PSEE Problem Solving and Judgment

Question 1

A public servant discovers that a colleague has been submitting duplicate expense claims. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the concern to a supervisor or through the departmental integrity process.

Answer

Confront the colleague publicly in the office.

Answer

Do nothing, as it is not directly your responsibility.

Answer

Email the colleague's clients to inform them of the situation.

Question 2

You have four tasks due today: A (noon, 2 hrs), B (3 p.m., 1 hr), C (5 p.m., 3 hrs), D (urgent email reply, 15 min). It is 8 a.m. What is the best order?

Accepted Answer

D, A, B, C

Answer

A, B, C, D

Answer

C, A, D, B

Answer

B, D, A, C

Question 3

A citizen calls demanding an immediate answer to a complex question requiring policy research. What is the best response?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the question, explain research is needed, and commit to a specific callback time.

Answer

Give a quick answer based on partial knowledge to satisfy the caller.

Answer

Tell the caller the question is too complex and end the call.

Answer

Transfer the call immediately without explanation.

Question 4

You receive an email from an unknown external sender requesting a list of employee names and contact information. What do you do?

Accepted Answer

Do not share the information and verify the requester's identity and authority.

Answer

Send the information since it seems like a routine request.

Answer

Forward it to a colleague to handle.

Answer

Delete the email without taking action.

Question 5

During a team meeting, a colleague proposes an approach you believe is incorrect. What is the most professional response?

Accepted Answer

Wait until after the meeting and discuss your concern privately with your colleague.

Answer

Interrupt them immediately and correct them in front of the group.

Answer

Say nothing to avoid conflict.

Answer

Complain about the colleague to the manager later without speaking to them first.

Question 6

Your supervisor asks you to process a file that appears to contain incomplete information. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Bring the incomplete information to your supervisor's attention before processing.

Answer

Process it as-is to avoid delaying your supervisor's work.

Answer

Fill in the missing information yourself based on your best guess.

Answer

Return the file to the applicant without explanation.