The Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT) is a crucial assessment in the recruitment process for Civil Service roles in the UK. This behavioural test evaluates nine key behaviours across six levels, each corresponding to a specific job grade (e.g., AO, EO). As one of the most common and challenging civil service UK tests, the CSJT demands thorough preparation to ensure success.
Our Civil Service Judgement Test PrepPack features full-length CSJT practice tests, personality simulations, single-trait practice drills, and in-depth study guides so you can ace your CSJT with confidence.
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Our CSJT PrepPack is designed to give you the tools, practice, and strategies needed to succeed in the rigorous Civil Service recruitment process.
With this comprehensive PrepPack, you’ll get the in-depth Civil Service Judgement Test practice needed to tackle the CSJT head-on, giving you an edge over the competition and ensuring you're ready for whatever the test throws your way.
You'll work on all areas of the UK Civil Service Judgement Test:
Build confidence and consistency through full-length simulations, targeted drills, and expert guidance.
The Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT) is an untimed online situational judgement test used to assess candidates for UK civil service positions. It evaluates how well candidates handle workplace situations, helping to determine their suitability for specific roles within the civil service.
There are different versions of the CSJT, each tailored to the behaviours required at various civil service levels:
The CSJT consists of two parts, a Personality Questionnaire and a Situational Judgement Test (SJT). Let’s briefly go over each section.
The Civil Service Personality Questionnaire is the part of the CSJT that assesses your personal traits and how they align with the core values of the UK Civil Service. It focuses on understanding your aspirations, engagement, and behavioural preferences in a work context.
This self-assessment section accounts for approximately 10% of the overall score. The results are used to complement your performance in the situational judgement section and provide a more comprehensive evaluation of your suitability for the role.
This is a sample question from the CSJT Personality Questionnaire.
Rate the following sentence on a scale of 1 - Completely Disagree to 7 - Completely Agree:
I always keep a lid on my feelings.
Choose your answer before looking at the explanation below.
There are no correct or incorrect Civil Service Judgement Test answers in this section. The aim, instead, is to develop a complete, coherent, and reliable profile that reflects your suitability for the particular role you're applying for.
The Situational Judgement Test Civil Service UK candidates take forms the main part of the overall assessment. Here, test-takers are evaluated on various behaviours.
The specific behaviours assessed depend on the role you're applying for, and the test composition will be provided when you first apply.
For each behaviour, you’ll be presented with three work-related scenarios, which may be in text or video format. You'll then rank four possible actions on the following scale:
This part of the test assesses your ability to identify appropriate responses to workplace scenarios, tailored to the specific behaviours required for the role.
This is a sample series from the CSJT behavioural assessment.
Consider the following text before answering the question and rating the statements below:
You have recently been recruited to the Civil Service and were assigned to a team of six employees. Your last personal project in the team ended today, a few days earlier than expected. You go into the team's office, but everybody is very busy with their own projects, and no one is available to tell you what you need to do next.
What would you do in this situation?
Possible answer: Use this time for productive things, such as organising your workstation and arranging your inbox clutter.
Is this statement:
Choose your response before looking at the explanation.
Explanation:
This response demonstrates a lack of ambition and organisational thinking, as it fails to show any focus on advancing your professional development or completing tasks that benefit the company.
It also highlights an inability to work effectively under management, as you don't inform your manager of the early completion of the task, nor do you allow them the opportunity to assign you a new one.
Ultimately, this response is counterproductive.
While it may seem a little harsh to label this response as counterproductive, it’s important to remember that, in the CSJT, every response should be assessed in relation to the other possible responses provided.
Possible answer: Send an e-mail to your manager saying you've finished your project early, and you'd be happy to assist in anything he might have for you.
Is this statement:
Choose your response before looking at the explanation.
Explanation:
This response showcases a strong work ethic and resourcefulness, as you proactively inform your manager of your situation and offer your assistance with other projects.
It's an effective response, demonstrating that you're a conscientious employee who can take initiative when required.
Possible answer: Speak to your team members to find out if there's anything you can help them with.
Is this statement:
Choose your response before looking at the explanation.
Explanation:
This response demonstrates a strong work ethic and resourcefulness, as you make good use of your free time by offering assistance to your team members.
However, you should still inform your manager that you've completed your project, allowing them to assign you a new task.
Overall, this is a fairly effective response.
Possible answer: Research new, upcoming projects within the department. See if any of them are interesting to you.
Is this statement:
Choose your response before looking at the explanation.
Explanation:
On one hand, you demonstrate initiative by investigating upcoming projects within the company.
On the other hand, you focus more on your own needs and interests, rather than consulting your manager or teammates to understand the company’s needs.
As a result, this response is ineffective.
