Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE 371) — Questions and Answers

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?

The leave may be denied because siblings are not defined as immediate family. (Correct answer)
The leave requires a medical certificate because it exceeds 10 days.
The leave is fully approved because siblings are family.
The leave is approved only for the first 10 days.

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

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

Question 2: Think about the sequences 6, 12, 24, and 48. What figure should come after that?

60
96 (Correct answer)
48
86

Correct answer: 96

This is a geometric sequence where each number is obtained by multiplying the previous number by 2. Starting with 6: 6 * 2 = 12, 12 * 2 = 24, and 24 * 2 = 48. Following this pattern, the next number in the sequence will be 48 * 2 = 96. Therefore, 96 is the next figure.

Question 3: Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The new policy was ____ by all department heads before implementation.'

obliterated
ignored
sanctioned (Correct answer)
rescinded

Correct answer: sanctioned

Sanctioned means officially approved or permitted, which fits the context of a policy being approved before implementation.

Question 4: Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to 'ARDUOUS'?

Difficult
Strenuous
Effortless (Correct answer)
Exhausting

Correct answer: Effortless

Arduous means requiring great effort, so its opposite is 'effortless,' meaning requiring little or no effort.

Question 5: You are processing a grant application and realize the applicant is a personal friend. What should you do?

Process it quickly to help your friend.
Declare a conflict of interest and recuse yourself from handling the file. (Correct answer)
Process it but apply stricter criteria to be fair.
Ask a colleague to review it without disclosing the relationship.

Correct answer: Declare a conflict of interest and recuse yourself from handling the file.

Declaring a conflict of interest and recusing yourself is the required response when a personal relationship affects impartiality.

Question 6: Which document establishes the supreme law of the United States?

The Declaration of Independence
The Federalist Papers
The Civil Rights Act
The U.S. Constitution (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The U.S. Constitution

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, establishing the framework of the federal government and individual rights.

Question 7: No classified documents may leave the building. The file marked 'Top Secret' is a classified document. What follows logically?

The Top Secret file may be emailed externally.
The Top Secret file may not leave the building. (Correct answer)
The Top Secret file must leave the building.
The Top Secret file can be declassified at the door.

Correct answer: The Top Secret file may not leave the building.

The universal rule 'no classified documents may leave' applies to the Top Secret file.

Question 8: No homework is enjoyable. Homework includes reading. Not fun is reading. The third statement is: if the first two claims are accurate.

False
Uncertain
True (Correct answer)

Correct answer: True

This is a valid logical deduction. If 'No homework is enjoyable' means all homework falls into the category of 'not enjoyable,' and 'Homework includes reading' means reading is a type of homework, then it logically follows that reading must also be 'not fun' (not enjoyable). The conclusion is a direct consequence of the premises.

Question 9: Which word correctly fills the blank? 'The memorandum was addressed ____ all division chiefs.'

for
at
on
to (Correct answer)

Correct answer: to

The correct preposition after 'addressed' when indicating recipients is 'to,' as in addressed to all division chiefs.

Question 10: What does 'MEMORANDUM' primarily refer to in a government office?

An annual performance report
A binding legal contract between agencies
A formal speech given at a ceremony
A brief written message within an organization (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A brief written message within an organization

A memorandum is a written message used within an organization to communicate information, policies, or instructions.

Question 11: Think about sequences 26, 24, 20, and 14. What figure should come after that?

12
10
8
6 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 6

Analyze the differences between consecutive numbers: 26 - 24 = 2, 24 - 20 = 4, 20 - 14 = 6. The differences are increasing by 2 each time (2, 4, 6). Following this pattern, the next difference should be 8. Subtracting 8 from the last number in the sequence gives 14 - 8 = 6. So, 6 is the next figure.

Question 12: What comes next in the series? 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, ___

72
60
56
64 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 64

Perfect squares: 1², 2², ..., 7²=49, 8²=64.

Question 13: What is an 'appropriation' in government budgeting?

A loan from the Treasury
A tax increase approved by Congress
An executive order directing agency spending
Congressional authorization to spend money (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Congressional authorization to spend money

An appropriation is a legislative act authorizing the executive branch to spend a specified amount of money for a designated purpose.

Question 14: Which of the following best demonstrates integrity in public service?

