Philippines Civil Service Examination (CSE) - Questions, Tips & Tailored Practice

Last Updated: November 2024

The Philippines Civil Service Examination (CSE) is a crucial step for those looking to pursue a career in government service and passing the CSE is required to apply for permanent government positions. 

Our Philippine Civil Service Exam Prep gives you the tools you need to succeed: 

  • Full-Length Practice Exercises mimicking actual CSE questions
  • 40+ Practice Tests covering Numerical, Verbal, Analytical & Clerical sections
  • Comprehensive Study Guides breaking down exam logic and strategies

Whether you're applying to the Professional or Sub-Professional Philippine Civil Service Exam, we've created a PrepPack tailored for both tests. 

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Philippines CSE Preparation
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Comprehensive CSE Prep 🇵🇭
Numerical | Verbal | Clerical | Analytical

4 Numerical Guides & Tests
2 Verbal Guides & 18 Tests
11 Clerical Practice Tests
1 Analytical Guide & 3 Tests

Shir, Civil Service Assessments Expert at JobTestPrep
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Acropolis What is the Philippines Civil Service Examination (CSE)?

The Philippines Civil Service Examination (CSE), conducted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), is an essential step for anyone aiming to get a permanent position in the government. Passing the CSE qualifies you for public service jobs in government offices across the Philippines, ensuring you can build a stable, long-term career.

There are two primary types of Philippine Civil Service Examinations:

  • Professional Civil Service Exam (CSE-PPT)
    This is for individuals who have completed a four-year college degree and are applying for professional, technical, or managerial positions in government.

  • Sub-Professional Civil Service Exam (CSE-PPT)
    This is for those with a high school diploma or those who have not completed a four-year degree. It is primarily for clerical and first-level positions in government service.

Both exams are critical to securing government employment. Whether you are aiming for higher-level positions or entry-level roles, passing the CSE is the first step toward achieving your career goals.

Maximize Your Chances of Success in the Philippines CSE

The CSE is competitive, and thorough preparation is key to achieving the required passing score of 80%. With our comprehensive CSE prep materials and structured study plan, you'll be equipped to tackle the exam confidently.


Thinking Philippines Civil Service Examination Sample Questions

Verbal Ability

Reading Comprehension — Sample Question

Read the following passage to answer the question below.

Early results suggest that empathy and social functioning improve when a small area at the front of the brain is stimulated. However, concentration and the ability to communicate appear to be boosted when transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used to suppress activity in a different region of the brain.

Suppression by TMS is applied in order to:

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is (C).

According to the passage, the "ability to communicate and concentration appear to be boosted when transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used.” Social functioning (Answer A) and empathy (Answer D) are improved when a different area of the brain is stimulated, and pain (B) is not mentioned at all in the passage.

💡Tip: Try reading the questions before the passage. It can be helpful to know what information to focus on while you are reading.

Synonyms & Antonyms — Sample Question

RULER means the same as:

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is C. Yardstick

A ruler is a straight piece of plastic, wood, or metal that has marks on it to show units of length and ‎that is used to measure things. A Yardstick is also a long, flat tool that is used to measure things. A ‎Meter is a fundamental unit of length in the metric system.‎ 

Numerical Ability

Basic Math - Sample Question

Convert 310/50 to a decimal.

Choose the correct answer:

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

View Explanation

When converting a fraction to a decimal (and vice verse) it is always simpler to use 10, 100, 1000 as a basis for the conversion.

Hence, it is a good idea to rewrite 310/50 using 100 as a denominator:

310/50 = (310x2)/(50x2) = 620/100 = 6.2

Another way to solve this item is by separating the large number into components:

310 = 300 + 10

Hence  310/50 = 300/50 + 10/50

From here we can simplify both fractions:

300/50 = 30/5 = 6.
10/50 = 1/5 = 0.2

310/50 = 6 + 0.2 = 6.2

💡Tip: When solving decimal questions, it's important to understand decimal place values. Each digit in a decimal number has a different value depending on its position. 

Fractions - Sample Question

2/5 + 1/4 = ?

Choose the correct answer:

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

View Explanation

The correct answer is (E) - 13/20


To solve this exercise, first find the smallest common denominator, making the bottom numbers (the denominators) of both fractions, the same. The smallest common denominator is the smallest number that divides by both fractions' denominators. In this case the smallest number that divides by both 5 and 4, is 20.


To turn 2/5 into a fraction whose denominator is 20, multiply both the numerator (2) and the denominator (5), by 4:
(2*4)/(5*4) = 8/20 ;


To turn 1/4 into a fraction whose denominator is 20, multiply both the numerator (1) and the denominator (4), by 5:
(1*5)/(4*5) = 5/20 ;


Now, sum up the fractions:
2/5 + 1/4 = 8/20 + 5/20 = (8+5)/20 = 13/20

 


Pencil Key Features of the Civil Service Examination (CSE)

As previously mentioned, there are two main CSE levels: Professional and Sub-professional. Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand the key differences:

Professional Level (CSE-PPT)

  • Eligibility: For those who have completed a 4-year college degree.
  • Number of Questions: 170 items
  • Time Limit: 3 hours and 10 minutes
  • Exam Topics:
    • Verbal Ability: Vocabulary, grammar, paragraph organization, and reading comprehension.
    • Numerical Ability: Number sequences, basic operations, and word problems.
    • Analytical Ability: Logical reasoning, data interpretation, and identifying assumptions.

Sub-professional Level (CSE-PPT)

  • Eligibility: For those with at least a high school diploma.
  • Number of Questions: 165 items
  • Time Limit: 2 hours and 40 minutes
  • Exam Topics:
    • Verbal Ability: Vocabulary and grammar, similar to the Professional Level.
    • Numerical Ability: Basic math and word problems.
    • Clerical Ability: Filing, spelling, and clerical tasks.

Both exams also include general knowledge on human rights, peace issues, ethics, and the environment, with a passing score of 80% required for both levels.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Filipino citizens
  • At least 18 years old
  • With no criminal record or history of dismissal from government or military service.
  • No record of moral turpitude, dishonest conduct, or substance abuse.

CSE FAQs

A: It depends on your schedule and the time you can commit to studying. We offer plans for 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, allowing you to study at your own pace.


To take the Philippine Civil Service Examination, you must be a Filipino citizen at least 18 years old, have no criminal record, and have not taken the same exam within the last three months. For the professional exam, a college degree is required, while the sub-professional exam is open to high school graduates.


You can apply for the CSE-PPT online or in person at the nearest Civil Service Commission (CSC) Regional Office. Make sure to complete the application and submit the necessary documents on time.


A: No! Anyone who is at least 18 years old and a Filipino citizen can take the exam. College graduates can take the Professional CSE, while non-graduates can take the Sub-Professional CSE.


A: For recent exams, the passing rate is around 17%. This highlights the importance of proper preparation to maximize your chances of success.


JobTestPrep was founded in 1992 and our mission is to help alleviate the uncertainty associated with job searches. Our CSE Prep includes:

  • Comprehensive Content: Our materials cover numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, clerical ability, and analytical ability—all the core subjects you need to master.
  • Practice Tests: With over 40 practice tests and guides, you’ll get the most realistic prep experience available.
  • Tailored Plans: Choose from our flexible study plans to match your schedule—whether you need one week, one month, or three months of preparation.
  • Money-Back Guarantee: If you're not satisfied, we offer a full money-back guarantee. Your success is our priority!