Executive Officer in the Civil Service 2026

Why oh why is the practice test for SJ not formatted this way on the Public Jobs website? This is going to catch a lot out and give people a fright in March.

https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/information-hub/our-recruitment-process/test-advice

Here is the only official sample from Public Jobs down at the bottom!

From reading online, the real thing is supposed to be much more challenging for numerical (and the other 2 categories). You really need to understand the likes of percentages, ratios, etc. I don’t and will need to get up to speed as well. 

I’m also weak with numbers and considering buying JobTestPrep EO/Sova tests or paying the career services site EO prep material to get an understanding of the maths involved.

But the career services site is very expensive and no free samples online or reviews on here to assess the standard of what you’re paying for. Supposedly they do explain ratios, etc for applying to different questions which would be good.

If you’re weak with numbers like myself the chances of you getting all questions answered are very low so you’ll need to answer as many of the less text heavy ones as possible and make some guesses towards the end.

You only need 9 to pass numerical and it doesn’t count towards OOM (your chances of getting an interview) at all. So I would be setting more time towards the other two tests towards the actual assessment date as they are bloody tough!

Don't stress the numerical. All you need to do is pass or hit the qualifying mark. Just relax and go through them, do the ones you can. Aim to get 40-50% done correctly and then go back and try the ones you find tougher. There's no negative marking so once it hits the 30-60 sec mark go back again and guess at the ones your were still unable to do.

Remember, you can have a calculator. I can't remember 100%, but you may be able to use a pen and paper also. Don't allow the English confuse you. Just pick your key words out. Your not looking to get the top score in the maths, just box clever and get enough done for a pass. It doesn't count towards your order of merit.

I can't recommend reading through the thread for the last campaign enough. These discussions were all hashed out there by some very knowledgeable people who may not drop into this thread. Early part of the thread will cover the tests.

I imagine none until closing date next week.

Hi all, I received an email from PAS saying the new profile i set up as they are transitioning to new platform defaulted to their test system and they will have to delete profile and I'll have to set up a new one. Anyone else get an email like this?

Would anybody know what pay scales an EO would Skip?

Are they using the capabilities or competency framework for applications?

I don't see any section where they ask for examples in the application, is it further along after submitting the declaration on public jobs? Or just at interview stage?

Also I seen some talking about an essay, I thought it's a verbal and numerical test no?

Hi all. I applied in the 2024 competition and got placed 12th on the OOM in Kilkenny. I did really well on the Numerical and Verbal reasoning tests and passed the SJ (was a bit disappointed with my score there though). I registered interest in Revenue roles early 2025 but never got a call about an interview.

I live in Dublin but would like to move back to the South East (where i grew up) in the future to be nearer extended family, lower cost of living and to get away from the traffic! Since the vast majority of roles are Dublin based, would I be better off putting Dublin as a first choice to get a foot in the door and then look for a transfer later? Would Waterford be a better choice than Kilkenny? I earn more than the EO base rate now and I'd be reluctant to live in Dublin on an EO salary. However I could take the medicine short term and maybe even commute if it's hybrid. I feel a bit burned by the last time applying in Kilkenny. I have a decade of experience working in team lead or junior management roles in the private sector so I think I would pass an interview if I could get that far!

Any thoughts or insights?

They had only reached 3 on the Open OOM and 1 on interdepartmental last time I checked in May 2025! I will check that map, thank you!

Is 1 day per week the norm in CS? I would be ok commuting anything up to 3 days but not 4 or 5 I think.

Here's the format the situational tests take, they are not simple ranking, good luck!:

Revenue have as little as 1 day per week in the office. And as you mentioned Revenue in your post. Other departments can be up to 3 days per week. But you won't know until placed, that's the issue so it's a chance you've to take.

The public jobs sample test really should include all 5 ranking headings in the sample test. I don’t know why they only want you to select the best answer.

I struggled towards the end of the sample test with ranking the answers on a word doc and felt multiple ones could be bad or weak.

Find it so tough with ranking them independently and not comparing them. I’ll have another go this evening trying to rank the sample one independently.. it wrecked my head last week when I did it. I managed to get upper merit on the sample and I’ve been revising the capabilities so hope it all works out.

For the test, can you apply one appropriateness (poor, weak, good, adequate, excellent) to multiple options or do it have to be one for each option?

Thanks!

I have just realised my qualifications did not upload 😳 and I have sent in my application 😢😢 what should I do