New Jersey Civil Service Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A policy states employees must take a break after every 4 consecutive hours of work. An employee starts at 8 AM with no prior hours worked. When must the first break occur?

At 11 AM
At 12 PM (noon) (Correct answer)
At 1 PM
At 2 PM

Correct answer: At 12 PM (noon)

4 hours after 8 AM is 12 PM, so the first break must be taken at noon.

Question 2: A civil service employee suspects that a vendor is overbilling the agency. The MOST appropriate action is to:

Deduct the suspected overcharge from the next invoice without authorization
Pay the invoices to maintain the vendor relationship
Report the suspected overbilling to a supervisor or the relevant oversight office (Correct answer)
Conduct a personal audit and confront the vendor directly

Correct answer: Report the suspected overbilling to a supervisor or the relevant oversight office

Suspected fraud or overbilling must be reported to proper oversight authorities rather than handled unilaterally.

Question 3: A filing procedure states: 'Documents are filed alphabetically by last name, then by first name for identical last names.' How would you order: Torres, Maria; Smith, John; Torres, Ana?

Torres, Ana → Torres, Maria → Smith, John
Smith, John → Torres, Ana → Torres, Maria (Correct answer)
Torres, Maria → Torres, Ana → Smith, John
Smith, John → Torres, Maria → Torres, Ana

Correct answer: Smith, John → Torres, Ana → Torres, Maria

Smith comes before Torres alphabetically, then Torres, Ana comes before Torres, Maria by first name.

Question 4: Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of establishing service standards in a government agency?

To reduce the number of employees needed to serve the public
To create a basis for disciplining underperforming staff
To satisfy union contract requirements
To ensure consistent, measurable quality in service delivery (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To ensure consistent, measurable quality in service delivery

Service standards provide benchmarks that help agencies deliver consistent, measurable quality across all public interactions.

Question 5: An internal directive on workplace communication states: 'To streamline inter-departmental correspondence, employees should prioritize email for routine matters. For urgent issues requiring immediate attention, a direct phone call is more appropriate. Complex project discussions that necessitate collaborative input should be scheduled as in-person or video meetings. The use of instant messaging is reserved for brief, informal queries only.' An employee needs to get final approval from three managers in different departments for a project timeline that is due by the end of the day. The approval requires some brief discussion to resolve minor scheduling conflicts. Which communication method is most appropriate?

Email
Instant message
A video meeting (Correct answer)
A phone call

Correct answer: A video meeting

The situation is urgent ('due by the end of the day') and requires collaborative input from multiple people to resolve conflicts. According to the directive, 'Complex project discussions that necessitate collaborative input should be scheduled as in-person or video meetings.' A phone call might be urgent but is less suited for a three-person discussion, while email is for routine matters and instant messaging is for informal queries.

Question 6: A county office orders supplies totaling $1,240. If a 15% discount is applied, what is the final cost?

$1,116.00
$1,085.00
$1,054.00 (Correct answer)
$1,023.00

Correct answer: $1,054.00

15% of $1,240 = $186; $1,240 − $186 = $1,054.

Question 7: An employee at a public service counter is dealing with an irate citizen whose application was denied due to missing paperwork. The line behind the citizen is growing long. What is the most appropriate immediate action for the employee to take?

B) Call a supervisor to handle the citizen while you begin helping the next person in line.
D) Continue to argue with the citizen until they understand why the application was denied.
C) Ask the citizen to step aside, calmly explain the specific documents needed using a checklist, and offer to schedule a follow-up appointment. (Correct answer)
A) Tell the citizen to come back another day after they have gathered the correct paperwork.

Correct answer: C) Ask the citizen to step aside, calmly explain the specific documents needed using a checklist, and offer to schedule a follow-up appointment.

This option is the best because it de-escalates the situation, addresses the immediate problem of the long line, and provides a constructive, clear path forward for the citizen. It balances empathy, efficiency, and adherence to procedures.

