Who can take the civil service exam?

According to the Civil Service Commission, interested applicants

must meet the following requirements before being allowed to take the exam:
a.) Filipino citizen
b.) At least 18 years old (on the date of filing of the application)
c.) With good moral character

He/she has not been convicted by final judgment of crimes related to drug addiction, drunkenness,
dishonesty, moral turpitude, and/or examination irregularity.
Applicants with pending criminal or administrative cases may still take the exam can be conferred civil
service eligibility if passed.
However, once proven guilty, the eligibility can be forfeited as part of the penalties indicated in the
decision of existing Civil Service Law.

d.) If the applicant previously worked in the government, he/she has not been dishonorably discharged
or dismissed from military service or civilian position.
e.) Has not taken the civil service exam, whether through the pencil and paper test or computerized
examination, within the last three months before the examination date.
f.) Filipinos with dual citizenship may also apply and take the civil service exam if they present and
submit a copy of the Certification of Retention/Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship from the Bureau
of Immigration.

The Civil Service Commission strictly complies with its rules. If in case the application has already been
processed and grounds for disqualification is discovered later on, the applicant will be prohibited from
taking the exam and the fees paid shall be forfeited.

Who is exempted from the civil service exam? Although passing the civil service exam is required before
one can work in the government, it’s not the only pathway to get civil service eligibility. In fact, there are
individuals who can acquire the same eligibility without taking the civil service exam. Under special laws,
the Civil Service Commission grants 11 different eligibility categories³ to qualified individuals,
automatically exempting them from taking the exam. They are the following:

a.) College graduates who passed the bar and licensure board examinations administered by the
Supreme Court and the Professional Regulation Commission, respectively.
b.) Barangay health workers with college degrees (completed at least 2 years of college education),
accredited by the Local Health Board, and have voluntarily rendered service to the community for at
least 5 years.
c.) Barangay nutrition scholars or volunteer workers who have rendered at least 2 years of continuous
nutrition services and other related activities like family planning, mental feeding, backyard food
production, sanitation, and community health.
d.) Barangay officials who have completed their terms of office. These include elected officials such as
the Barangay Captain, Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman, Sangguniang Barangay regular members as well
as the Barangay Treasurers and Secretaries appointed by the Barangay Captain.
e.) Individuals who have passed the training courses or proficiency tests on Systems Analysis and Design
and/or Computer Programming courses (Visual Basic, Java, or MS Access) conducted by the Information
and Communications Technology Office (ICTO).
f.) Those who graduated with Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude) from a
reputable foreign school verified by the DFA.
g.) Those who graduated with Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude) from a
reputable private educational institution or state/local college or university in the Philippines.
h.) Those who served as vice mayor and vice governor as well as regular Sanggunian Members of the
Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The level of government
position you’ll be eligible to depend on the number of years you served as a Sanggunian Member and
the number of units you completed to earn a bachelor’s degree.
i.) Science and Technology Specialists who earned a bachelor’s degree in any of these fields of
specialization and who furthered their intellectual pursuits either by earning a master’s/doctorate
degree or by getting at least 3 years of continuous research/teaching experience.
j.) Skilled workers who completed at least 1 year of very satisfactory work performance and whose
qualifications aren’t measurable by written tests. These include laboratory technicians, plumbers,
draftsmen, carpenters, shrine curators, plant electricians, automotive mechanics, and heavy equipment
operators.

Take note, however, that skills eligibilities aren’t similar or equivalent to either subprofessional or
professional career service eligibilities.

Apart from the above-mentioned individuals, it’s also worth noting that veterans are also entitled to
receive a unique “career service” advantage.

Who are exempted from the civil service exam?

Under the Veteran Preference Rating Eligibility (VPRE), veterans, their spouses, and any one of their
children can receive 10 points to be added to their failed exam rating which should not be lower than
70.

