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

Question 1: 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?

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

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 2: A colleague drafted: 'The committee will meet on Tuesday, March 12th, at 10 a.m. in the morning.' What is wrong with this sentence?

'a.m.' should be 'AM' in formal documents.
'March 12th' should be 'March 12.'
'in the morning' is redundant with 'a.m.' (Correct answer)
The sentence needs a direct object.

Correct answer: 'in the morning' is redundant with 'a.m.'

'a.m.' already means 'in the morning,' so 'in the morning' is redundant and should be removed.

Question 3: 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?

C, A, D, B
D, A, B, C (Correct answer)
A, B, C, D
B, D, A, C

Correct answer: D, A, B, C

D is quick (15 min) and urgent. Then tackle A (noon deadline), B (3 p.m.), and C (5 p.m.) in deadline order.

Question 4: Think about the subsequent series: 23, …, 31, 37. What number is missing?

34
28
26
29 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 29

The sequence 23, ..., 31, 37 consists of prime numbers. A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. The prime number that comes directly after 23 and before 31 is 29. Therefore, 29 is the missing number in the sequence.

Question 5: Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for interpreting laws?

Administrative
Judicial (Correct answer)
Executive
Legislative

Correct answer: Judicial

The Judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, is responsible for interpreting federal laws and the Constitution.

Question 6: A public servant earns $52,800 per year. What is their monthly salary?

$4,400 (Correct answer)
$4,800
$4,200
$4,600

Correct answer: $4,400

$52,800 ÷ 12 = $4,400 per month.

Question 7: A table lists salary bands: Band 1 = $45,000-$52,000; Band 2 = $52,001-$60,000; Band 3 = $60,001-$70,000; Band 4 = $70,001-$85,000. An employee earns $62,500. Which band applies?

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

Correct answer: Band 3

$62,500 falls within $60,001-$70,000, which is Band 3.

Question 8: What is the next number in the series? 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, ___

84
72
100
96 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 96

Each term doubles: 3×2=6, 6×2=12, ..., 48×2=96.

Question 9: Review this list and identify which copy contains an error. Original: FN-2201, FN-2209, FN-2221, FN-2241

FN-2201, FN-2209, FN-2221, FN-2214
FN-2201, FN-2209, FN-2212, FN-2241 (Correct answer)
FN-2201, FN-2209, FN-2221, FN-2241
FN-2201, FN-2290, FN-2221, FN-2241

Correct answer: FN-2201, FN-2209, FN-2212, FN-2241

Option B contains FN-2212 instead of FN-2221 — the digits are transposed.

Question 10: Your team achieves a major project milestone. A colleague who contributed little takes equal credit in the summary report. What is the best approach?

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

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

28 (Correct answer)
48
24
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 12: Which word correctly fills the blank? 'The memorandum was addressed ____ all division chiefs.'

to (Correct answer)
for
on
at

Correct answer: to

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

Question 13: Colour-coding system: Blue = Active; Green = Archived; Red = Urgent; Yellow = Awaiting signature. A clerk sees a red file. What is its status?

Archived
Urgent (Correct answer)
Awaiting signature
Active

Correct answer: Urgent

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

Question 14: 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?

Yes, because they joined before April 1 and their 60-day window extends to approximately May 31. (Correct answer)
No, because the transition period only applies to senior employees.
No, because all training must be completed by April 1.
Yes, because training is optional for pre-April 1 hires.

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

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 15: A supervisor says: 'Flag all files with status PENDING or ESCALATED. Do not flag CLOSED or UNDER REVIEW files.' Which action is correct?

Do not flag a file marked PENDING because it is not urgent.
Flag a file marked ESCALATED and do not flag one marked CLOSED. (Correct answer)
Flag all files regardless of status to be safe.
Flag a file marked UNDER REVIEW because it needs attention.

Correct answer: Flag a file marked ESCALATED and do not flag one marked CLOSED.

ESCALATED = flag. CLOSED = do not flag. Option C correctly applies both rules.

Question 16: All information is useful information. Some websites are of little use. Some websites lack informative content. The third statement is: if the first two claims are accurate.

False
True (Correct answer)
Uncertain

Correct answer: True

If 'All information is useful information,' and 'Some websites are of little use,' then those 'little use' websites must contain something other than useful information, or lack useful information. Therefore, it logically follows that 'Some websites lack informative content' because if they contained useful information, they wouldn't be of little use. The conclusion is a direct consequence of the premises.

Question 17: 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?

Career development scores declined between 2021 and 2023.
Pay satisfaction is the primary driver of overall engagement.
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 18: During a team meeting, a colleague proposes an approach you believe is incorrect. What is the most professional response?

