Ceso Exams: Everything You Need to Know and Where to Find Review Centers in the Philippines
Ceso Exams Review Centers Philippines Pdf
If you are aspiring to become a Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) in the Philippine government, you need to pass the Ceso Exams. These are a series of tests that measure your cognitive skills, management aptitude, and managerial competencies. In this article, we will give you an overview of what Ceso Exams are, why you should take them, how to prepare for them, and where to find review centers in the Philippines. We will also provide you with some resources and materials that you can download as pdf files for your convenience.
Ceso Exams Review Centers Philippines Pdf
What are Ceso Exams?
Ceso Exams are the official examinations for the Career Executive Service (CES), which is a system of career service in the Philippine government that involves positions classified as third level or executive/managerial. These positions include department secretaries, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, bureau directors, regional directors, and other equivalent ranks.
To become a CESO, you need to undergo a four-stage CES Eligibility Process that consists of:
The Career Executive Service (CES) Eligibility Process
The CES Written Examination (CES-WE), which is a paper-and-pencil test that covers verbal ability, analytical ability, managerial ability, and general knowledge.
The CES Assessment Center (CES-AC), which is a series of exercises that simulate real-life situations that require managerial skills and competencies. These exercises include leaderless group discussion, in-basket exercise, situational judgment test, oral presentation, and interview.
The Performance Validation Stage (PVS), which is an evaluation of your actual performance as an executive/manager in your current or previous position.
The Board Interview Stage (BIS), which is a panel interview conducted by the members of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) to assess your suitability for the CES.
Only those who pass all four stages will be conferred the CES Eligibility and be appointed as CESO.
The CES Written Examination (CES-WE)
The CES-WE is usually conducted twice a year by the CESB in various testing centers nationwide. It has four subtests that measure your cognitive skills and management aptitude:
Verbal Ability - This subtest assesses your vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and error recognition skills.
Analytical Ability - This subtest measures your numerical reasoning, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Managerial Ability - This subtest evaluates your knowledge of management concepts and principles, organizational behavior, public administration, and governance.
General Knowledge - This subtest gauges your awareness of current events, Philippine history and culture, socio-economic issues, science and technology, and international affairs.
The CES-WE has a total of 170 items and a time limit of four hours. You need to obtain a rating of at least 80% in each subtest to pass the CES-WE and qualify for the next stage.
The CES Assessment Center (CES-AC)
The CES-AC is a one-day assessment that consists of five exercises that simulate real-life situations that require managerial skills and competencies. These exercises are:
Leaderless Group Discussion (LGD) - This exercise involves a group of examinees who are given a case or a problem to discuss and resolve within a given time. The assessors observe how you interact with others, express your ideas, listen to feedback, and contribute to the group's goal.
In-Basket Exercise (IBE) - This exercise requires you to assume the role of an executive who has to deal with various documents and tasks in his/her in-basket within a given time. The assessors evaluate how you prioritize, organize, delegate, and communicate your actions and decisions.
Situational Judgment Test (SJT) - This exercise presents you with a series of scenarios that involve managerial dilemmas or challenges. You have to choose the best course of action from a list of options or provide your own response. The assessors rate how you apply your knowledge, judgment, and ethics to the situations.
Oral Presentation (OP) - This exercise asks you to prepare and deliver a presentation on a given topic within a given time. The assessors observe how you structure, support, and deliver your message, as well as how you handle questions from the audience.
Interview (INT) - This exercise involves a one-on-one interview with an assessor who asks you questions about your background, experience, motivation, and vision as an executive/manager. The assessor probes how you demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, and professionalism.
The CES-AC measures your level of managerial competencies in six core areas: leadership, strategic thinking, results orientation, participatory management, interpersonal relations, and communication skills. You need to obtain a rating of at least 80% in each competency area to pass the CES-AC and qualify for the next stage.
Why take Ceso Exams?
Ceso Exams are not only a requirement but also an opportunity for aspiring and incumbent executives/managers in the Philippine government. By taking Ceso Exams, you can:
Benefits of being a Career Executive Service Officer (CESO)
Gain recognition and respect as a qualified and competent leader in the public sector.
Enjoy security of tenure and stability of employment as a permanent appointee in the CES.
Receive higher salary grade and benefits as compared to non-CESO executives/managers.