Accepting gifts from contractors when no one is watching
Sharing government information with friends for personal advantage
Following rules only when supervisors are present
Maintaining consistent ethical conduct regardless of who is observing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Maintaining consistent ethical conduct regardless of who is observing

True integrity in public service means behaving ethically at all times, not just when being observed, as it reflects genuine commitment to public trust.

Question 15: Which of the following words is spelled correctly?

Receeve
Recive
Recieve
Receive (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Receive

'Receive' follows the rule 'i before e except after c,' placing the 'e' before 'i' after the letter 'c'.

Question 16: Which federal law protects government workers who report waste, fraud, or abuse?

Privacy Act
Whistleblower Protection Act (Correct answer)
Administrative Procedure Act
Hatch Act

Correct answer: Whistleblower Protection Act

The Whistleblower Protection Act shields federal employees from retaliation when they report illegal or wasteful government activities.

Question 17: Complete the series: 5, 10, 20, 35, 55, ___

90
80 (Correct answer)
85
75

Correct answer: 80

Differences: +5, +10, +15, +20 — increasing by 5 each step. Next difference: +25. 55+25=80.

Question 18: A committee has 5 members: Ana, Ben, Carlos, Diana, and Eve. Ana and Ben cannot serve together. If Ana is on the committee, who is excluded?

Ben (Correct answer)
Eve
Carlos
Diana

Correct answer: Ben

Ana and Ben cannot serve together. If Ana is included, Ben must be excluded.

Question 19: Which U.S. government body is responsible for overseeing the federal budget?

Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
All of the above play roles (Correct answer)
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Correct answer: All of the above play roles

The CBO analyzes budget options, OMB prepares the President's budget, and GAO audits government spending — all three oversee different aspects of the federal budget.

Question 20: Memo: 'Requests under the Access to Information Act must be acknowledged within 30 calendar days. A 30-day extension may be taken with notice to the applicant. Further extensions require approval from the Information Commissioner.' An institution receives a request on May 1, acknowledges it on May 28, and sends an extension notice on May 30. Is the process compliant?

Yes, acknowledgement was within 30 days and the extension was properly noticed. (Correct answer)
Yes, but only if the Information Commissioner also approved the extension.
No, acknowledgement was too late.
No, the extension notice must be sent at the same time as acknowledgement.

Correct answer: Yes, acknowledgement was within 30 days and the extension was properly noticed.

Acknowledgement on May 28 = day 27 (within 30 days). Extension notice sent May 30 = day 29 (before the 30-day deadline). Both steps comply.

Question 21: Think about the sequences 5, 6, 11, and 17. What figure should come after that?

24
28 (Correct answer)
48
64

Correct answer: 28

This sequence follows a pattern similar to the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. Starting with 5 and 6: 5 + 6 = 11, and 6 + 11 = 17. Following this rule, the next number in the sequence will be the sum of the last two numbers: 11 + 17 = 28. Therefore, 28 is the next figure.

Question 22: A citizen calls demanding an immediate answer to a complex question requiring policy research. What is the best response?

Acknowledge the question, explain research is needed, and commit to a specific callback time. (Correct answer)
Give a quick answer based on partial knowledge to satisfy the caller.
Transfer the call immediately without explanation.
Tell the caller the question is too complex and end the call.

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

Acknowledging the caller's need, being honest about the research required, and committing to follow-up demonstrates good judgment and service orientation.

Question 23: What is the role of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)?

To hear appeals from federal employees regarding adverse employment actions (Correct answer)
To write federal agency regulations
To classify government positions by pay grade
To hire all federal employees

Correct answer: To hear appeals from federal employees regarding adverse employment actions

The MSPB is an independent agency that hears and adjudicates appeals by federal employees who believe they have been subjected to unlawful actions.

Question 24: Which term describes the principle that government actions must be authorized by law?

Judicial review
Rule of law (Correct answer)
Sovereign immunity
Executive discretion

Correct answer: Rule of law

The rule of law means that no person or government is above the law, and all government actions must have legal authorization.

Question 25: Colour-coding system: Blue = Active; Green = Archived; Red = Urgent; Yellow = Awaiting signature. A clerk sees a red file. What is its status?

Active
Urgent (Correct answer)
Archived
Awaiting signature

Correct answer: Urgent

Red files = Urgent, per the colour-coding system.

Question 26: You are asked to copy this reference number exactly: GC-2026-NAT-007-EN. Which option is correct?

