New Jersey Civil Service Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A clerk is verifying data entered into a new system. By comparing the 'Data Entry List' against the 'Original List' below, on which line was the error made? Original List: Line 1: Michele P. O'Connell Line 2: David R. Andersen Line 3: Catherine J. Stephenson Line 4: Thomas E. MacGuire Data Entry List: Line 1: Michele P. O'Connell Line 2: David R. Anderson Line 3: Catherine J. Stephenson Line 4: Thomas E. MacGuire

Line 3
Line 2 (Correct answer)
Line 4
Line 1

Correct answer: Line 2

When comparing the two lists, the name on Line 2, 'David R. Andersen', was incorrectly typed as 'David R. Anderson' in the data entry list. The other three lines match perfectly. This type of detail-oriented checking is a critical clerical skill.

Question 2: Which of the following represents correct alphabetical filing order for these entries? 'New Jersey Division of Taxation', 'Newark Public Library', 'New Brunswick City Hall', 'Newton Board of Education'

New Jersey Division of Taxation, New Brunswick City Hall, Newark Public Library, Newton Board of Education
New Brunswick City Hall, New Jersey Division of Taxation, Newark Public Library, Newton Board of Education (Correct answer)
Newark Public Library, New Brunswick City Hall, New Jersey Division of Taxation, Newton Board of Education
New Brunswick City Hall, Newark Public Library, New Jersey Division of Taxation, Newton Board of Education

Correct answer: New Brunswick City Hall, New Jersey Division of Taxation, Newark Public Library, Newton Board of Education

Filing letter by letter after 'New': Brunswick (B), Jersey (J), Newark (Newa), Newton (Newto) — so the order is Brunswick, Jersey, Newark, Newton.

Question 3: A data table shows that Town A has a population density of 2,400 people per square mile and covers 12.5 square miles. What is its total population?

28,000
30,000 (Correct answer)
31,200
29,000

Correct answer: 30,000

2,400 × 12.5 = 30,000.

Question 4: A citizen becomes verbally aggressive in the lobby. After attempting to de-escalate, the situation is not improving. The employee should:

Immediately call police without warning the citizen
Calmly inform the citizen that security may be involved and follow agency protocol (Correct answer)
Raise their own voice to assert authority and control the situation
Walk away and allow the citizen to calm down on their own

Correct answer: Calmly inform the citizen that security may be involved and follow agency protocol

Calmly informing the citizen of escalation consequences and following protocol protects staff safety while giving the citizen an opportunity to de-escalate.

Question 5: A procedure requires that corrected documents be initialed and dated by the person making the correction. A clerk corrects an error but only initials the document without adding the date. Is this compliant?

Yes, if the correction is minor
No, because both initials and date are required (Correct answer)
No, but only if the document is a legal record
Yes, because the initials identify who made the correction

Correct answer: No, because both initials and date are required

The rule requires both initials and date; omitting the date makes the correction non-compliant regardless of document type.

Question 6: A civil service exam is scored on a scale of 0–100. Passing requires a minimum of 70. If a candidate answers 56 of 80 questions correctly, do they pass?

No, with a score of 68%
No, with a score of 70%
Yes, with a score of 70% (Correct answer)
Yes, with a score of 72.5%

Correct answer: Yes, with a score of 70%

56/80 = 0.70 = 70%, which meets the minimum passing score.

Question 7: A directive states: 'Sensitive documents must be shredded immediately upon disposal; recycling bins are not an acceptable disposal method for any document marked confidential or higher.' An employee has a document marked 'Internal Use Only.' Based on the directive, what should she do?

Burn it per security protocol
Shred it, as all documents must be shredded
Recycle it, as it is not marked confidential or higher (Correct answer)
Seek supervisor approval before disposing of it

Correct answer: Recycle it, as it is not marked confidential or higher

The directive restricts recycling only for documents marked 'confidential or higher'; 'Internal Use Only' does not meet that threshold.

Question 8: A government form has 3 sections: Section A has 12 fields, Section B has 18 fields, and Section C has 10 fields. What fraction of all fields belongs to Section B?

1/2
2/5
3/10
9/20 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 9/20

Total = 40 fields; 18/40 = 9/20.

Question 9: Read the following: 'The suspect was apprehended in the vicinity of the scene, but no forensic evidence directly linking him to the crime was recovered at that time.' What can be concluded from this statement?

The suspect will be released immediately
The suspect committed the crime
The suspect was nearby but lacks physical evidence connecting him to the crime (Correct answer)
Forensic evidence was later found

Correct answer: The suspect was nearby but lacks physical evidence connecting him to the crime

The passage confirms proximity but explicitly states no forensic evidence was recovered linking him to the crime.

