Civil Service Examination is conducted because passing this will be the first step in the process of selecting prospective civil or government servants. The good thing about being a government employee is that it’s one of the best jobs you can find.

And why is it one of the good jobs of today? First, it is long-term, because when you get into this job, it will definitely be your job until you retire. Secondly, it has good wages, and lastly, there are a lot of benefits to it. But before you can enter this job, you must pass the Civil Service Examination.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION DEFINITION

The Civil Service Examination or also known as Career Service Examination (CSE) is an eligibility exam that is conducted by the Civil Service Commission to determine if you are qualified for a government job. Passing this exam gives you the Civil Service Eligibility which is one of the requirements to be considered in applying for a government position.

The civil Service Examination has two levels: Professional and the Non-Professional

The Sub-Professional Eligibility qualifies you for first-level positions such as clerical, trade, and custodial service positions that require less than four years of a college education.

Professional Eligibility, on the other hand, qualifies you for both first level and second level positions such as professional, technical, and scientific positions that require four years of a college education. (Take note that you need to be a graduate of a four-year course to be qualified for the second level positions)

What is the Coverage of the Civil Service Examination?

You may be wondering what the Civil Service Examination is all about, and what they should remember before taking the exam? The Civil Service exam is an Aptitude type of test just like a college entrance exam which includes multiple-choice questions stated in both English and Filipino.

You must first determine where you are and what level you should apply. You must first know where you are, at the professional or sub-professional level.

These are the Coverage for Professional Level:

1. Vocabulary
2. Grammar and Correct Usage
3. Organization of Ideas
4. Analysis/Synthesis
5. Reading Comprehension
6. Word Analogy
7. Data Interpretation
8. Logic and Abstract Reasoning
9. Numerical Reasoning
10. General Information Items on the following:

• Philippine Constitution
• Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713)
• Peace and Human Rights Issues and Concepts
• Environmental Management and Protection

These are the Coverage for the Sub-Professional Level:

1. Vocabulary
2. Grammar and Correct Usage
3. Organization of Ideas
4. Analysis/Synthesis
5. Clerical Ability
6. Spelling
7. Numerical Reasoning
8. General Information Items on the following:

• Philippine Constitution
• Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713)
• Peace and Human Rights Issues and Concepts
• Environmental Management and Protection

The civil service examination for the Professional level is composed of 170 test items with a time allotment of 3 hours and 10 minutes while on Sub-Professional level has 165 test items with 2 hours and 40 minutes time allotment.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS IN TAKING THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION?

Interested applicants must meet the subsequent qualification requirements before being allowed to take the examination according to the Civil Service Commission:

1. Filipino citizen.
2. At least 18 years of age (on the date of filing the application).
3. With good moral character.

• He/she has not been convicted by a final decision of crimes associated with white plague, drunkenness, dishonesty, moral turpitude, and/or examination irregularity.
• Applicants with pending criminal or administrative cases should take the exam and maybe conferred government officials’ eligibility if passed.
• However, once proven guilty, the eligibility is often forfeited as a part of the penalties indicated within the decision of existing government officials Law.
• If the applicant has previously worked within the government, he/she has not been dishonorably discharged or dismissed from military service or any civilian position.

4. Has not taken the Civil Service Examination within the last three months before the examination date regardless if it’s through the pencil and paper test or computerized examination.

5. Dual citizen Filipinos can also apply and take the government officials’ examination if they will present and submit a copy of the Certification of Retention/Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship from the Bureau of Immigration.

Exemptions in taking the Civil Service Examination

Is there an exemption to the civil service examination? You are lucky if you are one of those people who don’t need to take the test to be eligible for a government position.

Here are the eligibilities granted under special laws and CSC Issuances:

1. Bar/Board Eligibility
2. Barangay Health Worker (BHW) Eligibility
3. Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Eligibility
4. Barangay Official Eligibility (BOE)
5. Electronic Data Processing Specialist (EDPS) Eligibility
6. Foreign School Honor Graduate Eligibility (FSHGE)
7. Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE)
8. Sanggunian Member Eligibility (SME)
9. Scientific and Technological Specialist (STS) Eligibility
10. Skill Eligibility
11. Veteran Preference Rating (VPR) Eligibility

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION?

Here are the required documents for taking the Civil Service Examination:

1. Fully accomplished application form (CS Form No. 100 Revised November 2016, you can download it on this website https://csc.gov.ph/. The area for “Signature of Applicant” and “Right Thumb mark” on the form should be left blank.  These shall be completed in the presence of the CSC processor.
2. Four (4) copies of similar pictures particularly as follows:

• Philippine passport size
• colored, with a white background printed on good quality photo paper
• In a standard close-up shot (from shoulder level up with the head and face occupying at least 80% of the picture and with the name tag position
• It must be the bare face (without any accessories that may cover the features of the face);
• It must show the left and right ears;
• It must be taken in full-face directly in the front of the camera
• It should be on neutral facial expression and both eyes open
• With full and handwritten name tag in the format: First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, and Extension Name, and signature over printed name
• It must be taken within the last three (3) months prior to the filing of the application

3. A photocopy and original copy of any valid ID consisting of the applicant’s photo, birth date, signature, and signature of the authorized personnel of the issuing agency such as Driver’s License, SSS ID, GSIS ID, Phil health ID, current Company/Office ID, current School ID, Postal ID, BIR ID, Barangay ID, Voter’s ID, Valid Passport, or Police Clearance (Note: Any other ID not incorporated in the list shall NOT be honored.)

