What is the Civil Service Exam?

The Career Service Examination – Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT), also known as Civil Service Exam, is an important requirement for Filipinos who want to work in government agencies. It is a standardized test that measures an individual’s knowledge and skills in different areas, including general cognitive abilities, as well as specific knowledge in English, Filipino, and Mathematics. The exam is conducted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which is an independent government agency tasked with ensuring the efficiency, integrity, and responsiveness of the civil service.

One of the main objectives of CSE is to promote meritocracy in the Philippine civil service. The exam aims to assess an individual’s qualifications and aptitude, rather than their connections or affiliations. This helps ensure that government positions are filled by competent and qualified individuals who can deliver efficient and effective public service. Moreover, the CSE helps promote transparency and accountability in the hiring process, as it provides a level playing field for all applicants.

Passing the CSE is a pre-requisite for many government positions, including administrative, technical, and professional positions. It is an important step towards a career in the Philippine civil service, which offers job security, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and development. In addition, passing the CSE also opens up opportunities for Filipinos who want to work in government agencies abroad, as the exam is recognized by many foreign employers and immigration authorities.

Schedule of CSE-PPT in 2025

Calender of Civil Service Exams

Modes of Taking the Career Service Exam 

There are two options for taking the CSE:

• Pen and Paper Test (PPT) is the traditional way of taking the test, in which you have to shade circles using a black ballpoint pen. This test costs ₱500, and the results come out 60 days after the exam.
• Computerized Examination (COMEX) lets you take the exam on a computer at your registered CSC testing center. While this option is on the pricier side compared to the PPT (requiring a ₱680 fee), the exam results can be expected a week after taking the examination.

What are the Qualifications?

Who are allowed to apply?

• Filipino Citizen, at least 18 years old, and of good moral character.
• Has no criminal record, or has not been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude.
• Has not been dishonorably discharged from military service, or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government.
• Has not taken the same level of career service examination within three (3) months from the last examination taken.

Important Note:

• You can apply regardless of your educational attainment as long as you meet the qualifications above.

What are the Requirements?

1. Application Form

• A duly-accomplished application form (CS Form No. 100, Revised 2023).
• The Signature and the Right Thumb mark as per CSC shall be left blank as this will be accomplished in the presence of CSC representative/ processor.

2. ID Pictures

• Four (4) pieces of ID photos printed on high-quality photo paper
• Passport size, colored with a white background
• With a handwritten name tag showing the signature over the printed full name format.
• Simply tell the photo studio that the shot is for a Civil Service application, and they will already know the standards.

Specifications are as follows:

• Passport size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm or 1.8 inches x 1.4 inches)
• Colored, with white background
• Taken within three (3) months prior to filing of application
• Printed on good quality photo paper
• In 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 positioned at approximately 1 inch or 2.54 cm below the chin)
• In bare face (with no eyeglasses, colored contact lens, or any accessories that may cover the facial features; facial features not computer enhanced)
• Showing left and right ears
• Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
• With neutral facial expression, and both eyes open
• With HANDWRITTEN (not computer-generated) name tag legibly showing SIGNATURE OVER PRINTED FULL NAME in the format: First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, and Extension Name, if any

3. Valid ID

• With a clear picture
• Date of Birth and Signature
• Original and Photocopy of the following documents
• Driver’s license, PRC License ID, SSS ID, GSIS ID, Voter’s ID, BIR ID, Philhealth ID, Postal ID, Current company ID, Current School ID, Police Clearance, Barangay ID.

List of Accepted Valid IDs:

• Driver’s License/Temporary Driver’s License (LTO O.R. must be presented together with old Driver’s License; O.R. alone is not allowed)/Student Driver’s Permit (card type with photo);
• Passport;
• PRC License;
• SSS I.D.;
• GSIS I.D. (UMID);
• Voter’s I.D./Voter’s Certification;
• BIR/Taxpayer’s I.D. (ATM type/TIN card type with picture);
• PhilHealth I.D. (must have the bearer’s name, clear picture, signature and PhilHealth number);
• Company/Office I.D.;
• School I.D.;
• Police Clearance/Police Clearance Certificate (with picture);
• Postal I.D.;
• Barangay I.D.;
• NBI Clearance;
• Seaman’s Book;
• HDMF Transaction I.D.;
• PWD I.D.;
• Solo Parent I.D.;
• Senior Citizen’s I.D.;
• Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-CARD); and
• CSC Eligibility Card (note: Implemented only beginning with the May 3, 2015 CSE-PPT).

Important Note:

• Photocopy only of I.D. card, or cellphone photo of I.D., shall not be accepted.
• All other I.D. cards not included in the above list shall not be accepted.
• As a last resort, expired I.D. card may be presented/submitted during filing of examination application, provided that, the expiry date of the I.D. card is within the preceding months of the year reckoning the date of filing of application.