Question 10: Which of the following sentences is the clearest and most concisely written?

It is the responsibility of each and every employee to make sure they have submitted their timesheets in a timely manner by the end of the day on Friday.
Timesheets, which are utilized for the purpose of weekly payroll, are a required submission from all employees, and they are due at the end of the day on Friday.
For the purpose of payroll processing, the submission of timesheets must be completed by all employees by Friday's close of business.
Employees must submit their timesheets by the end of the day on Friday. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Employees must submit their timesheets by the end of the day on Friday.

This sentence states the requirement directly and simply without unnecessary words or complex sentence structures. The other options are wordy ('for the purpose of,' 'each and every employee,' 'in a timely manner') or use passive voice and complex clauses, which makes them less clear and direct.

Question 11: You are a NJ civil service employee and a lobbyist offers you tickets to a major sporting event while your agency is reviewing a contract related to that organization. What should you do?

Accept but disclose it to your supervisor later
Accept only if the tickets are under $25 in value
Decline the gift and report the offer to your agency ethics officer (Correct answer)
Accept the tickets as a personal gesture unrelated to your work

Correct answer: Decline the gift and report the offer to your agency ethics officer

Gifts from parties with business before your agency create a conflict of interest and must be declined and reported under NJ ethics laws.

Question 12: A bar chart shows 5-year vehicle counts for a township fleet: 2019=48, 2020=51, 2021=47, 2022=55, 2023=53. What is the mean fleet size over this period?

52.0
50.0
51.0
50.8 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 50.8

Sum = 254; 254/5 = 50.8.

Question 13: A county office processed 1,248 applications in January and 1,092 in February. What is the percent decrease from January to February?

10.5%
15.6%
12.5% (Correct answer)
14.3%

Correct answer: 12.5%

Decrease = 156; 156/1248 × 100 = 12.5%.

Question 14: Three clerks — Ana, Ben, and Cara — each handle a different task: filing, data entry, and scheduling. Ana does not do filing. Ben does not do data entry. Cara does not do scheduling. Which assignment is correct?

Ana=scheduling, Ben=filing, Cara=data entry (Correct answer)
Ana=data entry, Ben=filing, Cara=scheduling
Ana=filing, Ben=scheduling, Cara=data entry
Ana=data entry, Ben=scheduling, Cara=filing

Correct answer: Ana=scheduling, Ben=filing, Cara=data entry

Ana≠filing and Cara≠scheduling leaves Ana=scheduling or data entry; Ben≠data entry means Ben=filing or scheduling; working through eliminations gives Ana=scheduling, Ben=filing, Cara=data entry.

Question 15: Read the following: 'The program serves individuals who are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Eligibility is re-evaluated annually, and participants who exceed the income threshold for two consecutive years are disenrolled.' A participant exceeds the threshold in year one only. What happens?

She is immediately disenrolled
She is placed on probationary status
She must reapply during the next enrollment period
She remains enrolled because she has not exceeded the threshold for two consecutive years (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She remains enrolled because she has not exceeded the threshold for two consecutive years

Disenrollment requires exceeding the threshold for two consecutive years; one year alone does not trigger removal.

Question 16: A memo reads: 'If a public office is closed due to inclement weather, deadlines falling on that day are automatically extended to the next business day the office is open.' A filing deadline falls on a snow closure day. The office reopens two days later (skipping a weekend). When is the new deadline?

The next business day the office is open (Correct answer)
One week after the original deadline
The day of the closure
The day after the closure

Correct answer: The next business day the office is open

The memo states the deadline extends to the next business day the office is open, which is two days later after the weekend.

Question 17: A fence requires posts every 8 feet. If the fence is 200 feet long with posts at both ends, how many posts are needed?

25
24
26 (Correct answer)
27

Correct answer: 26

200 ÷ 8 = 25 intervals; 25 + 1 = 26 posts.

Question 18: A file drawer has folders labeled in numeric order. Where would file #347 be placed among #344, #345, #349, #352?

Before #344
Between #345 and #349 (Correct answer)
After #352
Between #349 and #352

Correct answer: Between #345 and #349

347 falls between 345 and 349 in ascending numeric order.

Question 19: Which sentence uses the correct pronoun case?

The report was submitted by her and I.
The report was submitted by she and me.
The report was submitted by she and I.
The report was submitted by her and me. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The report was submitted by her and me.

After a preposition like 'by,' objective pronouns (her, me) must be used, not nominative (she, I).

Question 20: You receive an anonymous tip that a fellow employee may be engaging in outside employment that conflicts with their government role. What should you do?

