Civil service exams

In short

The French civil service has three branches, State, local and hospital, and categories A, B and C depending on the recruitment level. The concours is the usual way in, with an external concours for candidates without experience and an internal one for staff already in post. Tests often include written papers, such as a synthesis note or an essay, then orals.

What goes on your cards

For the civil service, make cards for State and local government organisation, European institutions, main principles of public law, dates in administrative history, economics and public finance notions, and key current affairs. Lumi has you recall them.

A study rhythm

Programmes are broad and shifting, so split them into blocks and spend a few minutes each day across all of it, with reviews spaced further out over the weeks (Cepeda et al., 2006). Update the current-affairs cards each week. Plan two timed practice runs. See How to make a study schedule before an exam.