About Civil Service Tests

To be considered for many state jobs, especially entry-level jobs, applicants are required to take a Civil Service test.  Lists of successful applicants may then be sent by Civil Service to state agencies with vacancies to fill. The agencies may contact the highest scoring applicants to set up job interviews, etc., or they may simply post the positions to Job Search.   Please note that when positions are posted here to Job Search, agencies generally do NOT request a list of names from Civil Service, and only those who respond to the posting as directed in the Contact Instructions are considered for these vacancies.  In the case of jobs filled from the COAST clerical exam, ALL vacancies are posted here on Job Search.  Civil Service never sends out lists of applicants for these clerical jobs.  Interested job seekers must apply directly to the hiring agency, as directed in the Contact Instructions.

What are the Civil Service tests like?

Different kinds of tests are given for different types of jobs.  Most Civil Service tests are "paper and pencil" multiple-choice exams.  Applicants for typing, word processing and secretarial jobs may also take a typing skills test on a PC, if the agency that posts the position to Job Search requires it, while applicants for Motor Vehicle office jobs also take a video test of customer service.  Our Sample Test Questions give you a preview.

Most Civil Service tests are NOT speed tests.  You'll usually have about 2 and 1/2 hours to take between 40 and 135 questions, depending on the type of job you're applying for.

How are the tests graded?

The tests are graded by computer.  All questions on a test are valued equally; no question counts more than any other.  Passing grades range from 70 to 99.  The number of questions you must answer correctly to be considered passing depends on the kind of test you're taking.  But on most tests you must answer 60-70% of the questions correctly in order to pass.

Unlike our other tests, the series 7000/7001 COAST test for clerical positions has no passing point: no one fails this exam.  The scores on the COAST are stated as percentiles: that is, they compare a test-taker's performance to that of others who have taken the exam.  These percentile scores range from 1% to 99%.  A percentile score of 75%, for example, tells the test taker that he or she did better than 75% of the others who have taken the COAST test.

The COAST Typing Skills test, offered as an option for clerical jobs that require typing, is graded for both speed and accuracy.  The faster and more accurately you type, the higher your score will be.

When will I receive my grade?

After you've taken the test, it takes about two weeks for you to receive your grade.  As soon as your grade is issued to you, you are eligible to respond to postings that you see on Job Search.

How long does my grade last?

Your grade notice will tell you when your grade expires.  Most grades expire after one year.  Grades earned by permanent state employees do not expire, but may be cancelled if there is a change in the test.  If your score expires, and you do not wish to re-test, you can ask us to extend your score.  We must have this request in writing.

Can I retake a Civil Service test?

All of our tests may be repeated monthly, up to three times in twelve months.  If you do re-test, you will always receive the highest score that we have on your record for that test, even if your score goes down when you take the test again.

What is an "Eligible" rating?

"ELIGIBLE" ratings (with series numbers "8888", "8889" or "8890") are given to candidates who have been screened to be sure they meet the minimum qualifications for the given job.  These candidates are considered "eligible" to be hired, but are not scored.  They do not receive numerical grades, but rather notices that they are "eligible" for the job.