GC-2026-NTA-007-EN
GC-2026-NAT-007-NE
GC-2026-NAT-070-EN
GC-2026-NAT-007-EN (Correct answer)

Correct answer: GC-2026-NAT-007-EN

Only option A reproduces GC-2026-NAT-007-EN exactly.

Question 27: Bulletin: 'Effective immediately, all employees must use the new electronic time management system. Paper timesheets will no longer be accepted after June 30. Employees unable to access the system due to technical issues must contact IT Services and document the issue.' An employee submits a paper timesheet on July 5 and cites IT problems. Is this compliant?

It depends on whether the employee contacted IT and documented the issue. (Correct answer)
Yes, if the manager approves the paper submission.
No, paper timesheets are not accepted after June 30 under any circumstances.
Yes, IT problems are a valid excuse for paper submissions after June 30.

Correct answer: It depends on whether the employee contacted IT and documented the issue.

The bulletin requires employees with technical issues to contact IT and document the problem. Whether the employee followed this process determines compliance.

Question 28: Your team achieves a major project milestone. A colleague who contributed little takes equal credit in the summary report. What is the best approach?

Correct the report yourself to reflect actual contributions.
Raise the issue publicly in the next team meeting.
Do nothing, as credit attribution is unimportant.
Raise the concern privately and professionally with your supervisor. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Raise the concern privately and professionally with your supervisor.

Raising the concern professionally and privately with a supervisor is the appropriate way to address credit attribution issues without damaging team relations.

Question 29: Priority coding: P1=same day; P2=within 2 days; P3=within 5 days; P4=within 10 days. A P2 request is received Monday morning. What is the latest response deadline?

Wednesday (Correct answer)
Thursday
Tuesday
Monday

Correct answer: Wednesday

P2 = respond within 2 days. Monday + 2 business days = Wednesday.

Question 30: Notice: 'The building will be closed for maintenance on March 15. Employees with critical deadlines on that date should notify their supervisor by March 10 to arrange remote work or alternative accommodation.' An employee with a March 15 deadline reads this on March 11. What should she do?

Do nothing, as remote work is automatically arranged.
Submit the deadline work early since the building will be closed.
Wait to see if the closure is cancelled.
Notify her supervisor immediately, though the preferred deadline has passed. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Notify her supervisor immediately, though the preferred deadline has passed.

The preferred notification deadline (March 10) has passed, but notifying the supervisor is still the correct action to arrange accommodation.

Question 31: Rules: 'Documents received before noon are processed same day. After noon, next business day. If received on a Friday after noon, processed the following Monday.' A document arrives Friday at 2:30 p.m. When is it processed?

Friday
Saturday
Monday (Correct answer)
Sunday

Correct answer: Monday

Friday after noon triggers the specific rule: processed the following Monday.

Question 32: A member of the public submits an application with a technical error that disqualifies it under strict rules, but they clearly meet the program's intent. What is the best action?

Approve the application by ignoring the technical error.
Contact the applicant to explain the error and advise them on how to resubmit correctly. (Correct answer)
Reject the application strictly per the rules without further action.
Forward the application to a supervisor and recommend approval.

Correct answer: Contact the applicant to explain the error and advise them on how to resubmit correctly.

Informing the applicant of the error and giving them the opportunity to correct and resubmit is both fair and consistent with good public service.

Question 33: What does the prefix 'inter-' mean in the word 'interdepartmental'?

Between (Correct answer)
Above
Within
Against

Correct answer: Between

The prefix inter- means between or among, so interdepartmental refers to activities occurring between departments.

Question 34: Identify the next number: 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, ___

52
45
49 (Correct answer)
42

Correct answer: 49

These are perfect squares: 2²=4, 3²=9, ..., 6²=36, 7²=49.

Question 35: Report: 'Employee engagement scores increased from 62% to 67% between 2021 and 2023. The biggest gains were in workload management (+9%) and career development (+7%). Satisfaction with pay remained unchanged at 55%.' Which inference is best supported?

Pay satisfaction is the primary driver of overall engagement.
Career development scores declined between 2021 and 2023.
Overall engagement improved despite no improvement in pay satisfaction. (Correct answer)
Workload management is the only factor that matters for engagement.

Correct answer: Overall engagement improved despite no improvement in pay satisfaction.

