Government and Civil Service Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What is a filibuster in the US Senate? → A procedural tactic to delay or block legislation by extended debate
2. The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is best described as which type of retirement account? → A defined-contribution retirement savings plan similar to a 401(k)
3. Which retirement system covers most federal employees hired after January 1, 1984? → Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
4. What is regulatory capture? → When a regulated industry gains undue influence over the agency regulating it
5. What is a government shutdown? → A situation where funding lapses force federal agencies to cease non-essential operations
6. What is the purpose of the Senior Executives financial disclosure form SF-278? → Publicly disclose financial interests to identify potential conflicts
7. What does the term 'appropriations' refer to in the federal budget process? → Congressional legislation that authorizes spending of federal funds
8. A federal employee who suspects their agency is committing fraud should first contact which office? → Their agency Inspector General
9. The First Amendment protects which of the following freedoms? → Freedom of speech
10. What is the purpose of a Position Description (PD) in the federal government? → To document the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of a federal position
11. Which federal law requires government agencies to disclose privacy practices for systems containing personal information? → The Privacy Act of 1974
12. What is the constitutional role of the Speaker of the House? → Presiding officer of the House
13. What does performance management mean in federal government operations? → Using data and metrics to track and improve government program results
14. Which federal law prohibits federal employees from using their position for partisan political activity? → Hatch Act
15. The 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause applies to which level of government? → State governments only
16. Which constitutional principle prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful? → Checks and balances
17. Which constitutional principle divides powers between the federal and state governments? → Federalism
18. Which level of government is primarily responsible for public K-12 education in the United States? → State and local governments
19. How many justices currently serve on the US Supreme Court? → 9
20. Which official presides over the US Senate? → Vice President
21. What is the Office of Management and Budget OMB role in federal rulemaking? → Reviews significant agency rules for cost-benefit analysis before publication
22. What is impeachment in the US constitutional system? → The process for Congress to charge and try civil officers for misconduct
23. The federal debt ceiling is best defined as: → The statutory limit set by Congress on the total amount the federal government may borrow
24. Which clause of the Constitution makes federal law supreme over state law? → Supremacy Clause
25. What is the Sunshine Act's primary requirement for federal agencies? → Multi-member federal agencies must open their meetings to the public
26. What does OSHA primarily regulate? → Workplace safety and health standards for US workers
27. What is the Hatch Act? → A law restricting partisan political activities of federal employees
28. What does the False Claims Act primarily target? → Fraudulent claims submitted to the federal government for payment
29. A concurrent budget resolution passed by Congress: → Sets overall spending and revenue targets to guide the annual appropriations process
30. What is judicial review? → The Supreme Court's power to strike down unconstitutional laws