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This page sits under UK Assessment Tests and is separate from US Civil Service exams.
This page sits under UK Assessment Tests and is separate from US Civil Service exams.
The Civil Service Verbal Test (CSVT) is an online psychometric assessment used in many UK Civil Service campaigns. Official GOV.UK guidance explains that it measures the ability to identify relevant information and draw logical conclusions from written material.
In the standard format described publicly, you read a passage and then decide whether a statement is true, false, or cannot say based only on the information given. The test is described as untimed and adaptive.
The 45 questions below are original educational exercises. They are not official Civil Service, Cabinet Office, CS Jobs or JobTestPrep items.
Key Takeaways
- The CSVT measures verbal ability under Success Profiles Ability.
- Use only the passage for True, False, or Cannot Say decisions.
- Official GOV.UK guidance describes the test as untimed and adaptive.
- Banked scores, when available, are grade-group and time-limited under official rules.
- There is no single universal verbal pass mark across campaigns.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Assessment name | Civil Service Verbal Test (CSVT) |
| Framework element | Ability (Success Profiles) |
| Timing | Official guidance: not timed |
| Core item style | Passage + True / False / Cannot Say |
| Official practice | Free Civil Service Verbal practice test on GOV.UK |
| Scoring | Percentile vs comparison group; banked scores may apply |
The current recruitment campaign controls. The process may vary by role and intake. Check your invitation before preparing.
How to prepare
- Complete the official Civil Service Verbal practice test on GOV.UK.
- Train yourself to use only the passage: do not bring in outside knowledge.
- Treat “Cannot Say” as correct when the statement goes beyond the text.
- Watch for absolute words such as always, never, all and only.
- Add third-party drills only after official familiarisation.
JobTestPrep UK Civil Service Verbal practice can support extra True/False/Cannot Say drills as an independent commercial option. Confirm what is free versus paid on the product page. It is not Civil Service Resourcing or an official campaign assessment.
Practice questions
1. The council’s Customer Promise states that written complaints will receive an acknowledgement within three working days. Acknowledgements may be sent by email or letter. Telephone complaints are logged on the same system but follow a separate timescale.
Statement: Written complaints receive an acknowledgement within three working days.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that written complaints receive an acknowledgement within three working days, so the statement is True.
2. All new social workers in the authority must complete a mandatory safeguarding module before taking sole case responsibility. Shadowing an experienced colleague is recommended but is not a substitute for the module.
Statement: Shadowing an experienced colleague can replace the mandatory safeguarding module.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
The passage says shadowing is not a substitute for the mandatory module, so the statement is False.
3. The archives unit digitised 1,200 planning files last year. Staff reported that retrieval times for digitised files were shorter than for paper files stored off-site.
Statement: The archives unit digitised more files last year than in the previous year.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Last year’s digitisation figure is given, but there is no comparison with the previous year, so the answer is Cannot Say.
4. Parking permits for residents in Controlled Parking Zone C cost £60 per year. Visitors’ scratch cards are sold in books of ten for £15. Blue Badge holders park free of charge in marked bays across the borough.
Statement: Residents’ parking permits in Zone C cost £15 per year.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Permits cost £60 per year, not £15, so the statement is False.
5. The Fire Service’s guidance for community halls requires that fire exits remain unobstructed during public events. Temporary decorations must not hang across exit routes.
Statement: Fire exits in community halls must remain unobstructed during public events.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The guidance requires fire exits to remain unobstructed during public events, so the statement is True.
6. Job applications for the policy officer role closed on 14 March. Shortlisted candidates were invited to a written exercise on 28 March. The recruitment panel included one external adviser.
Statement: More than twenty people applied for the policy officer role.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
The passage gives dates and panel composition but not the number of applicants, so the answer is Cannot Say.
7. The libraries network opens seven sites on Saturdays. Four of those sites also open on Sundays. Membership is free for residents.
Statement: Most library members live outside the borough.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Membership is free for residents, but nothing is said about where most members live, so the answer is Cannot Say.
8. Procurement rules require three written quotes for purchases between £5,000 and £25,000. Purchases above £25,000 must go to open tender unless a framework agreement already covers the goods.
Statement: Purchases between £5,000 and £25,000 require three written quotes.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that three written quotes are required for purchases between £5,000 and £25,000, so the statement is True.
9. Staff may claim up to 45 pence per mile for essential car travel on official business. Rail tickets should be standard class unless first class is cheaper when booked in advance.
Statement: Staff must always travel first class by rail on official business.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Rail travel should be standard class unless first class is cheaper, so staff must not always travel first class. The statement is False.
10. The housing options service offers triage appointments within five working days of first contact. Emergency homelessness presentations are seen on the same day.
Statement: Emergency homelessness presentations are seen on the same day.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that emergency homelessness presentations are seen on the same day, so the statement is True.
11. A new waste collection rota was introduced in January. Householders received a leaflet explaining which bins are collected each week. Recycling contamination fell in the first month after the change.
