Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Logical Deduction 2

Question 1

Every Spending Review settlement is subject to Treasury approval. Any settlement without Treasury approval cannot be implemented. The Ministry of Justice has a Spending Review settlement that has not yet received Treasury approval. What follows logically?

Accepted Answer

The settlement cannot currently be implemented

Answer

The rule states settlements without Treasury approval cannot be implemented. The Ministry of Justice's settlement lacks approval. Therefore, it cannot currently be implemented. This says nothing about future approval or rejection — only about the current status.

Question 2

In a government office, either the fire alarm is tested on Tuesday or the building evacuation drill is conducted on Tuesday, but never both on the same day. The building evacuation drill is scheduled for this Tuesday. What can be deduced?

Accepted Answer

The fire alarm will not be tested this Tuesday

Answer

The rule establishes an exclusive 'or' — one or the other, never both on the same day. Since the evacuation drill is scheduled for Tuesday, the fire alarm test cannot also occur on Tuesday.

Question 3

If a civil servant raises a concern under the whistleblowing policy, they are protected from detrimental treatment. If they are protected from detrimental treatment, any negative action taken against them may be investigated. David raised a concern under the whistleblowing policy and was subsequently moved to a less desirable role. What follows?

Accepted Answer

David's role change may be investigated as potential detrimental treatment

Answer

Following the chain: David raised a concern → he is protected → negative actions may be investigated. His role change could constitute a negative action, so it may be investigated. This does not prove retaliation, nor does it prevent all role changes.

Question 4

All submissions to ministers must be cleared by the deputy director. No submission can proceed without being cleared. Three submissions were sent to the minister's private office this morning. What must be true?

Accepted Answer

All three submissions were cleared by the deputy director

Answer

The rules state ALL submissions must be cleared by the deputy director, and none can proceed without clearance. Since three submissions were sent (i.e., they proceeded), all three must have been cleared by the deputy director.

Question 5

Departments that fail to meet their diversity targets for two consecutive years must commission an external review. The Home Office missed its diversity targets in both 2024 and 2025. The Foreign Office missed in 2024 but met them in 2025. Which statement is correct?

Accepted Answer

Only the Home Office must commission an external review

Answer

The rule requires two consecutive years of missed targets. The Home Office missed in both 2024 and 2025 (consecutive), triggering the requirement. The Foreign Office missed only in 2024 and met targets in 2025, so the consecutive condition is not met.

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Logical Deduction 2