Complain about the colleague to the manager later without speaking to them first.
Say nothing to avoid conflict.
Wait until after the meeting and discuss your concern privately with your colleague. (Correct answer)
Interrupt them immediately and correct them in front of the group.

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

Raising concerns respectfully in private after the meeting is professional and consistent with public service values of respect for people.

Question 19: Think about sequences 26, 24, 20, and 14. What figure should come after that?

10
8
12
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 20: A department has a staff of 80. If 15% are on leave today, how many staff members are present?

68 (Correct answer)
56
12
64

Correct answer: 68

15% of 80 = 12 on leave; present staff = 80 − 12 = 68 employees.

Question 21: What is the next number? 2, 6, 18, 54, ___

108
180
162 (Correct answer)
144

Correct answer: 162

Each term is multiplied by 3: 54×3=162.

Question 22: What does 'GS' stand for in the federal pay scale 'GS-7'?

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

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 23: Which is an example of jargon that should be avoided in public-facing government documents?

Utilize the extant regulatory framework to operationalize compliance deliverables. (Correct answer)
Please submit your application by the deadline.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
The office will be closed on statutory holidays.

Correct answer: Utilize the extant regulatory framework to operationalize compliance deliverables.

Option B uses excessive jargon ('extant,' 'operationalize,' 'compliance deliverables') that is unclear to general readers. Plain language is required in public communications.

Question 24: Which of the following is considered a merit system principle in federal employment?

Selection and advancement based on ability and performance (Correct answer)
Recruiting from a limited pool of candidates
Hiring based on political connections
Favoring candidates who share the supervisor's beliefs

Correct answer: Selection and advancement based on ability and performance

Merit system principles require that federal hiring and promotion be based on competence, knowledge, and performance rather than political or personal connections.

Question 25: You are preparing a briefing note and realize you are missing key data. The meeting is in two hours. What is the best approach?

Note the missing data clearly in the briefing and attempt to source it before the meeting. (Correct answer)
Present the briefing note as complete and hope the gap is not noticed.
Cancel the meeting.
Make up plausible data to fill the gap.

Correct answer: Note the missing data clearly in the briefing and attempt to source it before the meeting.

Noting the gap clearly and attempting to fill it before the meeting maintains integrity while demonstrating initiative.

Question 26: A government office receives 144 applications per day and processes them in batches of 12. How many batches are processed each day?

10
16
12 (Correct answer)
14

Correct answer: 12

144 ÷ 12 = 12 batches per day.

Question 27: You are assigned more work than you can reasonably complete by the deadline. What is the best course of action?

Delegate your work to coworkers without permission
Inform your supervisor promptly about the workload and discuss priorities or additional resources (Correct answer)
Submit incomplete work without notifying anyone
Work overtime every day without telling your supervisor about the workload

Correct answer: Inform your supervisor promptly about the workload and discuss priorities or additional resources

Proactively communicating workload issues to supervisors allows for proper prioritization and resource allocation before deadlines are missed.

Question 28: A citizen becomes verbally abusive toward you during a service interaction. What should you do?

Walk away without explanation
Immediately call police without any attempt at de-escalation
Match their tone to show you cannot be pushed around
Calmly warn that you will need to end the interaction if the behavior continues, then follow through if needed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Calmly warn that you will need to end the interaction if the behavior continues, then follow through if needed

Calmly setting boundaries while attempting de-escalation is the professional standard for handling difficult interactions in public service.

Question 29: What is the purpose of a 'tickler file' in an office setting?

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

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 30: What is the correct word choice? 'The government must ___ the privacy of all citizens.'

ensure (Correct answer)
insure
secure
assure

Correct answer: ensure

'Ensure' means to make certain something happens. 'Insure' refers to insurance. 'Assure' is used with people. 'Ensure' is the most precise choice here.

Question 31: Which document establishes the supreme law of the United States?

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

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

56
72
60
64 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 64

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

Question 33: Which of the following words is spelled correctly?

Accommodate (Correct answer)
Accomodate
Acommodate
Accommadate

Correct answer: Accommodate

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

Question 34: A department has a budget of $240,000 divided equally among 8 teams. One team spends 75% of its share. How much does that team spend?

$27,500
$20,000
$25,000
$22,500 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $22,500

$240,000 ÷ 8 = $30,000 per team. 75% of $30,000 = $22,500.

Question 35: 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 skipped confirming the address.
The clerk recorded the decision before verifying the ID.
The clerk did not check employment status before recording the decision. (Correct answer)
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 36: You receive an email with a link claiming to be from your agency's IT department asking you to verify your password. What should you do?

