July 6, 2026 — It’s no secret that taking exams can be intimidating, whether you’re in grade school, college, or trying to land a job in public service. A world of information at your fingertips isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be when you want something highly specific.
Matthew Bowlin saw a need and decided to fill it by creating a free study site where users can find tailored information to prepare for Civil Service exams in information technology services.
A PEF member in the Office of the Attorney General, Bowlin began his state service as a computer operator in the New York State Assembly before landing a role within PEF’s bargaining unit in 2020. He moved through the ranks from information technology specialist 1 and 2 roles, to his current position as an information technology specialist 4, where he focuses on enterprise application development and administration.
“What inspired me to create the study system was honestly frustration,” he said. “When I was preparing for the MITS (Manager Information Technology Services) 1 and 2 exams, I found it difficult to locate quality, structured study material. There wasn’t a centralized place that broke things down in a practical way. I figured if I was having that experience, others probably were too, so I built something to fill in the gap in the form of my study site.”
Through word of mouth and internal channels like Teams and SharePoint, Bowlin’s site has reached more than 7,000 users and generated more than 20,000 sessions. Originally focused on the MITS 1 and 2 exams, the success of the platform inspired him to expand it to include ITS 3 and 4, Business Systems Analyst 2, and Architect 2 exam material.
“The site is geared toward anyone preparing for ITS-related Civil Service exams, especially those who don’t have access to formal training materials,” Bowlin said. “The goal isn’t to replicate the Civil Service exams one-to-one, since no third-party resource can or should do that, but rather to help people understand the types of concepts, question formats, and areas of knowledge they should be comfortable with.”
In other words, the guide is a tool. It doesn’t mirror the exam, and it isn’t a copy of a test used to practice.
“It’s about building confidence and familiarity, giving users a structured way to practice, identify knowledge gaps, and feel more prepared before walking into their exam,” said Bowlin.
Visitors to Bowlin’s site praise it as a resource.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “People have shared that it helped them feel more confident going into their exam, and a number of colleagues have told me it made a real difference when they sat for their test.”
Bowlin credited PEF Division 357 Council Leader Christopher Ford for helping spread awareness of the resource and his co-worker Sarah Hines for helping expand the site’s reach by connecting multiple agencies for study sessions.
“My long-term goal is to build it into a one-stop resource where anyone preparing for Civil Service exams can access structured materials and study completely free in one place,” he said. “At the end of the day, my goal is simple: I believe knowledge and information should be accessible to everyone. The site will always remain free and open to anyone who wants to use it. If I can make the process a little less frustrating and give people a better shot at advancing their careers, it’s worth the time I’ve put into building and maintaining it.”
Check out the guide at www.MatthewBowlin.com