Application Guide
How to Apply for the Civil Service Exam
Before you start studying — make sure you can actually take the exam.
Passing the CSE only matters if you're properly registered. Here's what you need to know, kept accurate — but always double-check the latest details directly with the CSC, since dates and processes shift between exam cycles.
Basic eligibility
- • A Filipino citizen
- • At least 18 years old on the day of the exam
- • Of good moral character, with no disqualifying criminal or administrative record
- • Not have taken the same exam level within the past 3 months
Professional vs. Sub-Professional — which one do I take?
| Sub-Professional | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | High school grad / college undergrad | College graduate |
| Positions covered | First-level (clerical, secretarial) | First & second-level (technical, supervisory) |
| Exam covers | Numerical, Verbal, General Info, Clerical Ability | Verbal, Numerical, Analytical, General Info |
You can only take one level per exam schedule — not both on the same date.
What to prepare
⚠️ Paper size matters: CS Form No. 100 must be reproduced on legal-size bond paper, printed back-to-back. Forms printed on the wrong paper size are a common, avoidable cause of rejection at the counter.
- • CS Form No. 100 — fully filled out, legal-size paper, back-to-back (download from csc.gov.ph)
- • 4 passport-size photos (4.5cm x 3.5cm) — colored, white background, taken within the last 3 months, name tag written about 1 inch from the top, signed over the printed name
- • A valid government ID (original + photocopy) — Driver's License, Passport, Voter's ID, PhilSys/National ID, UMID, or PRC ID are commonly accepted; confirm exactly which IDs your specific office accepts
- • ₱500 exam fee — non-refundable, so only file once you're confident you can attend
Online vs. walk-in filing
The CSC uses two separate online systems, and which one applies to you depends on your region — plus some offices still use walk-in filing.
- • CSC eServe — appointment-based; you book your slot before filling out your application
- • OCSEAS — you submit your application first, then get scheduled after it's approved
Which system applies to your region can change between exam cycles — so rather than guess, always check the CSC's current examination announcement for your specific region before you start.
What we can tell you for certain
- 1. Applications are typically first-come, first-served, and popular offices fill up before the official deadline — apply as early in the filing window as you can
- 2. Have all your documents ready before you go — incomplete applications are commonly rejected
- 3. The CSE runs twice a year, usually March and August — exact dates are announced by the CSC each cycle
Always confirm current details directly with the CSC:
- • Official announcements & exact schedule: csc.gov.ph
- • Find your nearest office: /offices
What happens after you apply
- • Keep your Official Receipt — it has your application details and proof of payment
- • Roughly 1-2 weeks before the exam, watch for your room/venue assignment — check csc.gov.ph for how this is announced for your specific cycle
- • On exam day, bring: your venue assignment printout, the same valid ID you used when applying, black ballpoint pens, and No. 2 pencils
Good to know
- • Passing the CSE gives you a lifetime eligibility — you only need to pass once
- • You can only take one level per exam schedule
Eligible PH is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Civil Service Commission. This page is provided as general guidance — always verify current requirements, deadlines, and procedures directly with the CSC.