Applicants scheduled to sit for the 2025/26 Centralized Services e-Recruitment Aptitude Test have been left stranded after the official test portal is unexpectedly inaccessible today, 18th February 2026.
Candidates attempting to access the examination platform are instead met with a “502 Bad Gateway” error page, indicating a host server failure. The error message, generated through Cloudflare, confirms that while the browser and network services are operational, the recruitment portal’s host server is currently experiencing technical difficulties.
The disruption has raised widespread concern among applicants seeking recruitment into Ghana’s security services under the 2025/26 intake.
What Applicants Are Seeing on the Portal
Upon visiting the official testing website (app.c-serpgh.com), candidates are presented with a server error notice stating:
- Browser: Working
- Cloudflare (London): Working
- Host: Error
- Error Code: 502 – Bad Gateway
This indicates that the issue is not from the applicants’ devices or internet connections, but rather from the hosting server powering the centralized aptitude test system. As of the time of publication, the portal remains inaccessible.
Why This Is Critical for Applicants
The outage comes at a crucial stage of the recruitment process. The Centralized Services e-Recruitment Aptitude Test is a mandatory requirement for applicants seeking entry into:
- Ghana Police Service
- Ghana Prisons Service
- Ghana Immigration Service
- Ghana National Fire Service
All applicants must attain a minimum pass mark of 65% to progress to the next stage of the recruitment exercise. Failure to meet this benchmark results in automatic disqualification from further processes, including medical screening, physical assessments, and interviews. With the portal currently down, candidates are unable to commence or complete their scheduled aptitude tests.
The 65% Pass Mark Requirement
The official pass mark for the 2025/26 Centralized Services Recruitment Aptitude Test has been set at 65 percent (65%) across all applicant categories.
Breakdown by Category:
- Category A (NVTI, JHS, Sportsmen/Women, Certificate holders)
- 30 questions
- Category B (HND, Degree, Master’s holders)
- 60 questions
- Category C (WASSCE applicants)
- 60 questions
Although the number of questions differs, the pass mark remains uniform across all categories. For Category A applicants in particular, accuracy is crucial due to the smaller number of questions.
Trade Test Also Affected?
Category A applicants are additionally required to undertake a Trade Test relevant to their chosen trade vacancy. Performance in both the aptitude test and trade test determines progression. With the aptitude portal currently offline, uncertainty remains regarding potential adjustments to test schedules, deadlines, or retake opportunities.
What the 502 Error Means
A 502 Bad Gateway error typically occurs when a server acting as a gateway receives an invalid response from an upstream server. In this case:
- Applicants’ browsers are functioning
- Network routing through Cloudflare is active
- The host server managing the aptitude test system is failing to respond properly
This confirms the issue is technical and server-related, not user-related.
Applicants’ Concerns Grow
The unexpected outage has triggered anxiety among thousands of applicants nationwide. Many candidates had prepared extensively to meet or exceed the 65% pass mark, understanding that:
- The aptitude test can only be taken once per recruitment cycle
- Failure to pass ends progression for the year
- Recruitment remains highly competitive
With today’s disruption, applicants are seeking clarity on:
- Whether test deadlines will be extended
- If scheduled time slots will be rescheduled
- How incomplete attempts will be handled
As of publication time, no official communication has yet been issued regarding the outage.
The Role of the Centralized Recruitment System
The 2025/26 Centralized Services e-Recruitment Portal is officially powered by TrybeNet and monitored using AI proctoring systems to ensure fairness and integrity. The centralized model was introduced to standardize recruitment across Ghana’s major security services, ensuring transparency and uniform assessment standards.
However, today’s technical failure highlights the vulnerability of digital recruitment systems to server-side disruptions.
What Applicants Should Do Now
Given the current situation, applicants are advised to:
- Remain calm and avoid repeated login attempts
- Monitor official recruitment communication channels
- Take screenshots of error messages as evidence
- Avoid unofficial links or third-party platforms
- Prepare in advance in case the portal is restored unexpectedly
Importantly, candidates should note that the error is not caused by poor internet connection or faulty devices.
Final Thoughts
As at 18th February 2026, the Centralized Services e-Recruitment Aptitude Test Portal remains offline due to a host server error. While meeting the 65% pass mark is the immediate concern for applicants, access to the portal has now become the more pressing issue.
Until official communication is released, applicants remain in limbo — prepared, but unable to proceed. This developing situation continues to unfold, and updates are expected once technical teams restore full system functionality.
Source: GESHub.org