Question 8: A New Jersey civil servant who believes they were unfairly disciplined may appeal to which body?

The New Jersey Civil Service Commission (Correct answer)
The Department of Labor
The State Assembly
The Governor's Office

Correct answer: The New Jersey Civil Service Commission

The NJ Civil Service Commission adjudicates disciplinary appeals and other employment disputes for civil service employees.

Question 9: A municipal department plans to switch to a fully automated phone system to handle incoming calls, aiming to reduce staff workload. Which of the following represents a potential problem that is most likely to be overlooked during the initial planning phase?

A) The initial cost of purchasing and installing the automated system.
D) An increase in unresolved inquiries leading to higher email volume and walk-in traffic as people bypass the frustrating system. (Correct answer)
B) The need to train employees on how to update the system's recorded messages.
C) The possibility that the system may experience technical outages or glitches.

Correct answer: D) An increase in unresolved inquiries leading to higher email volume and walk-in traffic as people bypass the frustrating system.

Planners often focus on the primary goal (reducing phone calls) but can be insensitive to the secondary effects. If the automated system is difficult for citizens to navigate, they will find alternative, often more time-consuming, ways to get answers, potentially negating the intended efficiency gains and shifting the workload to other areas.

Question 10: Your unit is consistently missing deadlines because of an understaffing problem outside your control. What is the best supervisory approach?

Ignore deadlines until staffing is resolved
Blame the shortage in all status reports to protect the team
Reprimand employees for missed deadlines to motivate faster work
Document the resource gap, communicate it up the chain, and prioritize tasks within current capacity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Document the resource gap, communicate it up the chain, and prioritize tasks within current capacity

Supervisors are responsible for escalating resource constraints through proper channels while optimizing available resources in the interim.

Question 11: A classified employee in New Jersey receives a 'notice of removal.' How many calendar days does the employee typically have to appeal to the Civil Service Commission?

30 days
20 days (Correct answer)
45 days
10 days

Correct answer: 20 days

Classified employees generally have 20 calendar days from the date of the notice to file an appeal with the Civil Service Commission.

Question 12: Which principle ensures that NJ civil service hiring is based on qualifications rather than political connections?

Merit system (Correct answer)
Lottery system
Patronage system
Seniority system

Correct answer: Merit system

The merit system requires that civil service hiring and promotions be based on qualifications, skills, and competitive exam scores.

Question 13: An employee receives conflicting instructions from two supervisors about how to handle a situation. The BEST course of action is to:

Follow whichever instructions seem easiest to implement
Follow the instructions of the higher-ranking supervisor without mentioning the conflict
Inform both supervisors of the conflict and ask for clarification (Correct answer)
Do nothing until the conflict is resolved on its own

Correct answer: Inform both supervisors of the conflict and ask for clarification

Informing both supervisors of the conflicting instructions ensures clarity and prevents errors caused by following incorrect guidance.

Question 14: Which of the following is the correct filing order for these business names: 'A-1 Plumbing', 'AAA Services', 'A & B Cleaners', 'Able Movers'?

A-1 Plumbing, A & B Cleaners, AAA Services, Able Movers
A & B Cleaners, A-1 Plumbing, AAA Services, Able Movers (Correct answer)
A & B Cleaners, AAA Services, A-1 Plumbing, Able Movers
AAA Services, A-1 Plumbing, A & B Cleaners, Able Movers

Correct answer: A & B Cleaners, A-1 Plumbing, AAA Services, Able Movers

Symbols and punctuation are ignored, so '& B' files as 'B', and the order is: AB Cleaners, A1 Plumbing, AAA Services, Able Movers.

Question 15: A tank holds 1,200 gallons. It is currently 5/8 full. How many gallons are needed to fill it completely?

375
750
450 (Correct answer)
480

Correct answer: 450

5/8 of 1,200 = 750 gallons present; 1,200 − 750 = 450 gallons needed.

