What's on the Civil Service Exam 2027: CSE scope, items and time
Knowing the scope tells you what to study. Here are the subjects and topics each level covers in the official scope for the March 14, 2027 exam (CSC Examination Announcement No. 06, s. 2026), how long the test is, and how fast you need to go.
Professional level: scope of the exam
170 items in 3 hours 10 minutes. The first 20 are the Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire (EDQ), a short background survey that is not graded.
Verbal Ability
- Word meaning (vocabulary)
- Sentence completion
- Error recognition
- Sentence structure
- Paragraph organization
- Reading comprehension
Numerical Ability
- Basic operations
- Number sequence
- Word problems
Analytical Ability
- Word analogy
- Symbolic logic and abstract reasoning
- Identifying assumptions and drawing conclusions
- Data interpretation
General Information
- The Philippine Constitution
- Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713)
- Peace and human rights issues and concepts
- Environment management and protection
Sub-Professional level: scope of the exam
165 items in 2 hours 40 minutes. The first 20 are the Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire (EDQ), also not graded. Clerical Ability takes the place of Analytical Ability.
Verbal Ability
- Word meaning (vocabulary)
- Sentence completion
- Error recognition
- Sentence structure
- Paragraph organization
- Reading comprehension
Numerical Ability
- Basic operations
- Number sequence
- Word problems
Clerical Ability
- Filing
- Spelling
General Information
- The Philippine Constitution
- Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713)
- Peace and human rights issues and concepts
- Environment management and protection
Verbal Ability is in English and Filipino. General Information, Numerical, Analytical and Clerical Ability are in English. The CSC may still issue a supplemental announcement on the scope.
How much time you have per item
| Professional | Sub-Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Items on the paper | 170 | 165 |
| Time limit | 3 hours 10 minutes | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Average time per item | about 67 seconds | about 58 seconds |
| A safe pace | 1 item a minute, leaving 20 minutes to check | 11 items every 10 minutes, leaving 10 minutes to check |
Preview a lesson
ReviewTayo has 51 lessons that follow the official scope of the exam, each with rules, worked examples, common mistakes and practice. Open one and read the first part.
Frequently asked questions
How many items are in the Civil Service Exam (CSE) Professional exam?
170 items in 3 hours 10 minutes. The first 20 are the Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire (EDQ), a background questionnaire that is not graded, so 150 items count toward your rating.
How many items are in the Civil Service Exam Sub-Professional exam?
165 items in 2 hours 40 minutes, including 20 Examinee Descriptive Questionnaire (EDQ) items that are not graded.
What is the difference between the Professional and Sub-Professional exams?
The Professional level has Analytical Ability and qualifies you for first- and second-level positions. The Sub-Professional level has Clerical Ability instead and qualifies you for first-level positions only.
Is the CSE in English or Filipino?
Both, but only Verbal Ability has items in Filipino. The CSC's scope for March 14, 2027 lists General Information, Numerical, Analytical and Clerical Ability in English.