Thus, the VPRE can help veterans (or their dependents) obtain civil service eligibility despite failing in
any one of these examinations:

Fire Officer
Penology Officer
Career Service Professional
Career Service Subprofessional

What are the civil service exam schedules?

For the Paper and Pencil test (CSC-PPT), the Civil Service Commission conducts examinations twice a
year, usually in March and August. The Civil Service Commission Regional and Field Offices start
accepting and processing applications a few months before the examination. For example, applications
for the March exam are accepted from November of the previous year up to the last day of January.
Meanwhile, those who prefer to take the August civil service exam must file their applications any time
between May and June. In both schedules, there’s a limit to how many applicants can take the exam. In
other words, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, proving the importance of
filing your applications early.

Take note that these schedules may change without prior notice. To be aware of the latest civil service
exam schedules, you can follow CSC either through its website or official Facebook page. The
computerized examination (CSC-COMEX), on the other hand, is administered by CSC through its Central
Office or any of its several Regional Offices. In its Central Office, the COMEX-professional level exam is
conducted several days throughout the months of February, April, May, and June. The schedule of the
sub-professional exam is only limited to two days.

The CSC Regional Offices use almost the same schedules for the professional-level exam. The Sub-
professional exam, in contrast, is only scheduled for one day. Again, these schedules are subject to
changes. To view the latest COMEX schedules and reserve a slot to your preferred exam date, please
visit the official CSC-COMEX “Examination Schedule” page.

What are the civil service exam requirements?

Interested individuals are expected to prepare the following requirements before applying for the civil
service exam:

a. Fully accomplished civil service exam application form or the latest version of the CS Form No. 100
(September 2016). Reminder: Leave the spaces for “Signature over Printed Name of Applicant” and
“Right Thumbmark” blank. You can only accomplish them in the presence of a CSC processor.
b. Four (4) pieces of identical ID pictures with the following specifications:

 Passport size (1.8 inches x 1.4 inches or 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm).

 Colored.
 In a white background.
 Taken within three months before the filing of the application.
 Printed on high-quality photo paper.
 Close-up shot with head and face occupying 80% of the picture and with the name tag placed
approximately 1 inch below the chin.
 civil service exam id picture sample for application
 Name tag must be handwritten and legibly showing the applicant’s signature over the printed
full name following this format: First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, and Extension Name (if
any).
 Facial features should not be computer enhanced.
 Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other accessories that may cover facial features aren’t allowed.
 Left and right ears must be visible.
 Full-face view with the applicant directly facing the camera.
 Both eyes should be open.
 Neutral facial expression.

c. Original and photocopy of any valid (not expired) I.D. card. It should show the applicant’s complete
name, date of birth, clear picture, signature, as well as the signature of the issuing agency ’s head or
representative.

Here’s a list of acceptable I.D. cards:

Driver’s license.
BIR I.D. (either the ATM type or the TIN card with picture).
Philippine Passport.
PRC License.
SSS I.D./GSIS I.D./UMID.
Voter’s I.D.
Philhealth I.D.
Police Clearance or Police Clearance Certificate.
NBI Clearance.
Postal I.D.
Current Company I.D. (for employees) or school I.D. (for students).
Barangay I.D.
Any other I.D. card not included in the above list shall not be accepted.

d. If you don’t have a valid I.D. that shows your date of birth, you are also required to present an
original and photocopy of your Birth Certificate printed on Security Paper (SecPa) and issued either by
the Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly NSO) or the Local Civil Registry (LCR). READ: How to Get
Birth Certificate in the Philippines.
e. For those with dual citizenship (under R.A. 9225), you are required to prove your eligibility to take the
exam by showing the original and photocopy of your Certification of Retention/Reacquisition of
Philippine Citizenship issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
f. Examination fee: Php 500 (Paper and Pencil Test); Php 680 (Computerized Examination).
g. For applicants taking the Computerized Exam or COMEX, the copy of the appointment letter sent to
your email.

How can I apply for the civil service exam?