Question 16: A passage describes a government agency: 'Its mandate encompasses regulatory oversight, public education, and enforcement authority, though its enforcement powers are limited to civil penalties and do not extend to criminal prosecution.' Which action is OUTSIDE the agency's authority?

Publishing consumer safety guides
Arresting individuals who break regulations (Correct answer)
Inspecting facilities for compliance
Imposing fines on violating businesses

Correct answer: Arresting individuals who break regulations

Arresting individuals is a criminal prosecution power, which the passage explicitly excludes from the agency's authority.

Question 17: A NJ civil service manager receives a complaint that a subordinate has created a hostile work environment based on national origin. The manager's FIRST obligation is to:

Refer the complaining employee to an outside private attorney
Resolve the complaint informally without documentation
Warn the accused employee privately and monitor the situation
Report the complaint through proper channels and begin or initiate an appropriate investigation per agency policy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Report the complaint through proper channels and begin or initiate an appropriate investigation per agency policy

Managers have an affirmative obligation to take harassment complaints seriously, document them, and initiate the agency's formal complaint and investigation process.

Question 18: You find a USB drive in a government building common area with no identifying information. What is the correct action?

Turn it in to your IT security department immediately without plugging it in (Correct answer)
Keep it since no one claimed it
Plug it in to see what is on it and find the owner
Leave it where you found it

Correct answer: Turn it in to your IT security department immediately without plugging it in

Unknown USB drives are a cybersecurity risk and must be turned in to IT security without being plugged in per standard government security protocol.

Question 19: Which of the following correctly lists these dates in chronological order for filing purposes? March 5, February 28, April 1, January 15

January 15, February 28, March 5, April 1 (Correct answer)
February 28, January 15, March 5, April 1
April 1, March 5, February 28, January 15
March 5, April 1, January 15, February 28

Correct answer: January 15, February 28, March 5, April 1

Chronological order follows the calendar: January, February, March, April.

Question 20: You are a NJ civil service employee and a lobbyist offers you tickets to a major sporting event while your agency is reviewing a contract related to that organization. What should you do?

Decline the gift and report the offer to your agency ethics officer (Correct answer)
Accept only if the tickets are under $25 in value
Accept the tickets as a personal gesture unrelated to your work
Accept but disclose it to your supervisor later

Correct answer: Decline the gift and report the offer to your agency ethics officer

Gifts from parties with business before your agency create a conflict of interest and must be declined and reported under NJ ethics laws.

Question 21: 3, 4, 1, 8, 5, 2, 9, 10, 1,?

5
6 (Correct answer)
7
13

Correct answer: 6

Explanation: Interspersed odd/even sequence.

Question 22: A new clerk in a county administration office is responsible for coding incoming mail based on the following system: - FIN: Correspondence related to budgets, invoices, or purchasing. - HR: Correspondence related to personnel, benefits, or job applications. - PRC: Correspondence from the public regarding services or complaints. - LEG: Correspondence from attorneys or related to legal matters. The clerk receives a letter from a resident asking about the status of a recent job application and inquiring about the health benefits for the position. What is the correct code for this piece of mail?

PRC
FIN
HR (Correct answer)
LEG

Correct answer: HR

The letter's content, which involves a job application and employee benefits, directly corresponds to the 'HR' category, which covers personnel-related matters. The other codes relate to finance, public comments, and legal issues.

Question 23: A civil service rule states that promotions are awarded based on: (1) exam score, (2) seniority if scores are tied, (3) alphabetical last name if both score and seniority are equal. Two candidates have the same score. Candidate A has 8 years of service; Candidate B has 6 years. Who is promoted?

Candidate A, because greater seniority breaks the tie (Correct answer)
Candidate B, because lower seniority means more growth potential
Neither; a new exam must be administered
Candidate B, because B comes before A alphabetically

Correct answer: Candidate A, because greater seniority breaks the tie

When exam scores are tied, seniority is the tiebreaker, and Candidate A's 8 years exceeds Candidate B's 6 years.