Overall engagement rose from 62% to 67% even though pay satisfaction did not change, supporting the inference that other factors drove the improvement.

Question 36: You discover that a coworker has been submitting false overtime reports. What is the most appropriate action?

Confront the coworker aggressively in front of others
Ignore it to avoid conflict
Tell other coworkers about it
Report the issue to your supervisor or ethics office through proper channels (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Report the issue to your supervisor or ethics office through proper channels

Reporting through proper channels such as your supervisor or ethics office is the correct action, as it addresses misconduct while maintaining professionalism.

Question 37: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

The meeting; was canceled due to the storm.
The meeting was canceled; the storm made travel impossible. (Correct answer)
The meeting was canceled, however; we rescheduled it.
The meeting was canceled; because of the storm.

Correct answer: The meeting was canceled; the storm made travel impossible.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, as in option B.

Question 38: What comes next? 80, 40, 20, 10, ___

4
8
6
5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5

Each term is halved: 80÷2=40, ..., 10÷2=5.

Question 39: A government vehicle travels 420 km on 35 litres of fuel. What is the fuel efficiency in km per litre?

16 km/L
10 km/L
14 km/L
12 km/L (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 12 km/L

420 ÷ 35 = 12 km per litre.

Question 40: Which of the following words is spelled correctly?

Accommodate (Correct answer)
Accomodate
Accommadate
Acommodate

Correct answer: Accommodate

'Accommodate' is the correct spelling, with double 'c' and double 'm'.

Question 41: List 1: Pelletier, Ouellette, Tremblay, Bouchard, Gauthier. List 2: Pelletier, Ouellette, Tremblay, Boucher, Gauthier. What changed?

Bouchard was changed to Boucher. (Correct answer)
Gauthier was replaced.
Ouellette was changed.
Pelletier was replaced.

Correct answer: Bouchard was changed to Boucher.

Bouchard (List 1) became Boucher (List 2) — a subtle one-letter difference.

Question 42: A processing checklist: (1) Verify ID, (2) Confirm address, (3) Check employment status, (4) Record decision, (5) File document. A clerk completes steps 1, 2, 4, and 5, skipping step 3. What error was made?

The clerk did not check employment status before recording the decision. (Correct answer)
The clerk recorded the decision before verifying the ID.
The clerk skipped confirming the address.
The clerk forgot to file the document.

Correct answer: The clerk did not check employment status before recording the decision.

Step 3 (Check employment status) was skipped — it should have been completed before step 4 (Record decision).

Question 43: A table shows four agencies' processing times (in days): Agency A=12, Agency B=9, Agency C=15, Agency D=6. What is the median processing time?

10.5 days (Correct answer)
11 days
9 days
12 days

Correct answer: 10.5 days

Arranged in order: 6, 9, 12, 15; median of 4 values = (9 + 12) / 2 = 10.5 days.

Question 44: When filing documents alphabetically, which name would be filed FIRST?

Mabry, Thomas (Correct answer)
MacArthur, John
McBride, Susan
Madden, Alice

Correct answer: Mabry, Thomas

In strict alphabetical filing, 'Mabry' comes before 'MacArthur,' 'Madden,' and 'McBride' because 'ab' precedes 'ac,' 'ad,' and 'c.'

Question 45: An employee is told: 'Submit form T4-B on the 15th of each month unless the 15th falls on a weekend, in which case submit on the preceding Friday.' If the 15th falls on a Sunday, when should the form be submitted?

Monday the 16th
Sunday the 15th
Friday the 13th (Correct answer)
Saturday the 14th

Correct answer: Friday the 13th

If the 15th is a Sunday (a weekend day), the form is submitted on the preceding Friday, which is the 13th.

Question 46: Which of the following words is spelled correctly?

Necessary (Correct answer)
Necesary
Neccesary
Neccessary

Correct answer: Necessary

'Necessary' has one 'c' and two 's' letters: n-e-c-e-s-s-a-r-y.

Question 47: A public servant discovers that a colleague has been submitting duplicate expense claims. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Confront the colleague publicly in the office.
Report the concern to a supervisor or through the departmental integrity process. (Correct answer)
Do nothing, as it is not directly your responsibility.
Email the colleague's clients to inform them of the situation.

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

Reporting integrity concerns through proper channels (supervisor or integrity process) is the appropriate response in the federal public service.