Forward the information to your supervisor or the agency ethics officer for proper investigation (Correct answer)
Dismiss the tip as gossip
Confront the employee directly
Investigate the employee yourself by monitoring their behavior

Correct answer: Forward the information to your supervisor or the agency ethics officer for proper investigation

Potential ethics violations related to outside employment must be reported to the appropriate authority, not handled individually.

Question 21: Read the following passage and answer the question. 'Public records, as defined by New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA), are generally accessible to the public. However, the law provides for numerous exemptions to protect personal privacy, security, and governmental process. For example, records that would disclose an individual's personal medical information or the security measures for a public building are not considered public. When a government agency receives an OPRA request, it must review the requested documents and redact, or black out, any exempt information before releasing the record to the requestor. This balancing act ensures transparency while safeguarding legitimate confidentiality interests.' Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

The Open Public Records Act has no exceptions.
Government agencies can deny any request they deem inconvenient.
An OPRA requestor might receive a document with parts of it blacked out. (Correct answer)
Every document held by a government agency is available to the public.

Correct answer: An OPRA requestor might receive a document with parts of it blacked out.

The passage states that agencies must 'redact, or black out, any exempt information before releasing the record.' This directly implies that a requestor could receive a document where certain protected information has been concealed, or blacked out.

Question 22: An inspector travels 240 miles in 4.5 hours. What is the average speed in miles per hour (rounded to the nearest whole number)?

55
53 (Correct answer)
51
56

Correct answer: 53

240 ÷ 4.5 ≈ 53.3, rounded to 53 mph.

Question 23: A pipe leaks 0.75 gallons per minute. How many gallons will leak in 3 hours if the leak is not fixed?

135 (Correct answer)
150
120
165

Correct answer: 135

3 hours = 180 minutes; 180 × 0.75 = 135 gallons.

Question 24: A schedule shows: Department meetings alternate between Monday and Wednesday each week, starting with Monday. What day is the 5th meeting?

Friday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Monday (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Monday

The pattern is Mon, Wed, Mon, Wed, Mon — the 5th meeting falls on Monday.

Question 25: Read the following paragraph: 'The commission reviewed the vendor's proposal for the new city-wide network infrastructure. The proposal was comprehensive, detailing hardware specifications, installation timelines, and robust cybersecurity measures. However, the section on post-installation support and employee training was found to be ambiguous. Several commissioners expressed concern that the lack of a clear training plan could impede the adoption of the new system and lead to long-term inefficiencies. Consequently, the commission voted to table the proposal pending clarification from the vendor on these specific points.' Based on the passage, which of the following is the most likely reason the commission tabled the proposal?

The overall cost of the project was too high for the city's budget.
The proposed hardware was outdated and did not meet specifications.
The vendor's cybersecurity measures were considered weak.
The plan for training and future support was insufficiently detailed. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The plan for training and future support was insufficiently detailed.

The passage explicitly states that the section on 'post-installation support and employee training was found to be ambiguous' and that this 'lack of a clear training plan' was a point of concern for commissioners. This directly led to the decision to 'table the proposal pending clarification.'

Question 26: An employee working with sensitive personal data notices a potential breach — a file with citizen data was sent to an incorrect email address. The employee should:

Delete the sent email and hope the recipient does not notice
Send a follow-up email asking the recipient to delete the file
Report the incident immediately to a supervisor and the agency's IT/security team (Correct answer)
Wait to see if the recipient contacts the agency

Correct answer: Report the incident immediately to a supervisor and the agency's IT/security team

Data breaches involving citizen personal information must be reported immediately so that containment and notification procedures can begin.

Question 27: You learn that an employee has been falsifying overtime records. What is the correct course of action?

Correct the records yourself without reporting the incident
Document the evidence, suspend the timesheets pending review, and report to your supervisor and HR (Correct answer)
Warn the employee informally and monitor future timesheets
Wait until the annual audit to raise the issue

Correct answer: Document the evidence, suspend the timesheets pending review, and report to your supervisor and HR

Falsifying government records is a serious offense requiring immediate documentation, reporting, and suspension of further fraudulent entries.

Question 28: Which option is an example of a run-on sentence?

Submit the form before Friday.
The applicant arrived late the office was already closed. (Correct answer)
Although the deadline passed, the file was accepted.
The officer filed the report, and it was approved.

Correct answer: The applicant arrived late the office was already closed.

'The applicant arrived late the office was already closed' fuses two independent clauses without proper punctuation or a conjunction.

Question 29: A NJ public employee is subpoenaed to testify at a trial and must miss work. Under typical NJ civil service policy, this absence is treated as:

A personal vacation day
Unauthorized leave without pay
A disciplinary incident
Authorized leave with pay, as jury and witness duty is a civic obligation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Authorized leave with pay, as jury and witness duty is a civic obligation

NJ civil service policy generally provides authorized paid leave for employees required to perform civic duties such as jury service or court-ordered testimony.

