| Bulletin Release Date (BRD) |
This is the date the bulletin is released to announce the examination |
| Candidate |
An individual who has submitted an application to compete in a State civil service examination |
| Candidate Notices |
Written announcements to candidates regarding their participation in a specific examination (e.g., Notice of Acceptance/Rejection, Notice of Written Test Date, Final Notice of Score) |
| Career Credits |
Three points added to the total score for State employees with permanent status participating in all open, non-promotional examinations for non-managerial classes. The examination bulletin will specify whether or not Career Credits apply to the examination. |
| Class Specification |
The legal document with the class title, definition, typical tasks and minimum qualifications including knowledge, skill, and abilities and personal characteristics of a class |
| Classification |
The process by which positions are allocated to classes based on assigned duties and responsibilities |
| Combining Patterns |
The process of combining experience gained inside and outside of State service to determine whether a candidate meets the minimum qualifications |
| Conditions of Employment |
The requirements, or terms as determined by law, rule, regulation, policy, or by negotiated contract under which individuals are employed |
| Continuous Filing |
An examination for which applications may be filed at any time and kept on file. Testing is scheduled as needed or when an acceptable number of candidates have filed |
| Continuous Testing |
An examination for which bulletins are posted continuously, but acceptance of applications and testing is opened and closed as needed. The periods when applications will be accepted are announced on the examination bulletin |
| Dated List |
An employment list with a specific expiration date. All eligible from that examination have the same list date. An earlier dated eligible list takes precedence over a list with a later date |
| Departmental Open Testing |
Testing for a class on an open basis that is conducted by a department |
| Departmental Promotional List |
An employment list of promotional eligibles in a specific department for use by that department |
| Eligibility |
Either:
- Determination as to whether an individual is qualified to take an examination based on meeting the minimum qualifications;or,
- A condition which indicates successful completion of an examination and readiness for appointment
|
| Eligible |
An individual who has successfully completed an examination and is a candidate for appointment to a certain class |
| Eligible List |
An employment list of individuals who have successfully completed an examination and are qualified to be hired for a particular class |
| Employment List |
Any list of persons who were successful in an examination and are eligible for certification to a specific class |
| Examination Base |
The geographic and organizational limitations on the candidate group in an examination (e.g., Open, Departmental Promotional) |
| Examination Bulletin |
Announcement of examination. Contains information that will help candidate prepare for the examination. Includes details, such as examination base, salary, minimum qualifications, and filing instructions |
| Examination Plan |
The method and details of the administration of a specific examination |
| Final Filing Date |
The last day on which an application must be submitted or postmarked for a candidate to participate in an examination |
| Knowledge |
The facts or principles relating to a particular subject or subject area |
| KSAs |
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities necessary to perform satisfactorily in a job classification |
| List |
Refers to the relative placement, by final examination scores, of persons eligible for appointment to a specific class. There are several list types, and their order of use is regulated by Government Code §19054 |
|
List Eligibility |
Refers to the eligibility for appointment to a class resulting from placement on an employment list |
| List Life |
The length of time a specific employment list will remain in effect |
| Merged Lists |
Eligible lists where candidate’s scores are merged onto the list by score. A predetermined eligibility period is assigned (e.g., 12 months) and names are removed as eligibility expires. Merged lists are used with both continuous and periodic testing |
| Minimum Qualifications (MQs) |
The minimum amount of experience and/or education required for admission into an examination. For each classification, a legal document called a class specification, which describes many facets of the classification, is prepared. Minimum Qualifications are a part of this legal document. The Minimum Qualifications outline the specific education, experience, licensing and/or certificate requirements necessary in order to compete in the examination. A candidate who does not meet the minimum qualifications will not be allowed to compete in the examination. |
| Multiple-Choice Question |
A written test question in which the correct response is selected from four or more functioning alternatives |
| Out-of-Class Experience |
Experience gained as the result of the performance of duties not specifically permitted under Government Code §204080, which are outside the scope of the class to which the employee is appointed |
| Patterned Questions |
Questions (with suggested responses, but no objective scoring key) prepared for us in ModQAP and Supplemental Applications |
| Periodic Testing |
Testing is opened according to a pre-established schedule (e.g., every few months, once a year). Applications may not be submitted except during designated filing periods |
| Reasonable Accommodation |
Efforts made to remove barriers which prevent or limit employment of disabled persons |
| Self-Certification |
Statement by a candidate that he/she possesses the required skill and/or experience for acceptance into an examination |
| Skill |
A present, observable competence to perform a learned act with ease and precision |
| Special Personal Characteristics |
Physical requirements and personal qualities for specific classes stated on the class specification or examination announcement |
| Specification |
The legal description of the title, definition, duties, KSAs , and the minimum qualifications for a class |
| Spot Examination |
An examination to fill vacancies in a specific geographical location |
| State Application (STD 678) |
The official document which an individual submits to compete in a State civil service examination |
| Veterans’ Preference |
Veterans’ Preference can be applied to a veteran’s eligibility for qualifying open and open, non-promotional examinations. To determine if the examination being administered qualifies for Veterans’ Preference, please review the examination bulletin. Veterans’ Preference will be awarded as follows, starting on January 1, 2014:
1. Any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran, who achieves a passing score in an entrance examination, shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. Any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released is not eligible for Veterans’ Preference.
2. An entrance examination is defined, under the law, as any open competitive examination.
Veterans’ Preference is not granted once a person achieves permanent civil service status.
For more information, visit CalHR's Veterans' Information page |