Statement: The fall in contamination was caused by the new rota.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Contamination fell after the change, but the passage does not establish that the rota caused the fall, so the answer is Cannot Say.
12. School admission appeals must be lodged within 20 school days of the refusal letter. Late appeals are accepted only where the panel is satisfied that there was a good reason for the delay.
Statement: Late school admission appeals are never accepted.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Late appeals may be accepted where there is a good reason, so it is False that they are never accepted.
13. The council’s website privacy notice states that contact-form data are retained for 12 months. Analytics cookies are optional and can be refused.
Statement: Contact-form data are retained for 24 months.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
The privacy notice retains contact-form data for 12 months, not 24 months, so the statement is False.
14. Roadworks on High Street are scheduled to last six weeks. Two-way traffic lights will operate between 09:30 and 15:30 on weekdays. Local traders were invited to a briefing before work started.
Statement: Local traders supported the roadworks timetable.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Traders were invited to a briefing, but their views are not stated, so the answer is Cannot Say.
15. Internal audit findings rated the payroll control environment as adequate. Two medium-priority recommendations were agreed with the finance director.
Statement: Two medium-priority recommendations were agreed with the finance director.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that two medium-priority recommendations were agreed with the finance director, so the statement is True.
16. The youth service ran 18 weekly activity sessions in the summer programme. Attendance was highest at the sports sessions. Volunteers helped at half of the sessions.
Statement: The summer programme cost less than the previous year’s programme.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Attendance and volunteer help are mentioned, but programme cost is not, so the answer is Cannot Say.
17. Flexitime rules allow staff to carry forward a maximum of one working day into the next accounting period. Time owed to the organisation must be cleared within the same period unless a manager agrees otherwise.
Statement: Staff may carry forward an unlimited amount of flexitime.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Carry-forward is capped at one working day, so unlimited carry-forward is False.
18. Freedom of Information responses should be issued within 20 working days of receipt. Complex requests may take longer, but the requester must be told if an extension is needed.
Statement: Freedom of Information responses should normally be issued within 20 working days.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that FoI responses should be issued within 20 working days, so the statement is True.
19. All pool cars must be booked through the central booking system. Private use of pool cars is not permitted.
Statement: Private use of pool cars is not permitted.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that private use of pool cars is not permitted, so the statement is True.
20. The adult learning prospectus lists evening courses in literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Fees are waived for learners receiving certain qualifying benefits.
Statement: All adult learning courses are free for every learner.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Fees are waived only for learners on certain benefits, not for every learner, so the statement is False.
21. A consultation on park opening hours ran for six weeks. The online form received 340 responses. Paper forms were also available at the community centre.
Statement: A majority of respondents wanted longer opening hours.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Response numbers are given, but preferences about opening hours are not, so the answer is Cannot Say.
22. Registrars can book marriage ceremonies up to 12 months in advance. Ceremonies at the town hall are available on weekdays only. Saturday ceremonies take place at approved external venues.
Statement: Town hall marriage ceremonies are available on Saturdays.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Town hall ceremonies are weekdays only; Saturdays are at external venues, so the statement is False.
23. Health and safety briefings are mandatory for contractors starting work on council premises. Proof of public liability insurance must be shown before work begins.
Statement: Contractors must show proof of public liability insurance before starting work on council premises.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
Proof of public liability insurance must be shown before work begins, so the statement is True.
24. Bus patronage on route 14 rose after the introduction of evening services. The operator published monthly passenger figures on its website.
Statement: Evening services were introduced because passenger demand had been rising beforehand.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Patronage rose after evening services started, but the reason for introducing them is not given, so the answer is Cannot Say.
25. The Democratic Services team supports 42 elected members. Agendas for full council meetings are published five clear working days before the meeting.
Statement: Full council meetings are held every month.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
The number of members and agenda timing are given, but meeting frequency is not, so the answer is Cannot Say.
26. Staff must report data breaches to the Information Governance team without undue delay. Serious breaches may need to be reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Statement: Staff must report data breaches to the Information Governance team without undue delay.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage requires breaches to be reported to Information Governance without undue delay, so the statement is True.
27. Cycle-to-work scheme applications open twice a year. Staff must have passed probation before applying. Helmets are recommended but are not supplied by the scheme.
Statement: Staff may apply for the cycle-to-work scheme during their probation period.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Staff must have passed probation before applying, so applications during probation are not allowed. The statement is False.
28. Building control applications for simple works are usually determined within five weeks. More complex applications can take longer.
Statement: More complex building control applications can take longer than five weeks.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that more complex applications can take longer than the usual five weeks, so the statement is True.
29. The museum received a grant to restore two Victorian galleries. Visitor numbers increased in the month after reopening. A temporary cafe opened beside the entrance.
Statement: The grant was larger than any previous grant the museum had received.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
A grant amount is not compared with previous grants, so the answer is Cannot Say.
30. Employment references for former staff are limited to job title, dates of employment and sickness absence totals where requested. Managers must not give informal character references on council letterhead.