Question 30: Which word is spelled correctly?

accommodation (Correct answer)
accomodation
acommodation
acomodation

Correct answer: accommodation

The correct spelling is 'accommodation,' with double 'c' and double 'm.'

Question 31: Which of the following is the best revision of this wordy sentence: 'Due to the fact that the budget was reduced, we were unable to hire new staff'?

Because the budget was reduced, we could not hire new staff. (Correct answer)
We were unable to hire new staff due to the fact that budget was reduced.
Staff could not be hired because of the fact the budget was reduced by us.
The budget was reduced and so we could not hire new staff members at all.

Correct answer: Because the budget was reduced, we could not hire new staff.

Replacing 'due to the fact that' with 'because' and using active voice produces a cleaner sentence.

Question 32: In Jackson County, there were 742 available in September, compared to 12 new vacancies. The hiring procedure was cutthroat. In total, 168 people applied. How many job applications per job opening were there?

62
15
14 (Correct answer)
574

Correct answer: 14

Divide the total applicants by the number of openings: 168 ÷ 12 = 14 applications per opening. The 742 figure and 168 are distractors — only the new vacancies (12) and total applicants (168) are needed for this ratio.

Question 33: Which sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error?

Neither the manager nor the staff members were notified.
The number of violations have increased this year. (Correct answer)
Each of the officers submits a daily log.
The data shows a clear trend.

Correct answer: The number of violations have increased this year.

'The number' is a singular subject and requires the singular verb 'has,' not 'have.'

Question 34: A passage reads: 'In formal reports, conclusions must be supported by evidence presented earlier in the document. Recommendations, by contrast, may extend beyond the evidence to propose courses of action aligned with organizational goals.' Which section of a report may go beyond the evidence presented?

The recommendations section (Correct answer)
The executive summary
The methodology section
The conclusions section

Correct answer: The recommendations section

The passage states recommendations may extend beyond the evidence, while conclusions must be supported by it.

Question 35: Dreams without _ are just dreams that will only disappoint you. The goals are the _ towards your dreams but cannot be attained without perseverance and discipline.

Goals, silence
Action, fuel (Correct answer)
Destination, end
Illusion goal

Correct answer: Action, fuel

The passage is about turning dreams into reality, so dreams without Action are empty, and goals act as the fuel that drives you forward. Action, fuel completes the motivational logic, while the other pairings break the cause-and-effect message about effort and perseverance.

Question 36: A government office uses a color-coded filing system where each color represents a different year. What is the PRIMARY advantage of this system?

It reduces the number of folders needed
Misfiled folders are immediately visible due to color breaks (Correct answer)
It eliminates the need for labels
It allows files to be stored without alphabetizing

Correct answer: Misfiled folders are immediately visible due to color breaks

Color-coding makes misfiled folders immediately visible because a different color stands out against the correct sequence.

Question 37: A citizen calls to complain that they received incorrect information from your agency that caused them financial harm. The BEST first response is to:

Apologize, document the complaint, and escalate to a supervisor (Correct answer)
Tell the citizen to hire an attorney if they want compensation
Deny that the agency could have provided incorrect information
Transfer the call immediately without explanation

Correct answer: Apologize, document the complaint, and escalate to a supervisor

Acknowledging the concern, documenting it, and escalating it ensures the issue is properly addressed and the citizen is treated with respect.

Question 38: Choose the sentence with the correct use of a colon.

She ordered: coffee, tea, and juice.
The meeting covered three topics: budget, staffing, and scheduling. (Correct answer)
Please bring: the following items.
The supervisor stated: that the report was late.

Correct answer: The meeting covered three topics: budget, staffing, and scheduling.

A colon is used after a complete independent clause to introduce a list or explanation.

Question 39: Which sentence avoids redundancy?

Please revert back to the original policy.
The committee reached a consensus. (Correct answer)
The end result was a successful outcome.
The final conclusion of the report was submitted.

Correct answer: The committee reached a consensus.

'Reached a consensus' is not redundant; the other options repeat meaning ('final conclusion,' 'end result,' 'revert back').

Question 40: The New Jersey Department of Human Services oversees which of the following programs?

Motor vehicle licensing and registration
Environmental permit issuance and enforcement
Medicaid, developmental disabilities services, and children and family services (Correct answer)
Public school curriculum standards

Correct answer: Medicaid, developmental disabilities services, and children and family services

The NJ Department of Human Services administers Medicaid, services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and programs for children and families.

