Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Reading Comprehension Passages 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following passage: 'The Procurement Act 2023 reformed public procurement in the United Kingdom, replacing the EU-derived regulations that previously governed the process. The Act introduced a new framework centred on transparency, value for money, and public benefit. It established a single digital platform for publishing contract notices and mandated that contracting authorities consider small and medium-sized enterprises when designing procurement processes.' What did the Procurement Act 2023 replace?
- Domestic procurement guidelines issued by HM Treasury
- EU-derived regulations that previously governed procurement (Correct answer)
- The Public Contracts Regulations 2006
- Voluntary procurement codes of practice
Correct answer: EU-derived regulations that previously governed procurement
The passage explicitly states the Act replaced 'the EU-derived regulations that previously governed the process.' No other source of previous regulation is mentioned.
Question 2: Read the following passage: 'Civil Service recruitment is governed by the principle of selection on merit through fair and open competition, overseen by the Civil Service Commission. Exceptions to open competition, known as permitted exceptions, may be granted in specific circumstances such as short-term appointments or where specialist skills are urgently needed. The Commission publishes an annual report detailing the number and nature of exceptions granted.' What is the default principle for Civil Service recruitment?
- Appointment by ministerial recommendation
- Selection on merit through fair and open competition (Correct answer)
- Internal promotion from within the Civil Service
- Appointment based on academic qualifications
Correct answer: Selection on merit through fair and open competition
The passage opens by stating that recruitment 'is governed by the principle of selection on merit through fair and open competition.' The exceptions mentioned are departures from this default principle.
Question 3: Read the following passage: 'The Senior Civil Service (SCS) comprises approximately 4,500 of the most senior officials across government departments and agencies. Members of the SCS are expected to demonstrate leadership behaviours aligned with the Civil Service Leadership Statement, which emphasises inspiring, confident, and empowering leadership. Performance management for the SCS includes guided distribution, where departments allocate performance ratings across a defined range to ensure consistency.' What is the approximate size of the Senior Civil Service?
- Approximately 2,500 officials
- Approximately 3,500 officials
- Approximately 4,500 officials (Correct answer)
- Approximately 5,500 officials
Correct answer: Approximately 4,500 officials
The passage clearly states 'The Senior Civil Service (SCS) comprises approximately 4,500 of the most senior officials.' This is a straightforward factual retrieval from the text.
Question 4: Read the following passage: 'Devolution has created different administrative arrangements across the United Kingdom. In Scotland, the Scottish Government manages devolved matters including health, education, and justice. In Wales, the Senedd legislates on devolved areas such as health and education. In Northern Ireland, the Executive exercises devolved powers when the Assembly is functioning. Reserved matters, including defence, foreign affairs, and macroeconomic policy, remain with the UK Parliament at Westminster.' Which body retains responsibility for defence policy?
- The Scottish Government
- The Senedd in Wales
- The Northern Ireland Executive
- The UK Parliament at Westminster (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The UK Parliament at Westminster
The passage states that 'Reserved matters, including defence, foreign affairs, and macroeconomic policy, remain with the UK Parliament at Westminster.' Defence is explicitly listed as a reserved matter.
Question 5: Read the following passage: 'The Civil Service People Survey, conducted annually, measures staff engagement and wellbeing across government departments. The 2024 survey recorded an overall engagement index of 66%, representing a two percentage point increase from the previous year. The survey identified workload management and learning opportunities as areas for improvement, whilst recognition from managers and alignment with organisational objectives scored highest.' Based on the passage, what was the engagement index in 2023?
- 62%
- 64% (Correct answer)
- 66%
- 68%
Correct answer: 64%
The passage states the 2024 index was 66%, representing 'a two percentage point increase from the previous year.' Therefore, the 2023 figure was 66% minus 2% = 64%.
Question 6: Read the following passage: 'Apprenticeships in the Civil Service have expanded significantly since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017. Departments are required to pay 0.5% of their annual pay bill into the levy, which funds training for both new recruits and existing staff seeking professional development. The Civil Service has committed to apprenticeships representing at least 2.3% of headcount, and programmes range from Level 2 qualifications to degree-level and master's-level apprenticeships.' What percentage of pay bill is contributed to the Apprenticeship Levy?
- 0.3%
- 0.5% (Correct answer)
- 2.0%
- 2.3%
Correct answer: 0.5%
The passage states departments 'are required to pay 0.5% of their annual pay bill into the levy.' The 2.3% figure refers to the headcount target for apprenticeships, not the levy rate.
Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Reading Comprehension Passages 2
Read the following passage: 'The Procurement Act 2023 reformed public procurement in the United Kingdom, replacing the EU-derived regulations that previously governed the process.
The Act introduced a new framework centred on transparency, value for money, and public benefit.
It established a single digital platform for publishing contract notices and mandated that contracting authorities consider small and medium-sized enterprises when designing procurement processes.' What did the Procurement Act 2023 replace?