Civil Service EO / HEO vs Civil Service AO / AA: which career suits you?
Both are the main ways into the Civil Service through Civil Service Jobs, assessed with Success Profiles. AA and AO are the entry grades: administrative, customer service and casework support roles, often with a Customer Service Skills Test or Casework Skills Test and an interview at the behaviours' entry level. EO and HEO are the first management and specialist grades: you may lead a small team or own casework and policy tasks, and adverts more often use the Civil Service Judgement Test, verbal or numerical tests and a deeper behaviour interview. Apply at AO if you're new to office work; EO or HEO if you already have relevant experience or a degree.
Civil Service EO / HEO vs Civil Service AO / AA at a glance
| Civil Service EO / HEO | Civil Service AO / AA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Civil Service Executive Officer (EO) and Higher Executive Officer (HEO) | Civil Service Administrative Officer (AO) and Administrative Assistant (AA) |
| Questions | Varies by advert. The most common: the Civil Service Judgement Test (a self-assessment section plus work scenarios, 3 per assessed behaviour, each with 4 actions to rate) and the adaptive Civil Service Verbal and Numerical Tests (variable length). Some line-management posts add the Management Judgement Test (15 scenarios) | Varies by advert. Common tests: the Customer Service Skills Test (3 parts: customer replies, 6 work scenarios with 4 actions each, and a timed accuracy section), the Casework Skills Test (3 parts: information analysis, 6 scenarios, timed accuracy) and the Civil Service Judgement Test (3 scenarios per behaviour, 4 actions each) |
| Time | Not timed. Most people take 15 to 45 minutes for each verbal or numerical test and 2 to 4 minutes per judgement-test scenario; gov.uk advises allowing at least an hour per test. Interviews usually last 30 to 60 minutes | Mostly untimed, except the third part of the Customer Service and Casework Skills Tests, which is timed at 10 minutes. gov.uk suggests allowing at least an hour per test |
| Passing score | Tests give a percentile against a comparison group; you must reach the minimum standard for the grade, and the recruiter may raise the pass mark for a busy campaign. Written statements and interview answers are commonly scored 1 to 7, with 4 the usual pass mark per element | Scores are percentiles against a comparison group; you must reach the minimum standard for the grade, and the recruiter can raise the pass mark. Interview answers are commonly scored 1 to 7, with 4 the usual pass mark |
| Format | Unsupervised at home; answers must be your own and you may be re-tested under supervision. Rough paper, a pen and a calculator are allowed for the verbal and numerical tests. You cannot skip or go back in the adaptive tests | Unsupervised at home; answers must be your own and may be re-tested under supervision at interview. No specialist knowledge or experience is needed |
| Cost | No fee | No fee |
| Languages | English; the Verbal and Numerical tests can also be taken in Welsh | English; Welsh versions are available for some tests, such as the Verbal and Numerical Tests |
| Where | Civil Service Jobs (civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk): online application, then any online tests named in the advert taken at home, then an interview (video or face to face) and pre-employment checks | Civil Service Jobs: short online application (often a CV or statement), online tests named in the advert taken at home, then an interview (often by video) and pre-employment checks |
| Level | Civil Service | Civil Service |
What each exam covers
Civil Service EO / HEO
- EO and HEO Roles, Grades, Pay and Eligibility
- Civil Service Verbal Test
- Civil Service Numerical Test
- Civil Service Judgement Test and Management Judgement Test
- Behaviour Statements, Personal Statements and CVs
- The Success Profiles Interview
- Nationality, Security Vetting and Pre-Employment Checks
- Application Strategy and Timeline on Civil Service Jobs
Civil Service AO / AA
- AO and AA Roles, Pay and Eligibility
- Civil Service Judgement Test
- Customer Service Skills Test
- Casework Skills Test
- Verbal, Numerical and Work Strengths Tests
- Checks: BPSS, Nationality and References
- The Interview: Behaviours and Strengths
- Applying on Civil Service Jobs and Your First Year
Which should you take?
Both are the main ways into the Civil Service through Civil Service Jobs, assessed with Success Profiles. AA and AO are the entry grades: administrative, customer service and casework support roles, often with a Customer Service Skills Test or Casework Skills Test and an interview at the behaviours' entry level. EO and HEO are the first management and specialist grades: you may lead a small team or own casework and policy tasks, and adverts more often use the Civil Service Judgement Test, verbal or numerical tests and a deeper behaviour interview. Apply at AO if you're new to office work; EO or HEO if you already have relevant experience or a degree.
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FAQ
What is the difference between Civil Service EO / HEO and Civil Service AO / AA?
Both are the main ways into the Civil Service through Civil Service Jobs, assessed with Success Profiles. AA and AO are the entry grades: administrative, customer service and casework support roles, often with a Customer Service Skills Test or Casework Skills Test and an interview at the behaviours' entry level. EO and HEO are the first management and specialist grades: you may lead a small team or own casework and policy tasks, and adverts more often use the Civil Service Judgement Test, verbal or numerical tests and a deeper behaviour interview. Apply at AO if you're new to office work; EO or HEO if you already have relevant experience or a degree.
Which is harder, Civil Service EO / HEO or Civil Service AO / AA?
Civil Service EO / HEO: varies by advert. the most common: the civil service judgement test (a self-assessment section plus work scenarios, 3 per assessed behaviour, each with 4 actions to rate) and the adaptive civil service verbal and numerical tests (variable length). some line-management posts add the management judgement test (15 scenarios) in not timed. most people take 15 to 45 minutes for each verbal or numerical test and 2 to 4 minutes per judgement-test scenario; gov.uk advises allowing at least an hour per test. interviews usually last 30 to 60 minutes. Civil Service AO / AA: varies by advert. common tests: the customer service skills test (3 parts: customer replies, 6 work scenarios with 4 actions each, and a timed accuracy section), the casework skills test (3 parts: information analysis, 6 scenarios, timed accuracy) and the civil service judgement test (3 scenarios per behaviour, 4 actions each) in mostly untimed, except the third part of the customer service and casework skills tests, which is timed at 10 minutes. gov.uk suggests allowing at least an hour per test. The longer exam covers more ground, but the harder one is the one further from your daily work. Take both free practice tests to see where you stand.
Can I hold both Civil Service EO / HEO and Civil Service AO / AA?
You can prepare for and apply to more than one, and many people do, because the judgement, verbal and numerical tests and the structured interviews overlap a lot. Each organisation runs its own process and vetting, and some roles can't be held at the same time (you can't be a serving regular police officer and a regular in the armed forces, for example), so check the eligibility rules in each job advert.
How do I prepare for Civil Service EO / HEO and Civil Service AO / AA?
Start with the free practice test for each, then study by topic. Premium is per exam (£45 a month each), so most people start with the exam they'll sit first and add the second when they're ready.
More comparisons
Exam details are summarized from recruiting organisations' published information as of November 2026. Confirm with the recruiting organisation before you book. UKCivilServicePrep is an independent career-prep service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.