Question 48: Which sentence is correctly written?

Neither the manager or the employees were consulted.
Neither the manager nor the employees were consulted. (Correct answer)
Neither the manager nor the employees is consulted.
Neither the manager nor the employees was consulted.

Correct answer: Neither the manager nor the employees were consulted.

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the closest subject. 'The employees' (plural) is closest, so 'were' is correct.

Question 49: Think about sequences 25, 33, 41, and 49. What figure should come after that?

57 (Correct answer)
52
60
50

Correct answer: 57

Examine the differences between consecutive numbers: 33 - 25 = 8, 41 - 33 = 8, 49 - 41 = 8. The pattern shows that each number is obtained by adding 8 to the previous number. Following this consistent pattern, the next number in the sequence will be 49 + 8 = 57. Therefore, 57 is the next figure.

Question 50: Four files — W, X, Y, Z — must be processed in order. Y must be processed before Z. X must be processed before Y. W must be processed last. What is the correct order?

Y, X, Z, W
Z, X, Y, W
X, Y, Z, W (Correct answer)
X, Z, Y, W

Correct answer: X, Y, Z, W

X before Y, Y before Z, W last: the order is X, Y, Z, W.

Question 51: If a department exceeds its budget, its funding for the following year is reduced. Department B had its funding reduced next year. What conclusion follows?

Department B exceeded its budget. (Correct answer)
Department B requested a budget increase.
Department B may have exceeded its budget.
Department B was well within budget.

Correct answer: Department B exceeded its budget.

Funding reduced implies budget was exceeded (by contrapositive). The only stated cause of reduced funding is exceeding the budget.

Question 52: A form shows: Employee ID: 48271-C, Department: Policy and Research, Hire Date: 2019-06-14. Which entry correctly records this information?

ID: 48217-C, Dept: Policy and Research, Hired: 2019-06-14
ID: 48271-C, Dept: Policy and Research, Hired: 2019-06-14 (Correct answer)
ID: 48271-D, Dept: Policy and Research, Hired: 2019-06-14
ID: 48271-C, Dept: Policy and Research, Hired: 2019-06-41

Correct answer: ID: 48271-C, Dept: Policy and Research, Hired: 2019-06-14

Only option A correctly reproduces all three fields: ID 48271-C, department, and hire date 2019-06-14.

Question 53: Which of the following words is spelled correctly?

Definitely (Correct answer)
Definately
Definitly
Definitley

Correct answer: Definitely

'Definitely' is spelled d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y, derived from the root word 'definite' plus the suffix '-ly'.

Question 54: A table shows that Agency A processed 1,200 applications in Q1, 1,450 in Q2, 1,100 in Q3, and 1,650 in Q4. What was the average quarterly output?

1,450
1,300
1,350 (Correct answer)
1,400

Correct answer: 1,350

Total applications = 1,200 + 1,450 + 1,100 + 1,650 = 5,400; average = 5,400 ÷ 4 = 1,350 per quarter.

Question 55: What is the purpose of a 'tickler file' in an office setting?

To track deadlines and remind staff of future tasks (Correct answer)
To record incoming telephone messages
To store confidential personnel files
To file documents by subject matter

Correct answer: To track deadlines and remind staff of future tasks

A tickler file is a chronological reminder system used to flag documents or tasks that require attention on specific future dates.

Question 56: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

The list of requirements are attached.
The report, along with its annexes, is ready. (Correct answer)
A number of employees was absent.
The team of auditors were reviewing the records.

Correct answer: The report, along with its annexes, is ready.

When a phrase beginning with 'along with' follows the subject, the verb agrees with the main subject 'report,' which is singular.

Question 57: Required format: YYYY-MM-DD/CODE/SEQ. A clerk enters: 2026-04-06/HR/0042. Which alternative entry has an error?

2026-04-06/HR/0042
2026-04-06/HR/0042
2026-04-06/HR/0042
2026-04-06/HR/0024 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2026-04-06/HR/0024

Option B transposes '0042' to '0024' — the last two digits are reversed.

Question 58: Compared to black fish, silver fish can swim more quickly. Compared to black fish, the gold fish can swim more quickly. Compared to silver fish, the gold fish can swim more quickly. The third statement is: if the first two claims are accurate.

