Fast Stream Situational Judgement (Public Sector Scenarios) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are asked to attend a meeting outside your usual role to cover for a sick colleague. You are unfamiliar with the subject matter. What should you do?
- Prepare as much as possible, be clear about your remit, and take notes to brief your colleague (Correct answer)
- Refuse as it is not your area and you might give incorrect information
- Attend and answer all questions as confidently as possible even if uncertain
- Ask to rearrange the meeting until your colleague returns
Correct answer: Prepare as much as possible, be clear about your remit, and take notes to brief your colleague
Attending whilst being transparent about your remit demonstrates flexibility and professionalism. Clearly noting actions for your colleague ensures nothing is lost.
Question 2: You notice a colleague is struggling emotionally and their work quality has declined. What is the most appropriate first step?
- Find a quiet moment to check in with them privately and ask if they are okay (Correct answer)
- Immediately notify HR about the performance concerns
- Tell other team members to watch out for mistakes in their work
- Leave them alone as personal matters are not your concern at work
Correct answer: Find a quiet moment to check in with them privately and ask if they are okay
A compassionate, private check-in respects the colleague's dignity and may reveal a support need. HR escalation before a personal conversation is disproportionate.
Question 3: You are part of a project team and disagree with the approach the team lead has chosen. What is the best action?
- Raise your concern constructively in a team discussion or directly with the lead (Correct answer)
- Complain to other team members to build support for your view
- Simply do what you are told without raising your concern
- Send an email to the team lead's manager outlining your objection
Correct answer: Raise your concern constructively in a team discussion or directly with the lead
Raising concerns directly and constructively is the hallmark of good teamwork. Undermining the lead or going above them without first raising the issue is not appropriate.
Question 4: A stakeholder offers you a gift worth £75 as thanks for your help with a project. What should you do?
- Decline politely and declare the offer to your manager or gifts register (Correct answer)
- Accept it as a token of appreciation — it is not a bribe
- Accept it but do not mention it to anyone
- Ask the stakeholder to donate to charity instead without declaring it
Correct answer: Decline politely and declare the offer to your manager or gifts register
Civil servants must not accept gifts that could create a conflict of interest. Any offer should be declared, and most should be declined to maintain impartiality.
Question 5: You are drafting a policy brief and find two credible sources that contradict each other. What is the most appropriate approach?
- Present both sources with analysis of the differing evidence and note the uncertainty (Correct answer)
- Use only the source that supports the preferred policy outcome
- Ignore both sources as they are contradictory and find different ones
- Present only the more recent source without mentioning the other
Correct answer: Present both sources with analysis of the differing evidence and note the uncertainty
Objective analysis requires presenting all relevant evidence, including conflicting evidence. Ministers and senior officials need a complete picture to make informed decisions.
Question 6: Your department is implementing a new IT system. You identify a potential security vulnerability during testing. What should you do?
- Report the vulnerability immediately to the IT security team (Correct answer)
- Keep using the system and see if the issue causes any real problems
- Mention it to a colleague but take no formal action
- Wait until the system is fully live before raising concerns
Correct answer: Report the vulnerability immediately to the IT security team
Security vulnerabilities must be reported immediately. Delay or inaction could expose sensitive government data and breach legal and regulatory obligations.
Fast Stream Situational Judgement (Public Sector Scenarios) 2
You are asked to attend a meeting outside your usual role to cover for a sick colleague.
You are unfamiliar with the subject matter.
What should you do?