Forward the email to all colleagues as a warning
Click the link and enter your credentials immediately
Reply to the email with your password
Do not click the link; report it to your agency's IT security team as a potential phishing attempt (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Do not click the link; report it to your agency's IT security team as a potential phishing attempt

Legitimate IT departments never ask for passwords via email; this is a common phishing attack that should be reported to cybersecurity staff.

Question 37: Which sentence most clearly communicates the intended message to a general audience?

Prior to effectuation, all stipulated approvals must have been obtained.
The new rules will not take effect until they are formally approved. (Correct answer)
Notwithstanding the aforementioned provisions, the implementation thereof shall be contingent upon ratification.
The implementation parameters are contingent on ratificatory processes being concluded.

Correct answer: The new rules will not take effect until they are formally approved.

Option B uses plain, direct language that any reader can understand, consistent with federal plain language standards.

Question 38: What is 'due process' in the context of civil service employment?

The right to fair procedures before adverse employment actions (Correct answer)
The requirement to work overtime without pay
The right to unlimited paid leave
The right to sue your employer

Correct answer: The right to fair procedures before adverse employment actions

Due process in civil service means employees have the right to notice and a fair hearing before significant adverse actions like termination.

Question 39: Passage: 'Canada's Privacy Act protects personal information held by federal government institutions. Individuals have the right to access their own personal information. Federal institutions cannot disclose personal information without consent unless specific exceptions apply, such as law enforcement investigations.' A federal employee is asked by a friend at a bank to share a client's file. What applies?

Sharing is permitted between professional contacts.
Sharing is acceptable if the file does not include financial data.
Sharing is acceptable if the friend promises confidentiality.
Sharing is not permitted without the client's consent or a valid legal exception. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sharing is not permitted without the client's consent or a valid legal exception.

The Privacy Act prohibits disclosure of personal information without consent unless a legal exception applies. A bank friend's request is not a legal exception.

Question 40: The following justification is insufficient: All emails sent by a company are secure, according to the statement. Therefore, every client request made by the company is secure. Which of the following sentences completes the previous argument and establishes the validity of the conclusion?

Some client requests are not secure
All client requests are sent by e-mail (Correct answer)
All e-mails sent by an organization are client requests
None of the above

Correct answer: All client requests are sent by e-mail

The argument states that 'All emails sent by a company are secure' and concludes that 'every client request made by the company is secure.' To make this conclusion logically valid, we need a premise that connects 'client requests' to 'emails sent by a company.' If 'All client requests are sent by e-mail,' then because all emails are secure, all client requests (being emails) must also be secure, thus completing the argument.

Question 41: A automobile is being sold for $12,590, which is a 20% discount from the original cost. What was the initial cost?

$15,737.50 (Correct answer)
$14,310.48
$15,108.00
$14,990.90

Correct answer: $15,737.50

The selling price of $12,590 represents a 20% discount from the original cost, meaning it is 80% of the original cost. To find the original cost, divide the discounted price by 0.80 (which represents 80%). So, $12,590 / 0.80 = $15,737.50. This is the initial cost before the discount.

Question 42: What is the next term? 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ___

20
18
23
21 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 21

This is the Fibonacci sequence: each term = sum of the two preceding terms. 8+13=21.

Question 43: Passage: 'The Public Service Employment Act requires that appointments be based on merit. Merit means that the person appointed must meet the essential qualifications for the position and may be assessed on asset qualifications and organizational needs.' Which factor is MANDATORY for appointment?

Organizational needs
Years of experience
Asset qualifications
Essential qualifications (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Essential qualifications

The passage states the appointed person 'must meet the essential qualifications' — making it mandatory. Asset qualifications and organizational needs are optional ('may be assessed').

Question 44: Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to 'ARDUOUS'?

Exhausting
Difficult
Strenuous
Effortless (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Effortless

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

Question 45: 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.
Do nothing, as it is not directly your responsibility.
Report the concern to a supervisor or through the departmental integrity process. (Correct answer)
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 46: Every application submitted before the deadline is reviewed. Application 4432 was submitted before the deadline. What must be true?

Application 4432 is pending classification.
Application 4432 was rejected.
Application 4432 must be reviewed. (Correct answer)
Application 4432 may be reviewed.

Correct answer: Application 4432 must be reviewed.

Universal rule: all pre-deadline applications are reviewed. Application 4432 meets that condition, so it must be reviewed.

Question 47: 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-070-EN
GC-2026-NAT-007-EN (Correct answer)
GC-2026-NAT-007-NE

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

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

Question 48: A citizen asks you a question about a government benefit you are not familiar with. What should you do?