Question 24: Under the NJ Open Public Records Act (OPRA), when must a government agency respond to a public records request?

Within 7 business days (Correct answer)
There is no required response time
Within 90 days
Within 30 calendar days

Correct answer: Within 7 business days

OPRA requires NJ government agencies to respond to records requests within 7 business days of receipt.

Question 25: What does 'passive voice' mean in writing?

The subject performs the action.
The sentence contains no verb.
The sentence uses future tense.
The action is performed upon the subject. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The action is performed upon the subject.

In passive voice, the subject receives the action rather than performing it (e.g., 'The report was written by the clerk').

Question 26: Which of the following BEST describes the goal of public relations in a government agency?

Promoting the personal image of agency leadership
Building and maintaining public trust and transparent communication (Correct answer)
Limiting the amount of information released to the public
Increasing the agency's budget through public awareness campaigns

Correct answer: Building and maintaining public trust and transparent communication

Government public relations focuses on maintaining public trust by communicating transparently and serving the community's interests.

Question 27: Under New Jersey law, how long does a government agency generally have to respond to an OPRA records request?

30 calendar days
10 business days
7 business days (Correct answer)
5 business days

Correct answer: 7 business days

Under OPRA, New Jersey government agencies are required to respond to records requests within 7 business days.

Question 28: If a government supply order totals $3,780 before a 15% bulk discount, what is the final cost?

$3,243.00
$3,300.00
$3,213.00 (Correct answer)
$3,150.00

Correct answer: $3,213.00

$3,780 × 0.85 = $3,213.

Question 29: A scheduling rule states tasks are assigned in this order: most urgent deadline first, then most complex if deadlines are equal, then longest-standing in queue if both are equal. Tasks X and Y have identical deadlines and complexity. Task X entered the queue first. Which is assigned first?

Task Y, because it is newer
Toss a coin since all criteria are equal
Either task; the rule does not cover this scenario
Task X, because it has been waiting longer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Task X, because it has been waiting longer

When deadline and complexity are equal, the rule assigns priority to the task that has been in the queue longest, which is Task X.

Question 30: Under the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act, which of the following is a mandatory subject of collective negotiations for public employees?

The agency's overall mission and budget priorities
Setting civil service examination passing scores
Wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment (Correct answer)
Appointment of department heads by the Governor

Correct answer: Wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment

Wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment are mandatory subjects that public employers in NJ must negotiate with recognized employee organizations.

Question 31: The procedure for processing a travel reimbursement form is as follows: 1. Employee submits Form TR-101 to their immediate supervisor. 2. The supervisor reviews and signs the form. 3. The supervisor forwards the signed form to the Department Head. 4. The Department Head approves the form. If the total is over $500, the Department Head must also attach a 'High-Value Justification' memo. 5. The form (and memo, if applicable) is sent to the Finance Department. An employee submits a correct TR-101 form for $650 to their supervisor, who signs it and forwards it to the Department Head. What is the correct next step for the Department Head?

Return the form to the employee for additional information.
Send the form directly to the Finance Department.
Approve the form, attach the justification memo, and send both to Finance. (Correct answer)
Approve the form and send it to the Finance Department.

Correct answer: Approve the form, attach the justification memo, and send both to Finance.

According to step 4 of the procedure, any reimbursement request exceeding $500 requires the Department Head to attach a 'High-Value Justification' memo before forwarding the approved form to the Finance Department. Since the amount is $650, this step is mandatory.

Question 32: Which name would be filed FIRST in standard alphabetical order? 'Saint James Church', 'St. Andrews Club', 'Saints Academy', 'Sainte Marie School'

Sainte Marie School
St. Andrews Club (Correct answer)
Saints Academy
Saint James Church

Correct answer: St. Andrews Club

When 'St.' is an abbreviation for 'Saint,' it is filed as spelled out 'Saint,' making 'St. Andrews' file as 'Saint Andrews' which comes before 'Saint James.'

