If you are taking the March 2024 Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT), make sure you are well-prepared by reading through the following reminders from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

In an advisory issued on February 16, CSC reminded professional and sub-professional examinees to arrive at the testing site no later than 6:30 a.m. on March 3, “or as directed by the CSC regional or field offices concerned.”

“Gate of testing venues shall be closed to examinees at exactly 7:45 a.m. Examinees who arrive later than 7:45 a.m. shall not be admitted to take the exam,” CSC said.

Examinees can check the availability of their school assignments on the CSC website (csc.gov.ph) by February 19.

The Online Notice of School Assignment, or ONSA, can be used to generate the examination’s testing venue or school assignment.

“Examinees may opt to have a print-out of their Notice of School Assignment using ONSA for their personal reference, but this is not mandatory and is not a requirement,” CSC said.

“If examinees cannot access the ONSA and/or still do not know their school assignment one week before the examination day, they should inquire directly with the CSC regional or field office concerned,” it added.

CSC recommended that, if possible, examinees should visit and conduct an ocular inspection of the assigned school or testing venue at least one day before the exam day to become familiar with the school location and its route or direction, the available modes of public transport, and the time and motion requirements for traveling from point of origin to the school or testing venue.

“Do not solely rely on GPS navigation/route/direction app to lead you to your testin venue on examination day,” CSC said.

What to bring, wear

“No ID card/document, no exam policy shall be implemented,” CSC said.

Examinees must bring their original identification (ID) card, preferably the same ID card presented during the filing of their exam application.

Only black ballpoint pens will be used in the exam, as pencils and other types of pens, such as gel pens, sign pens, fountain pens, friction pens, etc., as well as other colors of ballpoint pens, are not permitted.

Personal alcohol or hand sanitizer may be brought, but not more than 100 milliliters in size.

They may also bring water in “clear/transparent” container, and/or candies/biscuits, which will be inspected by the room examiner.

It added that examinees must also dress appropriately, “preferably plaint white shirt/tops,” as those wearing sleeveless shirts or blouses, shorts, short pants, or tokong pants, ripped jeans, and slippers are not permitted to enter the exam venue.

“Also, long hair must be tied,” CSC said.

Meanwhile, wearing of face masks will be optional.

CSC said examinees are “encouraged” to use transparent bag.

“Bringing of cellular phones, including smart phones/watches and pens/eyeglasses with built-in camera, and any other gadgets/electronic devices, including those that may facilitate video/audio recording of any test material/form, or part/portion/phase of the conduct of the exam, and all other similar items, in the examinee’s seat is not allowed,” CSC said.

Examinees are also prohibited from carrying cellphones or other electronic devices in their pockets, as well as wearing smart watches during the examination.

Bags with cellphones and gadgets, including smart watches, may have to be left in front of the examination room or in a designated area.

Moreover, CSC reminded that using any aid in answering the test, such as calculators, watch calculators, tablets, books, dictionaries, and other forms of printed materials, and any other similar materials, items, or gadgets is not permitted.