How to Properly Shade Your CSE Answer Sheet

The CSE-PPT is machine-scored, which means how you mark your answer matters just as much as knowing the right one. A correct answer marked the wrong way can go unread by the scanner.

The one rule that matters most: black ballpen only

According to the official CSC Pen & Paper Test Administrator's Manual, examinees must shade their answers using black ballpen only. Pencils, gel pens, sign pens, fountain pens, friction pens, and any other color of ballpen are explicitly not allowed. Bring more than one black ballpen just in case one runs dry.

How to shade correctly

Shade the circle neatly and completely — the entire circle should be filled solid, with no gaps, no light patches, and nothing extending outside its edge. A partial or faint mark risks not being read by the scanner at all.

If you need to change an answer

Per the official CSC Pen & Paper Test Administrator's Manual, you're allowed to change your answer only once per test item. Do not try to erase or use correction fluid, correction tape, or a correction pen — none of these are permitted. Instead, following the CSC's own Examinee's Guide:

1. 1. Put a clear X mark over your original answer
2. 2. Shade the new, correct circle completely

Since you only get one change per item, take a moment to be sure before marking your final answer.

What to avoid

• • Stray or unnecessary marks anywhere on the answer sheet — the scanner may misread them as an additional answer
• • Checkmarks, dots, or outlines instead of full shading — these aren't recognized as valid marks
• • Marking more than one circle for the same question without clearly X-ing out the wrong one first

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.