Casework Skills Test practice
The Casework Skills Test gives a realistic preview of casework in the Civil Service. Practice all three parts: judge statements about a case file, rate actions in casework scenarios, then check records against a 10-minute clock.
All three parts: a case file with 10 statements, 6 casework scenarios to rate, then 10 minutes of timed checking.
Or start with a free drill3 case files with 30 statements and 18 casework scenarios · Every answer explained
The Casework Skills Test at a glance
- Format
- 3 parts
- Timing
- Parts 1–2 untimed, part 3 10 minutes
- Allow
- About an hour
- Used for
- Casework roles at AO and EO
Part 1: Case file
A scenario with background information such as customer emails, letters and messages from colleagues. For each statement you decide whether it is definitely true or false, probably true or false, or whether you cannot say, based on the information given.
Part 2: Casework scenarios
Six workplace scenarios in a casework setting. Rate each of four actions as Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective. Rate each action on its own; you can give the same rating more than once.
Part 3: Checking (timed)
Ten minutes of short case information such as address details, account numbers and dates. Either identify where two pieces of information differ, or input the requested information accurately.
Source: GOV.UK: Preparing for the Casework Skills Test. The official practice test shows the look and feel and is not scored.
The rating scale in part 2
| Rating | Official meaning |
|---|---|
| Counterproductive | An unacceptable action that would make the situation worse. |
| Ineffective | A poor action that would not help the situation. |
| Fairly effective | A useful action that would be of some help to the situation. |
| Effective | A good action that would help to resolve the situation. |
Free drills
Each drill has one free attempt and its own page. One Civil Service Judgement Test pass covers full practice tests and unlimited replays.
Case file drill
Part 1 only: read the background documents and judge 10 statements from Definitely true to Definitely false.
Casework scenarios drill
Part 2 only: rate every action in three casework scenarios from Counterproductive to Effective.
Checking drill
Part 3 only: compare case records and copy details accurately against a 10-minute clock.
Full practice test
How to prepare
- In part 1, answer from the documents only. "Definitely" needs the documents to state it or rule it out; "probably" needs specific grounds; otherwise the answer is Cannot say.
- Apply the stated rules to the case facts, including dates and amounts. Many statements turn on one condition in the guidance.
- In part 2, rate each action on its own merits. A sensible action that only partly solves the problem is Fairly Effective, not Effective.
- In part 3, check character by character: transposed digits, a changed letter in a postcode and a dropped character are the usual errors.
Common questions
What is the Casework Skills Test?
It is a Civil Service online test of the skills and abilities used in caseworking roles. It assesses how you process information from a range of sources, your judgement in casework scenarios, and your attention to detail when working quickly and accurately under time pressure.
Which grades take the Casework Skills Test?
It is used to recruit people for casework duties at Administrative Officer and Executive Officer level.
Is the Casework Skills Test timed?
Only the third part. The first two parts are untimed, the checking part lasts 10 minutes, and the official guidance recommends allowing about an hour in total.
What are the five answers in part 1?
Definitely true, probably true, cannot say, probably false and definitely false, judged only on the information given. Our case files explain why each key is not the neighboring answer.
How is the practice scored?
Part 1 statements and part 2 ratings earn 2 points for the keyed answer and 1 for an answer one step away; each checking item earns 1 point. The real test reports a percentile; our score is practice feedback, not an official result.
Can I try it for free?
Yes. The case file, scenarios and checking drills each have one free attempt. The full three-part practice tests and unlimited replays are included in the Civil Service Judgement Test pass.
Other Civil Service tests
Your invitation names the tests for your job. The same pass covers all of these:
Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK Civil Service. All scenarios, documents and explanations are original; keys are our own editorial judgments, and practice scores are not official results.