Question 33: Identify the sentence that uses 'its' and 'it's' correctly.

Its important to file the report on time.
The department lost it's funding.
The agency updated its procedures last quarter. (Correct answer)
Its' always the supervisor's responsibility.

Correct answer: The agency updated its procedures last quarter.

'Its' (no apostrophe) is the possessive pronoun; 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is.'

Question 34: A document control rule states originals must be stored in the red folder and copies in the blue folder. A clerk places an original in the blue folder. What error category does this represent?

No error — the document is still accessible
Misclassification — the original is in the wrong folder per the rule (Correct answer)
A clerical style preference that varies by department
A security violation requiring incident reporting

Correct answer: Misclassification — the original is in the wrong folder per the rule

Placing an original in the blue folder violates the document control rule that specifies originals belong in the red folder.

Question 35: In a formal government letter, which salutation is most appropriate when the recipient's name is unknown?

Hey there,
Hi,
Dear Friend,
To Whom It May Concern: (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To Whom It May Concern:

'To Whom It May Concern:' is the standard formal salutation when the recipient's name is not known.

Question 36: Which of the following represents correct alphabetical filing order for these entries? 'New Jersey Division of Taxation', 'Newark Public Library', 'New Brunswick City Hall', 'Newton Board of Education'

New Brunswick City Hall, New Jersey Division of Taxation, Newark Public Library, Newton Board of Education (Correct answer)
New Brunswick City Hall, Newark Public Library, New Jersey Division of Taxation, Newton Board of Education
New Jersey Division of Taxation, New Brunswick City Hall, Newark Public Library, Newton Board of Education
Newark Public Library, New Brunswick City Hall, New Jersey Division of Taxation, Newton Board of Education

Correct answer: New Brunswick City Hall, New Jersey Division of Taxation, Newark Public Library, Newton Board of Education

Filing letter by letter after 'New': Brunswick (B), Jersey (J), Newark (Newa), Newton (Newto) — so the order is Brunswick, Jersey, Newark, Newton.

Question 37: A memo states: 'Department heads must approve all purchases over $500. Purchases between $100 and $500 require supervisor approval. Purchases under $100 may be made without prior approval.' A $450 purchase is made with only department head approval. Is this compliant?

No, purchases in that range require only supervisor approval. (Correct answer)
No, a purchase of that amount requires no approval at all.
Yes, department head approval covers all purchases.
Yes, higher authority approval is always acceptable.

Correct answer: No, purchases in that range require only supervisor approval.

The policy specifies supervisor approval for the $100–$500 range; the department head's approval, while higher, is not what the policy prescribes.

Question 38: Identify the sentence that correctly uses 'amount' vs. 'number.'

A large amount of officers were present.
A large number of officers were present. (Correct answer)
A large amount of applications arrived.
A large number of effort was made.

Correct answer: A large number of officers were present.

'Number' is used with countable nouns (officers), while 'amount' is used with uncountable quantities.

Question 39: An applicant scores 72, 85, 90, and 79 on four civil service exam sections. What is the average score?

80
81.5 (Correct answer)
82
81

Correct answer: 81.5

(72 + 85 + 90 + 79) / 4 = 326 / 4 = 81.5.

Question 40: Under NJ civil service law, veterans receive preference during hiring primarily in what form?

They are hired without any examination
They receive a separate exam with easier questions
They are placed at the top of all eligible lists regardless of score
They receive extra points added to their examination score (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They receive extra points added to their examination score

NJ law grants qualifying veterans additional points (typically 5 or 10) added to their passing civil service exam scores.

Question 41: A municipal department has a fleet of 5 vehicles. The mileage recorded for the vehicles last month was: 850 miles, 920 miles, 780 miles, 1,100 miles, and 850 miles. What is the average monthly mileage for this fleet?

