Competitive testing ensures public access to City jobs.  The Human Resources staff develops and administers valid exams that are designed to measure important knowledge, skills, and abilities that are needed for successful job performance.  Competitive testing helps to determine the best suited person for the job based on their performance on the exam and their ability to demonstrate those knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Each posting is associated with a Civil Service Examination. In order to take a Civil Service Examination, one must apply for the position they are interested in. About two weeks after the closing date, you will receive information via mail, letting you know the date, location, and time of the examination.

Written exam
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will receive an invitation to a written examination.  Most written examinations are held at a specified location, date and time, and contain multiple choice questions that take approximately 2 hours to complete.  Occasionally the written examination for a testing process will be in the form of a supplemental questionnaire that is part of the application packet.  A supplemental questionnaire does not contain multiple choice questions, but requires more lengthy and detailed answers related to the knowledge, skills, and abilities for that position.  Information about the testing process is listed in the job announcement that accompanies the application form.

Preparing for the exam
The first way to prepare for the exam is to review the job announcement, which lists the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.  As an example, if the announcement requires good writing skills, a grammar textbook may be one place to start to study.  Candidates may be asked to respond to questions that could be about factual knowledge or a hypothetical situation.  These kinds of questions may be used to assess written communication skills, analytical skills, problem solving abilities, and job knowledge.  There are civil service exam review books on different topics that contain sample questions and answers as well as general test taking strategies.  Your local library, college, or bookstore may have these kinds of review books.

Click here for some helpful test taking strategies.

Admission letters
Admission letters, which invite candidates to take the written exam, are usually sent out one to two weeks after the closing date.  If you have not received your letter, and you believe a reasonable mailing period has lapsed, you should call the Human Resources Department at (425) 257-8767.

Performance exams
Candidates who successfully pass the written test may be required to pass a performance exam.  These tests are structured and standardized and usually require the candidate to perform sample work behaviors of the job.  Processes that typically require performance exams are: Firefighter, Police Officer, Paratransit Operator or Office Assistant.  The job announcement will specify whether a performance examination is required.

Oral panel evaluations
A limited number of top qualifying applicants from the written exam are often invited to the oral panel evaluation.  The oral panel evaluation is designed to elicit responses that will demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to the position for which you applied.  Oral evaluation exams are used to test for interpersonal and communication skills, and for content knowledge.  The questions are often asked, and the answers rated, by a panel, usually comprised of several subject matter experts.

Civil Service register
Candidates who successfully pass all portions of the testing process are placed on a list with other candidates eligible to be hired for positions in that job classification. This list is called an “eligible register” or “eligible list,” which is used to fill vacancies that occur in that classification over, typically, the next 12 months. Candidates are listed in the order of their final composite grade, which includes final exam scores, plus any points added for veterans’ preference (RCW 41.04.010 as amended).

Exam results
The amount of time between taking a test and getting results varies.  In general, you should count on at least two to three weeks unless otherwise specified by the proctor.  When there are a large number of candidates, the grading process may take longer.  Every candidate receives a written report of results.

Eligible list
If a vacancy occurs and your name is listed in the highest group of scores being considered, you will be contacted and informed of the next steps in the hiring process.

Personal information change
You must contact the Human Resources Department if your personal information changes after you have submitted application materials or you may be disqualified from the selection process.