Public-Service Examinations: Content, Stages, and Schedules

Examination stages and general-knowledge subjects

For the 2025 academic year, public-service examinations generally consist of a first stage with a written examination and a second stage with a personal or personality examination. Examinations may include general-knowledge and specialist examinations, and may also include an essay examination.

The general-knowledge examination covers an ability area, including numerical reasoning and reading comprehension, and a knowledge area covering natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Specialist examination subjects

For technical public-service positions, the specialist examination includes compulsory mathematics and physics. Candidates then choose answers according to their preferred field: electrical, electronic, and information fields; mechanical engineering; civil engineering; architecture; or chemistry.

For administrative positions, the specialist examination covers law, economics, administration, and current affairs.

Checking examination dates and content

Examination schedules and examination content are published on the National Personnel Authority website and on the websites of individual local governments. Candidates are advised to check this information early. The examination scope and number of questions can be extensive, so preparation should begin early.