and state you are working. Merit increases and adjustments to the cost of living are very minimal. Your capped salary is lower compared to the same job in private companies.
Preparations for The Civil Service Exam
The civil service exam is purely developed to evaluate the applicant’s competencies, aptitudes, and current knowledge. The majority of applicants feel anxious while preparing for the civil service exam before taking the actual examination.
The majority of the anxious feelings come from:
- You, as the exam taker, don’t understand the exact purpose of taking the exam.
- The natural reaction towards taking the exam. With proper study, preparation, and mindset, you can overcome this feeling.
The right preparation for the exam properly handles the common anxiety associated with taking the civil service exam. Preparing adequately for the civil service exam is a confidence-boosting activity. If you are required to take and pass the civil service exams, here are a few tips:
- Start by taking a practice or prototype civil service exam so you can have a baseline score to evaluate your progress. The baseline score serves as a key component in determining how much and how quickly you have progressed throughout your review.
- Develop a suitable study plan that you can easily follow. Take note that the Civil Service Exam isn’t the same as licensure exams. That said, a few hours per day for the month before the actual exam date is enough. Your study plans shouldn’t compromise your lifestyle choices and body clock for a more efficient review.
The objective of your preparation should be:
- To learn the format of the civil service exam.
- To identify and understand the topics, subjects, or sections included in the civil service exam.
- To follow a strategically-developed plan of study.
- To practice more until you get the flow of the civil service exam.
The Civil Service Commission does not openly advocate any review website or company. Any material you access online or elsewhere for review is accepted for as long as it adheres to the actual Civil Service Exam objectives and format. Despite the review materials and tools are not the same as the actual questions on the civil service exam, they are helpful and insightful for most civil service exam takers.
Top Sites to Prepare For The Civil Service Exam
If you want to have good results for taking the civil service exam, you should invest your time to prepare and study. You should have the relevant experience and knowledge in your chosen position and time management, critical thinking skills, general knowledge, and effective communication skills.
Here are top sites to help you prepare for the civil service exams:
USA Hire
The Civil Service Exam primarily adopts USA Hire. It is one of the top sites for preparing for the civil service exam itself. It is an online assessment platform for measuring applicants’ competencies that will be highly desired for specific government positions. USA Hire integrates numerous simulation-based exam types and multiple-choice questions that can be completed online. The specific assessments that applicants take will depend on the government position they will apply. USA Hire is made by the Office of Personnel Management, an organization responsible for posting available job vacancies in the civil service or government sectors.
Peterson’s: Master The Civil Service Exams
Peterson’s is one of the world’s frontrunners in educational services. It is dedicated to fostering studies after high school. Peterson’s civil service exam practice tests will prepare exam takers to master general aptitude, arithmetic abilities, clerical, and verbal abilities required for most government positions. The exam preparation test has three sample tests that are completely aligned with the actual civil service exams. Peterson’s civil service exam test allows flexible delivery, allowing reviewers to practice at their schedule on any electronic device. With this preparatory exam, reviewers can refine their answers through explanations from the modules, allowing them to learn from their shortcomings and efficiently work on their progress.
JobTestPrep
As a frontrunner in online test preparations, JobTestPrep offers online civil service practice exams to prepare candidates for what to expect on the actual exam. With JobTestPrep, you have 15 PrepPacks to choose from, namely Profession, Law Enforcement, and Transportation. A total of 3,000 questions are included in the preparation package, providing you with the opportunity to comprehensively learn and prepare for the actual exam day. Since you can choose exclusively related to your preferred government position, JobTestPrep’s package will tailor your review according to the selected field. You have the option to pay for one week, one month, or three months’ duration, depending on the license you need.
Mometrix Test Preparation
Mometrix Test Preparation integrates practice exam questions to review the most important sections and components of the Civil Service Exams. The guide includes easy-to-read content and essential summaries that highlight the main parts of the civil service exam. Mometrix’s test preparation contains a comprehensive must-know and guide, preparing you for the actual civil service exam. Some of the content includes a complete set of practice questions with thorough explanations to answers, a guide to analogies, a detailed overview of the civil service exam, and a complete analysis of arithmetic and mathematics. Aside from answers and questions, Mometrix Test Preparation also includes test-taking techniques exclusively for reviewers.
Kaplan Civil Service Exams
Another reputable tool for preparing for the civil service exam is Kaplan Civil Service Exams. Through this material, reviewers have the opportunity to take six practice exams and Kaplan’s unique score-improving techniques. Reviewers can also read a comprehensive overview of the information regarding civil service exams. Regardless of the civil service exam category, you will accomplish, Kaplan Civil Service Exams preparatory tool offers resources and advice to succeed and pass the civil service exam. With a self-paced review format, you can use Kaplan’s civil service preparatory tool at your own pace and schedule.
Practice Test Bank
Practice Test Bank has a collection of free online civil service practice exams. You don’t need any subscription and third-party apps to access the Practice Test Bank. Although it’s free, the drawback is that you don’t have a comprehensive review compared to other top sites from this list. With Practice Test Bank, you get three questions only per session for each topic. If you want more questions, you need to refresh or access the main page for new sets. Like other preparatory tests, the civil service practice exams from this site include explanations for easier reference answers. Practice Test Bank covers possible test questions from civil service exam sections, ranging from grammar to arithmetic reasoning.
Given the right preparation, research, and mindset, you’re getting closer to your goal of landing your dream profession by passing the civil service exam.