Statement: Managers may give informal character references on council letterhead.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Managers must not give informal character references on council letterhead, so the statement is False.
31. Blue Badge applications from people with permanent disabilities are processed within eight weeks of a complete application. Temporary badges may be issued for shorter periods.
Statement: All Blue Badge applications are decided within two weeks.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Permanent applications are processed within eight weeks, not all within two weeks, so the statement is False.
32. The IT service desk aims to resolve Priority 1 incidents within four hours. Priority 2 incidents have a one-working-day target. Out-of-hours cover is provided by an on-call engineer.
Statement: Most Priority 1 incidents are caused by network failures.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Targets and out-of-hours cover are described, but causes of Priority 1 incidents are not, so the answer is Cannot Say.
33. Election canvassers must wear official identification when visiting households. Personal details collected during the canvass are processed under electoral registration law.
Statement: Election canvassers must wear official identification when visiting households.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage requires canvassers to wear official identification when visiting households, so the statement is True.
34. A pilot of digital appointment booking reduced missed clinical assessments in the occupational health service. The pilot ran for three months in two directorates.
Statement: The pilot will be rolled out to every directorate next year.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
The pilot’s results and scope are described, but any future roll-out is not, so the answer is Cannot Say.
35. Pest control visits for rats in domestic properties are free for council tenants. Private homeowners pay a fixed fee listed on the website.
Statement: Private homeowners receive free pest control visits for rats.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Private homeowners pay a fee; free visits are for council tenants, so the statement is False.
36. Whistleblowing concerns can be raised with a designated officer or via the confidential hotline. Staff who raise concerns in good faith are protected from unfair treatment under the policy.
Statement: Staff who raise whistleblowing concerns in good faith are protected from unfair treatment under the policy.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The policy protects staff who raise concerns in good faith from unfair treatment, so the statement is True.
37. The highways team inspects A-roads at least once a month. Defects that meet intervention criteria are made safe within set timescales according to risk.
Statement: A-roads are inspected by the highways team at least once a month.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that A-roads are inspected at least once a month, so the statement is True.
38. Room bookings for community groups are free on weekday mornings. Weekend bookings attract a charge. Alcohol may not be served without prior written approval.
Statement: Community groups may serve alcohol at weekend bookings without prior approval.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Alcohol needs prior written approval, so serving without prior approval is False.
39. Apprenticeship starts in the authority rose from 22 to 31 in one year. Completions also rose, though by a smaller number.
Statement: Most apprenticeships were in digital and data roles.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Starts and completions rose, but apprenticeship subject areas are not given, so the answer is Cannot Say.
40. The emergency planning unit updates the corporate risk register every quarter. Departmental risk leads must confirm their entries before each update cycle closes.
Statement: The corporate risk register is updated once a year only.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
The register is updated every quarter, not once a year only, so the statement is False.
41. Copying of electoral register data for commercial use is restricted by law. Elected members may use register data for their councillor duties under controlled conditions.
Statement: Copying of electoral register data for commercial use is restricted by law.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
The passage states that commercial copying of electoral register data is restricted by law, so the statement is True.
42. Street lighting LED conversion reduced energy consumption on several routes. Residents reported fewer dark spots after the works.
Statement: Energy bills for street lighting fell by exactly 40% borough-wide.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Energy use fell on several routes, but a borough-wide 40% bill reduction is not stated, so the answer is Cannot Say.
43. A joint working protocol between children’s social care and the police sets out how urgent safeguarding referrals are triaged overnight. Daytime referrals follow the multi-agency safeguarding hub process.
Statement: Overnight safeguarding referrals always result in an immediate home visit.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: C
Overnight triage is described, but immediate home visits are not guaranteed, so the answer is Cannot Say.
44. Public speaking at planning committee is limited to three minutes per registered speaker. Speakers must register by noon on the working day before the meeting.
Statement: Speakers at planning committee must register by noon on the working day before the meeting.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: A
Speakers must register by noon on the working day before the meeting, so the statement is True.
45. The staff survey is confidential and results are reported only in aggregate. Individual comments that identify a person are anonymised before wider circulation.
Statement: The staff survey publishes each respondent’s named answers.
A. True B. False C. Cannot Say
Correct answer: B
Results are aggregate and identifying comments are anonymised, so named individual answers are not published. The statement is False.
Official resources
- GOV.UK: Preparing for the Civil Service Verbal and Numerical tests
- GOV.UK: Civil Service online tests
Related guides
- UK Assessment Tests
- Civil Service Numerical Test
- Civil Service Judgement Test
- Civil Service Fast Stream
- Verbal Reasoning
FAQ
What does CSVT measure?
Official guidance states it measures the ability to identify relevant information and draw logical conclusions from written information.
What are the response options?
Public guidance describes True, False and Cannot Say judgements based on the passage.
Is outside knowledge allowed?
No. Decisions must be based on the information given in the passage.
Are Verbal and Numerical scores transferable to each other?
Official guidance states a banked score on one test does not transfer between Verbal and Numerical tests.
Next steps
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