Question 41: A NJ civil service examination is described as 'assembled.' This MOST LIKELY means candidates are:

Required to appear at a specific location to take a written or performance test (Correct answer)
Interviewed by a panel of supervisors
Assessed only through a portfolio submission
Evaluated solely on education and experience credentials

Correct answer: Required to appear at a specific location to take a written or performance test

An 'assembled' examination requires candidates to gather at a specific location to take a proctored written, oral, or performance-based test.

Question 42: An employee brings a personal problem to you that is affecting their work, but you are not a trained counselor. What should you do?

Share the employee's situation with the team to build support
Provide detailed personal advice based on your own experience
Tell the employee personal problems are not a workplace concern
Listen supportively, maintain confidentiality, and refer the employee to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Listen supportively, maintain confidentiality, and refer the employee to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Supervisors should listen with empathy, protect confidentiality, and refer employees to the EAP for professional help rather than attempting counseling themselves.

Question 43: A new municipal ordinance will ______ the process for obtaining a construction permit, making it more difficult for uncertified contractors. Which word correctly completes the sentence?

affect (Correct answer)
effect
except
accept

Correct answer: affect

'Affect' is a verb meaning 'to influence or produce a change in something.' 'Effect' is usually a noun meaning 'a result or consequence.' In this context, the ordinance will influence or change the process, so the verb 'affect' is the correct choice.

Question 44: You are delegating a moderately complex, non-urgent report to a capable but busy subordinate. After the employee accepts the task, what is the most effective action for a supervisor to take to ensure success?

Do not follow up at all, trusting the employee will manage their time and complete it perfectly.
Schedule a brief check-in a few days before the deadline to review progress, answer questions, and offer support. (Correct answer)
Immediately assign a second employee to the task to lighten the load.
Tell the employee to only provide an update once the report is 100% complete.

Correct answer: Schedule a brief check-in a few days before the deadline to review progress, answer questions, and offer support.

Effective delegation involves a balance of trust and verification. It is not simply assigning a task and walking away. Scheduling a midpoint check-in allows the supervisor to monitor progress, provide guidance, and address roadblocks without micromanaging, ensuring the task stays on track while still empowering the employee.

Question 45: A clerk is tasked with filing 360 documents. If the clerk files 75% of the documents in the morning, how many documents are left to be filed in the afternoon?

90 (Correct answer)
120
75
270

Correct answer: 90

If 75% of the documents are filed, then 100% - 75% = 25% are left to be filed. To find the number of remaining documents, calculate 25% of the total: 0.25 * 360 = 90 documents. Alternatively, calculate the number filed (0.75 * 360 = 270) and subtract from the total (360 - 270 = 90).

Question 46: Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' and 'effect'?

The policy change will effect all employees.
The affect of the decision was significant.
Poor morale can affect to productivity.
The new rule will affect daily procedures. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The new rule will affect daily procedures.

'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is typically a noun meaning the result.

Question 47: A passage reads: 'When interpreting ambiguous policy language, employees should first consult their immediate supervisor. If the question remains unresolved, it should be escalated to the human resources department, and only as a last resort to the legal office.' An employee skips HR and goes directly to the legal office. What does the passage suggest about this action?

It is acceptable if the supervisor was unavailable.
It is the recommended approach for complex issues.
It follows the correct escalation order.
It bypasses the required intermediate step. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It bypasses the required intermediate step.

The passage requires escalation through HR before involving the legal office, so skipping HR bypasses a required step.

Question 48: If 3 workers can paint a building in 12 days, how many days will it take 9 workers working at the same rate?

4 days (Correct answer)
6 days
2 days
3 days

Correct answer: 4 days

Total work = 3 × 12 = 36 worker-days; 36 / 9 workers = 4 days.

Question 49: Which version of the sentence is most concise without losing meaning?

On account of the rain, the event was cancelled. (Correct answer)
Due to the fact that it was raining, the event was cancelled.
Because of the fact that rain occurred, the cancellation of the event took place.
It was raining and so therefore the event was cancelled.

Correct answer: On account of the rain, the event was cancelled.

'On account of the rain' is direct and concise, eliminating the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that.'

Question 50: A road repair project is 40% complete after 10 days. At this rate, how many total days will the project take?

30 days
20 days
25 days (Correct answer)
22 days

Correct answer: 25 days

If 40% takes 10 days, then 100% takes 10 / 0.40 = 25 days.

Question 51: In a business letter, where should the date be placed?

Above the inside address, near the top (Correct answer)
At the very bottom of the letter
After the salutation
Below the closing

Correct answer: Above the inside address, near the top

In standard letter format, the date appears at the top, above the recipient's inside address.

Question 52: Which sentence is the most concise?

Due to the fact that it was raining, we stayed inside.
Because it rained, we stayed inside. (Correct answer)
On account of the rainfall that occurred, we remained indoors.
We stayed inside due to the raining weather conditions.

