NYS Civil Service Exams 101: Everything You Need to Know

If you're interested in working for the local, state, or federal government, you may need to take a civil service exam. New York State has one of the largest civil service systems in the U.S and employs around one million people.



In this article, we'll guide you on preparing for a career in civil service by taking the NYS civil service exam.

What's the Purpose of This Exam?

This exam is designed to ensure that applicants have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in their career. Once you pass this exam, you’ll find your name in an eligibility list for jobs that match the test you passed.

Most civil service positions in NYC require you to pass the civil service exam. For instance, if a job requires an NYS civil service exam, all candidates will take the test simultaneously. Their scores will be ranked. A good score will make you stand out from the pool of candidates but won't guarantee you a job. The recruiters look for more than just test scores.

Exam Format

Essay and Oral Exam

These test your critical thinking skills and evaluate how you synthesize your thoughts into coherent, clear, and concise responses. You may be asked to present your answer verbally or written in the form of an essay.

Training and Experience Evaluation

These are supplements to your application. You may be asked to present specific evidence that shows your past education and working experience. Examples of evidence includes videos of your work and recommendations from your superiors or professors.



Multiple Choice Exam 

Most NYS civil service exams are MCQs. You can either take it on the computer or by hand. The test content will be based on the position that you're applying for.

Performance and Job Simulation

For some jobs, you may have to go through a job simulation to see how well you perform. For instance, you may be asked to complete a rescue simulation or a typing test.

Types of NYS Civil Service Exam

Police 

If you want to be a police officer, you'll need to pass a written exam. The content of the exam will depend on the municipality of New York in which you live.



Firefighter

To become a firefighter, you'll have to take a written exam focused on comprehension, situational judgment, and arithmetic. For different municipalities, you'll have to pass a job simulation too.

NYS Courts

For a job as a court clerk, assistant, and law librarian, you'll have to pass a job-specific written exam.

Metro Transit Authority Bus Operator

For this exam, you'll have to show your inductive and deductive reasoning, mechanical aptitude, spatial orientation, and written comprehension.

CUNY Public Safety Officer

These officers protect students on campus. For this, you'll need to pass a civil service exam where your ability to read maps, follow directions, and understanding specific problems will be judged.

Getting Ready to Take the Exam 

Find Out If You Need to Take a Civil Service Exam

Not all jobs require you to take this exam. To determine this, you should review the job listing.

See If You Meet the Minimum Requirements to Sit for the Exam

Applying for civil service is not about merely registering. Before you register, you should check if you even qualify to take the exam. Qualifications differ for each job, but you need to have an undergraduate degree and complete an appropriate training level.

Register for the Exam

After you've completed all of the above, you'll need to register for the exam.

Prepare for the Exam

Your preparation depends on the format and content of the exam. You may be asked to present a portfolio. Prepare well, as your score will determine the likelihood of landing you a job.

If you wish to prepare for the NYS civil service exam, visit our website. We are the only school preparing candidates for the NYS Court Officer, NYC Sanitation Worker, NYC Firefighter & Suffolk Police for over 40 years!

 

 

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