CSC eyes more relevant questions in Civil Service Exams to boost passing rates

MANILA, Philippines – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is set to review the content of its examinations to ensure that questions better reflect the competencies needed in public service.

CSC chairperson and former House Secretary General Marilyn Barua-Yap. Photo courtesy: Facebook/House of Representatives of the Philippines

CSC Chairperson Marilyn Yap emphasized this direction during the agency’s budget hearing before the House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday, August 26.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña asked about the commission’s efforts to help government job order (JO) workers, who often rely on passing the exam to secure permanent positions.

Yap explained that the CSC cannot directly provide review assistance to applicants, since doing so could compromise the integrity of the exams.

Instead, the commission issues general guidelines on exam coverage, which typically includes numerical, analytical, verbal, and general information abilities.

Despite these efforts, CSC data showed that only 14.57% or 46,470 out of 318,973 applicants passed the most recent civil service examination (March 2025).

The report did not indicate how many of the test takers were JO workers hoping to transition into regular employment.

Yap noted that while some government workers—such as barangay health workers and Sangguniang Barangay members—are granted eligibility, the same privilege does not extend to JO workers.

She stressed that the greater issue lies in whether the commission is asking the right questions during the examinations.

According to Yap, many examinees may continue to fail unless the CSC carefully evaluates the relevance of its test content.

"That's the most fundamental question that should be asked," she said, "Kasi nga hanggang hindi natin napag-aaralan kung angkop ba ang mga tinatanong natin na questions, marami pa rin dyan ang hindi makakapasa".

She underscored the importance of shifting the exams toward assessing competencies crucial for government service.

Yap argued that the tests should not merely measure aptitude in math or English but focus on preparedness for real public service roles.

"The exams should measure preparation for public service. Hindi aptitude exam kung saan mine-measure kung magaling ka ba sa math, magaling ka sa English (It should not be an aptitude test that only measures your competence in math or English)," she said.

She added that even some JO workers in the House of Representatives lacked basic knowledge about government functions.

For Yap, reforming exam content and revisiting job qualification requirements are vital steps in improving the recruitment of competent civil servants.

— The Summit Express