Federal hiring assessments are the tests, questionnaires, and related evaluation steps agencies use after you apply through USAJOBS or an agency careers portal. There is no single universal federal exam. The controlling document is usually the job opportunity announcement for the exact vacancy, plus any assessment invitation you receive later.
This hub covers U.S. federal agency and USA Hire pathways. It does not own state, county, or municipal civil service exams. Those belong on the Civil Service Exams hub. Postal Service exams are a separate pathway and are covered elsewhere on this site.
Key takeaway: Match your preparation to the agency and assessment named in your announcement or invitation. USA Hire is an OPM assessment platform used by many agencies, not one fixed national test.
How federal hiring differs from state and local civil service
State and local civil service exams are usually tied to a jurisdiction’s own announcement, eligible list, and local rules. Federal hiring typically starts on USAJOBS, follows federal qualification and assessment language, and may include agency-specific exams, USA Hire modules, structured interviews, medical evaluation, fitness testing, background investigation, suitability review, or security-related steps.
Those later stages are not universal. They depend on the agency, occupation, appointment type, location, and security or suitability designation. Always verify the live announcement and official candidate instructions.
How USAJOBS fits in
USAJOBS is the primary public portal for many federal vacancies. Creating a profile, submitting an application package, and answering occupational questionnaires are common early steps. An assessment invitation, if used, usually comes after you apply and meet the announcement’s minimum screening rules.
USAJOBS does not mean every applicant takes the same test. Some announcements use questionnaires only. Others invite USA Hire assessments. Others route you to an agency-specific entrance exam or computer-based battery. Follow the announcement and any email from the hiring system named in your process.
What USA Hire is and is not
USA Hire is an OPM assessment platform built for federal hiring. OPM describes it as a skills-based assessment system used by many federal agencies. Applicants are typically invited after applying through USA Staffing, can complete assessments by a due date, and agencies may combine USA Hire with other assessments.
USA Hire is not a single exam with one fixed format for every federal job. Current OPM materials describe packages and assessment families that can include general competency assessments for non-supervisory roles, early-career assessments, leadership or supervisory assessments, writing assessments, data skills assessments, program and project management assessments, and custom assessments. The invitation for your vacancy controls which modules you receive.
Open the USA Hire Assessment guide when your invitation names USA Hire or related occupational modules. Use the module pages when your invite names a specific USA Hire component.
How to choose the right guide
- Read the job opportunity announcement and note the agency, series, and assessment language.
- Check your email for the assessment name, deadline, and whether the test is online, proctored, or at a test center.
- Open the matching agency or program guide below rather than a generic “federal test” label.
- Use official candidate guides and practice materials linked from the agency or OPM when they are provided.
- Treat third-party practice as optional familiarization only after the official name is clear.
Federal assessment pathways
| Pathway | Start here |
|---|---|
| General federal assessments | USA Hire Assessment, Occupational Reasoning, Occupational Judgment, Occupational Reading, Occupational Math, Occupational Interaction, Early Career Talent, Federal Supervisor Assessment |
| Homeland security and transportation | TSO Assessment, TSA CBT / TAB context, TSA hiring process, DHS Assessment, CBP Officer Entrance Exam, CBP entrance exam prep, Border Patrol Entrance Exam, Federal Air Marshal, Air Marshal prep, FAA ATSA, USPS Exam 955 |
| Law enforcement and investigations | FBI Phase 1, FBI Phase 2, FBI Special Agent exam, FBI Intelligence Analyst, Secret Service SAEE, SAEE prep, Secret Service UDEE, ICE HSI, ATF, Treasury Enforcement Agent exam, U.S. Marshals, Federal law enforcement overview, Correctional officer entry |
| Administrative and professional roles | Federal civil service overview, Federal clerical, Administrative assistant, Office assistant, Federal SJT, Accounting, Engineering |
Older preparation materials may refer to the TSA CBT. Current TSO announcements identify the computer-based assessment as the TSO Assessment Battery, or TAB. Use the TSO Assessment guide as the current role pathway.
CBP Officer and Border Patrol Agent are different occupations with different entrance exams. Do not prepare for one using the other as a substitute.
Official sources to verify first
- USAJOBS and the live job opportunity announcement
- OPM USA Hire overview
- USA Hire Applicant Resource Center
- Agency careers pages such as TSA careers, DHS careers, and CBP careers
- Official CBP study guides for the CBP Officer Entrance Exam and Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam
FAQ
Is there one federal civil service exam for every agency job?
No. Federal assessments vary by agency and announcement. State and local civil service exams are a separate cluster.
Does every federal applicant take USA Hire?
No. Many agencies use USA Hire, but others use agency-specific exams, questionnaires, or different assessment batteries. Your invitation controls the format.
Where should state or city applicants go?
Use the Civil Service Exams hub for state, county, and municipal pathways.
Are practice questions on this site official?
No. Practice materials here are educational only. They do not reproduce live federal exams or official scoring keys.
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