Civil Service Testing
Test FAQs
1. How do I know which exam to take?
2. What information needs to be entered into the
Title section of the application?
3. What are Civil Service
tests like?
4. How are the tests graded?
5. What is a percentile score?
6. How can I take a Civil Service test?
7. When will I receive my grade?
8. How long does my grade last?
9. What is “veterans’ preference”?
10. Can I retake a Civil Service test?
11. My grade notice says “Failed”. What was my
score? What did I do wrong?
Q. How do I know
which exam to take?
A. Our Job Information and Test
Finder tool will help you to determine if the job you are interested in requires
a written test score and if so, which test you should take. Click on the
“Testing and Application Information link. Look to see if “Written” is
displayed as the grading method for a job. If so, look at the “Series” column
to determine which test series you must get a score for. You should know
which test you want to take BEFORE you arrive for testing.
Q. What
information needs to be entered into the Title section of the application?
A. You MUST write the test series
number and any register titles for which you want us to check your qualifications on your
application. Only ONE test series number can be listed on your application.
*Please note:
Saturday test center monitors will not be able to give you this information, so
you need to know which test, series number and register titles you want before
you come to take the test.
Q. What are Civil
Service tests like?
A. Most Civil Service tests are
“paper and pencil” multiple choice exams. Applicants for typing jobs may also
take a typing skills test on a PC, if an agency posting requires it. Applicants
for Motor Vehicle office jobs also take a video test of customer service. Our sample test questions give you a preview.
Q. How are the
tests graded?
A. The tests are graded by
computer. All questions on a test are valued equally; no question counts for
more than any other. Passing grades for many tests range from 70 to 99. The
number you must answer correctly to be considered passing depends on the kind of
test you’re taking. But on most tests you must answer 60%-70% of the questions
correctly in order to pass.
Q. What is a
percentile score?
A. The scores on the 7333 (PET),
7000/7001 (COAST), 7500 (LEAPS), and 7700 (LEAPS Supervisor) are reported as
percentile scores. These exams have no passing point and therefore, no one
fails these exams. Percentile scores range from 1% to 99% and compare a
test-taker’s performance to that of others who have taken the exam. For
example, a percentile score of 75% tells the test taker that he or she did
better than 75% of the others who have taken that test.
Q. How can I take
a Civil Service test?
A. Testing is offered on weekdays in
Baton Rouge. We also offer Saturday testing in Shreveport, West Monroe, Lake
Charles and Opelousas. Please see our Test Schedule for specifics. You will need to bring a picture ID and proof
of your Social Security number along with a completed Civil Service application
to a testing center.
Q. When will I
receive my grade?
A. After you’ve taken the test, you
should receive your grade within one week. As soon as your grade is issued to
you, you are eligible to apply for vacancies using that test.
Q. How long does
my grade last?
A. Grades do not expire. We may
cancel or inactivate a grade if there is a change to the test or the minimum
qualifications for the job.
Q. What is
“veterans’ preference”?
A. The Constitution of the State of
Louisiana allows for the addition of points to the final passing scores of
eligible military personnel. For more information on eligibility or how to
claim this preference, please see Veterans’ Points.
Q. Can I retake a
Civil Service test?
A. All written exams may be repeated
every 28 days up to three times in twelve months. If you do retest, your
highest test grade will become your score of record, so there is little risk in
re-taking an exam.
Q. My grade
notice says “Failed”. What was my score? What did I do wrong?
A. “Failed” is considered a score.
We do not give numeric scores below the passing score of 70, except for
percentile scores, or words-per-minute for the Typing Skills Exam. Tests are
scored by computer, so we cannot tell you what you answered incorrectly on your
test.
|