A. Paper and pencil test (CSC-PPT) or ballpen-based exam.
Step 1: Download the application form or CS Form No. 100. Fill in all the requested information except
your signature and thumbprint.
Step 2: Go to the nearest CSC Regional Office (CSCRO) or any of the CSCRO’s Field Offices and personally
submit your application.
Wear proper attire on the day of your application. Sleeveless shirt/blouse, slippers, and short pants
aren’t allowed. Again, each office has a quota for the number of examinees that they can accept. They
receive and process applications on a first-come-first-served basis. Since applications are received as
early as 4 months before the examination date, it will be of great advantage if you submit yours during
this time so you can have a longer preparation period.
Step 3: Affix your signature and thumbprint on the application form in the presence of a CSC processor
or Action Officer.
Step 4: Submit the application form for review. If you’re qualified to take the civil service exam, the
application form will be returned to you so you can proceed to the cashier to pay the examination fee
(Php 500). Otherwise, you will be informed of the reason why you’re disqualified to take the test.
Step 5: Return to the Action Officer with the official receipt and your processed application form. You
will then receive the examination receipt slip and important examination reminders.

B. Computerized Examination (COMEX).

Step 1: Access the CSC-COMEX website and click the “Sign Up Now!” button to create your own
account. civil service exam computerized examination or COMEX website
Note: Due to the website’s lack of SSL certificate (i.e., the “https” before the site URL), some users may
encounter a privacy error page after clicking the sign-up button (see screenshot below).
To access the next page, click “Advanced” and then “Proceed to www.comex.csc.gov.ph (unsafe).”
privacy error page when accessing COMEX website
Create a username and password and fill in all the requested information on the succeeding pages.
These include your personal, educational, employment, eligibility, and other information.
Note: When asked about your address, provide the full spelling instead of the abbreviation of the word
“Barangay.” The abbreviated “Brgy.” will prompt an error message warning you not to use special
characters.
Step 2: Read the “Terms and Conditions” and check the box below it once you’re done. You may also
mark the subsequent box if you want to receive email updates regarding the examination schedules and
newsletters. Type in the captcha code to the designated box. Click the “Submit” button to complete the
registration. COMEX account registration terms and conditions
Step 3: Click the verification link sent to your email to activate your COMEX account. COMEX verification
link
Step 4: Login to your account with your username and password. COMEX login
Step 5: On the next page, click the “Reserve a Slot Now!” button to view the examination schedules.
COMEX reserve a slot
Step 6: Select your preferred testing center and examination date. You can also use the search filter
above the page to limit the results to the specific examination date, testing center, examination type,
and all available slots.
Step 7: If your desired examination venue and schedule are available, click “Reserve a slot” or “View
Details” to get more info about the selected item. COMEX examination schedules
Step 8: Print the “slot reservation” confirmation sent to your email. Bring this on the day of the
examination.

How can I take the civil service exam?

A. Paper and pencil test (CSC-PPT) or ballpen-based exam.
Step 1: Find out where you’ve been assigned to take the exam.
CSC usually administers the civil service exam either in its various offices or in public elementary and
high schools throughout the country.
To know your exam venue, access the Online Notice of School Assignment (ONSA).

Fill in all the requested information in the corresponding fields. Once your Notice of School Assignment
is displayed, print it out (no need to download) and bring it on the day of your examination.

If you experience an error, make sure that you’ve entered all the requested data in the right format.

For instance, a common mistake made by applicants is typing their full middle names instead of just
their middle initials in the third box.

Alternatively, wait for a text message from CSC informing you about the exam venue.

If you can’t access the ONSA or if you fail to receive SMS a week before your scheduled exam, call the
CSC Regional or Field Office where you filed your application (see CSC Office Directory for a complete list
of their contact details).

Step 2: Visit your examination venue a day or two before the exam.

Familiarize yourself with the location and estimated travel time. This will help you make necessary
adjustments that ensure you’ll get there on time.
Step 3: Wake up early and go to the test venue on the day of the exam.