Refuse to help since it is not your area
Tell the citizen to figure it out themselves
Make up an answer that sounds reasonable
Acknowledge that you don't have the exact answer but will find the correct information or direct them to the right office (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Acknowledge that you don't have the exact answer but will find the correct information or direct them to the right office

Honesty about uncertainty combined with a commitment to finding the correct answer or appropriate referral reflects professional public service standards.

Question 49: 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.

False
Uncertain (Correct answer)
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 50: The phrase 'per annum' means:

Per month
Per week
Per year (Correct answer)
Per quarter

Correct answer: Per year

Per annum is a Latin phrase meaning 'for each year' or annually, commonly used in government salary and budget documents.

Question 51: Which version uses parallel structure correctly?

The manager's duties include file review, to attend meetings, and supervising of staff.
The manager's duties include to review files, attending meetings, and staff supervision.
The manager's duties include reviewing files, to attend meetings, and the supervision of staff.
The manager's duties include reviewing files, attending meetings, and supervising staff. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The manager's duties include reviewing files, attending meetings, and supervising staff.

Parallel structure requires the same grammatical form for all listed items. Option B uses the -ing form consistently: reviewing, attending, supervising.

Question 52: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

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

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 53: Select the sentence that is free of redundancy:

Please revert back to the original plan.
The meeting will commence at 9 AM. (Correct answer)
She gave her own personal opinion.
We need to join together as a team.

Correct answer: The meeting will commence at 9 AM.

'The meeting will commence at 9 AM' is concise; the others contain redundant words like 'back,' 'personal,' and 'together.'

Question 54: There are 28 blue pencils and 7 black pencils in a box. How many black pens are there compared to blue pens?

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

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 55: 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?

No, departmental policies cannot contradict Treasury Board policies. (Correct answer)
Yes, if approved by the department head.
No, but only if employees formally object.
Yes, departments may customize policies within their mandate.

Correct answer: No, departmental policies cannot contradict Treasury Board policies.

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

Question 56: 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: 2019-06-41
ID: 48271-C, Dept: Policy and Research, Hired: 2019-06-14 (Correct answer)
ID: 48271-D, Dept: Policy and Research, Hired: 2019-06-14

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

60
50
57 (Correct answer)
52

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 58: What comes next? 80, 40, 20, 10, ___

6
5 (Correct answer)
8
4

Correct answer: 5

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

Question 59: What is the missing number? 3, 7, 15, 31, ___, 127

59
55
61
63 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 63

Each term = previous × 2 + 1: 31×2+1=63, 63×2+1=127.

Question 60: A friend who is applying for a government job asks you to put in a good word with the hiring committee. You serve on that committee. What should you do?

Disclose the relationship to the committee and recuse yourself from evaluating that application (Correct answer)
Advocate strongly for your friend since you know their capabilities
Silently downgrade your friend's application to appear unbiased
Accept or deny without disclosure since friendships are private

Correct answer: Disclose the relationship to the committee and recuse yourself from evaluating that application

Disclosing personal relationships and recusing yourself from related decisions protects the merit system and demonstrates ethical conduct.

Question 61: List 1: Pelletier, Ouellette, Tremblay, Bouchard, Gauthier. List 2: Pelletier, Ouellette, Tremblay, Boucher, Gauthier. What changed?

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

Correct answer: Bouchard was changed to Boucher.

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

Question 62: 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.
Wait to see if the closure is cancelled.
Submit the deadline work early since the building will be closed.
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 63: 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 64: Think about the sequences 6, 12, 24, and 48. What figure should come after that?

86
48
96 (Correct answer)
60

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 65: Find the missing number: 2, 5, 11, 23, 47, ___

95 (Correct answer)
93
97
89

Correct answer: 95

Each term = previous × 2 + 1: 47×2+1=95.

Question 66: What is the role of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)?

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

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

Judicial review
Sovereign immunity
Rule of law (Correct answer)
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 68: Which U.S. federal agency is primarily responsible for managing the civil service workforce?

General Services Administration
Department of Labor
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) (Correct answer)
Office of Management and Budget

Correct answer: Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) manages the federal civil service, including hiring, classification, and employee benefits.

Question 69: 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?

Sunday
Saturday
Monday (Correct answer)
Friday

Correct answer: Monday

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

Question 70: A region has 15,000 registered voters. Turnout is 62%. How many voters turned out?

9,300 (Correct answer)
9,500
8,800
9,000

Correct answer: 9,300

15,000 × 0.62 = 9,300.

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.

Questions

150 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

canada.ca — Test delivery, exam format, retake policy, score release, time limit, score validity, eligibility · verified Oct 2026