PSEE Reading Comprehension 2

Question 1

Policy: 'Sick leave may be used for personal illness or to care for an ill immediate family member. Immediate family is defined as spouse, child, or parent. Extended sick leave beyond 10 days requires a medical certificate.' An employee takes 12 sick days to care for an ill sibling. What applies?

Accepted Answer

The leave may be denied because siblings are not defined as immediate family.

Answer

The policy defines immediate family as spouse, child, or parent — siblings are not included.

Question 2

Directive: 'All external communications representing the department must be approved by the Communications Branch before release. Routine internal emails between employees are exempt.' A manager sends an email to a partner organization summarizing a policy change. Does it require approval?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because it is an external communication representing the department.

Answer

The email is an external communication representing the department — it falls under the approval requirement. The exemption only applies to internal emails.

Question 3

Notice: 'The new code of conduct applies to all public servants effective April 1. Public servants who joined before this date will have a 60-day transition period to complete mandatory training.' An employee hired March 15 has not completed training by May 1. Are they in compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because they joined before April 1 and their 60-day window extends to approximately May 31.

Answer

Pre-April 1 employees have 60 days from April 1 to complete training, i.e., until approximately May 31. May 1 is within that window.

Question 4

Passage: 'The Treasury Board of Canada sets government-wide policies on human resources, financial management, and information management. Individual departments implement these policies but may not contradict them.' A department issues a leave policy that allows fewer vacation days than the Treasury Board minimum. Is this permitted?

Accepted Answer

No, departmental policies cannot contradict Treasury Board policies.

Answer

The passage explicitly states departments 'may not contradict' Treasury Board policies. Providing fewer vacation days than the TB minimum directly contradicts that policy.

Question 5

Report excerpt: 'In 2023, the federal public service processed 2.4 million applications, a 15% increase over 2022. Processing times improved by an average of 3 days. However, the backlog of unprocessed applications grew by 8%.' Which conclusion is supported?

Accepted Answer

Processing became more efficient but the workload increased faster than capacity.

Answer

Processing times improved (−3 days), but the backlog still grew (+8%), suggesting demand outpaced capacity improvements.

PSEE - Public Service Entrance Exam Practice Test

PSEE - Public Service Entrance Exam Practice Test

PSEE Reading Comprehension 2