How to Apply for Civil Service Exam COMEX or Paper and Pen Test (PPT)

For those who wants to apply to any government agencies, owned and controlled corporations like Pag-Ibig, BIR, Philhealth, GSIS, Duty Free Philippines, BSP, MWSS, NFA, SSS, etc, you need to take and pass the examination administered by the Civil Service Commission.

This is an updated guide on how to apply for Civil Service Exam or Career Service Examination, updated this April 6, 2018.

Some lucky test takers pass the exam after one try, but there are others who failed. But if you failed the first time you took the test, don’t despair because you can still apply as many times as you want until you pass, provided that your application for the same level (Prof or Sub-Prof) will at least be 3 months apart.

There are two categories for CSE:

• Career Service Professional examinations
• Career Service Sub-professional examinations

For those who wants to enter the Philippine government as officer or for any technical positions, you should take the CSE Professional level examination. More details about this on this dedicated post on CSE-Professional Level Exam.

CSC CSE QUALIFICATION

If you want to apply to a rank and file position or clerical positions or non-technical positions in the government, you should take and pass the Career Service Sub-professional examinations, these are the Qualifications:

• You must be a Filipino citizen
• Of legal age, at least 18 years’ old
• With good moral character
• Have no criminal record or have not been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude;
• Have not been dishonorably discharged from military service or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government; and
• You must not have taken the same level of career service examination within the last three (3) months or 90 days.
• College degree / level: Not required.

Required Documents for those who wants to take the CSE

• Fully accomplished Application Form (CS Form No. 100 (Revised September 2016).
• (For PPT only) Four (4) copies of identical Philippine Passport size I.D. pictures, colored, with white background, taken at least within three (3) months prior to filing of application . In your picture, you must carry a name tag (white background)  with your name hand written, with your signature on top of your name.
• Original and photocopy of any valid ID containing applicant’s clear picture, date of birth, signature, and signature of the authorized head of the issuing agency.

These are the list of valid and acceptable IDs for Civil Service Exam – Passport, Driver’s License, Postal ID, UMID, SSS ID, Barangay ID, Voter’s ID, Police Clearance, Police Clearance Certificate, BIR I.D. (ATM type/TIN card type with picture), NBI Clearance , Current Company/Office I.D., Current School I.D. (validated for the current school year/semester/trimester).

*If your ID has all the information except it does not indicate your date of birth, you need to submit a PSA-issued Birth Certificate or Birth Certificate authenticated/issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR), as a supporting document.

IMPORTANT:
a. ID card is a MUST. The “NO ID, NO APPLICATION PROCESSING” and “NO ID, NO EXAMINATION” rules are strictly implemented.
b. Any other ID card not included in the above list shall NOT be accepted.
c. ID card/s without date of birth shall NOT be accepted.
d. Photocopy only of ID card shall NOT be accepted.

For those taking the test via COMEX or Computerized Examination (formerly called the CSE-CAT or the Computer Assisted Test), you need to present a copy of the Appointment Letter you will receive through your email address. Download and Print the appointment letter, don’t forget to bring this when you go to the exam venue.

So don’t waste your time, apply for the Civil Service Examination.

Check here for the schedule of CSE Exams for 2018.

EXAM TYPES: PPT or COMEX

You have two options on how to take the Civil Service Exam

• Paper and Pencil Test (PPT)
• COMEX (old name is Computer Assisted Test (CAT))

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION FEES:

• Paper and Pencil Test (CSE-PPT) – P500
• Comex – P680

The Sub-professional exam last 2 and a half hours.

When to file for application?

There is a cut-off to the number of applicants that CSC will process for a given schedule for both PPT and COMEX.

It’s on a first come, first acceptance basis. So if you really want to take the next Civil Service Exam, apply as early as you can. Because once the maximum number of applicants are reach for a particular testing center or schedule, the Civil Service Commission will stop accepting applicants. Those who don’t make the cut-ff will be advise to take the Civil Service Exam on another date.

Also, for PPT test takers, please be aware that you must apply at least 45 DAYS BEFORE your target schedule. 45 days before exam date is the cut-off of acceptance of applicants for PPT.

How to Apply to take Civil Service Exam?

For PPT Takers

• You can get the application from any CSC regional or field office or download this form in the CSC website at csc.gov.ph. Then personally go to a CSCRO or field office to submit your application.

Note: If you are aiming to take the CSE-PPT do not go to the CSC Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City because they do not process CSE-PPT applications there. Go to any regional or field office to secure your Civil Service Examination Application Form for Paper and Pen Test.

• If you fail to come on the scheduled examination date this would mean forfeiture of your examination slot and fee. Test re-scheduling request is allowed.

For the COMEX (CSE-CAT) Takers

Registration for COMEX is on a first-come, first-served basis. Successful registrants will get a confirmation during online application process and then will also get an email with more details.

• You first need to register an account in the COMEX website. Click the Sign-up now button and follow the prompt.
• After successful registration, wait for an email that will give you the following details: type of examination, number of slots, date and time of personal appearance, date and time of examination, and examination venue.

Your next move is selecting your preferred examination (Professional or Sub-prof) and reserving an examination slot schedule. Once you have the confirmation of appointment / personal appearance, don’t forget to PRINT it!

• Lastly, on the day of your personal appearance which is also your exam day – You have to present yourself at the CSC Testing Center for the verification of your identity. Bring the following when you go to the venue:

1. Present at least 1 valid ID with photo, birthdate, your signature. If you do not have an ID with birthdate, bring a copy of your NSO Birth Certificate or a Local Registrar certified true copy of Birth Certificate.
2. Your printed application / appointment confirmation.
3. Payment of examination fee which is P600 for COMEX.
4. Be prepared to have your photo, fingerprints, and digital signature taken at the venue.

• Slot Reservation – You can reserve a slot anytime for COMEX as long as the particular testing schedule and venue is not yet full. But note that there are only twenty (20) slots available in each Regional Testing Center while fifty (50) slots are available in the Central Office per examination schedule. So if you really want to take the computerized exam on a particular schedule, reserve a slot as early as possible.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAM REVIEW TIPS for 2018

If you want to take the Sub-professional Level CSE exam, study the following:

• Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R. A. 6713)
• General information about the Philippine Constitution
• Peace and human rights issues and concepts
• Environment management and protection
• Clerical applications / concepts

PPT list of passers are usually available 45 days after exam date, and will be posted on the website of CSC. You must claim your Certificates of Eligibility personally at the CSC Regional Office/Field Office upon presentation of required documents.

For those who took up via COMEX, exam results are usually released one hour after taking the examination. COMEX passers will also receive their Certificate of Eligibility within the day.

*There are individuals who get CSC – Career Service Exam exemption. Are you one of them?

Whatever you chose, whether it is to take the Civil Service Exam via Paper-Pen Test or via COMEX, make sure that you are well rested and has sleep well the night before so you will feel refresh the day you will take the exam. Also make sure to avoid early at the testing venue so you will not forfeit your slot.

Good luck! May you have great news after taking the Philippines Civil Service Exam.

UPDATE for 2018 Exam Schedules for CSE-PPT.

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