Practice Aptitude Tests is not associated with Civil Service. We provide preparation services for Civil Service psychometric tests. Our tests are not designed to be identical to any style, employer or industry. Visit https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi to find out more.
Civil Service Fast Steam Tests
The Civil Service Fast Stream is a leadership development programme that recruits once per year. Working at the heart of government, Fast Streamers work on some of the most complex issues facing Britain and the rest of the world.

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Civil Service video interview
The video interview will include a series of pre-set questions (as well as a practice question) which you’ll need to record video responses to. You normally have around 20 minutes to do this.
The questions tend to cover your experience, what motivates you and what you enjoy doing. It’s important to note that the competencies being examined at this stage of the application process are:
- Collaborating and partnering
- Managing a quality service
- Building capability for all
- Delivering at pace
You’ll be able to read and quickly pre-prepare the questions before filming your response.
Although having a short window in which to prepare your answers is positive, it’s worth remembering that the video interview format doesn’t allow you to expand on your answers or explain yourself further. As such, it’s really important you get across everything you need to, first time round.
Fast Stream assessment centre
If you pass the Fast Stream tests, you’ll be invited to the assessment centre — a half-day, in-person assessment consisting of the following:
Group exercise
In the group exercise, an assessor will be evaluating every candidate’s performance against three key markers:
- 1) Making effective decisions
- 2) Working together
- 3) Communicating and influencing
A fictitious scenario will be given to the group, as well as the individual position you’re taking within that group, before you’ll engage in discussion.
The overall goal is to decide, within 40 minutes, what the best recommendation is. Not only will you need to try and get the best possible outcome for the position you’re representing, but for the group as well.
Leadership exercise
When it comes to the leadership exercise, you’ll need to show the following competencies:
- 1) Seeing the bigger picture
- 2) Changing and improving
- 3) Working together
- 4) Developing the self and others
- 5) Communicating and influencing
You’ll be required to take part in a one-on-one role play, where you’ll be a Fast Streamer working for the Government and leading an important project or initiative.
You’ll get 30 minutes to review the information you need to take part, before a 30-minute role play with your assessor. They’ll be looking to see the competencies listed above in your response, as well as the confidence, assertiveness and general demeanour you’d expect to see in a leader.
Written exercise
In the written exercise, the four competencies or behaviours you’re being assessed on are:
- 1) Seeing the bigger picture
- 2) Changing and improving
- 3) Making effective decisions
- 4) Communicating and influencing
You’ll be given various bits of information and will need to examine the issues, answer a series of questions and put forward recommendations.
The most important part of the written test is showing how you arrive at a conclusion or recommendation by sharing the facts and figures that support your decision, and how well you express this in your writing.
Overall the test takes 90 minutes. It’s advised you spend around 30 minutes reading through the materials, before using the last 60 minutes to share your analysis and craft your answers.
Final selection board
The final selection board is the last stage of the selection process and therefore your last chance to show what makes you different, and why you’d be the perfect fit for the Fast Stream.
You’ll be asked a series of different questions, but should be prepared to talk about why you’ve applied to the Fast Stream, examples of things you’ve achieved that demonstrate the key competencies, and a general understanding and knowledge of the Civil Service that shows you’ve done your preparation.
How to pass the civil service tests
1. Practice
The best way to prepare for the civil service aptitude tests is to take some online practice tests. This will help you become accustomed to question style and format, whilst also allowing you to sharpen your skills. Taking practice tests will also allow you to identify any areas of weakness.
2. Focus on your weaknesses
When preparing for the tests, focus on areas that you are less comfortable with. This will make the most significant impact on your scores and help ensure that you are strong across the board.
3. Read the questions carefully
Make sure to read the questions carefully to ensure that you have fully understood what it is asking you. Many candidates often lose marks due to reading the question quickly and not fully understanding what it is asking.
Try Civil Service Fast Steam Tests for Free
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Free
Civil Service 01
20 Questions|20 Minutes
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Civil Service 02
20 Questions|20 Minutes
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Civil Service 03
20 Questions|20 Minutes
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Reviews of our Civil Service tests
What our customers say about our Civil Service tests
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Ventsislav Enchev Yordanov
United Kingdom
November 04, 2021
Interesting questions, making me think and analyze data quickly
Interesting test overall. Not too hard, but still challenging as it forces you to think quickly because of the time.
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Ll Bn
United Kingdom
October 20, 2021
Design is important
If the webpage was shorter, such as by having the graphic next to the question instead of above it, then there would be no need to scroll so much. This would also make it easier to refer to the data in the graphs.
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Clorrie Yeomans
United Kingdom
September 18, 2021
Great Maths practice
My Maths was a bit rusty before attempting. I am applying for grad schemes at the moment so I wanted to brush up. I found these questions really useful- thank you.
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Suzanne Weigl
Ireland
August 07, 2021
Time runs out fast!
It's pretty straightforward, but without having a pen and paper handy it took me too long to memorise the numbers I needed to use to solve the questions.
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Amarpal Singh
United Kingdom
August 04, 2021
Jump Starting for the Brain
The test was interesting and forced me to remember that it's about understanding the process as well as the maths.
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Alexander Watson
United Kingdom
May 12, 2021
Well made
Like the visual graphs that depicted the data.
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Micheal Nyarko
Ghana
April 06, 2021
predictions
is quite formidable but based on only one area
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Rinu Mathew
United Kingdom
April 05, 2021
Great practice
It was clear and the graphs were easy to read.
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Lee Perch
United Kingdom
April 02, 2021
More mathematical than i thought
There was plenty of time to complete it.
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Nina Patel
United Kingdom
March 13, 2021
Good questions
Good test of graph reading and mental arithmetic