Interdepartmental Exams in the Public Service: What They Are and How to Prepare
Beyond the recruitment exams, career progression in the public service often passes through written exams and structured assessments — the so-called interdepartmental exams and promotion procedures, which concern serving employees.
Their content is defined by each announcement or circular, but their core is constant: an assessment of abilities and skills relevant to the next level of responsibility.
What kinds of tests they include
The exact composition, duration and weighting are set each time in the relevant announcement — read it before planning your preparation.
- Written ability tests — often in the same spirit as the recruitment exam sections (verbal, numerical, logical reasoning).
- Judgement exercises on workplace scenarios — analogous to the A9–A11 work-scenario assessment.
- Case by case, structured exercises such as in-tray exercises, presentations or role plays, where the procedure provides for them.
How to prepare
- For the ability tests: timed practice across the four reasoning types — the same foundation as the recruitment exams.
- For workplace scenarios: get familiar with their logic — a balance of procedure, effectiveness and professional conduct.
- For presentations/role plays: prepare a structure (situation → options → recommendation) and rehearse against a real timer.
Relation to the Government Exams
Interdepartmental procedures address those already serving, while the Government Exams address candidates for recruitment. The skills assessed, however — reasoning, judgement, performance under pressure — are shared, which is why the same practice covers both.
Frequently asked questions
Who takes the interdepartmental exams?
Serving employees of the public and wider public sector seeking promotion or movement to positions in another structure, as defined by the relevant announcement or circular.
How do they differ from the Government Exams?
The Government Exams concern recruitment; interdepartmental procedures concern progression of serving employees. The test types are similar, though — abilities, scenarios, structured exercises.
How can I practise?
The foundation is the same as for any ability test: timed tests in verbal, numerical, deductive and abstract reasoning, with worked solutions so you build method rather than memorisation.
Get ready for the next step
Timed practice in the abilities that promotion procedures assess — start free.
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