DON Civilian Exam

DON Civilian Exam – What It Is and How to Prepare

How do I prepare for the DON Civilian Exam?

The DON Civilian Exam is a key step in getting hired for U.S. Navy civilian jobs. It evaluates your judgment, reasoning, and job-specific skills. To prepare, review the job announcement carefully and take free DON practice tests that match the test format. Focus on situational judgment, math, reading, and writing. Practicing under time pressure helps build confidence and accuracy. With the right preparation and resources, you can improve your score and move closer to a civilian career supporting the U.S. Navy.

DON Civilian Exam – What It Is and How to Prepare

The DON Civilian Exam refers to assessment tests used by the Department of the Navy (DON) to evaluate candidates applying for civilian roles within the U.S. Navy. These roles range from administrative support to engineering, IT, logistics, and law enforcement. The exams are designed to measure whether candidates have the skills and competencies needed for mission-critical civilian jobs that support naval operations.

What Is the DON Civilian Hiring Process?

The hiring process typically involves:

  1. Job Application on USAJOBS.gov
    Candidates must search for and apply to DON civilian positions via USAJOBS.

  2. Occupational Questionnaire
    As part of your application, you’ll answer questions about your experience, education, and self-assessed competencies.

  3. Assessment Exams
    Some positions require online assessments or proctored exams. These may be administered through the USA Hire platform or directly by the Navy.

  4. Referral and Interview
    If you pass the assessment and meet the qualifications, you may be referred to the hiring manager and invited to an interview.

  5. Background Check and Security Clearance
    Many DON civilian jobs require security clearance, so a background investigation is often necessary.

What Is Tested on the DON Civilian Exam?

Depending on the role, the exam may assess:

  • Situational Judgment – How you respond to workplace scenarios.

  • Mathematical Reasoning – Ability to work with numbers, data, and problem-solving.

  • Reading Comprehension – Understanding written instructions, policies, and procedures.

  • Writing Skills – Grammar, clarity, and professional tone.

  • Technical Knowledge – For specialized roles like IT, cybersecurity, or engineering.

How to Prepare

  1. Review the Job Announcement – Understand what competencies are being tested.

  2. Use Free Practice Tests – Practice DON-style questions under timed conditions.

  3. Study Core Skills – Brush up on math, reading, writing, and logic.

  4. Take USA Hire Prep Tests – If the job requires a USA Hire exam, prepare accordingly.

Tip: Start early and use free test prep resources tailored to federal and DON civilian exams to improve your score and advance in the hiring process.

Free assessment Practice >

DON Civilian Exams by Position

 

Position TitleJob SeriesExam TypeAssessment Focus
Administrative Support AssistantGS-0303USA Hire / Occupational QuestionnaireSituational judgment, grammar, reading, reasoning
Human Resources SpecialistGS-0201USA Hire AssessmentWriting, math, HR knowledge, interpersonal skills
IT Specialist (Cybersecurity)GS-2210Technical Knowledge + SJTTechnical reasoning, systems security, logic, judgment
Contract SpecialistGS-1102Business-related Reasoning TestProcurement scenarios, math, writing, decision-making
Logistics Management SpecialistGS-0346Occupational QuestionnaireProblem-solving, logistics tasks, inventory scenarios
Engineering TechnicianGS-0802Technical Exam + MathSpatial reasoning, formulas, measurement, diagrams
Police Officer (Civilian)GS-0083Law Enforcement Aptitude Test (LEAB)Ethics, legal reasoning, report writing, observation skills
Program AnalystGS-0343USA Hire AssessmentData interpretation, writing, decision-making, situational logic
 

FAQ

The DON Civilian Exam refers to pre-employment assessments used by the Department of the Navy to evaluate applicants for civilian federal positions. Depending on the job, it may include writing, math, logical reasoning, or situational judgment components.

Candidates applying for certain GS-level civilian jobs—such as HR specialists, administrative assistants, IT personnel, or law enforcement roles—may be required to complete the exam after submitting an application through USAJOBS.gov.

No. Each exam is tailored to the role. Some include the USA Hire Assessment, while others may use custom technical or law enforcement-related tests. Always check the job announcement for test details.

Depending on the role, exams may include:

  • Situational Judgment

  • Arithmetic and Data Reasoning

  • Grammar and Writing Skills

  • Reading Comprehension

  • Job-Specific Technical Knowledge

Yes. You can use free DON practice tests that focus on core skills like math, grammar, and reasoning. Practicing under timed conditions is highly recommended.

If you do not pass, your application will not move forward for that role. However, you can reapply for other positions and retest as permitted by the agency’s guidelines.

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