CSC · Coverage
Career Service Exam: Sub-Professional coverage (CSE Sub-Pro)
Here is exactly what the Career Service Exam: Sub-Professional tests: the 4 subjects, how much each is weighted, and every topic under them, mapped straight to the board's published coverage. The ExamJuan reviewer is built one lesson at a time against this outline, so nothing on the exam catches you off guard.
The complete CSE Sub-Pro reviewer
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- Who can take it
- Any Filipino citizen, at least 18 years old, of good moral character. No college degree required. Sub-Professional eligibility qualifies you for FIRST-LEVEL positions (clerical, trades, crafts, and custodial). For technical and supervisory posts, take the Professional level instead.
- Format
- Pen-and-paper (CSE-PPT), 100% multiple choice, ~165 items in about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Given nationwide twice a year (typically March and August).
- When
- Twice yearly: usually March and August. Watch csc.gov.ph for the official examination announcement.
- Passing
- 80% general average
Table of specifications
Subjects and weights
The CSE Sub-Pro is scored across 4 subjects. Each one counts toward your general average, so the reviewer gives every subject the depth its weight demands.
| Subject | Weight |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability (English & Filipino) | 30% |
| Numerical Ability | 24% |
| Clerical Ability | 23% |
| General Information | 23% |
| Total | 100% |
Topics
What is tested, subject by subject
Verbal Ability
30% of examVocabulary, grammar and correct usage, spelling, paragraph organization, and reading comprehension: in both English and Filipino.
- Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, and context clues
- Grammar & correct usage (subject-verb agreement, tenses, prepositions)
- Spelling of commonly misspelled words
- Paragraph organization and coherence
- Reading comprehension (English) and pag-unawa sa binasa (Filipino)
Numerical Ability
24% of examThe four basic operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, and simple word problems drawn from everyday clerical work.
- Basic operations and mental math
- Fractions, decimals, and percentages
- Simple word problems (money, quantity, time)
- Ratio and proportion
- Number sequences and pattern recognition
Clerical Ability
23% of examThe distinctive Sub-Professional subject: spelling, alphabetizing and filing rules, and spotting differences between pairs of names and numbers.
- Alphabetizing and filing rules (indexing names)
- Name comparison: detecting identical vs. different pairs
- Number comparison: detecting identical vs. different pairs
- Spelling of commonly misspelled office words
- Basic records management and office procedures
General Information
23% of examThe 1987 Constitution, RA 6713 (Code of Conduct for public servants), peace and human rights, environmental protection, and Philippine history and current events.
- The 1987 Constitution: Preamble, Bill of Rights, the three branches
- RA 6713: Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards (norms, SALN)
- Peace concepts and human rights
- Environmental protection (RA 9003 solid waste, RA 8749 clean air)
- Philippine history, symbols, and current events
How the CSE Sub-Pro is passed
A general average of at least 80%. The CSC gives one overall rating. You pass at 80.00% with no per-subject minimums, but every area still counts toward your total, so none can be skipped.
Next: build a schedule around this outline with the CSE Sub-Pro study plan, or drill it with CSE Sub-Pro practice questions. The full reviewer carries 1199+ original questions with explanations.