Civil Service Exam glossary

An identification card on CSC's list of I.D.s accepted for civil service exams, such as a passport, driver's license, PhilID or National I.D., UMID, PRC license, or school I.D. You need one to file, to enter the testing room, and to claim your Certificate of Eligibility.

A Professional-level subject covering word analogy, symbolic logic or abstract reasoning, identifying assumptions and drawing conclusions, and data interpretation. It is not in the Subprofessional exam.

The proof that your exam application was accepted. Keep it: you attach a copy to any transfer request, and it helps when you claim your Certificate of Eligibility.

A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility certified by CSC. The 2023 Citizen's Charter lists it at ₱50.00 per copy. Many agencies now accept a CSEVS screen capture instead.

Civil service eligibility held by passers of the Bar and PRC Board exams, which RA 1080 declares civil service examinations. Passers do not need to take the CSE.

The third level of positions in government. It is outside the scope of the Civil Service Exam; third-level eligibility is verified through the Career Executive Service Board (CESB).

CSC's exam for civil service eligibility, given at the Professional and Subprofessional levels. Passing it with a general rating of at least 80.00 earns Career Service eligibility.

The eligibility from passing the Professional exam. CSC calls it a second level eligibility appropriate for first level (clerical) and second level (technical) positions, including second-level executive and managerial positions, that do not involve practice of profession.

The eligibility from passing the Subprofessional exam. CSC calls it a first level eligibility appropriate only for first level (clerical) positions that do not involve practice of profession.

The document that proves your civil service eligibility. Passers can get a free CoE on CSC letterhead from the office where they took the exam, or a CoE on security paper from any CSC Regional Office.

A Subprofessional-level subject covering filing and spelling. It is not in the Professional exam.

CSC's computer-based exam mode. Eligibility earned through COMEX is included in the CSEVS database alongside CSE-PPT eligibility.

A CSC Regional or Field Office nearer to where you live or work that receives your letterhead CoE on your behalf, after you send a written request to the office with jurisdiction over your testing center.

A letter CSC issues instead of a Certificate of Eligibility when it finds a discrepancy in your personal details, such as your name or birth date. The 2023 Citizen's Charter lists a ₱50.00 fee for a COPI request.

The official exam application form. For the 14 March 2027 sitting, CSC requires the Revised 2023 version, which may be printed on legal-size bond paper.

The central personnel agency of the Philippine government. It runs the Civil Service Exam and grants civil service eligibility. Official notices are posted on csc.gov.ph.

One of CSC's official online portals (services.csc.gov.ph) that some Regional Offices use for exam applications. Your Regional Office tells you which portal to use.

The paper-based Civil Service Exam. CSC's CY 2027 calendar lists CSE-PPT sittings on 14 March 2027 and 08 August 2027.

An eligibility for qualifying government workers with at least five aggregate years of service who took the CSE from 2026 onwards and failed with a rating not lower than 70.00. It must be filed within six months of the results release.

CSC's free online search for eligibility records at csevs.csc.gov.ph, launched in July 2023. A screen capture from CSEVS is accepted as proof of eligibility for appointment.

A form used with some eligibility record requests, such as a replacement CoE. CSC's Citizen's Charter says it is no longer required for exams taken from 2015 onwards.

The 20 personal-data items at the start of the exam. They are not scored, so Professional has 170 items in total (150 scored) and Subprofessional has 165 (145 scored).

The qualification that lets you be appointed to government positions that require it. You earn it by passing a civil service exam or through eligibilities granted under special laws and CSC issuances.

The form you submit to a CSC Regional Office to request eligibility documents, such as a letterhead, replacement, or authenticated CoE. Download it from csc.gov.ph.

₱500.00 for the 14 March 2027 CSE-PPT, per Examination Announcement No. 06, s. 2026. It is forfeited if you miss the exam.

A CSC notice with updates for a specific sitting, such as school assignments or the release of results. Each results advisory sets the deadline for claiming the CoE.