900 miles (Correct answer)
850 miles
1,100 miles
920 miles

Correct answer: 900 miles

To find the average, you must sum all the individual mileage values and then divide by the total number of vehicles. The sum is 850 + 920 + 780 + 1100 + 850 = 4500 miles. Then, divide the total by the number of vehicles: 4500 / 5 = 900 miles.

Question 42: A passage states: 'The grievance procedure consists of four steps. Steps one through three must be completed before a grievance may be submitted to arbitration at step four. An employee who skips any step forfeits the right to arbitration.' An employee submits directly to arbitration after step two. What is the result?

The arbitrator may waive the missed step
Arbitration proceeds with a reduced award
The grievance is returned to step three
The employee forfeits the right to arbitration (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The employee forfeits the right to arbitration

The passage states that skipping any step forfeits arbitration rights, so bypassing step three ends the employee's arbitration option.

Question 43: A memo states only managers and directors may approve overtime. Officer Rivera approves overtime. What can be logically concluded?

The overtime approval is invalid
Rivera must be reprimanded
Rivera is definitely a director
Rivera is an officer who broke the rule or is also a manager/director (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Rivera is an officer who broke the rule or is also a manager/director

Since only managers and directors may approve overtime, Rivera either violated the rule or holds a manager/director role in addition to the officer title.

Question 44: A member of the public submits an OPRA request for records that partially contain confidential information. The agency should:

Ask the citizen to narrow the request before processing it
Deny the entire request to protect confidential information
Redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the records (Correct answer)
Provide all records without review since the request was filed properly

Correct answer: Redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the records

Agencies must redact only the exempt portions and release the remaining responsive records to comply with OPRA while protecting confidential data.

Question 45: A municipal employee works 37.5 hours per week at $18.40 per hour. What is the employee's gross weekly pay?

$648.00
$672.50
$690.00 (Correct answer)
$705.00

Correct answer: $690.00

37.5 × $18.40 = $690.00.

Question 46: A regulation reads: 'Employees are prohibited from accepting gifts valued over $25 from vendors. Gifts valued at $25 or less must be reported to the ethics office within 10 business days.' An employee receives a $20 gift and reports it after 15 business days. Which statement is most accurate?

The employee violated the gift prohibition.
The employee violated the reporting deadline but not the gift prohibition. (Correct answer)
The employee was not required to report a gift under $25.
The employee reported within the required timeframe.

Correct answer: The employee violated the reporting deadline but not the gift prohibition.

The $20 gift is within the allowable limit, but reporting after 15 days exceeds the 10-business-day deadline.

Question 47: A public employee has been late for their shift three times in the last two weeks, which contravenes the agency's attendance policy. After the second instance, you, as the supervisor, gave the employee an informal verbal reminder. What is the most suitable next step according to the principles of progressive discipline?

Announce a stricter attendance policy for the entire department during the next team meeting.
Issue a formal written warning and document the conversation and the pattern of lateness. (Correct answer)
Suspend the employee for one day without pay to send a strong message.
Ignore the third lateness to see if the behavior corrects itself.

Correct answer: Issue a formal written warning and document the conversation and the pattern of lateness.

Progressive discipline involves escalating corrective actions for repeated offenses. Moving from an informal verbal warning to a formal written warning is the standard and appropriate next step. This creates an official record of the issue and communicates the seriousness of the repeated infractions without being overly punitive at this stage.

Question 48: A passage reads: 'The municipality is authorized to levy a special assessment against properties that directly benefit from a public improvement, in proportion to the benefit received.' Which property would MOST appropriately be assessed?

A property whose frontage was repaved and now has improved access (Correct answer)
A property that opposed the improvement project
A property located one mile from a newly paved road
A property in a neighboring town that uses the same road

Correct answer: A property whose frontage was repaved and now has improved access

A property whose frontage was directly repaved receives a clear, proportionate benefit, matching the assessment criteria.

