How hard is the LA County BBC exam — typing speed and clerical sections?
I've got my BBC exam scheduled in about 5 weeks and I'm trying to figure out where to focus my prep time. I scored around 42 WPM on my last typing test but I've heard the BBC requires at least 45 WPM net to be competitive. Does the typing portion count heavily toward the final score, or is it more of a pass/fail threshold?
The clerical aptitude section is what worries me more honestly. I've been practicing alphabetizing and filing tasks for about 30 minutes a day but I don't know if that's enough. Anyone know how many questions are on that section and what the time limit is like?
I also saw conflicting info about whether the exam is still done in person at the HR department or if there's an online option now. My application is for a Secretary I position. If anyone's taken it recently I'd really appreciate knowing what the current format looks like.
I scored 91% overall and got ranked pretty high on the eligible list. The grammar and vocabulary section caught me off guard — there were a few archaic office terminology questions I wasn't expecting. Worth brushing up on business writing basics before you go in.
Typing was weighted at roughly 40% of the total score from what I could tell.
I took the BBC last year for a clerical assistant role. The typing is timed at 5 minutes and you need 45 WPM net after deducting errors, so 42 WPM is cutting it close. Practice with actual timed tests, not just casual typing.
The clerical section had around 80 questions and felt rushed — alphabetizing accuracy matters more than speed there.
Don't stress too much about the math portion. It's basic arithmetic — nothing beyond percentages and simple fractions. I finished that section with 8 minutes to spare.
When I took it in 2024 it was still in-person at Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration. They gave me about two weeks' notice after the application window closed. Bring two forms of ID or they'll turn you away.