Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE 371)
The is the big one—the rigorous, proctored test used to evaluate your reasoning and judgment skills for officer-level positions across the federal public service.
Most candidates face a two-step climb: you likely started with the unsupervised online version at home (the PSEE UIT 370), and now you’re heading into the main event. We’ve spent years breaking down these exact PSC question types so you aren’t walking into that testing hall guessing how to tackle the logic or second-guessing your judgment.
Grab your study guide below, figure out where you stand in the process, and let’s get you ready for test day.
PSEE Practice and Online Course Test of Reasoning 373 Second Language SLE (English) Test of Judgement (Situation Judgement)
Find Your Path: Beyond the PSEE
Most folks don’t apply to just one federal department and cross their fingers—they cast a wide net across different classifications, boards, and agencies in Ottawa.
Instead of making you dig through a confusing wall of government test codes, we’ve grouped our study guides by what you’re actually trying to achieve. Find your track below to see what matches your job poster:
1. The Officer & Policy Track
For analytical, administrative, and management roles across core federal departments.
Who it’s for: Candidates eyeing policy analyst, program administration (PA group), and general officer-level inventories.
What you’ll find: Rigorous practice sets focusing on advanced reasoning, written expression, and problem-solving to help you clear second-stage screening and merit criteria.
GCT (General Competency Test) Korn Ferry Second Language SLE (English)
2. The Border & Public Safety Track
For careers on the front lines with the CBSA, corrections, and enforcement agencies.
Who it’s for: Future Border Services Officers preparing for the OTEE, as well as applicants targeting correctional officer and public safety support roles.
What you’ll find: Tailored situational judgment tests, cognitive practice questions, and our digital footprint social media audit modules to help you prep for those strict recruitment standards.
CBSA OTEE Corrections Officer
3. The Clerical & Administrative Track
For essential office, data, and support inventories across the public service.
Who it’s for: Applicants testing for administrative assistant, clerical support, and lower-level PA or AS group inventories.
What you’ll find: Straightforward practice drills covering basic mathematics, reading comprehension, spelling, and grammar so you can breeze through clerical qualifying exams.
GSPAT GCT Level 2 CRA Writing
4. The Uniformed Services & Defence Track (CFAT & Firefighters)
For candidates aiming at the Canadian Armed Forces or municipal fire services.
The CFAT SEAF Command Center (Canadian Forces Aptitude Test):
Who it’s for: Anyone looking to enlist or trade-up in the Canadian Armed Forces. Remind them that a higher score unlocks more military occupations.
What you’ll find: Timed practice modules tackling the brutal constraints of the 3 subtests—Verbal Skills (vocab/analogies), Spatial Ability (pattern folding/rotation), and Problem Solving (math word problems and number series).
Explore the SEAF, TSD-PI, and CFAT Complete Practice Package ->
The Firefighter Recruitment Track (OFAI, CPS, & National Tests):
Who it’s for: Candidates facing municipal or provincial fire service testing (such as the Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test / OFAI FACT, CPS, or FireTEAM).
What you’ll find: Mechanical reasoning, math, reading comprehension, and heavily weighted personal characteristics/behavioral inventories that trip up unprepared applicants.
OFAI FACT Gledhill Shaw CPS Research
5. The Public Safety & Dispatch Track (The Critical Test & Emergency Roles)
For emergency communicators, 911 dispatchers, and specialized law enforcement support roles.
The Criticall / Critical Test Focus:
Who it’s for: Applicants testing for 911 dispatcher, emergency communications, and civilian police support positions that require intense multi-tasking.
What you’ll find: Multi-tasking simulations, data-entry drills, prioritizing scenarios, and audio-prompt response practice designed around the exact structure of the Criticall exam software.
The Canadian Public Service Commission
The Public Service Commission promotes and ensures a non-partisan and merit-based public service that is representative of, and serves all Canadians. As part of this mandate, the Public Service Commission recruits for the public service with a portal for all public service jobs. The Public Service Commission administers all public service entrance exams.
Canada Public Service recruitment process:
Recruitment Process
A Job is Posted. A job is advertised on the Government of Canada’s job website, as well as other job search sites. The posting includes information about the job requirements, qualifications, and application deadline.
Submit your Application. Submit your applications online, with documents such as your resume, cover letter, and any other.
Assessment. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to participate in an assessment process. The assessment process may include:
- Entrance Exam You will be required to take an entrance exam, such as the Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE), or other.
- Second Language Evaluation (SLE) You may be required to take an Second Language Evaluation SLE test to assess your proficiency in English or French as a second language.
- Interview If you are successful in the testing phase, and meet the minimum requirements or better, you will be invited to one or more interviews.
- Reference Check You will be asked to provide references from people who can attest to their work experience, skills, and character. Depending on the position, you may also be required to provide a criminal record check.
- Selection Hiring managers will select the most qualified candidate(s) for the position. You will be notified of the decision either way.
- Security Check Some positions require security screening, which includes a criminal record check, credit check, and other security checks, depending on the position.
Job Offer If you make it through all of these steps, and are the best qualified, you will get a job offer. The offer includes details about the job, salary, benefits, and start date.
Onboarding The onboarding includes orientation, training, and familiarization with the job and the department.
Why Trust Complete Test Preparation?
Written by Canadians, for Canadians—Since 2005
We aren’t a massive, faceless multi-national test-prep mill churning out generic flashcards. For over two decades, we’ve operated right here in Victoria, British Columbia, breaking down the exact mechanics of Canadian civil service, defense, and public safety exams.
When you open one of our study guides or practice courses, you’re getting material built on real classroom experience, rigorous data analysis of past PSC and public safety question patterns, and a genuine commitment to helping working folks land their next career step. Plus, a portion of every single sale goes directly to supporting global education and literacy charities. If you ever have a question about a study guide or a confusing job poster, reach out—we actually answer our emails.
Written by, Brian Stocker MA., Complete Test Preparation Inc.
Date Published: Monday, January 3rd, 2022
Date Modified: Wednesday, October 28th, 2026