⭐️ Golden Tip: Our CSJT PrepPack offers targeted practice for both the personality and behavioural sections of the test. By working through simulations, focused drills, and detailed study guides, you'll gain a deeper understanding of why certain responses are best, helping you make more informed choices.
Get all the practice you need for the Personality and Behavioural sections with our CSJT PrepPack.
The Civil Service Judgement Test test assesses 9 typical behaviours as defined in the official Behaviours Guide of the UK Civil Service.
These are not official skills like speaking a foreign language or driving a forklift, but rather soft skills or general ways in which a person may contribute to the workplace around them.
These are the 9 behaviours the CSJT test assesses:
While the CSJT always assesses the same 9 behaviours, not every test will assess them all. Only those relevant to the particular job will be evaluated. Additionally, the way the behaviours are presented in the questions changes based on the specific test level.
For example, CSJT Level 1 Leadership might focus on enthusiasm for work, responsibility, and accountability, while CSJT Level 6 Leadership focuses on developing strategy and inspiring employees.
Many candidates assume they don't need to prepare for the CSJT because there are no right or wrong answers. However, preparation is crucial as success in the test depends on how well your responses align with the behaviours and values the Civil Service seeks.
Here are our Civil Service Judgement Test tips:
Our CSJT PrepPack provides realistic practice questions, feedback, and strategies to help you understand the test format, sharpen your decision-making, and demonstrate the behaviours the Civil Service seeks.
Unlock your professional potential with our carefully crafted CSJT PrepPack, designed by our industry experts and tailored to match the exact requirements of the CSJT exam.
The CSJT is an online assessment used by the UK Civil Service to evaluate candidates' responses to workplace scenarios. It tests nine key behaviours, such as decision-making, leadership, and communication, and helps determine suitability for various Civil Service roles.
To pass the CSJT, practise answering situational judgement test questions, understand the values of the Civil Service, and demonstrate traits such as initiative, professionalism, and sound decision-making. Our CSJT PrepPack offers practice tests and study guides to help improve your overall score.
The CSJT does not have a traditional pass mark. Instead, your responses are assessed based on how well they align with the values and behaviours the Civil Service is looking for. While a passing score can vary by role, consistency with Civil Service values is key to success.
The CSJT is not scored with a traditional right or wrong system.
Instead, your answers are evaluated based on how well they align with the Civil Service’s core values and behaviours. Each scenario presents four potential actions, and the test measures how effectively your choices align with the behaviours expected at your role level. The more consistent your answers are with these values, the higher your chances of success.
So while no specific pass mark is set, your performance must align with what the recruiters are looking for.
In most cases, you can only take the CSJT once per recruitment cycle. However, if you're unsuccessful, you may be able to apply for other roles in future recruitment campaigns. Check with the specific job listing or recruitment team for retake policies.
No, the CSJT is untimed. However, you should aim to complete each section within a reasonable time to simulate real test conditions. Practising with time constraints can help you stay focused and efficient.
The CSJT Personality Questionnaire is a key part of the test. It evaluates your personality traits and how they fit with the expectations of the Civil Service.
Your responses should reflect your true values and behaviours, as they give recruiters an insight into how you approach work and fit with the role.
Our CSJT PrepPack provides everything you need to succeed.
With these resources, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the CSJT and increase your chances of success.
Once your purchase is complete, you will receive two emails. The first will contain your payment receipt, and the second will include a login link, along with information about our general terms, conditions, and refund policy. To access your PrepPack, simply log in and reset your password.
No, there is no limit. Your progress is saved in your account, allowing you to revisit previous attempts and focus on the sections that need improvement. Our performance tracker helps you monitor your progress and tailor your practice to meet your needs.
Yes! You can purchase as many PrepPacks as you need. If you're unsure at the time of purchase, you can always upgrade later. Additionally, we offer a Premium Subscription that gives you access to up to three PrepPacks at an affordable price.
At JobTestPrep, we've helped thousands of candidates excel in competitive recruitment processes. Our expert-designed preparation materials are regularly updated to match the latest test formats, ensuring you're always prepared. Founded in 1992 by David Meshulam, JobTestPrep has grown into a trusted leader in online test prep, with over 30 years of experience, 220+ preparation courses, and more than a million successful candidates globally. We combine our professional PrepPacks with innovative tools like our AI-powered CV Analyser and Interview Prep platform, empowering candidates across the UK and beyond to approach recruitment with confidence and achieve exceptional results.
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Hi, I’m Maya Strauss. With a B.A. in Psychology and extensive experience in education and content development, I specialise in gamified assessments like Arctic Shores and Pymetrics. At JobTestPrep, I create test questions and provide expert tips to help candidates perform their best. Have a question? Contact me at:
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