Access career development opportunities such as training, mentoring, coaching, networking, and mobility within the CES.
Contribute to the improvement of public service delivery and governance in the country.
Qualifications and requirements for taking Ceso Exams
To be eligible to take Ceso Exams, you need to meet the following qualifications and requirements:
You must be a Filipino citizen.
You must have at least five years of managerial experience in the government or private sector.
You must have at least a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution.
You must have no pending administrative or criminal case.
You must have no conviction by final judgment of an offense involving moral turpitude.
In addition, you need to submit the following documents to the CESB:
A duly accomplished application form (CES Form No. 101-A for CES-WE or CES Form No. 101-B for CES-AC).
A certified true copy of your transcript of records or diploma.
A certified true copy of your certificate of employment or service record showing your managerial experience.
A certified true copy of your clearance from any administrative or criminal case issued by the Office of the Ombudsman or by the court where the case was filed.
You also need to pay the corresponding examination fee (P1,500 for CES-WE or P3,000 for CES-AC) through any Land Bank branch or online payment facility.
How to prepare for Ceso Exams?
Ceso Exams are not easy to pass. They require extensive preparation and practice. Here are some tips and strategies that can help you ace Ceso Exams:
Tips and strategies for passing the CES-WE
Tips and strategies for passing the CES-AC
Review the six core competencies and their behavioral indicators that are assessed in the CES-AC. These are leadership, strategic thinking, results orientation, participatory management, interpersonal relations, and communication skills. You can find the detailed descriptions of these competencies in the CESB website or in the CES-AC Orientation Guide.
Practice the five exercises that are used in the CES-AC. These are leaderless group discussion, in-basket exercise, situational judgment test, oral presentation, and interview. You can find sample cases, scenarios, topics, and questions in the CESB website or in the CES-AC Orientation Guide. You can also join online or offline review sessions that offer simulations and feedback for these exercises.
Prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally for the CES-AC. The CES-AC is a demanding and stressful assessment that requires your full attention and energy. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, stay hydrated, and relax before and during the assessment day. Avoid distractions, negative thoughts, and anxiety that may affect your performance.
Resources and materials for Ceso Exams review
There are various resources and materials that you can use to review for Ceso Exams. Some of them are:
The CESB website (www.cesboard.gov.ph), which contains information about the CES Eligibility Process, the schedule and venues of Ceso Exams, the application forms and procedures, the scope and coverage of Ceso Exams, the orientation guides and reviewers for Ceso Exams, and the results and announcements of Ceso Exams.
The CESB Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cesboard), which provides updates and reminders about Ceso Exams, as well as tips and testimonials from successful CESO candidates.
The CESB YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/cesboard), which features videos of orientation sessions, webinars, lectures, and interviews related to Ceso Exams.
The CESB publications (www.cesboard.gov.ph/publications), which include books, journals, newsletters, and manuals that discuss various topics on public administration, governance, leadership, management, and development.
The online review programs offered by independent review centers such as CES Exams Review Center (www.cesreview.net), which provide comprehensive and strategic modules, lessons, strategies, and practice tests for Ceso Exams.
The pdf files that you can download from various sources such as Google Drive (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Z6wXQ8xq2j0m7Y9yL8s4J4Kc0ZlZ7GfF?usp=sharing), which contain sample questions, answers, explanations, cases, scenarios, topics, and tips for Ceso Exams.
Where to find Ceso Exams review centers in the Philippines?
If you prefer to have a guided and structured review for Ceso Exams, you can enroll in online or offline review centers that offer courses and sessions for Ceso Exams preparation. Here are some of the options that you can choose from:
Online review centers for Ceso Exams
Online review centers are convenient and flexible options for busy professionals who want to review for Ceso Exams at their own pace and schedule. They also save time and money from traveling to physical locations. Some of the online review centers that you can check out are:
CES Exams Review Center
Other online review options
Aside from CES Exams Review Center, you may also find other online review options that offer courses, webinars, lectures, or coaching sessions for Ceso Exams preparation. Some of these options are:
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) website (www.csc.gov.ph), which provides online learning and development programs for public servants, such as the Public Management Development Program (PMDP) and the Leadership and Management Certification Program (LMCP).
