CSE-PPT stands for Career Service Examination, Pen and Paper Test. It is the written exam most people call the Civil Service Exam, given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for career service eligibility in the Philippine government. Passing it gives you the eligibility many permanent government positions require. This overview explains how the exam is structured, what it covers, how it is scored, and where to go next.
Key takeaways
- The CSE-PPT has two levels: Professional (second-level eligibility) and Subprofessional (first-level eligibility).
- Professional: 150 scored items in 3h10m. Subprofessional: 145 scored items in 2h40m. Both add 20 unscored EDQ items.
- Both levels test Verbal, Numerical, and General Information; Professional adds Analytical, Subprofessional adds Clerical.
- CSC states a passing general rating of at least 80.00 (Announcement No. 06, s. 2026).
- Announcement No. 05, s. 2026 lists sittings on 14 March 2027 and 08 August 2027.
What the Civil Service Exam is for
Most permanent positions in the Philippine career service require a civil service eligibility. The CSE-PPT is the most common way to earn one. When you pass, CSC grants:
- Career Service Professional Eligibility — second-level eligibility appropriate for first- and second-level positions (including certain executive/managerial second-level posts) not involving practice of profession and not covered by special/other laws.
- Career Service Subprofessional Eligibility — first-level eligibility appropriate only for first-level (clerical) positions under the same carve-outs.
Not sure which to take? Read Professional vs Subprofessional.
Exam structure at a glance
From CSC primary sources (Examinee's Guide and exam announcement materials, retrieved 2026-08-16):
| Professional | Subprofessional | |
|---|---|---|
| Test-proper items | 150 | 145 |
| EDQ items (Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire — personal data, not scored content) | 20 | 20 |
| Total administered items | 170 | 165 |
| Time limit (test proper) | 3 hours 10 minutes | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Test-proper session (as stated in the guide) | 8:00 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. | 8:00 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. |
Pre- and post-exam activities take roughly an hour before and after test proper — plan to be on site longer than the timer alone.
Scope of examination
Both levels include:
- General Information (English): Philippine Constitution; Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713); Peace and Human Rights Issues and Concepts; Environment Management and Protection
- Verbal Ability (English and Filipino): Word meaning; Sentence completion; Error recognition; Sentence structure; Paragraph organization; Reading comprehension
- Numerical Ability (English): Basic operations; Number sequence; Word problems
Professional only — Analytical Ability (English): Word analogy; Symbolic logic / abstract reasoning; Identifying assumptions and drawing conclusions; Data interpretation
Subprofessional only — Clerical Ability (English): Filing; Spelling
CSC does not publish per-subtest item counts or weights. Any split you see in our mocks is an editorial estimate, labeled as such. For topic-by-topic explanations and sample questions, see exam coverage, or go straight to Professional or Subprofessional.
How the exam is scored
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 correct answers convert to that rating, or any per-subtest passing cut. Read more in the passing score guide.
Upcoming sittings
From CSC Examination Announcement No. 05, s. 2026 (CY 2027 PPT calendar):
| Sitting | Applications open | Target list of passers |
|---|---|---|
| 14 March 2027 | 02 November 2026, continuous until slots fill | on or before 11 May 2027 |
| 08 August 2027 | 10 May 2027, continuous until slots fill | on or before 05 October 2027 |
Full details, including the 22 November 2026 reset for selected areas, are on the exam schedule guide.
Your path from here
- Check you qualify: requirements
- File your application: how to apply
- Plan your review: how many months to review
- Rehearse: mock exam tips
- Prepare for the day: exam-day guide
Frequently asked questions
What does CSE-PPT mean?
CSE-PPT stands for Career Service Examination, Pen and Paper Test. It is the written exam the Civil Service Commission gives for Professional and Subprofessional career service eligibility.
How many items are in the Civil Service Exam?
Professional has 170 items (150 scored plus 20 EDQ). Subprofessional has 165 items (145 scored plus 20 EDQ). EDQ items collect personal data and are not scored.
How long is the Civil Service Exam?
Test proper is 3 hours 10 minutes for Professional and 2 hours 40 minutes for Subprofessional. Expect roughly an extra hour before and after for pre- and post-exam activities.
What is the passing score for the Civil Service Exam?
A general rating of at least 80.00, per CSC Examination Announcement No. 06, s. 2026. Confirm the passing sentence in the announcement for your sitting.
Is this an official CSC reviewer?
No. CSEPass is an independent review platform, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Civil Service Commission. Practice items are original, not leaked CSC content.
What we will not invent
- Official per-subtest weights or a "CSC formula" that turns raw scores into the 80.00 general rating
- Sitting dates CSC has not announced
- Any claim that this app is an official CSC reviewer
Confirm logistics on csc.gov.ph.
Study with this product
- Take the free diagnostic for your target level.
- Claim results, set minutes/day, and finish Today's plan before random browsing.
- Sit a full mock when recommended so you practice the 170- or 165-item rhythm with a real timer.
Honest facts
- We are an independent review platform — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the CSC.
- Structure numbers above are from CSC primary materials; always re-check the latest Examinee's Guide and announcement.
- Sample items in the product are original practice content, not leaked CSC items.
- No mock percentage or Readiness Score guarantees a pass.
Next up
More guides
- Primary source
Professional vs Subprofessional
Civil Service Exam Professional vs Subprofessional compared: items, time, subjects, and eligibility, plus a simple checklist for choosing your level.
Checked Read
- Primary source
Civil Service Exam passing score
The Civil Service Exam passing score is a general rating of at least 80.00. Learn what that means, what CSC does not publish, and how to read your mock results.
Checked Read
- Primary source
What jobs your civil service eligibility qualifies you for
Which government jobs Professional and Subprofessional eligibility cover — first vs second level positions, what it can't cover, and how to read a vacancy.
Checked Read
- Primary source
Other ways to get civil service eligibility
Get civil service eligibility without the exam — honor graduates, bar and board passers, barangay officials, and other eligibilities CSC grants.
Checked Read
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