• Step One: Identify the Job Announcement
• Step Two: Review Job Requirements
• Step Three: Obtain Application
• Step Four: Application Fees
• Step Five: Application Checklist
• Step Six: Application Review
• Step Seven: Evaluation Methods
• Step Eight: Exam Results
• Step Nine: After you Pass your Exam

Step Seven: Evaluation Methods

Before taking your exam, it is recommended that you become familiar with the types of exams and the evaluation methods that are used to grade them.

Rationale for Selection Mode Determination
All Civil Service Commission (CSC) tests are designed to measure the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of a particular title. The Division of Selection Services looks at how the title is used in the hiring agency and how many candidates are competing to determine the most appropriate test format. Sometimes we use more than one format.

Evaluation of Education and Experience
For this type of Evaluation, your application is the test. No written or physical test is administered. An examiner evaluates the education and experience shown on your application against the job requirements. Only relevant experience gained within the last 10 years is assigned credit.

Questionnaire/Supplemental Application
Our questionnaire/supplemental application is a "self-report" of background and experience that you complete at home and submit to CSC within a designated timeframe. The questions are based on the significant aspects of the position being tested.

Written Test
A written test is usually a multiple-choice test or an essay test measuring job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities.

You can view general information about studying for Multiple Choice Tests by going to the Multiple-Choice Exam Orientation Guide.

Supervisory Test Battery
The Supervisory Test Battery (STB) is a computer-based test that measures supervisory skills and abilities. It is sometimes combined with a test of technical knowledge in an exam for a particular title. For more information on the process, download our STB guide.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO CANDIDATES SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE SUPERVISORY TEST BATTERY (STB) EXAM

Beginning April, 2009, the New Jersey Civil Service Commission will be using a revised version of the STB exam. The testing format of this version is the same as the prior version, but the new test will consist of various content changes. Therefore, candidates who have taken the STB exam prior to January, 2009, may NOT apply their test scores to job announcements scheduled for testing in April, 2009 and beyond. Instead, all candidates deemed eligible for announcements tested under the STB program will be scheduled to take this revised version.

Once a candidate establishes a score on the revised exam, that score may be applied to future announcements tested under this program for up to 2 years. This change does not affect the duration of eligible lists previously issued. These lists will remain in effect until their established expiration date.

Your score on the STB is valid for two years, and may be used for titles other than the supervisory title for which you originally applied. You may retake the STB after one year.

If you chose to retake the STP after one year, your score is based solely on that latest test administration.

• State job titles covered by the STB
• Local job titles covered by the STB
• Books that will help you prepare for the STB

Management Test Battery
The Management Test Battery is designed to measure a candidate's ability to effectively handle a variety of management-level situations. For more information on the process, download our MTB guide.

• State job titles covered by the MTB
• Local job titles covered by the MTB
• Books that will help you prepare for the MTB.

Computer-Based Testing
Our computer-based tests follow a multiple-choice format. You will receive your raw score (the number of correct answers) at the test site immediately after you finish the test. Unlike many other CSC exams, there is no review period. If you want to appeal any portion of this test, you must do it at the test site immediately following the exam.

The Civil Service Commission’s computer-based testing sites are located throughout New Jersey. They include the Department of Labor's One-Stop Centers in Hackensack, Trenton, and Camden, and at the CSC’s test facility in Trenton.

You will be mailed a notification with your final score and rank on the employment list.

 Clerical Assessment Program (CAP)

The State Clerical Assessment Program is not accepting applications at this time. Please watch this page for future updates.

Judiciary Clerical Assessment Program application and brochure:


• Judiciary CAP Application
• Judiciary CAP Brochure

The Clerical Assessment Program (CAP) speeds up hiring by maintaining a pool of applicants that have already been screened and tested. This program is used only for open-competitive (new hire) situations, not for promotions.

Candidates who pass the written test are added to the pool of eligible candidates continuously and are ranked by candidate score. The pool is a list of applicants who are eligible for a particular job classification.

Candidates are in the pool for twelve months; after eleven months a candidate can extend their eligibility for another year by submitting a new application and processing fee. When you extend, you retain your original score or, if you choose, you can reapply and be retested for a new score.

• Frequently Asked Questions about the CAP
• Job titles included in the CAP

The mailing address for the CAP is:
N.J. Civil Service Commission CAP Program
P.O. Box 321
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0321

Typing, Data Entry, and Steno Performance Testing
Performance testing is required for many clerical jobs. If you fail the performance test, you may retake the test after three months.
Testing is by appointment in Trenton, Mt. Holly, Sewell (Gloucester County), and Newark. Please call (609) 292-6593 for an appointment.

Bilingual Skills Testing
For bilingual titles, we test bilingual skills with a Bilingual Communicative Ability Test (BICAT) at the time of certification. This test is both oral and written. It measures communication skills in a language, and supplements the test given for the base title. You must pass the BICAT, in addition to passing the basic test for the title, in order to be appointed to a bilingual title.