The gates of the venue are usually open from 6 A.M. to 7:30 A.M. Those who will arrive later than 7:30
A.M. won’t be allowed to enter the venue and take the exam.

Follow the dress code. Individuals who wear short pants, sleeveless shirt/blouse and slippers may be
denied entry to the venue.

What to bring:

a. Application Receipt with CSC Official Receipt (if available).

b. A printed copy of your Notice of School Assignment. Note that this is only applicable if you’re able to
access and print the notice via ONSA. Otherwise, you can still take the exam without it as long as you
provide all the other requirements listed here.

c. Black ballpen/s.

d. Water or your preferred beverage (except alcohol) placed in a clear bottle or container. You can also
bring something to eat like biscuits or candies. Every food item you’ll bring shall be subject to inspection
by the proctor or room examiner.

e. Original and photocopy of your I.D. card, ideally the same one you presented during the filing of your
application. If you provide the same I.D. card, it will be accepted regardless if it has already expired or
not.

If you lost or forgot the I.D. card you originally presented, you can choose from the list of I.D. cards
below, but this time only valid and not expired cards can be accepted:

Passport.
Voter’s I.D.
GSIS I.D. (UMID).
Driver’s License.
PRC License.
SSS I.D.
BIR I.D. (ATM type or TIN card type with picture).
NBI Clearance.
Police Clearance or Police Certificate.
Postal I.D.
Barangay I.D.
Company or Office I.D.
Student I.D. (validated for current school year/semester/trimester).
Philhealth I.D. (showing your Philhealth number, clear picture, full name, and signature).
Never forget your I.D. card because CSC strictly follows its NO I.D., NO EXAMINATION policy.
f. As with before, if none of your I.D. cards show your date of birth, you also need to bring an original
copy of your Birth Certificate printed on Security Paper and issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority
(formerly NSO).

What NOT to bring inside the testing room:

Printed materials and gadgets that may aid in answering the exam. These include mobile phones,
calculators, books, dictionaries, smartwatches, and tablets, just to name a few.

All of these things must be kept in your bag which shall then be surrendered to the room examiner
before the start of the exam. You may retrieve them later on upon leaving the room.

Step 4: Answer the exam.

You’ll be given three documents to accomplish:

Picture-seat plan.
Examinee attendance.
Answer sheet.
Instructions on accomplishing these forms will be provided by your room examiner or proctor.

The answer sheet is for the exam itself.

Only use black ballpen in shading the circles that correspond to your answers.

Avoid using sign pen, fountain pen, friction pen, or pens with colors other than black.

Shade the circles neatly and completely. You’re allowed to change the answer only once for every test
item. When changing answer, simply put an “X” mark over the initial answer and shade the new and
final answer.

Don’t use pen eraser, correction tape, correction pen, or correction fluid.

how to properly shade your answers in civil service exam

Avoid making stray or unnecessary marks on the test papers.

Finally, don’t stand to submit your test papers when you’re done. The proctor or room examiner will
simultaneously collect all the answer sheets and test booklets from all examinees after the allotted time.

Once done, the proctor will then inform you when it’s time to leave the room.

B. Computerized Examination (COMEX).

Step 1: Show up at the testing venue on the date and time of your examination. Get a queue number
from the guard on duty.

Step 2: Submit the required documents to the processing area for verification. Present original and
photocopy of any valid IDs accepted by CSC:

Passport.
Voter’s I.D.
GSIS I.D. (UMID).
Driver’s License.
PRC License.
SSS I.D.
BIR I.D. (ATM type or TIN card type with picture).
NBI Clearance.
Police Clearance or Police Certificate.
Postal I.D.
Barangay I.D.
Company or Office I.D.
Student I.D. (validated for current school year/semester/trimester).
Philhealth I.D. (showing your Philhealth number, clear picture, full name, and signature).
As with the paper-and-pencil test, COMEX examinees who don’t have I.D. cards that show their date of
birth are also required to bring original and photocopy of Birth Certificate issued either by the Local Civil
Registry or the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Step 3: Proceed to the cashier to pay the exam fee. As of this writing, COMEX costs Php 680.

