Mail carriers and workers who manage post offices are considered civil service employees. These positions include police officer, highway patrol, and Secret Service agent.įinancial experts, including tax experts and accountants, are key workers within the IRS. Although there are many different positions available within civil service, most require some type of civil service exam. What Jobs Require the Civil Service Exam?Īlmost every job within local, state, and federal government requires passing a civil service exam. Prerequisites may include specific certificates or levels of education, such as a bachelor's or master's degree. If you're already employed in civil service, you can take a promotional civil service exam to apply for promotions.Īdditional prerequisites depend on the position. If you want to get a jumpstart on your civil service exam, you can seek out a continuous exam, which is a required civil service exam for a career that does not have an open job position at the time. Your score will then be compared with those of other candidates applying for the open position. If you're applying for an active job listing, you must take an open competitive exam. The prerequisites for the civil service exam depend on which style of exam you're taking. You may be able to take your test online, but you should be prepared to take it in person. You typically need to register for the exam ahead of time. If not, you may need to make an appointment. The hiring agency you are in contact with should provide you with a date and time to take your civil service exam. For instance, a prospective teacher may have to teach a short lesson to the exam committee. Tests can include multiple-choice questions, short answers, and oral components.ĭepending on the position, you may need to provide a snapshot performance related to the position. While the overall exam length may differ, you should expect your test to take at least a couple of hours, if not more. The process for taking the civil service exam varies based on the employer. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign.The Public Ivies, Little Ivies, and Other Ivy League Equivalents.