Uncertain (Correct answer)
False
True

Correct answer: Uncertain

The first two statements establish that both silver fish and gold fish are faster than black fish. However, they provide no information to compare the speeds of silver fish and gold fish relative to each other. Gold fish could be faster, slower, or the same speed as silver fish, based solely on the given premises. Therefore, the third statement is uncertain.

Question 59: Identify the missing number: 144, 121, 100, 81, ___, 49

62
60
64 (Correct answer)
66

Correct answer: 64

Descending perfect squares: 12²=144, 11²=121, ..., 8²=64, 7²=49.

Question 60: A table shows permits issued: 2021=840, 2022=920, 2023=1,000, 2024=1,080. What is the consistent annual increase?

70
90
60
80 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 80

920−840=80, 1,000−920=80, 1,080−1,000=80; the consistent annual increase is 80 permits.

Question 61: A supply order costs $3.75 per unit. A department orders 80 units. What is the total cost?

$290
$300 (Correct answer)
$310
$280

Correct answer: $300

$3.75 × 80 = $300.

Question 62: Find the next term: 7, 14, 28, 56, ___

120
112 (Correct answer)
100
108

Correct answer: 112

Each term doubles: 56×2=112.

Question 63: What number completes the series? 100, 91, 82, 73, 64, ___

53
57
55 (Correct answer)
59

Correct answer: 55

Each term decreases by 9: 100−9=91, ..., 64−9=55.

Question 64: What is the primary function of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)?

To audit and evaluate federal programs and expenditures (Correct answer)
To process federal tax returns
To confirm presidential appointments
To draft legislation for Congress

Correct answer: To audit and evaluate federal programs and expenditures

The GAO, known as the 'congressional watchdog,' audits federal agencies, investigates complaints, and evaluates government programs for Congress.

Question 65: Think about sequences 3, 6, 11, and 18. What figure should come after that?

25
27 (Correct answer)
29
22

Correct answer: 27

Examine the differences between consecutive numbers: 6 - 3 = 3, 11 - 6 = 5, 18 - 11 = 7. The differences are consecutive odd numbers (3, 5, 7). Following this pattern, the next difference should be 9. Adding 9 to the last number in the sequence gives 18 + 9 = 27. So, 27 is the next figure.

Question 66: Phone extension list: Legal = 4421; Finance = 4432; HR = 4443; IT = 4454; Communications = 4465. An employee needs to reach HR. Which number do they dial?

4421
4443 (Correct answer)
4454
4432

Correct answer: 4443

HR = 4443 per the extension list.

Question 67: Identify the error in: 'Between you and I, the new policy seems unfair.'

'seems' should be 'seem'
'Between' should be 'Among'
'unfair' is too informal
'I' should be 'me' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 'I' should be 'me'

After prepositions like 'between,' the object pronoun 'me' is required, not the subject pronoun 'I.'

Question 68: What does 'GS' stand for in the federal pay scale 'GS-7'?

Grade Status
Government Service
General Schedule (Correct answer)
Government Standard

Correct answer: General Schedule

GS stands for General Schedule, the pay scale used for most white-collar civilian federal employees, with grades from GS-1 to GS-15.

Question 69: There are 28 blue pencils and 7 black pencils in a box. How many black pens are there compared to blue pens?

1:4 (Correct answer)
2:7
1:9
1:8

Correct answer: 1:4

To find the ratio of black pens to blue pens, we compare the number of black pencils (7) to the number of blue pencils (28). This gives a ratio of 7:28. To simplify, divide both numbers by their greatest common divisor, which is 7. This results in a simplified ratio of 1:4.

Question 70: When scheduling a meeting involving participants in different time zones, what is the most important consideration?

Choosing the most convenient time for the highest-ranking official only
Always scheduling in Eastern Time regardless of participants
Selecting a time that works reasonably for all time zones involved (Correct answer)
Scheduling at noon local time for the meeting organizer

Correct answer: Selecting a time that works reasonably for all time zones involved

Professional scheduling etiquette requires selecting a time that is reasonably convenient for all participants across different time zones.

Public Service Entrance Exam (PSEE 371)

The PSEE 371 is the Canadian federal government's officer-level aptitude test used for public service hiring, assessing reasoning ability and professional judgment across five cognitive domains including number series, logical reasoning, memory, general knowledge, and situational judgment.

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150 min

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70%

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