The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) website (www.dap.edu.ph), which offers online courses and programs on various topics related to public administration, governance, leadership, management, and development.
The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) website (www.aim.edu), which provides online executive education programs on various fields of management, such as strategic management, public management, innovation management, and social development.
Offline review centers for Ceso Exams
Offline review centers are traditional and interactive options for those who prefer to have face-to-face sessions with instructors and fellow examinees. They also provide a more structured and focused review environment. Some of the offline review centers that you can check out are:
Civil Service Commission Regional Offices
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Regional Offices are the official testing centers for Ceso Exams in the Philippines. They also offer review sessions and materials for Ceso Exams preparation. You can contact the CSC Regional Office nearest you to inquire about their schedule and availability of review sessions and materials. You can find the contact details of the CSC Regional Offices in the CSC website or in the CESB website.
Other offline review options
Aside from the CSC Regional Offices, you may also find other offline review options that offer courses, seminars, workshops, or coaching sessions for Ceso Exams preparation. Some of these options are:
The Career Executive Service Board (CESB) Office, which conducts orientation sessions and mock exercises for Ceso Exams applicants. You can contact the CESB Office at (02) 951-4981 to 84 or email them at cesb@cesboard.gov.ph to inquire about their schedule and availability of orientation sessions and mock exercises.
The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Regional Offices, which offer training programs and consultancy services on various topics related to public administration, governance, leadership, management, and development. You can contact the DAP Regional Office nearest you to inquire about their schedule and availability of training programs and consultancy services. You can find the contact details of the DAP Regional Offices in the DAP website.
The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Campus, which provides executive education programs on various fields of management, such as strategic management, public management, innovation management, and social development. You can contact the AIM Campus at (02) 892-4011 to 25 or email them at info@aim.edu to inquire about their schedule and availability of executive education programs.
Conclusion
Ceso Exams are challenging but rewarding examinations for aspiring and incumbent executives/managers in the Philippine government. They measure your cognitive skills, management aptitude, and managerial competencies that are essential for effective public service delivery and governance. By passing Ceso Exams, you can become a Career Executive Service Officer (CESO), which is a prestigious and stable position in the public sector.
strategies, and practice tests for Ceso Exams. They can also give you feedback and tips to improve your performance and confidence in Ceso Exams.
We hope that this article has given you a helpful overview of Ceso Exams and how to prepare for them. We wish you all the best in your Ceso Exams journey and your career as a CESO.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Ceso Exams and their answers:
How can I apply for Ceso Exams?
You can apply for Ceso Exams by submitting the following documents to the CESB:
A duly accomplished application form (CES Form No. 101-A for CES-WE or CES Form No. 101-B for CES-AC).
A certified true copy of your transcript of records or diploma.
A certified true copy of your certificate of employment or service record showing your managerial experience.
A certified true copy of your clearance from any administrative or criminal case issued by the Office of the Ombudsman or by the court where the case was filed.
You also need to pay the corresponding examination fee (P1,500 for CES-WE or P3,000 for CES-AC) through any Land Bank branch or online payment facility.
When and where are Ceso Exams conducted?
Ceso Exams are usually conducted twice a year by the CESB in various testing centers nationwide. The schedule and venues of Ceso Exams are announced by the CESB through their website, Facebook page, and other media outlets. You can also contact the CESB or the CSC Regional Office nearest you to inquire about the schedule and venues of Ceso Exams.
How long are Ceso Exams valid?
Ceso Exams are valid for three years from the date of examination. If you pass the CES-WE, you have three years to take and pass the CES-AC. If you pass the CES-AC, you have three years to complete and pass the PVS and BIS. If you fail to complete and pass any stage within three years, you have to start over from the beginning.
How can I check my Ceso Exams results?
You can check your Ceso Exams results by visiting the CESB website or Facebook page, where they post the list of passers and their ratings. You can also contact the CESB or the CSC Regional Office nearest you to inquire about your Ceso Exams results. You will also receive a notification letter from the CESB informing you of your Ceso Exams results and the next steps in the CES Eligibility Process.
What if I fail Ceso Exams?
If you fail Ceso Exams, you can retake them after six months from the date of examination. However, you can only retake Ceso Exams twice. If you fail Ceso Exams three times, you will be disqualified from taking them again.
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