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About this exam

The Moldovan civil service competition (concursul pentru ocuparea funcției publice) is the merit-based selection process through which candidates are appointed to public service positions in Moldova's central and local public administration. It is run by appointing authorities under the rules administered by the National Agency of Civil Servants (ANFP). It is aimed at people seeking a first public post as well as serving public servants competing for promotion or transfer. The assessment typically combines a written examination on the legal and administrative framework, review of the candidate's documents and professional record, and an interview before a competition commission. The subject matter is broad: the Constitution and public administration law, the Civil Service Law and the status of the public servant, the Administrative Code and administrative procedure, public finance and procurement, integrity and anti-corruption standards, the organisation of public authorities, equal treatment, access to information and digital governance, and professional communication. Preparation works best in layers: read the primary legislation directly rather than summaries, learn how provisions connect across laws, then practise applying them to short scenarios. Because the legal framework is amended often, always study the consolidated texts in force and confirm the current competition rules, deadlines and assessment criteria with the appointing authority and on the ANFP website.

What you'll study

Common questions

About Moldova Civil Service Competition preparation

What does the competition actually involve?

Most competitions combine a written test on the legal framework with a review of submitted documents and an interview before a commission. The exact stages, weighting and scoring are set in the competition announcement for each post, so read that document closely and confirm details with the appointing authority.

How many questions are there and how long does the test last?

These details vary by competition and are not fixed centrally. The number of items, time allowed and scoring rules are stated in the official announcement for the specific position. Do not rely on figures from older competitions; check the current announcement and the ANFP website.

What is the passing score?

There is no single national figure to memorise. The minimum score and any per-stage thresholds are defined in the competition rules and the individual announcement. Confirm them with the organising authority before you apply, and plan to score well above the minimum rather than aiming at the cut-off.

How difficult is the competition?

Difficulty depends on the post and the number of applicants. The written stage rewards precise knowledge of legislation, so candidates who read the actual laws and can apply them to scenarios do noticeably better than those who rely on summaries. The interview tests judgement and motivation as much as recall.

Can I retake it if I fail?

Rules on reapplying are set by the competition framework and the specific announcement, so they are not something to assume. In practice you may apply again to future competitions for the same or other posts, provided you meet eligibility conditions. Check the applicable rules with the appointing authority.

In what order should I study the domains?

Start with the constitutional and civil service framework, since other domains build on those concepts. Then study administrative procedure and administrative acts, followed by finance and procurement. Finish with ethics, institutional organisation, non-discrimination, digital governance and communication, which are lighter but easy marks if revised close to the exam.

What do candidates most often get wrong?

Three recurring mistakes: studying outdated versions of amended laws, memorising definitions without being able to apply them to a scenario, and ignoring the procedural deadlines and formal requirements in the Administrative Code. Another common weakness is treating integrity rules as abstract principles instead of concrete conflict-of-interest situations.

Do I need to know specific laws by name?

Yes. Questions are typically framed around the Constitution, the Civil Service Law, the Administrative Code, public finance and procurement legislation, and integrity rules. Learn which law governs which situation, and be able to identify the competent authority and the correct procedure for a given scenario.

Where can I confirm the current exam logistics?

The National Agency of Civil Servants and the individual appointing authority publish the binding competition announcement, including stages, dates, required documents and assessment criteria. Treat those official channels as the only reliable source and verify everything shortly before applying, as rules and deadlines change.