Short answer
Not a single general one. Federal agencies use USAJOBS questionnaires, USA Hire online assessments and job-specific exams.
Federal Civil Service Exams
There’s no general federal civil service exam anymore. Instead:
- USAJOBS applications include occupational questionnaires that rate your experience.
- USA Hire assessments are online tests of reasoning, judgment and work styles used by many agencies.
- Specialized exams exist for some jobs, such as the U.S. Postal Service’s virtual entry assessments and the Foreign Service Officer Test.
USA Civil Service Exam: Quick Facts
- Federal job site
- USAJOBS.gov
- Federal assessments
- USA Hire and agency questionnaires
- Common sections
- Reading, math, grammar, clerical, judgment
- Typical passing score
- Often 70 (varies)
- Ranking
- Eligible list by score
- Veterans
- 5- or 10-point preference (federal)
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Disclaimer: This guide is for general information. Rules, fees and procedures can change. Confirm the current requirements with the official agency listed in the sources. Read our editorial policy.