Virginia Civil Service Exam Online Preparation – 2024

Working in Virginia

Virginia has a unique and diverse economy. It is a hub for agriculture, has the most technology workers in the U.S, and has been ranked as one of the best states for businesses with a high quality of life. It also houses many federal facilities such as the Department of Defense and the CIA. Due to the way it treats counties and cities equally, there are many opportunities for those seeking a job in civil service. The state government of Virginia offers its employees these benefits:

• Health benefits
• Retirement savings
• Tele-work
• Flexible spending accounts
• Paid leave

What Is Virginia’s Civil Service Interview Process?

Application

Applications for positions with the State of Virginia are available online through the state or county websites. Applications must be filled out for all positions. Some jobs will ask for a resume and cover letter, but these will not be accepted in place of a resume.

Virginia’s Civil Service Tests

You may be required to take an exam or perform a job exercise as part of the hiring process. These may include written or oral exams, performance tests, or assessment centers. Recruits for the police and fire departments are required to complete several written exams as well as a physical exam.

Virginia’s Police Recruit Exams

• POST Exams – Applicants for the police department are required to take three written exams. These include two cognitive tests that measure reading comprehension, writing ability, and arithmetic. The third test is an online personality questionnaire.
• Physical Testing and Work Performance Tests – Applicants will be evaluated to see if they meet all height and weight requirements. A work evaluation will then be performed to ensure that all physical aspects of the job can be performed.

Learn more about Virginia’s police tests.

Virginia’s Firefighter Exams

• Written Exam – Potential firefighters will be given an aptitude test. It will cover reading and grammar comprehension, basic math, and mechanics. It is a 155 question multiple-choice test that you will have 2.5 hours to complete.
• CPAT – The CPAT, the candidate physical abilities test, will measure the physical capability of those applying to be firefighters to ensure they can manage the physical requirements of the job.
• Psychological Profile Evaluation – A psychological evaluation will be performed to ensure each candidate’s psychological fitness.

Interviews

Interviews for Virginia civil service positions are often given by panels. This means you will be answering questions from at least three members of the department you are applying for. The interview will be a mix of behavioral and situational questions to help determine if you are a good fit and can handle the demands of the job.

How to Prepare for Virginia’s Civil Service Tests?

You will need to make sure everything on your application is in order to be able to continue to the exams or interviews. Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirement on the applications will not be chosen to go any further in the hiring process. Many civil service exams require some level of mathematical competency, so taking time to brush up on those skills could be beneficial. Practice in reading comprehension and writing skills will also give you an edge. For those applying for jobs that require a lot of physical exertion, adding a fitness routine to your daily routine will help you meet the physical requirements. Many police and fire departments offer study guides to potential hires, be sure to enquire to see if the department you have applied at is one of these. Practice and preparation will help see you all the way through the hiring process of the state of Virginia.