•  IDs incomplete information, particularly the applicant’s date of birth, should be supported by a Birth Certificate issued and authenticated by the Philippine Statistic Office.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION?

There are two ways how you can apply for the Civil Service exam: through traditional walk-in applications or through online means.

MANUAL PEN-AND-PAPER TEST

If you prefer to submit your complete Civil Service Examination requirements to the CSC Regional Office or Field Office personally where you plan to take your Civil Service Exam, you are required to pay 500 pesos, regardless if you’ll take the professional or sub-professional level.

STEPS IN FILING THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION THROUGH PAPER-AND-PENCIL TEST:

STEP 1: APPLICATION FORM ACQUISITION

You can download the application form from the website of CSC, or from the Civil Service Commission Regional Office.

STEP 2: FILING AND SUBMISSION OF THE FORM

Fill out the application form, and make sure to fill in all necessary information. The “Signature of Applicant” and the Thumbmark should be accomplished in the presence of the CSC personnel to ensure the authenticity of your signature and thumbmark. Submit your fully accomplished form. The CSC officer will evaluate your application form together with the other requirements.

STEP 3: AFFIX YOUR THUMBMARK AND SIGNATURE

If the CSC processor found no mistakes or problems on your documents, He/she will direct you to affix your signature and thumbmark on your application form.

STEP 4: PAY THE EXAMINATION FEE

After the CSC processor checks all your documents, you will be directed to pay the examination fee amounting to Php 500. Keep the official receipt

STEP 5: RETURN TO THE CSC PROCESSOR AND PRESENT YOUR OFFICIAL RECEIPT TOGETHER WITH THE PROCESSED APPLICATION FORM.

You will be given an examination receipt along with some reminders regarding the Civil Service Examination.

COMPUTERIZED EXAMINATION (COMEX)

If you don’t have time to go to the CSC Field office due to certain circumstances, apply for the Civil Service Examination through the COMEX site. You are then instructed to register for a user account and follow the application process.

HERE’S HOW TO APPLY FOR COMEX:

STEP 1: GO TO THE COMEX SITE.

• Click the “Sign Up” button then register for your own account. Create a username and a password then fill in all the necessary information on the next pages.
• Once you accomplished the form, review it and click on the “Submit” button.
• Wait for the confirmation e-mail sent to your account usually it is found in the Spam folder in your e-mail.
• Click on the link being sent to you and activate your COMEX account.

Take note:

• Always provide the full spelling because abbreviations such as “Brgy.” will prompt an error message warning.
• Upon registering, activate your account within 24 hours because the system will automatically delete it.

STEP 2: SLOT RESERVATION

• Log in to your account using your email and password on the COMEX reservation website then choose “Slot Reservation” and a timer will appear accordingly. Refresh the page as the timer ends and it will process your reservation.
• Click on the “Reserve a Slot” button then print this form after.

STEP 3: SLOT CONFIRMATION

The personal appearance of the applicant is a must in this step. Go to the CSC Testing Center for the verification process based on your submitted information on your COMEX account to complete your application.

STEP 4: PAYMENT AND BIOMETRICS

Your biometrics will be taken then proceed to the cashier and pay for the COMEX fee amounting to Php 680.

How to take the Civil Service Examination?

On your Civil Service Examination date, proceed to the CSC testing center where you registered regardless if you are going to take the PPT or Computerized examination, and simply follow the test instructions. Read carefully in each direction, because failure to do so might ruin your examination.

In taking an examination, you must come prepared physically, mentally, and intellectually. Always remember your goals and objectives in taking the exam and don’t forget to do your best!

Where can I check the Civil Service Examination Result?

If you took the exam through the Pen-and Paper test, you can expect the result 60 days after the examination date, and in the Computerized Exam, expect the results in 10 days. To check the list of CSE passers, just click on the link http://erpo.csc.gov.ph/ocsergs/

The Civil Service Commission issues a Certification of Eligibility a month after it releases the list of passers. Claim your certification at the CSC office for free, just bring along with you your application official receipt and at least 1 valid I.D.

Always remember that a positive mindset is very useful in taking examinations, so fill your head with inspiration and put your heart into everything that you do. If you fail, don’t feel sad about it, as you can take the Civil Service Examination all over again until you succeed.