4. NSO/PSA Birth Certificate

• If the applicant’s ID does not include his or her birth date, he or she must bring an authenticated birth certificate.

5. Examination Fee:

• ₱500.00 examination fee shall be paid during the filing of application at any CSC Regional or Field Offices nationwide.

Step-by-step Application Procedure

Due to a huge number of applicants every year, the Civil Service Commission and its regional and field offices nationwide may have different application procedures, depending on the office concerned. Some CSC Regional and Field Offices may accept WALK-IN APPLICANTS while other offices only accept ONLINE APPLICATIONS. Kindly check the step-by-step application procedures below: 

A. Online Application via OCSEAS

• A complete directory of CSC Regional and Field Offices nationwide is available at the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph for reference.
• Only applications with a COMPLETE set of application documentary requirements must be submitted to the CSC Regional/Field Office.
• Proper attire should be worn during filing of application. SLEEVELESS SHIRT/BLOUSE, SHORTS/SHORT PANTS, and SLIPPERS are NOT allowed.

We advise all applicants to bookmark and follow your respective regions/provinces’ official CSC Facebook Pages to be updated about the latest exam announcements

CSC Official Directory

• If you have concerns and you need help from the Civil Service Commission (CSC), you can now access their office address, contact number and email address through this link: CSC Official Directory

Examination Coverage

The following topics were covered in the March 2023 CSE-PPT for both Professional and Subprofessional levels:

1. Professional Level – In English and Filipino

• Numerical Ability (Basic Operations; Word Problems)
• Analytical Ability (Word Association – identifying assumptions and conclusions; Logic; Data Interpretation)
• Verbal Ability (Grammar and Correct Usage; Vocabulary; Paragraph Organization; Reading Comprehension)

2. Subprofessional Level – In English and Filipino

• Numerical Ability (Basic Operations; Word Problems)
• Clerical Ability (Filing; Spelling)
• Verbal Ability (Grammar and Correct Usage; Vocabulary; Paragraph Organization; Reading Comprehension)

The general information items on the following: Philippine Constitution; Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713); Peace and Human Rights Issues and Concepts; and Environment Management and Protection are also included for both professional and sub-professional exams. (Source: Civil Service Commission)

Number of Items

• For Professional level, 170 items in a 3 hours and 10 minutes time will be given
• For Sub-Professional level, 165 items in a 2 hours and 40 minutes time

The applicant is advised by the Commission to come at the examination center one hour before the test proper.

Passing Score

To pass the examination, the examinee must get an overall score of 80.00%.

Exam Statistics & Passing Rate

Here is the summary of Civil Service Exam Results (Professional & Subprofessional Levels) in previous years:

Testing Centers

Release of Results

The August 2025 Career Service Exam – Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) results are expected to be released by the Civil Service Commission on May 10, 2024. The scheduled date of announcement is just a target date and may change without further notice.

The List of Passers shall be posted on the CSC website, www.csc.gov.ph, on the target date with no specific time. CSC encourages examinees to directly coordinate with the CSC Regional Office for other concerns like verification of examinee number and further examination result-related matters.

Verification of Rating (OCSERGS)

Examinees can generate their individual examination rating through the OCSERGS or the Online Civil Service Examination Result Generation System, which can also be accessed through the CSC Website around 15 days after the exam, or as indicated in the corresponding issuance/advisory. 

Examinees (both passed and failed) can generate their individual examination rating through https://erpo.csc.gov.ph/ocsergs/. Those who pass the tests should check with the CSC Regional Office to see if Certification of Eligibility is available (CoE). The CoE cannot be claimed by representatives. Certification claims will be accessible approximately thirty (30) days after the results are posted.

Civil Service Eligibility

The Career Service Exam – Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) is for applicants who aren’t eligible yet and want to apply for permanent position or a promotion. The eligibility exam will give opportunities to employees under job order and contract of service.

As per CSC, The professional eligibility is needed for appointment to second level (technical) positions in the government, requiring at least a bachelor’s degree for education. The Subprofessional eligibility is applicable to first level (clerical) government positions that require less than four years of college studies. The Professional eligibility may also be used for clerical positions. Both eligibilities, though, cannot be used for positions involving practice of profession and those covered by special laws.

CSC’s regular conduct of the Career Service Exam, Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT), both for Prof and Subprof levels are scheduled twice a year to cater the growing number of examinees.

The CSE-PPT examination aims to establish a Register of Eligibles (RoE) from which certification and appointment to first and second-level positions in the civil service, except those involving the practice of the profession and are covered by special laws, shall be made, provided the eligibles meet the qualifications and other requirements of the positions.

Exam Updates

To be updated on the official results and other updates regarding the August 2025 Career Service Exam – Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT), we advise our visitors to bookmark this page, visit CSC’s official website, follow us on our social media pages:

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