If you apply for a civil service classified position with the City of Spokane, you will need to take a skills test.
Competitive testing is used to make sure applicants are qualified based on their ability to do the job and their job qualifications. By testing, we are able to make the positions open to all qualified individuals, regardless of their connections or political affiliations. Testing ensures positions are earned on the basis of individual merit.
Tests are administered in either online or in-person format. The position you apply for will determine what format the test is administered in.
The selection process is designed to provide all candidates with an equal opportunity to compete for the tested position. The examination is one part of an objective selection process. Candidates who score at or above the pass point for this test will be placed on an eligible list. The top fifteen names on the eligible list are then provided to hiring managers. Hiring managers must consider candidates in their ranked order when filling a vacant position. Eligible lists are valid for one year or until exhausted.
Your ranking will be sent to the email address that was provided when you applied for the position within two weeks. As applicable, veterans’ preference points will be awarded prior to sending your eligibility ranking.
Written exams are machine scored and then verified by a Civil Service employee. Online exams are graded either by our online testing program or by a Civil Service employee depending on the type of exam.
Applicant eligibility ranking does change over time. Please contact the Civil Service department to request ranking on active eligible lists.
Online tests can be taken in the comfort of your own home on a personal computer. If you don't have access to the internet or a computer, you can visit a local library or reach out to the Civil Service department, and we can schedule a time to use a computer in our test room.
The Civil Service department will send you an email with details on how to take your online test. You will have a 6-day window (Thursday 12:00 a.m. – Tuesday 11:59 p.m.) to complete your test. If you do not complete the test within the designated time window, the test link will become deactivated. We recommend completing the test as early as possible to ensure you don't have any technical difficulties.
You may use any website browser to take the test, but Safari will require special settings to ensure the test presents properly. View those settings instructions (PDF 193 KB).
When the scheduled test time arrives, select the unique test link that was provided to you in the email from Civil Service. The link will take you to a page of pre-test general instructions. Please read these carefully. When you're done, check "I agree," and then select "begin testing."
Online testing will present questions to you one at a time. At the top of your test screen, you will have an icon labeled "view item list" where you can view the status of each question: viewed items, marked for review, answered items, current items.
You can choose to skip questions and come back to them later or leave them unanswered.
Some tests will have a set amount of time to answer questions. There is an on-screen timer that begins when the first question appears on the screen. Be mindful of the time limit and make sure you submit your answers before the time has expired.
All devices except the computer being used to take the test should be turned off.
No reference materials are allowed except what may be provided within the test. Scratch paper is allowed to help organize your thoughts or to do math calculations. You will be told at the time of the test whether calculators are allowed.
Talking to others is not allowed. Please take the test in a quiet room by yourself. You are not allowed to keep notes of the questions or capture or record them in any way. Any attempt to cheat or copy from a competitor will render that person ineligible for that examination and the applicant shall be considered as having failed.
Only leave the computer during the test if you are ill or need to use the restroom. The on-screen test timer starts when you start the first question, so please return as soon as possible.
Some positions require in-person, written testing.
Unless otherwise notified by Civil Service, in-person tests will be administered at the Civil Service Office in City Hall – 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd Spokane, WA 99201.
Please arrive 15 minutes earlier than the test time stated on your exam notification. You will check in with security on the 1st floor and they will send you up to the testing room on the 4th floor. Administration of the exam will begin as soon as the exam room doors are closed. Late arrivals will not be admitted; Once the exam introduction is complete, no one will be allowed to enter the exam room.
All candidates are required to present a photo I.D. upon check-in. Your photo ID will undergo verification to ensure the name matches our records and that you are the individual depicted in the photo. Please note that entry to the test will not be permitted without a valid ID.
Dress comfortably. The exam room may be too hot or too cold for you, so it may be helpful to wear layers.
All required testing materials will be provided. You may bring a bottle of water or other lidded beverage to the exam. All personal belongings, such as bags, jackets, and study materials, must be placed under your seat during the test. Civil Service is not responsible for personal belongings left in the exam room.
You will be asked to turn off all devices once the exam room doors are closed and leave them off until after exiting the exam room. Listening to music and/or use of headphones during the test is not permitted. Use of a cell phone during the test will result in immediate disqualification.
Once the test has begun, no one will be allowed to leave the testing area (for example, to pay for parking or make a phone call) and return to the test. You may, however, request an escort to the restroom. Only one person will be allowed out of the test room at a time. The time you spend in the restroom cannot be made up.
All candidates will receive the same test instructions. Please listen carefully to the test administrator's instructions. Any candidate who has questions about the testing process should ask the test administrator before the test begins.
All exams have a preset time limit.
All candidates will receive the following for a written exam:
All candidates will receive information on how to complete the answer sheet identification boxes. The test administrator will then give candidates important information regarding the next steps in the testing process.
Candidates are not permitted to write on the exam booklet and must mark all answers on the answer sheet only. Only answer sheets will be scored. Choose your answer and darken the corresponding bubble. If you change your answer to a question, completely erase your original answer and darken the bubble corresponding to your new answer.
Double check that your answers on the answer sheet correspond to the correct question in the test booklet.
All candidates will receive note paper to be used at their discretion. The test proctor will collect your note paper, used or unused, when you complete the test.
When you finish the test, or when the time limit is called, take your instruction booklet, answer sheet, note paper, and two pencils to the test proctor. The test proctor will ensure that all materials have been collected and then candidates will be dismissed.
The test is comprised of true/false and or multiple-choice questions (A,B,C,D, or E). Below, please find an example of the types of items you may find on the examination. The correct answer choice is identified in green.
Example 1:
How many lines in Column B are different than Column A?
| Column A | Column B | |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | 34 | 34 |
| Line 2 | 54 | 45 |
| Line 3 | 47 | 47 |
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
Example 2:
What state is indicated by the image below?
A. Washington
B. Idaho
C. Hawaii