Step 4: Present the official receipt to the CSC processor or action officer.

Step 5: Get your CSID and proceed to the waiting room.

Step 6: After listening to the orientation/briefing by the proctor/room examiner, sign the picture-seat
plan and the examinee attendance sheet.

Step 7: Take the exam.

anti cheating law civil service exam philippines

On average, the official List of Passers is uploaded/posted on the CSC website within 41 days after the
examination.

The Examination Rating, on the other hand, won’t be available until approximately 15 days after the List
of Passers is released.

You can get your Examination Rating using the Online Civil Service Examination Result Generation
System (OCSERGS) which can also be accessed through the CSC website.

As proof that you have really passed the exam, a Certification of Eligibility will be given to you
approximately 30 days after the release of the official List of Passers on the CSC website.

To claim your Certification of Eligibility, go to your respective CSC Regional Office and present the
following:

a. Application receipt (if available).

b. At least one valid I.D., preferably the same identification card you presented during the filing of your
application regardless if it has already expired or not. Otherwise, you can just show any valid I.D.
provided that it’s valid or not yet expired.

The valid ID must have your name, clear picture, date of birth, your signature, and signature of issuing
agency’s current head or representative. Only the following valid IDs are acceptable:

Driver’s License.
GSIS ID.
Philhealth ID.
Company or School ID.
Postal ID.
BIR ID.
Barangay ID.
Police Clearance.
Voter’s ID.
Passport.
Personal appearance is required as CSC won’t allow representatives to claim your Certification of
Eligibility. You may also call your CSC Regional Office for other specific requirements that aren’t included
above.

On the other hand, those who have failed the civil service exam can get a copy of their Report of Rating
through the CSC website. Before you can obtain it, you will be required to enter the following
information:

Name.
Date of Birth.
Examinee Number.
Examination Type.
Examination Date.
B. Computerized Examination (COMEX).
The advantage of taking the computerized civil service exam is you’ll be able to get the test result
relatively quicker.

Just like in the traditional paper-and-pencil test, the results of the COMEX will also be posted on the CSC
website. This time, the official List of Passers is released only one week after the exam.

Passers will be issued Certification of Eligibility while those who have failed may request for their Report
of Rating through the CSC website.

What happens next after passing the civil service exam?

Filipinos pass the civil service exam to vie for permanent government positions, plain and simple.

If somehow you’ve changed your mind and applied for jobs in the private sector, the hiring managers
may or may not find your civil service eligibility irrelevant. Even if you got a high score, they will probably
put more weight on your educational achievements.

Besides, the civil service exam only gauges your basic skills and knowledge. If private companies want to
measure your aptitude, they have their own exams that can easily do the same.

Perhaps the only people who will find their civil service eligibility useful are those applying for higher
positions in the private sector. Even then, they’ve probably already taken the CESO (Career Executive
Service Officer) which is a notch higher than the basic professional civil service exam.

A CESO certification is proof of your managerial skills and knowledge which you can easily apply to your
new position.

Passing the civil service exam doesn’t give you an easy ticket to a government job either.

After all, thousands who pass the exam every year have to compete with each other for limited spots in
the government.

A good rating doesn’t guarantee you’ll be hired on the spot nor does it give HR any clue about your
managerial/leadership skills, work ethics, and personality.

Worse, most of the permanent positions–also known as plantilla positions–are often occupied by
employees who are enjoying the security of tenure. Unless these people retire, resign, or are dismissed
from their positions, then there will be no vacant spots to fill in the first place.

Nonetheless, acing the civil service exam is a good starting point.

It offers you an entry-level qualification.

Now it’s up to you how you’re going to use it.

Good luck!