CSE-PPT · Professional & Subprofessional

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Civil Service Exam coverage: every subject and topic

What the Civil Service Exam (CSE-PPT) actually tests: all five subjects, every official topic, item counts, time limits, sample questions, and how to review each one. Matched to a 1,900+ item practice bank.

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Checked against CSC materials on . Dates on the exam schedule.

Subjects
5
Topics
19
Pass mark
80.00
  • 1,900+ original items
  • Worked explanation on every item
  • Prepaid · no auto-renew
  • Independent — not CSC
  • Built for mobile 4G

Overview

What the Civil Service Exam covers

The Career Service Examination, Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) is given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) at two levels. Passing grants career service eligibility for government jobs: the Professional level for first- and second-level positions, and the Subprofessional level for first-level (clerical) positions.

Both levels share three subjects. Each level then adds one of its own. The topic lists on this page follow CSC's published scope of examination, with an explanation, a sample question, and review tips for every subject.

Professional

150 scored items

Subprofessional

145 scored items

Shared by both levels

Verbal Ability6 topics · English and FilipinoNumerical Ability3 topics · EnglishGeneral Information4 topics · English

Subprofessional only

Clerical Ability2 topics

Exam format

Items, time limit, and passing rate

Item counts and time limits come from CSC examinee materials; the passing rating is from Examination Announcement No. 06, s. 2026. Budget roughly a minute per item — and a little more on Professional.

Professional

Career Service Professional — second level

Scored items
150
Total with EDQ
170
Time limit
3h 10m
Avg. per item
~76s

Includes 20 unscored EDQ items. Level-specific subject: Analytical Ability.

Subprofessional

Career Service Subprofessional — first level

Scored items
145
Total with EDQ
165
Time limit
2h 40m
Avg. per item
~66s

Includes 20 unscored EDQ items. Level-specific subject: Clerical Ability.

  • 80.00 to pass

    General rating needed per Announcement No. 06, s. 2026. CSC does not publish the raw-score conversion.

  • Multiple choice on paper

    Every item is answered on an answer sheet. Practice shading cleanly and pacing yourself.

  • No calculators

    Calculators, phones, and smart watches are prohibited at your seat. Train arithmetic by hand.

More detail: passing score guide · exam-day guide

By level

Professional vs Subprofessional coverage

Choose the level that matches the eligibility your target positions require — not the one that looks shorter. A Subprofessional eligibility does not substitute where a Professional one is required. See Professional vs Subprofessional for a full comparison.

*Item counts per subject are CSEPass editorial estimates used to build our full-length mocks. CSC does not publish an official per-subject split.

Subject by subject

Detailed coverage of each subject

Official topics, what each one tests, an original sample question, and how to review it. Every topic links to a free reviewer guide.

Subject 01 of 05

Verbal Ability

Verbal Ability is the widest subtest on both levels. It checks whether you can understand, build, and fix written sentences and passages — the everyday work of reading memos, drafting letters, and following instructions in government service.

Quick facts

Levels
Professional & Subprofessional
Language
English and Filipino
Official topics
6
Our mock items*
45 (Pro) · 45 (Sub)

Measures: Vocabulary in context, grammar and usage, sentence logic, paragraph flow, and reading comprehension — in both English and Filipino.

Verbal Ability topics

Sample Verbal Ability question

Original item

Which part of this sentence contains an error? “Each of the employees are required to attend the orientation seminar.”

  1. A. Each of the employees
  2. B. are required
  3. C. to attend
  4. D. the orientation seminar
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. are required The subject is “each,” which is singular, so the verb must be “is required.” The prepositional phrase “of the employees” does not change the subject.

How to review it

  • Read the whole sentence before you look at the choices — most errors only show up in context.
  • For word meaning, plug each choice back into the sentence; the right one keeps the tone and logic intact.
  • In paragraph organization, find the opening sentence first (it introduces a topic without pronouns like “this” or “they”).
  • For reading comprehension, read the question stem before the passage so you know what to look for.

Common mistakes

  • Agreeing the verb with the nearest noun instead of the real subject.
  • Picking the “fancier” word when a plain one fits the sentence better.
  • Choosing answers with extreme words (always, never, only) in reading items.
Practice Verbal Ability · ProfessionalPractice Verbal Ability · Subprofessional

Subject 02 of 05

Numerical Ability

Numerical Ability tests practical arithmetic and problem solving without a calculator. CSC prohibits calculators of any kind at the examinee's seat, so speed with fractions, decimals, and percent matters as much as knowing the formulas.

