California State Jobs Exam Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield California State Jobs Exam facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. The five stages of grief are, in order: → Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
2. Previous database entries have inconsistent formatting (ALL CAPS vs Title Case). What should you do? → Check for standards; if none, recommend one while being consistent
3. You find a USB drive labeled 'Employee Salary Data' in the parking lot. Correct action? → Turn in to security officer without plugging in
4. Three offices handle permits, licenses, or inspections. North doesn't handle permits. Central handles inspections. What does North handle? → Licenses
5. A clerk must file correspondence from CalPERS, CalSTRS, and CalFire. What is the correct alphabetical order? → CalFire, CalPERS, CalSTRS
6. Under the California Public Records Act, how should you respond to a records request? → Provide records within 10 calendar days unless an exemption applies
7. Number series: 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, ___. What comes next? → 96
8. Toner cartridge costs increased 40% from usual vendor. What should you do? → Research alternative vendors and state-approved contracts
9. A bar chart shows Department A processed 1,200 applications while Department B processed 900. What percentage more did A process compared to B? → 33.3%
10. Creating a filing system for applications, correspondence, financial records, and compliance reports. Best approach? → Separate categories with chronological order within each
11. Creating expenditure tracking spreadsheet. Which feature best spots overspending? → Conditional formatting highlighting cells exceeding budget
12. Under the ADA and California FEHA, an employer must provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause: → Undue hardship on the employer's business
13. You must approve a purchase order for your spouse's business. What should you do? → Disclose conflict of interest and recuse yourself
14. Which leadership style is best for an urgent safety emergency? → Autocratic/Directive
15. Which sentence avoids the dangling modifier? → Walking through the office, I heard the fire alarm.
16. 'All positions requiring security clearance also require background check.' Which contradicts this? → A position requires security clearance but has no background check
17. An employee receives a complaint via email about a coworker's rude behavior toward the public. The BEST action is to: → Acknowledge receipt, document the complaint, and forward it to the appropriate supervisor
18. When communicating with a member of the public who speaks limited English, a California state employee should FIRST: → Speak slowly, use plain language, and offer interpreter services if available
19. When filing state employee records, you encounter two employees named 'James Smith.' What is the best next step? → Use their middle names or initials to differentiate
20. When should a supervisor involve HR? → For potential legal issues, harassment claims, or complex discipline
21. Electronic records stored on state systems are subject to the SAME retention requirements as paper records because: → California law defines records by content and purpose, not by physical format
22. Which document classification level applies to state records containing personal identifying information (PII) such as Social Security numbers? → Confidential
23. Block 25 on the CMS-1500 is where the provider reports: → TIN
24. Postage meter is low. 200 priority mailings must go today. Best action? → Add meter funds; if not possible in time, coordinate with post office
25. First step in a California state employee grievance process? → Informal resolution with immediate supervisor
26. A member of the public becomes verbally aggressive at your counter. Best initial response? → Remain calm, acknowledge frustration, offer to help
27. Under California's FEHA, how long does an employee generally have to file a discrimination complaint with the California Civil Rights Department? → Three years from the discriminatory act
28. Best practice for office supply reordering? → Maintain minimum stock levels and reorder at thresholds
29. What is the Savings Plus Program? → Supplemental retirement savings (401k and 457b)
30. Visitor arrives without appointment for a division chief who is in a meeting. How to handle? → Greet, offer a seat, take information, relay when chief is available