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UK Civil Service online tests: what they are and practice questions

When you apply for a Civil Service job you may be asked to take one or more online psychometric tests. GOV.UK lists eight commonly used tests, and the job advert tells you which ones apply to that vacancy. This page explains the Verbal and Numerical tests in detail and gives you 50 original reasoning questions to practise on.

Civil Service tests at a glance

Commonly used tests
8 (Verbal, Numerical, Judgement, Management Judgement, Work Strengths, Styles Assessment, Customer Service, Casework)
Time limit (Verbal and Numerical)
None — most people take 15 to 45 minutes per test
Which tests you take
Stated on the job advert; you may take one or more
How you are scored
A percentile against a comparison group of test takers

From the official source listed at the bottom of the page.

The Civil Service online tests

  • Civil Service Verbal TestMeasures the ability to identify relevant information and draw logical conclusions from written information. You read a passage, then decide whether a statement is true, false, or you cannot say from the information given.
  • Civil Service Numerical TestMeasures the ability to perform calculations and to evaluate and interpret numerical information. You are shown graphs, tables or other figures, then choose the correct answer from several options.
  • How the Verbal and Numerical tests runThey are not timed, adapt to your performance (a right answer may lead to a harder question), and you cannot skip or go back. They include unscored trial items and can be taken in English or Welsh.
  • Judgement and Management Judgement TestsTwo of the eight commonly used tests. GOV.UK publishes a practice test and separate preparation guidance for each; for the Judgement Test you receive a feedback report.
  • Work Strengths, Styles Assessment, Customer Service and Casework testsThe remaining commonly used tests, each with its own official practice test. The Styles Assessment also comes with a feedback report.

Civil Service tests practice test — 50 questions

Original questions written to prepare for the Civil Service tests; they are not official test questions. Answer them without an account and see an explanation for each one.

Question 1 of 50

Passage: "All applications received after the closing date will be rejected. Mia's application was received two days after the closing date." Which statement must be true?

Question 2 of 50

Passage: "The council recycled 40% of household waste last year. Its target for next year is 45%." Statement: "The council will recycle 45% of household waste next year." Based only on the passage, the statement is…

Question 3 of 50

Passage: "The library opens at 9am on weekdays and 10am on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays." Statement: "The library opens at 9am every day of the week." The statement is…

Question 4 of 50

Passage: "Staff may work from home on up to two days a week, subject to their manager's agreement." Which statement is supported by the passage?

Question 5 of 50

Passage: "Since the new online form was introduced, the average processing time for permits has fallen from 20 days to 12 days." Which statement follows?

Question 6 of 50

Passage: "Only employees who have completed security training can access the archive. Raj can access the archive." Statement: "Raj has completed security training." The statement is…

Question 7 of 50

Passage: "Most visitors to the museum arrive by public transport. Parking near the museum is limited." Statement: "Most visitors to the museum live locally." The statement is…

Question 8 of 50

Passage: "The report was published in March. It was written by the policy team and reviewed by the legal team." Which statement must be true?

Question 9 of 50

Passage: "No member of the panel may assess a candidate they have previously managed." Statement: "A panel member assessed a candidate they once managed, and this followed the rule." The statement is…

Question 10 of 50

Passage: "Grant applications must include a budget and two references. Incomplete applications will not be assessed." An application includes a budget and one reference. What follows?

What to practise for the Civil Service tests

  • True, false or cannot say reasoning
  • Reading comprehension of short reports
  • Distinguishing facts from assumptions
  • Percentages and percentage change
  • Ratios and proportions
  • Reading tables and charts
  • Averages and rates
  • Currency and unit conversions

Type any of these topics into the quiz generator to make a practice quiz. Quiz templates

How to prepare for the Civil Service tests with SimpleQuizMaker

  1. Work through the 50 practice questions below in sets of ten and read the explanation for every one you miss.
  2. Type a topic such as "percentage change in tables" and generate your own quiz of up to 10 questions — the free plan gives you 5 AI generations a month.
  3. Paste a GOV.UK news story or report and turn it into true/false/cannot-say style questions.
  4. On the Student plan you can upload PDF, Word or image files and build quizzes of up to 100 questions.

Civil Service tests tips

  • Take the official GOV.UK practice tests first so the real test layout is familiar.
  • In verbal items, judge only on the passage — not on what you know from elsewhere.
  • Keep rough paper, a pen and a calculator to hand, as GOV.UK suggests.
  • There is no time limit, but you cannot go back: check each answer before moving on.

Make your own Civil Service tests practice quiz

Free account, no card needed. Type a topic or paste your notes and the AI builds the quiz in seconds.

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{short} FAQ

Are these real Civil Service test questions?

No. The 50 questions are original practice items written by SimpleQuizMaker, not official Civil Service test items. They practise the verbal and numerical reasoning that GOV.UK says the tests measure.

Which tests will I have to take?

It depends on the job. GOV.UK says you may be asked to complete one or more of the eight commonly used tests, and the job advert says whether this is the case.

Are the Verbal and Numerical tests timed?

No. GOV.UK says they are not timed and that most people take between 15 and 45 minutes for each; how long you take does not affect your score. It recommends allowing at least an hour each.

How is my score worked out?

Your score is compared with a group of people who took the same test and shown as a percentile. A percentile of 44 means you scored better than 44% of that group.

Do I need an account to answer the practice questions?

No. Anyone can answer the 50 questions on this page without signing up. A free account lets you make your own quizzes from a topic or pasted text: 5 AI generations a month with up to 10 questions each. The Student plan ($2.99 a month or $29.99 a year) adds file uploads and up to 100 questions.

Official sources

SimpleQuizMaker is not affiliated with any police service, fire department, recruiting body or government. Our questions are original practice items, not official test questions. Always check the current rules with the official source.