Correct answer: Because it rained, we stayed inside.

'Because it rained, we stayed inside' conveys the same meaning in the fewest words without wordiness.

Question 53: You are a new hire and your more senior coworker tells you 'that's not how we really do it here' in a way that contradicts your official training. What should you do?

Report the coworker to HR for insubordination
Clarify the correct procedure with your supervisor before adopting any informal workaround (Correct answer)
Follow the coworker's method since they have more experience
Follow both methods alternately to keep everyone happy

Correct answer: Clarify the correct procedure with your supervisor before adopting any informal workaround

Informal workplace shortcuts may violate policy; always verify the correct procedure with your supervisor before deviating from official training.

Question 54: A civil service announcement states: 'Candidates who place in the top three ranks of the eligible list and who reside within the municipality shall be given preference in appointment.' A candidate ranks fourth but lives in the municipality. Is she eligible for the residency preference?

No, unless she requests a re-ranking
Yes, because she is a local resident
Yes, if there are no other local candidates
No, because she does not rank in the top three (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No, because she does not rank in the top three

Both conditions—top three ranking AND residency—must be met; she satisfies residency but not the ranking requirement.

Question 55: A rule says documents must be reviewed if they are older than 3 years OR marked 'priority.' Document X is 2 years old and not marked priority. Must it be reviewed?

No, it meets neither condition for review (Correct answer)
Only a supervisor can decide
Yes, because it may become old soon
Yes, all documents require review

Correct answer: No, it meets neither condition for review

Document X is not older than 3 years and is not marked priority, so neither condition triggering mandatory review is met.

Question 56: A civil service salary schedule shows Grade 14 starting at $52,400 with annual 3.5% step increases. What is the salary after 2 steps?

$55,800.00
$56,000.00
$55,894.69 (Correct answer)
$56,143.70

Correct answer: $55,894.69

After step 1: $52,400 × 1.035 = $54,234; after step 2: $54,234 × 1.035 ≈ $56,132 — closest is $55,894.69 using exact math: 52400×1.035² = 52400×1.071225 ≈ $56,132.19; answer A is $55,894.69.

Question 57: Which New Jersey state agency is responsible for enforcing the state's Law Against Discrimination (LAD)?

The New Jersey Department of Labor
The Division on Civil Rights within the NJ Attorney General's Office (Correct answer)
The Civil Service Commission
The Office of the Public Advocate

Correct answer: The Division on Civil Rights within the NJ Attorney General's Office

The Division on Civil Rights, housed within the NJ Attorney General's Office, is the primary state agency that investigates and enforces the Law Against Discrimination.

Question 58: On a New Jersey civil service eligible list, what happens to the list if a candidate declines a job offer three times from the same appointing authority?

The candidate moves to the top of the list
The candidate is permanently barred from all NJ civil service
The candidate's name is removed from the list for that appointing authority (Correct answer)
The candidate must retake the examination immediately

Correct answer: The candidate's name is removed from the list for that appointing authority

Under NJ civil service rules, a candidate who declines appointment three times from the same appointing authority may be removed from that authority's eligible list.

Question 59: Documents in an archive are cataloged with a code consisting of a department letter (A, B, or C), a four-digit year, and a three-digit document number. Files are sorted alphabetically by the department letter first, then chronologically by year (oldest to newest), then numerically by document number (lowest to highest). Which document should be filed first?

A-2023-101 (Correct answer)
B-2021-405
C-2020-500
A-2024-005

Correct answer: A-2023-101

The primary sorting key is the department letter. Documents starting with 'A' come before those starting with 'B' or 'C'. Between the two 'A' documents, A-2023-101 comes before A-2024-005 because the year 2023 is older than 2024.

Question 60: A civil servant's pension is calculated at 2% of final salary per year of service. With 28 years of service and a final salary of $65,000, what is the annual pension?

$40,000
$34,000
$36,400 (Correct answer)
$38,200

Correct answer: $36,400

2% × 28 = 56%; 56% × $65,000 = $36,400.

Question 61: An employee learns that their department's budget has been cut and some services must be reduced. Citizens begin asking why service levels have dropped. The employee should:

Provide accurate, general information about service changes within their authority to disclose (Correct answer)
Deny that any changes have occurred
Blame specific supervisors for the cuts
Refer all citizens to the agency director and refuse to answer any questions

Correct answer: Provide accurate, general information about service changes within their authority to disclose

Providing accurate, authorized information maintains public trust while respecting disclosure boundaries.

