Job Seekers Guide

Test Taking Advice and Reminders
The SCSC does not provide study guides. The
best method of preparing for any civil service test
is to carefully read the test announcement and
to pay particular attention to the “Testing”
section. Additionally, you may want to follow
these suggestions:
•
•
•
On the day of testing, give yourself plenty
of extra time to get to the test center, park
and become familiar with the test facility.
For written tests, you may want to review
books or search the Internet on the “Subject
Areas” listed in the announcement. For oral
tests, review the “Factors” listed in the test
announcement.
For performance tests, view the test
announcement to determine the
performance standards that must be met
and then practice that skill to improve your
chances of obtaining a higher score.
•
For oral tests, organize your thoughts
before you begin to respond.
•
It is to your advantage to answer as many
test questions as possible.
•
Do not pay for services that claim they will
help you get a civil service job. The SCSC
testing process is entirely free of charge.
Also,
•
You must bring two forms of identification.
One form must contain your signature and
a recent photograph; the other needs only
your signature.
•
Food and beverages are not permitted in the
test room.
•
The use of cell phones or other electronic
communication devices is strictly prohibited
in the test room.
For Additional Information
Visit our website at:
www.scsc.state.pa.us
OR
Visit/call one of our offices at:
HARRISBURG
2nd Level, Strawberry Sq. Complex
320 Market Street, P.O. Box 569
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 783-3058
*Text Telephone: (717) 772-2685
PHILADELPHIA
2nd Floor, 10 South 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 560-2253
*Text Telephone: (215) 560-4367
PITTSBURGH
411 7th Avenue
Room 410
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 565-7666
*Text Telephone: (412) 565-2484
*(Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only)
State Civil Service Commission
Bureau of Employment Services
Revised 2/2010
Pennsylvania is proud to be an equal
opportunity employer supporting workforce
diversity.
The Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission
(SCSC) administers a merit system to hire, retain
and promote people based on their qualifications
and ability to perform the work. This process
ensures that civil service jobs are filled in a fair and
equitable manner.
After Testing
TEST RESULTS: The SCSC sends you a
notification of your examination results via mail.
You may also check your results online. If you
would like to try to improve your score, retesting is
available for many examinations. The retest
waiting period for a job title can be found within the
“Testing” section of the test announcement.
SCSC services are provided on behalf of 35
Pennsylvania state government and 300 local
government agencies. As the second largest
employer in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania offers a full range of job titles in fields
such as accounting, engineering, and information
technology, to nursing, education, and entry-level
clerical – there are approximately 2,400 civil
service job titles in total.
PLACEMENT ON LIST: After passing the test and
meeting the minimum requirements, your name is
added to lists of candidates, ranked according to
score. For qualifying veterans, an additional ten
points will be added to your score reflecting
veterans’ preference. To learn more about
veterans’ preference, please visit our website.
Apply to Test for a Civil Service Job
1. REVIEW OPEN TEST ANNOUNCEMENTS of
job titles that interest you. Be sure you meet the
minimum experience and training requirements for
each title. For a list of job titles and test
announcements open for examination, view the
Open Career Opportunities found under the “Job
Seekers” section of the SCSC website, or obtain a
printed summary from an SCSC office listed on the
back of this pamphlet.
2. APPLY: Complete a civil service application
for each selected test announcement. Since many
test announcements include multiple job titles,
make certain that your application includes all job
titles of interest to you on an announcement. You
will not be permitted to add other job titles after
completion of your test. Also, you may apply
only for job titles that are currently open for
application. It is in your best interest to submit your
applications online; however, hard copy
applications are also accepted.
3. SCHEDULE TESTING: If you apply online, you
can self-schedule for testing. SCSC will schedule
you if you submit a paper application. In
addition, walk-in (unscheduled) testing is
available. Detailed information about walk-in
testing is available on our website.
Types of Tests
Generally, there are four types of tests used to
measure your job-related knowledge, skills and
abilities:
WRITTEN: Taken on a computer in a test
center, these tests can include multiple-choice, fillin-the-blank, or essay questions. On-screen
instructions guide you through the process.
PERFORMANCE: Also computer-based,
these tests measure your ability to perform
job tasks, such as typing.
ORAL: A panel of trained raters asks you a
series of structured questions and rates your
responses on specific factors.
EXPERIENCE & TRAINING: The experience
and training documented on your application
and/or application supplement is reviewed and
given a score. It is very important to provide
complete and accurate information,
since your score is based solely
on the information you
provide.
SURVEY FOR INTEREST: When agencies have
vacancies, they may contact the SCSC for copies
of candidate lists. Hiring agencies may then
contact you to determine your interest and
availability for a vacancy. Typically, you will
receive an Availability Survey in the mail
requesting a return response. It is very important
that you follow the directions on the Availability
Survey and return the requested materials to the
hiring agency by the due date.
INTERVIEW: Generally, agencies
schedule interviews with the highestscoring candidates who indicated that
they were interested and available for
a specific vacancy.
SELECTION: If an agency selects
you, you will serve a civil service
probationary period to determine
your suitability for regular status.
When you successfully complete your
probationary period, the process is
complete and you will become a
permanent civil service
employee.