How to Pass the Civil Service Exam
Effective and thorough CSE prep is the key to success. Read our top 20 tips on how to pass the civil service exam.
How to Pass the Civil Service Exam: Before the Test
1 Take note of the format of the exam.
The civil service exam is an aptitude test that measures an applicant’s skills in various subjects. All of the questions are in multiple-choice format. The passing rate is 80%.
2 Know the coverage of the exam.
The test coverage varies depending on the exam level you plan to take, but it is almost the same. The main difference lies in the inclusion of Analytical Ability at the Professional Level, which is excluded and replaced with Clerical Ability at the Subprofessional Level.
3 Take a diagnostic test.
Use the first mock exam on this website as a diagnostic tool to evaluate your skills. Identify your weak and strong areas and determine which topics to focus on.
4 Review.
Because the civil service exam is an aptitude test, most topics are basic and should be familiar to you. All you have to do is refresh your memory by reading the study guides in this and other relevant books. Pay extra attention to your weak spots during your review.
5 Learn the common types of questions.
While the test questions change, the fundamental concepts in English, Mathematics, Logic, Clerical Ability, and General Information do not. However, given the wide range of topics, it is hard to figure out which particular lessons to include in your study. Thus, it is important to be familiar with the possible types of questions that may appear in the exam.
6 Study with a group.
If you have officemates or friends who will take the test, form a study group and try to meet as often as possible. Studying with other people will motivate you to work harder.
7 Build your stock knowledge.
Some applicants make the mistake of memorizing the answers in review materials, but this is the wrong approach because the questions are only intended for practice. Since the exam is in a multiple-choice format, the memorization required is minimal. The answer choices are in the test booklet, so read and build your stock knowledge.
8 Take a posttest.
After your review, use the second and third mock exams on this website to measure how much you have improved. If you are still struggling with some of the questions, you need to study more.
9 Do not cram.
Cramming is often associated with stress and poor retention. Study at least a few weeks before the exam to give you enough time to prepare. Being ready will help boost your confidence.
How to Pass the Civil Service Exam: On the Day of the Test
10 Dress for comfort.
Choose a decent and relaxed outfit. Bring a jacket in case the exam room gets cold.
11 Have a good breakfast.
Forget about your diet. Eat your favorite comfort food for breakfast to get you in a good mood and prepare you for the challenging day ahead.
12 Bring all your test requirements.
There is nothing worse than being sent home and prohibited from taking the test due to incomplete requirements. The day before the exam, put all the requirements inside your bag.
13 Clear your mind.
Before taking the test, clear your mind and calm your nerves. Being too anxious can negatively affect your performance.
14 Choose the best answer.
When confronted with several possible answers, always choose the best one. There are no partial points for possible answers.
Example:
I admire Ray for being a pragmatic and — person; at a very young age, he was able to save enough money for his retirement.
(1) vigorous
(2) miserly
(3) sentient
(4) frugal
(5) wretched
The possible answers are miserly and frugal. While both words refer to somebody who saves money, the better answer is frugal because it has a positive connotation that fits the positive tone of the sentence.
15 Use the process of elimination.
If you are unsure of the correct answer, eliminate all the wrong choices you can spot. This will leave you with the possible answers and increase your chance of getting it right.
Example:
What is the power of a superior officer to ensure that lower officers are performing their functions in accordance with the law?
(1) power of substitution
(2) power of control
(3) power of appointment
(4) power of general supervision
(5) power of audit
Since you are familiar with powers of substitution, audit, and appointment, you can easily cross off these choices. This will leave you with powers of general supervision and control as possible answers. Eliminating some answer choices will increase your chance of getting the correct answer. In the given example, the correct answer is the power of general supervision.
16 Keep track of the time.
The exam is not only a test of knowledge but also of speed. Your goal is to answer each question as fast as possible. While taking the test, make sure to keep track of the time as announced by the proctor.
17 Do not waste time on difficult questions.
Try your best to answer as many easy questions as quickly as you can. If you encounter a difficult question that takes more than two minutes to answer, that is your cue to move on.
18 Do not leave any items blank.
If you do not know the answer to a question, then take a guess. Unlike some college admission tests, the civil service exam does not use the right-minus-wrong scoring method, so there are no penalties for incorrect answers.
How to Pass the Civil Service Exam: After the Test
19 If you pass, celebrate.
The results are usually released a few months after the test. If you pass the exam, congratulations. It is time to relax and celebrate.
20 If you do not pass, try again.
If you do not pass the exam and wish to give it another shot, prepare harder next time. Do not approach it exactly the same way you did last time. Learn from your mistakes, improve your strategy, and make the necessary adjustments.
Sources
Exam details from the CSC website
Images from 123rf