How to Pass the Analyst I and Analyst II Exams

CalHR's Generalist Class Consolidation took effect January 1, 2026. It collapsed dozens of generalist classifications into a smaller set, including a four-level analyst series:

• Staff Services Analyst (SSA) → Analyst I (class code 5157). The SSA exam carried over and reopened under the Analyst I title after a short migration pause in late December 2025. People who held SSA eligibility were moved onto the Analyst I list.
• Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) → Analyst II (class code 5393). The AGPA exam was discontinued in December 2025 and AGPA lists were abolished, with new Analyst II eligibility established under the consolidation. Several other journey-level classifications, including Associate Personnel Analyst, also map to Analyst II.
• Analyst III and Analyst IV are new classifications above Analyst II.

If you see old guides, Reddit threads, or study materials for "the SSA exam" or "the AGPA exam," the core skills still apply, but the exam you take now is the Analyst I or Analyst II exam on CalCareers.

The consolidation also broadened the Analyst I minimum qualifications. Qualifying experience can include analytical, technical, clerical, or customer service work, and college education can substitute for that experience year for year. Analyst II builds on the same base but also requires an additional year of professional experience at the level of Analyst I, Range C, so education alone won't qualify you for Analyst II. Read the current bulletins for the exact wording.

Both exams are taken online through your CalCareers account, but they are different kinds of tests.

Analyst I: a timed multiple-choice exam. You get 150 minutes for questions covering written communication, mathematical computations, and reading comprehension and data analysis and interpretation. This is a knowledge and skills test, so studying helps. The exam bulletin links an official Analyst I study guide, which is the best place to start.

Analyst II: an untimed Training and Experience (T&E) questionnaire. You rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks. A typical item looks like: "Rate your experience analyzing data to identify trends and make recommendations to management," with options ranging from "I have not performed this task" up to performing it independently and advising others. The bulletin also asks for examples and references that support your ratings.

Mechanics that apply to both:

• Passing is 70%, and passing puts you on the list. Departments can hire only from the top three ranks (the Rule of Three). CalHR's consolidation FAQ says the Generalist series exams establish eligible lists with three ranks, so a passing score should put you in a reachable rank. A higher rank still reads better, and you still have to compete for each vacancy on your application.
• Eligibility lasts 12 months for both exams, per the current bulletins. Note your expiration date in CalCareers.
• Retest waiting periods differ: currently 12 months for Analyst I and 6 months for Analyst II. Check the bulletin before you test, since your first attempt locks you in for that period.

For a broader look at exam types, see how to pass a California state exam.

The two classifications cover the same kinds of work at different levels of independence:

• Analyst I is the entry level: gathering information, preparing reports, applying established procedures under guidance. Its exam tests the underlying skills (writing, math, reading and interpreting data) rather than your work history.
• Analyst II is the journey level: scoping your own projects, recommending policy, advising management, and handling complex or sensitive issues. Its exam asks you to rate your experience doing that work.

Check the minimum qualifications first. The bulletin lists the required experience or education for each level. You have to meet the MQs to be eligible, and departments verify them when you're hired.

Take both if you qualify. Each exam gives you eligibility on a separate list, and departments post far more Analyst I and Analyst II vacancies than almost any other classification. Holding both means more postings you can apply to today, and Analyst I can be a faster first step if your Analyst II rank isn't reachable yet.

Because Analyst I is a timed test of skills, preparation looks like studying for any aptitude exam:

Start with the official study guide. It shows the question formats and subject areas. Work through it before exam day so the format isn't new.

Brush up on written communication. Expect grammar, punctuation, word usage, and sentence clarity. If you haven't thought about comma rules or subject-verb agreement in years, spend time here.

Practice the math without shortcuts. Mathematical computation questions typically cover percentages, ratios, averages, and basic arithmetic applied to workplace scenarios. Practice doing them accurately and quickly.

Practice reading tables and charts. Data analysis and interpretation questions ask you to pull conclusions from written passages and data. Read carefully and answer from what the passage or table actually says, not from outside knowledge.

Manage your time. With 150 minutes, pace yourself so you reach every question. Check the bulletin for testing rules before you start.

The Analyst II T&E is self-rated, so two people with the same background can land in different ranks based on how they answer. What moves your score:

Read the class specification first. The Analyst II class spec describes the work the questionnaire is built on. Before starting, list your experience against each type of task: research, data analysis, report writing, budgets, contracts, policy, stakeholder coordination.

Count all of your experience. Private sector, nonprofit, military, and volunteer work all count unless the item restricts it.

Pick the highest option that is true. Underrating is the most common mistake. If you did the task on your own, don't pick "with assistance" because you occasionally asked a coworker a question. Read each scale carefully, since the wording changes between items.

Don't overclaim. Departments can check your answers against your STD 678, the examples and references you provide, and your employment history. Inflated ratings can get you removed from the list or dismissed after appointment.

Answer every item. A blank scores zero.

Make your application match. Your STD 678 and SOQ should show the experience your exam answers claim. When they line up, verification goes smoothly and your application reads as credible.