CRE Guide
Common Recruitment Examination guide covering Use of English, Use of Chinese, Aptitude Test, scoring, timing and free practice links.
Exam Requirements
Use of English
45-minute MCQ paper. Required level depends on the vacancy.
Use of Chinese
45-minute MCQ paper. Equivalent results may apply under CSB rules.
Aptitude Test
45-minute reasoning MCQ paper, required by some degree or professional posts.
Selection Stages
- 1 Check the target vacancy to confirm required CRE papers and level.
- 2 Take a timed baseline for each required paper.
- 3 Drill weak question types, then retake mixed timed sets.
- 4 Keep electronic result certificate records with applications.
What CRE Covers
The CRE has three 45-minute multiple-choice papers: Use of English, Use of Chinese and Aptitude Test. The language papers assess proficiency, while the Aptitude Test assesses reasoning ability. Vacancy notices decide which papers and levels matter for a target post.
How to Prepare
Start with the exact vacancy requirement, then take a timed baseline. For UE and UC, split review into reading, grammar, wording and draft improvement. For AT, rotate deduction, verbal reasoning, data sufficiency, numerical sequences and table interpretation.
Free Practice Path
Use the free practice area for 20-question sets by CRE paper. Premium coverage will expand the topic map, tips, worked explanations and guided revision plans.
Interview Questions
- Which CRE paper is most urgent for your target post and why?
- How would you review a wrong grammar or reasoning option?
- What evidence from your practice results shows your weakest paper?
Free Practice
Open free practice test
Premium will add a much broader question bank, deeper topic coverage, exam tips, flashcards, and guided study plans.
Open free practice testPreparation Checklist
- Confirm target vacancy requirements.
- Complete one timed baseline per required paper.
- Review missed question types.
- Keep electronic result certificate records.
Common Mistakes
- Preparing every paper before checking vacancy requirements.
- Studying language papers without timed reading practice.
- Treating Aptitude as arithmetic only and ignoring logic/data sufficiency.
- Not keeping result certificate records.
Official Sources
HKPublicCareer.com is independent. Always check the official page before booking an examination or submitting an application.