Civil Service Exam General Information and Laws 2

Question 1

Under the Civil Service Reform Act, which body is responsible for protecting federal employees from prohibited personnel practices?

Accepted Answer

Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

Answer

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Answer

Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

Answer

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Question 2

The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 was primarily enacted to address which issue?

Accepted Answer

The spoils system of political patronage

Answer

Racial discrimination in government hiring

Answer

Inadequate pay for government workers

Answer

Lack of retirement benefits for federal employees

Question 3

Which of the following actions by a civil service employee would be considered a violation of the Hatch Act?

Accepted Answer

Soliciting political contributions from subordinates at work

Answer

Voting in a primary election

Answer

Wearing a political button at a private social gathering

Answer

Expressing a political opinion on personal social media

Question 4

A civil service employee discovers that their supervisor has been awarding contracts to a family member's business. This is an example of which prohibited practice?

Accepted Answer

Conflict of interest

Answer

Malfeasance

Answer

Nepotism

Answer

Embezzlement

Question 5

Under most civil service systems, which of the following is a valid reason for bypassing a candidate who scored highest on a civil service examination?

Accepted Answer

The candidate has a documented disqualifying criminal conviction related to the position

Answer

The hiring manager prefers a different candidate's personality

Answer

The candidate belongs to a different political party than the hiring authority

Answer

The candidate is older than other applicants

Question 6

The 'rule of three' in civil service hiring refers to which practice?

Accepted Answer

Allowing the hiring authority to choose from the top three candidates on an eligible list

Answer

Requiring three interviews before hiring

Answer

Mandating three years of experience for all positions

Answer

Requiring approval from three levels of management