Civil Service Exams Tentatively Set to Oct. 8 and 15

Civil Service Exams Tentatively Set to Oct. 8 and 15

The Hong Kong government has tentatively set the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) on Oct. 8 and 15, as per a government news portal yesterday.

Applications for the CRE and BLNST commence today, Aug. 5, until before 5 PM on Aug. 18, with applicants given the choice to take whichever of the CRE papers or BLNST paper in the examination.

The CRE comprises three 45-minute papers, the Use of English (UE), Use of Chinese (UC), and Aptitude (AT), in multiple choice. Results in the UE and UC portions are graded as Level 2 as the highest, followed by Level 1, and Fail. The AT paper's results are classified as Pass or Fail. A Level 2 or Level 1 is usually required for civil service positions at degree or professional levels.

The BLNST for degree or professional grades, on the other hand, is a 30-minute paper in English and Chinese comprising 20 multiple choice questions. Scoring at least 10 out of 20 correct leads to a passing score and is an entry requirement for all civil service jobs in Hong Kong.

A separate examination is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 10 to accommodate applicants living outside of Hong Kong. Applications will be announced later this 2022.

Due to the COVID-19 situation in the region, the Civil Service Bureau may adjust the schedule of the examinations should the circumstances warrant it. Applicants are advised to turn to the bureau's website for announcements.

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