Government and civil service exams attract tens of thousands of candidates every year. Here is a practical guide to prepare these exams efficiently.
Common exam levels
Entry level (high school diploma or less). Administrative assistants, support staff, security officers. Program at middle to high school level.
Mid level (bachelor’s). Officers, controllers, agents, technicians. Program at high school to associate level.
Common test formats
Written. Multiple choice or short questions in general knowledge, language, basic math, sometimes a synthesis note for mid-level exams.
Synthesis note (mid level). Summary of a dossier on a current topic with proposed measures. Technical format requiring method and structure.
Oral. Motivation interview with a panel. Knowledge, personality, reasoning questions.
What to master
Institutions. Constitution, territorial organization, public services, civil service rules, democratic life.
History and geography. National and world history, 20th century to today. See our history quiz exam level.
General knowledge. Current events, economy, society, science. See our general knowledge guide.
Language. Spelling, grammar, vocabulary, written expression. Very important for the final grade.
Math. Arithmetic, proportions, percentages, unit conversion. Middle school level.
Effective method
Planning over 6 months. Read every day, exercises every week, simulate a paper every month.
Past papers. Get the last three years of papers. Format is consistent over time.
Prepare the synthesis note. Find a tutor or a method book. Technical format requires practice.
Train oral in groups. Find other candidates to practice the interview. Free and very effective.
Pitfalls to avoid
Underestimating language skills. A paper full of mistakes caps at a mediocre grade. Work on spelling and grammar in priority.
Last-minute cramming. This exam prepares over 6 months minimum.
Forgetting physical tests. For security positions. Many valid candidates fail at the physical test.
Neglecting registration process. Deadlines, documents required, fees. Read the official call for the exam carefully.
How to practice
SAPIRO offers general knowledge quizzes matching the syllabus of entry-level government exams. Fifteen-minute daily sessions, ideal for integrating learning into the everyday. Worth reading: general knowledge for civil service exams.