Preparing for Services Exam: All You Need to Do

Every year, hundreds of candidates appear for civil services exams in hopes of joining different departments in the federal government. Without a doubt, becoming a services officer in any department is not only an honor, but also comes with many great benefits and growth opportunities.

However, the process isn’t easy and it takes hard work and consistent efforts. From the registration process to appearing for the examination and post examination assessments, it can be stressful and exhausting for any student. However, once you’re appointed, it’s all worth it. This blog post will give you some tips of preparing for the services exam.

Registration Process

Every state department has a different registration process and they have given certain guidelines. The departments also differ in their eligibility criteria and requirements. For instance, for applicants who wish to be a part of FDNY or NYDP, there’s a very strict criteria for physical fitness and strength.

For most departments, candidates can be 17.5 years old at the time of application, and they should be younger than 36. However, their age requirement at the time of appointment may vary depending on their department and role. If you’re appearing for services exam for the first time, make sure that you go through all the guidelines properly and ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria.

Additionally, you should also be aware that all departments carry out a background investigation on you. If you’ve been convicted of any crimes, or found guilty, your chances of getting accepted are very low.

Preparing for the Written Exam

For most departments, the written exam is more or less similar. The purpose of the written exam is to assess your basic skills such as reading, writing and comprehension.

Before you attempt your exam, do as many past paper practice questions as possible. Doing past papers will give you an idea of the paper pattern and requirements, boost your confidence and help you figure out the areas that need more work.

Preparation Material and Classes

You don’t have to worry about finding resources to prepare for your written examination. Once you have successfully applied and registered for the exam, most departments can provide you with preparation material and past exams. To stand out from other candidates, hire a professional tutoring company that has experience in preparing students for services exams.

Read As Much As You Can and Make Notes

The way you write and showcase your general knowledge during a services exam is extremely important. Since there are no school-like syllabuses for services exams, the best thing you can do is read quality material. From news articles to journal articles and good books, reading can enhance your knowledge as well as improve your writing abilities.

Moreover, reading journal articles can also improve your vocabulary and equip you with appropriate words to use during your exam.

Make Use of Online Resources

The good news is that you can find a lot of valuable preparation material online on different websites. There are some very good online resources for preparation and practice. If you can afford it, go for the paid ones as they are usually more reliable and offer quality material.

Reach Out to Successful Candidates

Reach out to alumni from your high school, or friends or relatives who appeared for the services exam and passed it to find out about their experience. Ask them for tips on preparing and attempting the exam, and areas in which they struggled.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Candidates appearing for the services exams are more likely to be anxious and stressed out as the exam date approaches. It makes sense to feel like that when you’re applying for something that big, and you know you get a chance only once in every 4-5 years.

Here are some frequently asked questions that often bother the candidates.

When Can You Appear for a Civil Service Exam?

It depends on what department and position you’re applying for. Some departments offer tests at specific dates once a year or once every four to five years.

Where Can You Appear for the Exam?

This varies according to policies of the department you’re applying to. While some departments allow online testing, others would require you to come in for a physical exam.

Does Passing the Exam Guarantee that You’ll Get Hired?

To be able to pass the services exam, and get selected, you must do well in all the different sections of the exam. However, just clearing the written exam isn’t enough. You will also need to go through the post-exam process such as medical assessment, background investigation and much moFor some departments, you might also be required to enter a training phase during which you’ll have to showcase your talent and skills if you wish to be permanently hired.

If you’re also interested in joining services and appear for the exam, the reach out to us. At Civil Service Success, we prepare candidates for written assessments and many other aspects of civil service exams relevant to their interests. All our courses and preparation strategies are designed to provide candidates with all the essential knowledge and everything else they need for their application. You may get in touch with us to find out more.