CSC's official notice for an exam sitting. It lists the date, filing period, testing centers, qualifications, requirements, fee, scope, and passing grade. Always read the one for your exam date.

Your unique number for a sitting. OCSERGS requires it to show your rating, so save it on exam day.

A clerical-level government position. Both Professional and Subprofessional eligibility cover first level positions that do not involve practice of profession.

Losing your exam fee and slot. CS Form No. 100 states that failure to come on the scheduled exam means forfeiture, and rescheduling is not allowed. Fees are also forfeited if an applicant is later found disqualified.

A subject in both levels covering the Philippine Constitution, RA 6713 (Code of Conduct), peace and human rights, and environment management and protection.

Your overall result on CSC's scale. You pass with at least 80.00. It is not the same as the percentage of items you got right, and CSC does not round it or re-check it.

Eligibility for summa, magna, or cum laude graduates of a bachelor's degree from school year 1972–1973 onwards (2015–2016 for open distance learning). CSC treats it as comparable to Professional eligibility, and filing is continuous.

The official list of examinees who passed a sitting, posted by region on csc.gov.ph. CSC says only the list on its website is official.

A subject in both levels covering basic operations, number sequence, and word problems. Calculators are prohibited at the examinee's seat.

One of CSC's official online exam application portals (ocseas.csc.gov.ph). Your Regional Office tells you whether it uses OCSEAS, CSC eServe, or another mode.

CSC's system for generating your individual rating, for passers and non-passers alike. Open it from csc.gov.ph Quick Links with your Examinee Number. No report of rating is mailed.

An eligibility for OFWs with at least five aggregate years of overseas work since 2000 who took the CSE from 09 August 2026 onwards and failed with a rating not lower than 70.00.

CSC's online notice of your testing school and room. If you cannot find your assignment about a week before the exam, contact your Regional or Field Office.

A general rating of at least 80.00 for both Professional and Subprofessional, per CSC's examination announcements.

The sheet with your picture and signature that you fill out during the exam. CSC checks it against your identity when you claim your first-time security paper CoE.

Work that requires a professional license, such as nursing, engineering, teaching, or law. Career Service eligibility does not cover these positions; they need the matching board or bar eligibility.

Acts that cancel your exam, such as bringing a calculator, phone, or smart watch to your seat, using scratch paper, or taking photos of test materials. Cheating may also violate RA 9416, the Anti-Cheating Law.

The minimum education, experience, training, and eligibility a government position requires. Read them in each vacancy before you apply.

The law on ethical standards for government workers. It is one of the General Information topics in the Civil Service Exam.

CSC's offices around the country. The office of your chosen testing center handles your application, filing mode, transfer requests, and certificates. CSC has 16 Regional Offices.

CSC's register of exam passers, used for certification and appointment to first and second level positions. CSC says it may also be a reference for private-sector employment.

A technical-level government position, including second-level executive and managerial positions. It needs Professional eligibility or another second-level eligibility.

A Certificate of Eligibility printed on security paper, available from any of the 16 CSC Regional Offices. A replacement for a lost or worn-out certificate is ₱100.00 per copy under the 2023 Citizen's Charter.

An eligibility granted under special laws or CSC issuances instead of the CSE, such as Honor Graduate, Barangay Official, Barangay Health Worker, or Sanggunian Member eligibility.

The city or area where you choose to take the exam. Its CSC office handles your application, so choose carefully: transfers are allowed only in meritorious cases and before the deadline.

You may not take the same level of the CSE within three months before the exam date. For 14 March 2027, the window is 14 December 2026 to 13 March 2027.

Moving your exam to a different testing center. For 14 March 2027, a written request with your reason, evidence, and Application Receipt must be submitted by 09 December 2026.

A subject in both levels, in English and Filipino, covering word meaning, sentence completion, error recognition, sentence structure, paragraph organization, and reading comprehension.

Adds 10 points to a failed rating not lower than 70 for a recognized WWII veteran, the veteran's spouse, or one of the veteran's children.