New Jersey Civil Service Exam Reading Comprehension Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A policy states: 'Confidential records must be stored in locked cabinets when not in use. Electronic records must be password-protected at all times.' An employee leaves a confidential paper file on their desk overnight. Which conclusion is best supported?
- The employee complied because the file was in the office.
- The employee violated the policy on storing paper records. (Correct answer)
- The policy only applies to electronic records.
- No violation occurred because the office was locked.
Correct answer: The employee violated the policy on storing paper records.
The policy requires locked cabinets for paper records when not in use, so leaving them on a desk overnight is a violation.
Question 2: A passage reads: 'The term 'resident' means a person who has lived within the municipality for at least 90 consecutive days and intends to remain.' A person has lived in the town for 60 days and plans to stay permanently. Under this definition, they are:
- A resident, because they intend to remain.
- Not a resident, because they have not met the 90-day requirement. (Correct answer)
- A resident, because intention alone satisfies the definition.
- Not a resident, because the passage requires 120 days.
Correct answer: Not a resident, because they have not met the 90-day requirement.
Both conditions — 90 consecutive days and intent to remain — must be met; 60 days is insufficient regardless of intent.
Question 3: A manual states: 'In the event of a discrepancy between a unit policy and a departmental policy, the departmental policy takes precedence.' A unit policy requires weekly reports; the departmental policy requires monthly reports. Which schedule applies?
- Weekly, because unit policies are more specific.
- Monthly, because departmental policy takes precedence. (Correct answer)
- Either schedule, at the employee's discretion.
- Neither; the conflict must be resolved by management first.
Correct answer: Monthly, because departmental policy takes precedence.
The manual explicitly states that departmental policy overrides unit policy in cases of conflict.
Question 4: A passage reads: 'Studies show that employees who receive regular feedback are 40% more likely to meet performance targets.' Which of the following is the most logical conclusion based solely on this statement?
- All employees who receive feedback will meet their targets.
- Regular feedback is associated with improved target achievement. (Correct answer)
- Employees without feedback never meet performance targets.
- Performance targets are only meaningful when feedback is given.
Correct answer: Regular feedback is associated with improved target achievement.
The statistic shows a correlation between regular feedback and meeting targets, not a guarantee or absolute outcome.
Question 5: A paragraph reads: 'The applicant must submit Form A, a copy of their driver's license, and two professional references. Incomplete applications will be returned without review.' An applicant submits Form A and two references but omits the license copy. What will happen?
- The application will be reviewed and the missing item noted.
- The application will be returned without review. (Correct answer)
- The applicant will be contacted to supply the missing item.
- The application will be accepted if references are strong.
Correct answer: The application will be returned without review.
The passage states incomplete applications will be returned without review, and the missing license copy makes the application incomplete.
Question 6: A notice reads: 'Parking permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the allocation is exhausted, no additional permits will be issued until the next fiscal year.' An employee applies after the allocation is exhausted. Based on the passage, what should the employee expect?
- A permit on a waiting list.
- No permit until the next fiscal year. (Correct answer)
- A temporary permit valid for 30 days.
- A permit if they can demonstrate hardship.
Correct answer: No permit until the next fiscal year.
The passage states no additional permits will be issued once the allocation is gone, until the next fiscal year.
Question 7: A report states: 'Agency X processed 8,000 applications last year with a staff of 40, while Agency Y processed 6,000 applications with a staff of 25.' Which inference is best supported by this data?
- Agency X is more efficient per employee than Agency Y.
- Agency Y processes more applications per employee than Agency X. (Correct answer)
- Agency X has better trained employees than Agency Y.
- Agency Y receives more difficult applications than Agency X.
Correct answer: Agency Y processes more applications per employee than Agency X.
Agency Y processed 240 applications per employee versus Agency X's 200, making Agency Y more efficient per staff member.
New Jersey Civil Service Exam Reading Comprehension Analysis 3
A policy states: 'Confidential records must be stored in locked cabinets when not in use.
Electronic records must be password-protected at all times.' An employee leaves a confidential paper file on their desk overnight.
Which conclusion is best supported?