Most of these exams have a deadline of July 22. The exam deadline for call center representative is open through Aug. 26, and ...

Stenographers and typists taking a civil service exam on July 9, 1936. By Lisa Rein The digital age has made it so easy to apply for federal jobs that the government has grown overwhelmed.

Demand for the job has spiked since 2007, the last time the entry exam was given, when it attracted 40,000 applicants. During the 1990 recession, 100,000 job seekers applied.

In Massachusetts, it's called Civil Service. Consider the facts. On a recent Civil Service exam for Boston police, 492 candidates managed to get a score of 95 or above.

If it passes, the civil service exam fee will be waived starting in July 2026. Over 80% of city government jobs require a civil service exam, which costs anywhere from $41 to $101.

Departments can now make up to 50% of entry-level police and fire appointments outside of the traditional civil service exam process, drawing from a widely generated pool of prospective candidates.