Civil Service FAQ Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Civil Service FAQ facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does the merit principle of 'equal pay for equal work' primarily require? → Compensation is fair and equitable relative to the private sector and similar positions
2. A competitive service employee with two or more years of continuous service may only be removed for which type of reason? → Cause related to job performance or conduct
3. Which of the following is an example of misuse of government position? → Using your official title to endorse a private company's product
4. Which branch of the U.S. federal government is responsible for interpreting laws and the Constitution? → Judicial branch
5. Which federal law establishes the core Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch? → 5 C.F.R. Part 2635
6. Which term describes the pay band system used by the Senior Executive Service (SES) instead of traditional GS grades? → SES Basic Pay Range
7. An agency that fills a position by only posting the vacancy internally for two days most likely violates which merit principle? → Fair and open competition
8. Under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which body hears federal employee appeals of adverse actions? → Merit Systems Protection Board
9. Which of the following is an essential element of procedural due process that must be afforded to a government employee facing a formal administrative charge? → The right to an opportunity to be heard and present one's evidence
10. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act, a federal agency must provide a reasonable accommodation UNLESS it would: → Both B and C
11. A civil service employee receives a gift basket from a contractor whose bid is currently under review. What is the appropriate action? → Return the gift and report it to a supervisor
12. Under the federal Merit Promotion Program, which factor is NOT a valid basis for selecting a candidate? → Personal friendship with the selecting official
13. Which of the following is the most fundamental principle governing all appointments and promotions in the Philippine Civil Service? → Merit and fitness.
14. How do merit system principles interact with collective bargaining agreements in the federal sector? → Merit principles take precedence and cannot be bargained away
15. A civil servant discovers that a colleague is accepting small gifts from a contractor bidding on a government contract. What is the most appropriate action? → Report it to the agency's ethics officer or inspector general
16. Under the federal General Schedule (GS), how many grade levels are there? → 15
17. Which type of federal leave allows an employee to be absent from work due to a death in the immediate family? → Bereavement (funeral) leave
18. A civil servant is offered a post-government job by a company that was a contractor on a project they supervised. What ethics concern does this raise? → A revolving-door conflict of interest
19. Which merit system principle prohibits federal employees from using their official authority to influence elections? → The prohibition on coercion in political activities
20. What happens to unused sick leave for a FERS employee who retires on or after January 1, 2014? → 100% of unused sick leave is credited toward retirement service computation
21. How are overtime hours generally compensated for non-exempt federal employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? → At one and one-half times the employee's regular rate of pay
22. Which federal law mandates that agencies develop Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for employees? → Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 4103
23. Which labor organization is the largest union representing federal civilian employees in the United States? → American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
24. Which of the following appointments is generally EXEMPT from the rule on nepotism? → The appointment of a person to a primarily confidential position.
25. Under the merit system, which factor is NOT a legitimate basis for making personnel decisions? → Political affiliation
26. Which of the following is NOT a valid basis for non-selection of an applicant in federal competitive hiring? → The applicant's race or national origin differed from the selecting official's preference
27. Which federal law prohibits retaliation against federal employees who disclose evidence of waste, fraud, or abuse to appropriate authorities? → Whistleblower Protection Act
28. A civil service manager awards a contract to a company owned by their brother-in-law without disclosing the relationship. This is an example of: → A conflict of interest
29. The Lloyd-La Follette Act of 1912 was significant because it gave federal employees the right to do what? → Petition Congress and join employee organizations
30. The Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993 amended the Hatch Act to allow federal workers to do which of the following? → Participate in political campaigns on their own time