How To Prepare For Civil Service Clerk Typist Test? – A Complete Study Guide with Practice Questions & Exam Tips

You have completed your typing qualification and want to work as a Civil Service Clerk Typist. Your application has been viewed and you have been invited to complete the civil service clerk typist exam.

man giving clerk exam

You might feel nervous and not know what to expect on the exam. But don’t worry, with the right preparation, you can ace the test and get the job, no problem. Read on for all you need to know.

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What is the Civil Service Clerk Typist test?

The Civil Service Clerk Typist exam is an exam that tests your skills in written communication, data entry and technical and administrative skills.

It is given to people applying for roles in the Civil Service such as:

  • Entry-Level Clerk Typist
  • Senior Clerk Typist
  • Data Entry Clerk
  • Data Processing Clerk
  • Stenographer
  • Receptionist
  • Judiciary Clerk

The test will narrow down potential candidates to go through to the interview stage. This helps them select the best applicants for the position.

Using this pre-employment test they are ensuring they fill vacant positions with the people best equipped to carry out the work. All of this leaves you feeling they are ensuring you have another hurdle to jump before getting that job.

But with some work and good preparation, you will overcome that hurdle and reach your goal.

What is on the Civil Service Typist exam?

As a qualified clerk typist, or to give you a more up-to-date title “Written Communications Specialist,” you are already aware you will be required to carry out a variety of tasks. These are the areas you will be assessed on in the test:

  • Typing speed
  • Your English proficiency. Expect to be tested on spelling, grammar and punctuation
  • Working with letters and numbers
  • Putting material into alphabetical order

To effectively carry out your work as a clerk typist you will also be tested on the skills required for the job.

  • Record-keeping skills
  • Data-entry skills
  • Your skills in using directories and reference guides and your ability to enter changes to them

As you are applying for a coveted government position you will need to score highly in all of these sections.

Expect the tests to assess your ability to work quickly but with accuracy.

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How many questions are on the Civil Service exam?

Civil service exams typically have from 165 to 170 questions. You will usually have between 2 and 3 hours to complete the test.

How do I prepare for the Civil Service Clerk Typist test?

Yes, you have been tested on these skills before while getting your qualification. However, doing a test for a job is new and different, so your first task is to get accurate information on the test.

We advise people wishing to ace the test to rely on the services of a reliable assessment preparation company like Job Test Prep. Doing that will give you access to accurate, reliable information about the testing procedure.

Using Job Test Prep you will also be able to get test prep packs which come with sample papers modeled on the real test, detailed explanations of questions and a means of getting scores for each test you complete.

It is important to remember that civil service examinations vary from state to state. Ensure you are getting information and preparation materials for the exam you will be doing.

If you are in a position to do exams in a number of states, Job Test Prep offers test prep packs for a wide range of states and also an all-inclusive pack where you can gain access to tests for states nationwide.

How is the Civil Service Clerk Typist test formatted?

To get a preview of how the test works try this free sample civil service test.

Having done the test you should have an idea of what type of questioning to expect. However, you will probably have also noticed that knowing the material is not the same as marrying the material to test questions. It is especially difficult when you take the timing factor of the test into account.

Doing any test requires preparation, even if you know the material already.

You need to:

  • Become familiar with the style of questioning
  • Become familiar with the timing and train yourself to complete each section in the time allowed
  • Discover what areas in the test reduce your scores and work harder on those areas

We are talking about a lot of preparation here but before you undertake the preparation, test yourself again on another free sample of a civil service clerical test by clicking on the button below.

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Put a preparation plan in place

With a careful approach to your preparation and a test prep pack to hand you are in a position to ace the test. Try the following tips for effective preparation:

  1. Designate a quiet place as your place to do all the preparation.
  2. Work to a timetable. Decide how many days you have left to prepare. Exclude the day before the test from your timetable. You will need that day for any last-minute review and to rest up before the test.
  3. Use well-trusted study techniques. Work in short bursts of time. Ideally, work for 50 minutes followed by a 10-minute break before returning for another 50 minutes of work. If possible, vary the topic you are working on. For example, don’t devote an entire day to one topic.
  4. Sleep, eat, exercise. When you take care of your physical well-being, your brain will thank you by working more effectively.

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Use your sample papers

Using your sample papers will:

  • Give a structure to your work
  • Allow you to measure your progress from test to test
  • Highlight your weaker areas and show you where you need to concentrate more.
  • Allow you to hone your answering skills before the real test.
  • Ensure that no unpleasant surprises are waiting for you on test day.

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Doing the test

Even the most seasoned among us find doing tests challenging. Doing the sample test papers will have taken away the challenge of approaching an unknown test. However, despite this you need to approach the test:

  • Well-rested. A good night’s sleep before the test day will be more beneficial than any last-minute cramming.
  • Calm headed. Even when the material on a test is familiar, being less than clear-headed can upset your best efforts.
  • Prepared to deal with stress. Yes, it happens to the best of us. While preparing, develop stress-busting techniques you can fall back on. Deep breathing, stretching exercises, a brisk walk before the test can all help.

And finally…
Be confident. You have done the work. You deserve to do well in this test. Go in there and give it everything.

If your goal is to work as a civil service clerk typist, go here to get the resources that will help you fulfill your ambition.

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Written by Elizabeth O Mahony

With 25+ years’ experience as a teacher and state examinations corrector, Elizabeth now writes for the education and careers industry. Her experience preparing students for examinations and running an academy for supplementary education give her invaluable insights into what it takes for job seekers and graduates to succeed in assessments.