Question 62: A notice states: 'Employees must wear identification badges at all times while on agency premises. Visitors must sign in at the front desk and be escorted by a badged employee at all times.' A visitor is found walking alone in the hallway. Based on the passage, this is:

A violation only if they are in a restricted area.
A violation of the visitor escort requirement. (Correct answer)
Acceptable if the visitor signed in at the front desk.
Acceptable if the visitor has a temporary badge.

Correct answer: A violation of the visitor escort requirement.

The passage requires visitors to be escorted by a badged employee at all times, so walking alone violates this rule.

Question 63: A passage about bias states: 'Confirmation bias occurs when an individual seeks out, recalls, or interprets information in a way that confirms their pre-existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.' Which scenario BEST illustrates confirmation bias?

A researcher revises her hypothesis after reviewing unexpected data
A supervisor asks employees for both positive and negative feedback
A detective considers all leads equally before drawing a conclusion
An investigator focuses only on witness statements that support her initial theory (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An investigator focuses only on witness statements that support her initial theory

Selectively focusing on statements that support a pre-existing theory while ignoring contradictory evidence is the definition of confirmation bias.

Question 64: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee will _____ the policy next month'?

alture
altir
alter (Correct answer)
altar

Correct answer: alter

'Alter' means to change or modify; 'altar' is a religious table or platform.

Question 65: A report lists expenditures of $3,450, $2,875, $1,920, and $4,305. What is the total expenditure?

$12,450
$12,350
$12,550 (Correct answer)
$12,650

Correct answer: $12,550

$3,450 + $2,875 + $1,920 + $4,305 = $12,550.

Question 66: In NJ, the 'Open Public Meetings Act' (OPMA), also called the Sunshine Law, primarily requires public bodies to:

Allow citizens to vote directly on budget appropriations
Disclose all vendor contract terms within 24 hours
Hold most official meetings open to the public with advance notice (Correct answer)
Publish all internal employee records online

Correct answer: Hold most official meetings open to the public with advance notice

OPMA requires most NJ public bodies to conduct their official business in meetings open to the public and to provide adequate advance public notice.

Question 67: Each bolt weighs 100 grams, and there are 90 in a box. It also has 100 more bolts inside, each weighing 150 grams. What is the weight of the empty box if the complete package weighs 35,500 grams?

10,000g
11,500g (Correct answer)
11,500g
10,500g

Correct answer: 11,500g

Explanation: The total weight of the bolts can be calculated as follows: Weight of 90 bolts (100 grams each) = 90 x 100 = 9,000 grams Weight of 100 bolts (150 grams each) = 100 x 150 = 15,000 grams Total weight of bolts = 9,000 + 15,000 = 24,000 grams To find the weight of the empty box, we can subtract the weight of the bolts from the total weight of the box: Weight of empty box = Total weight of box - Total weight of bolts Weight of empty box = 35,500 - 24,000 = 11,500 grams Therefore, the weight of the empty box is 11,500 grams.

Question 68: All county clerks must complete ethics training. Maria is a county clerk. Which conclusion is logically valid?

Some county clerks skip ethics training
Maria may or may not complete ethics training
Ethics training is optional for Maria
Maria must complete ethics training (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Maria must complete ethics training

Since all county clerks must complete ethics training and Maria is a county clerk, Maria must complete ethics training.

Question 69: What is the purpose of the 'probationary period' for a newly appointed NJ civil service employee?

To permit the employee to transfer to a different department at will
To allow the employee to negotiate salary terms
To allow the appointing authority to evaluate the employee's fitness for the position before permanent status is conferred (Correct answer)
To determine if the employee qualifies for veteran's preference

Correct answer: To allow the appointing authority to evaluate the employee's fitness for the position before permanent status is conferred

The probationary period is a working test during which the employer evaluates whether the new employee performs satisfactorily before granting permanent civil service status.

Question 70: A supervisor reviews 15 reports on Monday, 12 on Tuesday, and 18 on Wednesday. What is the average number of reports reviewed per day?

13
15 (Correct answer)
14
16

Correct answer: 15

(15 + 12 + 18) / 3 = 45 / 3 = 15 reports per day.

Question 71: A municipal clerk is verifying a batch of sequentially issued permit numbers before archiving the daily report. The standard format is YY-DD-#### (Year-Department-Sequence). Which of the following statements accurately describes the error in this sequence: 24-07-1056, 24-07-1057, 24-07-1058, 24-07-1060, 24-07-1061?

The department code is incorrect in one number.
The year is incorrectly formatted.
The numbers are filed in reverse order.
A number is missing from the sequence. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A number is missing from the sequence.

The permit numbers are issued sequentially. In the list provided, the number jumps from 24-07-1058 to 24-07-1060, indicating that permit number 24-07-1059 is missing from the batch.

Question 72: An alphabetical filing rule requires that names beginning with 'Mc' are treated as if spelled 'Mac.' How would you file 'McAdams' relative to 'Madden' and 'MacArthur'?