Quick facts

Levels
Professional & Subprofessional
Language
English
Official topics
3
Our mock items*
30 (Pro) · 30 (Sub)

Measures: Fluency with the four operations, number patterns, and turning a word problem into an equation you can solve by hand.

Numerical Ability topics

Sample Numerical Ability question

Original item

What is the next number in the series 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, __ ?

  1. A. 36
  2. B. 40
  3. C. 42
  4. D. 48
Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. 42 The differences grow by 2 each time: +4, +6, +8, +10, so the next difference is +12. 30 + 12 = 42.

How to review it

  • Memorize common fraction–decimal–percent pairs (1/8 = 0.125 = 12.5%) to skip long division.
  • For sequences, check the differences first, then ratios, then alternating terms.
  • In word problems, write the unknown as a variable before you compute anything.
  • Estimate first — on a multiple-choice item, a rough answer often eliminates two options.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing percent change with percentage points.
  • Adding work rates incorrectly (add the fractions of the job per hour, not the hours).
  • Copying a correct answer to the wrong oval on the answer sheet.
Practice Numerical Ability · ProfessionalPractice Numerical Ability · Subprofessional

Subject 03 of 05

Analytical Ability

Analytical Ability appears only on the Professional level. It checks how you reason from relationships, rules, statements, and data — the skill behind policy analysis, audits, and technical work in second-level positions.

Quick facts

Levels
Professional
Language
English
Official topics
4
Our mock items*
45 (Pro)

Measures: Logical relationships between words, deductive reasoning, separating what a statement assumes from what it proves, and reading tables and graphs.

Analytical Ability topics

Sample Analytical Ability question

Original item

All clerks are employees. Some employees are licensed engineers. Which conclusion must be true?

  1. A. Some clerks are licensed engineers.
  2. B. No clerk is a licensed engineer.
  3. C. All licensed engineers are employees.
  4. D. None of the above necessarily follows.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. None of the above necessarily follows. The licensed employees may or may not include any clerks, and nothing says every engineer is an employee. None of the first three conclusions is guaranteed.

How to review it

  • State the analogy relationship as a sentence (“A scalpel is the tool of a surgeon”) before checking choices.
  • Draw quick circles for syllogisms — “some” means overlap is possible, not certain.
  • For conclusions, accept only what the statement proves; outside knowledge does not count.
  • With graphs, read the axis labels and units before computing anything.

Common mistakes

  • Reversing the order of an analogy pair (worker : tool vs tool : worker).
  • Treating “some A are B” as “some B are not A.”
  • Calculating percent change from the new value instead of the original.
Practice Analytical Ability · Professional

Subject 04 of 05

General Information

General Information covers the laws and civic values every government worker is expected to know. Unlike the skills subtests, it rewards plain recall of facts — so a steady review schedule beats last-minute cramming.

Quick facts

Levels
Professional & Subprofessional
Language
English
Official topics
4
Our mock items*
30 (Pro) · 30 (Sub)

Measures: Working knowledge of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the ethics law for public servants, peace and human rights concepts, and environmental laws.

General Information topics

Sample General Information question

Original item

Under R.A. 6713, within how many working days must public officials and employees act on letters and requests from the public?

  1. A. 5
  2. B. 10
  3. C. 15
  4. D. 30
Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. 15 Section 5(a) of R.A. 6713 requires action within fifteen (15) working days from receipt.

How to review it

  • Learn the eight norms of conduct in R.A. 6713 as a list — they appear in many forms.
  • Know the 1987 Constitution by article: Bill of Rights is Article III; the constitutional commissions are Article IX.
  • Pair each environmental law with its number and one-line purpose on flashcards.
  • Review a little every day; recall fades faster than skills.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up term limits: President (6 years, no re-election), Senators (6 years), House members (3 years).
  • Confusing similar R.A. numbers for environmental laws.
  • Answering from news headlines instead of what the law actually says.
Practice General Information · ProfessionalPractice General Information · Subprofessional

Subject 05 of 05

Clerical Ability

Clerical Ability appears only on the Subprofessional level. It measures the accuracy and attention to detail that first-level (clerical) positions need every day — filing records correctly and writing without spelling errors.

Quick facts

Levels
Subprofessional
Language
English
Official topics
2
Our mock items*
40 (Sub)

Measures: Applying filing rules quickly and consistently, and recognizing correctly spelled words under time pressure.

