Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. CAUTIOUS is to RECKLESS as GENEROUS is to: → Mean
2. Which word is closest in meaning to PERILOUS? → Dangerous
3. Passage: 'A recent survey found that 72% of respondents preferred working from home at least two days per week.' Which is CANNOT SAY? → 72% of all workers prefer working from home
4. Which word is closest in meaning to DETRIMENTAL? → Harmful
5. The new manager was described as 'proactive'. What does this mean? → Acting in anticipation of future problems rather than reacting to them
6. A report says the findings are 'inconclusive'. What does this mean? → They do not lead to a definite conclusion
7. Which option correctly completes the sentence? 'Please ensure that all forms ______ by 5pm.' → are submitted
8. Which option correctly completes the sentence? 'The policy affects ______ who joined before 2020.' → those
9. Which word is the OPPOSITE of TRANSPARENT? → Opaque
10. INFANTRY is to ARMY as CREW is to: → Ship
11. DROUGHT is to RAIN as FAMINE is to: → Food
12. In a job advertisement, the role is described as requiring 'acumen'. What does this mean? → Sharpness of mind and good judgement
13. Select the word that correctly completes the sentence: 'The board will ______ the new strategy at next month's meeting.' → ratify
14. Passage: 'Not all complaints submitted online were acknowledged within the 48-hour target.' Which is TRUE? → Some online complaints were not acknowledged within 48 hours
15. The CEO described the merger as 'synergistic'. What did she mean? → The combined entities would produce a better outcome than separately
16. Which sentence is grammatically correct? → Having reviewed the evidence, the panel reached a verdict.
17. The spokesperson was described as 'evasive'. What does this mean? → Avoiding giving direct answers
18. Which of the following words is spelled correctly? → Accommodation
19. Which word is the OPPOSITE of LUCID? → Confused
20. Passage: 'The committee meets quarterly. Its next meeting is scheduled for September.' Which is TRUE? → The committee meets four times a year
21. The policy was described as 'contentious'. What does this mean? → Causing disagreement or controversy
22. Which sentence is correct? → The report, along with its appendices, has been distributed.
23. STALE is to FRESH as TARNISHED is to: → Polished
24. Passage: 'The library will be closed for refurbishment from 1 August to 15 August inclusive.' Is the library open on 10 August? → No, the library is closed
25. The organisation was described as 'bureaucratic'. What does this suggest? → Involving excessive official procedures
26. Every employee who completed the training received a certificate. Sarah received a certificate. Which CANNOT be concluded? → Sarah completed the training
27. Select the correct sentence: → We were given fewer resources than last year.
28. WATER is to THIRST as FOOD is to: → Hunger
29. Every complaint submitted through the online portal is logged within 24 hours. Ahmed's complaint was not logged within 24 hours. What MUST be true? → Ahmed's complaint was not submitted through the online portal
30. A whistleblower described the company's practices as 'unethical'. What does this mean? → Contrary to accepted moral standards