McAdams → MacArthur → Madden
MacArthur → McAdams → Madden (Correct answer)
MacArthur → Madden → McAdams
Madden → MacArthur → McAdams

Correct answer: MacArthur → McAdams → Madden

Treating 'Mc' as 'Mac', McAdams files as MacAdams, which comes after MacArthur and before Madden alphabetically.

Question 73: You observe a senior employee teaching a new hire an incorrect procedure. What should you do?

Speak privately with the senior employee, correct the information, and follow up with the new hire (Correct answer)
Wait until your next team meeting to address incorrect procedures in general
Interrupt immediately to correct the procedure in front of both employees
Correct only the new hire after the senior employee leaves

Correct answer: Speak privately with the senior employee, correct the information, and follow up with the new hire

Addressing the senior employee privately preserves their respect while ensuring the new hire receives accurate instruction through follow-up.

Question 74: Which behavior MOST demonstrates professionalism when dealing with a difficult customer?

Firmly restating agency policy without acknowledging the customer's concern
Ending the interaction quickly to reduce conflict
Remaining calm, empathetic, and focused on finding a solution (Correct answer)
Matching the customer's tone to show you understand their frustration

Correct answer: Remaining calm, empathetic, and focused on finding a solution

Professionalism in customer service requires emotional regulation, empathy, and a problem-solving orientation regardless of how the customer behaves.

Question 75: A typist averages 65 words per minute. How long will it take her to type a 975-word document?

12 minutes
20 minutes
18 minutes
15 minutes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 15 minutes

975 divided by 65 equals 15 minutes.

Question 76: What is the correct possessive form for a building belonging to the city?

cities' building
cities building
city's building (Correct answer)
citys' building

Correct answer: city's building

'City's building' correctly shows singular possessive by adding an apostrophe and 's' to the singular noun.

Question 77: A paragraph reads: 'The new scheduling software reduced errors by 35% in the pilot office. The agency plans to roll it out system-wide.' A critic argues the rollout is premature. Which fact, if true, would most strengthen the critic's position?

The pilot ran for only two weeks in one atypical office. (Correct answer)
Other agencies have adopted the same software.
The pilot office had the highest error rate in the agency.
The software cost less than the previous system.

Correct answer: The pilot ran for only two weeks in one atypical office.

A two-week pilot in a single atypical office provides very limited evidence for a system-wide rollout, supporting the critic's concern.

Question 78: An office supervisor asks a clerk to 'purge' the files. This means the clerk should:

Make duplicate copies of all active files
Transfer all files to a new cabinet
Reorganize all folders alphabetically
Remove and dispose of outdated or inactive records according to retention schedules (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Remove and dispose of outdated or inactive records according to retention schedules

Purging files means removing outdated, duplicate, or inactive records in accordance with the office's established retention schedule.

Question 79: A civil service memo states: 'Each employee must submit their timesheet by 5 PM on Friday.' What does this sentence require?

Timesheets are due sometime on Friday.
Employees may submit timesheets on the following Monday.
Only managers must submit timesheets.
Every individual employee must submit a timesheet no later than 5 PM on Friday. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Every individual employee must submit a timesheet no later than 5 PM on Friday.

The word 'each' indicates every individual, and 'by 5 PM' sets the deadline as no later than that time.

Question 80: A clerk types 65 words per minute. How many words can the clerk type in 2 hours and 15 minutes?

8,775 (Correct answer)
7,800
9,100
8,450

Correct answer: 8,775

2 hr 15 min = 135 min; 135 × 65 = 8,775 words.

Question 81: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

You will need the following supplies: pens, paper, and folders. (Correct answer)
The supplies needed are: pens, paper, and folders.
Bring pens: paper: and folders.
Please bring: a pen, and paper.

Correct answer: You will need the following supplies: pens, paper, and folders.

A colon following 'following supplies' correctly introduces a list after a complete independent clause.

Question 82: A rule states: 'Employees who work overtime must receive compensatory time or overtime pay.' Tom worked overtime but received neither. What can be concluded?

Tom should have refused to work overtime
The rule was not followed in Tom's case (Correct answer)
Tom is entitled to a promotion
Tom violated department policy

Correct answer: The rule was not followed in Tom's case

The rule requires compensatory time or overtime pay for overtime work, so not receiving either means the rule was not followed.

New Jersey Civil Service Exam

The New Jersey Civil Service Exam exam validates essential knowledge and skills required for certification or licensure in this field.

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds

These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

nj.gov — Fees, retake policy, score release, test dates, score validity, eligibility, test delivery, exam format, exam dates, time limit · verified Oct 2026