Clerical Ability topics

Sample Clerical Ability question

Original item

Which word is spelled correctly?

  1. A. acommodate
  2. B. accommodate
  3. C. accomodate
  4. D. acomodate
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. accommodate “Accommodate” has a double c and a double m.

How to review it

  • File by surname first, then first name, then middle name — “nothing comes before something.”
  • Treat surname prefixes (Dela, Del, De los) as part of the surname and compare letter by letter.
  • Keep a running list of words you misspell and drill them in short daily sets.
  • Work clerical items fast but check each one once — accuracy is the whole point.

Common mistakes

  • Filing by first name when the item lists the full name in normal order.
  • Overlooking a single swapped or doubled letter in spelling items.
  • Spending too long on one filing item and rushing the rest.
Practice Clerical Ability · Subprofessional

How to study

Turn the coverage into a study plan

With about 76 seconds per item on Professional and 66 on Subprofessional, knowing the topics is not enough — you also need speed. Work through the coverage in this order.

  1. 1

    Pick your level first

    Professional and Subprofessional share three subjects but differ in one. Choose the level that matches the eligibility your target jobs require, then study only that level's coverage.

  2. 2

    Take a diagnostic

    A short, timed diagnostic shows which topics are already strong and which cost you the most points, so your review hours go to real gaps.

  3. 3

    Build the shared core

    Verbal, Numerical, and General Information appear on both levels. Strong fundamentals here pay off whichever paper you sit.

  4. 4

    Add your level-specific subject

    Professional takers drill Analytical Ability (analogy, logic, conclusions, data). Subprofessional takers drill Clerical Ability (filing and spelling).

  5. 5

    Simulate the real sitting

    Sit full-length timed mocks so you practice the full item count, the time limit, and filling an answer sheet without a calculator.

Need a timeline? Read the CSE study plan guide and mock exam tips.

FAQ

Civil Service Exam coverage questions

Short, honest answers. For anything official, the latest CSC announcement wins.

All CSEPass FAQs

What subjects are covered in the Civil Service Exam?

The CSE-PPT covers Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, and General Information on both levels. The Professional level adds Analytical Ability; the Subprofessional level adds Clerical Ability instead.

What is the difference between Professional and Subprofessional coverage?

Professional covers Numerical, Verbal, Analytical, and General Information. Subprofessional covers Numerical, Verbal, General Information, and Clerical — not Analytical. Pick the level that matches the eligibility you will file for.

How many items are in the Civil Service Exam and how long is it?

Per CSC materials for 2026, Professional has 150 scored items plus 20 EDQ items (170 total) in 3 hours 10 minutes. Subprofessional has 145 scored items plus 20 EDQ items (165 total) in 2 hours 40 minutes.

Is the Civil Service Exam in English or Filipino?

Mostly English. Verbal Ability is given in both English and Filipino; General Information, Numerical Ability, Analytical Ability, and Clerical Ability are in English.

Does CSC publish how many items are in each subject?

No. CSC publishes the total items administered and scored for each level. Per-subject counts on this site are editorial estimates for practice design only — not an official split.

What is the passing score for the Civil Service Exam?

CSC Examination Announcement No. 06, s. 2026 states that an examinee should get a general rating of at least 80.00 to pass. CSC does not publish how raw scores convert to that rating.

What is the EDQ in the Civil Service Exam?

EDQ stands for Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire. Its 20 items collect personal data and are not scored content, which is why the scored count is lower than the total administered.

Can I use a calculator in the Civil Service Exam?

No. CSC prohibits calculators of any kind at the examinee's seat, including watch calculators. Practice Numerical Ability and data interpretation by hand.

Which subject should I study first?

Start with a diagnostic to find your weakest topics, then build the shared subjects (Verbal, Numerical, General Information) before your level-specific subject. Verbal Ability is broad on both levels, so steady daily practice there pays off.

Does studying this coverage guarantee a pass?

No. Coverage here is a study map. Passing depends on the CSC general rating and the paper you sit. Confirm requirements and dates on csc.gov.ph.

Sources

Exam structure and topic lists last checked against CSC primary materials on . Always confirm the latest announcement before you file.

Related guides

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CSEPass is an independent review platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Civil Service Commission. Coverage reflects publicly available CSC announcements and our editorial taxonomy. Confirm dates, fees, and eligibility on official CSC channels.