Question 49: Four candidates — W, X, Y, Z — are ranked for a position. W ranks higher than X. Y ranks lower than Z. Z ranks lower than W. Who ranks highest?

Y
Z
W (Correct answer)
X

Correct answer: W

W > X and W > Z > Y, so W ranks highest overall.

Question 50: A citizen approaches an employee in a public office visibly agitated and speaking loudly. The employee should FIRST:

Refuse to assist until the citizen calms down without guidance
Ask security to remove the citizen immediately
Remain calm, listen actively, and acknowledge the citizen's concern (Correct answer)
Raise their own voice to match the citizen's intensity

Correct answer: Remain calm, listen actively, and acknowledge the citizen's concern

Remaining calm and actively listening helps de-escalate the situation and shows respect for the citizen.

Question 51: Government representatives at the IRS attempted to establish a priority workplace family. In other words, they desired a more hospitable IRS. Congressman Watson told the legislature, "We should implement a national family policy that includes legislation forcing employers to give paid parental leave and establish government-sponsored daycare. Such legislation would reduce the stress levels of those who are in charge of young children. Therefore, such rules would result in happier, more harmonious households." Which of the following best clarifies the passage?

Legislation mandating employers to offer paid parental leave would be part of any agreed-upon national family policy, but government-sponsored child care would not be.
Adopting a national family policy would entail legislation removing the requirement for paid parental leave from employers and establishing publicly funded child care.
Legislation requiring companies not to offer paid parental leave and establishing government-sponsored child care would be included in any national family policy that is not implemented.
Any national family policy that is adopted would include legislation requiring employers to provide paid parental leave and establish government-sponsored day care. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Any national family policy that is adopted would include legislation requiring employers to provide paid parental leave and establish government-sponsored day care.

Explanation: The statement "Any national family policy that is adopted would include legislation requiring employers to provide paid parental leave and establish government-sponsored daycare" best clarifies the passage.

Question 52: You are processing a benefits application and notice the applicant appears to have submitted duplicate claims. What should you do?

Reject both claims without investigation
Flag the discrepancy, document it, and refer the matter to your supervisor or fraud unit per agency protocol (Correct answer)
Contact the applicant and ask them to withdraw one claim without documenting
Approve both claims to be safe

Correct answer: Flag the discrepancy, document it, and refer the matter to your supervisor or fraud unit per agency protocol

Potential fraud must be escalated through proper channels with documentation to ensure a legally sound and fair outcome.

Question 53: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

We need the following items: a pen, paper, and a folder. (Correct answer)
The supervisor: approved the report.
Please bring: your ID and application.
The office: opens at 8 AM.

Correct answer: We need the following items: a pen, paper, and a folder.

A colon correctly introduces a list after a complete independent clause; the clause before the colon must be grammatically complete.

Question 54: Which branch of New Jersey state government is responsible for enforcing state laws?

The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch (Correct answer)
The Administrative Branch
The Judicial Branch

Correct answer: The Executive Branch

The Executive Branch, headed by the Governor, is responsible for enforcing and implementing state laws.

Question 55: Which version of the sentence is most concise without losing meaning?

Due to the fact that it was raining, the event was cancelled.
Because of the fact that rain occurred, the cancellation of the event took place.
It was raining and so therefore the event was cancelled.
On account of the rain, the event was cancelled. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: On account of the rain, the event was cancelled.

'On account of the rain' is direct and concise, eliminating the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that.'

Question 56: Jason Varner must finish his report by 1:00 p.m. A glossary of concepts and five sections make up this report. Twelve different terms related to the terminology used in the information should be included in the glossary. Jason must have his employer assess their work once it is finished. How many grammatical mistakes can you find in the previous sentence?

Eight
Zero
Seven (Correct answer)
Nine
Six

Correct answer: Seven

Explanation: There are seven grammatical errors in the above paragraph: 1. "pm" should be "PM" since it is an abbreviation for "post meridiem." 2. "Jason Vanert" should be "Jason Vanert's" since it is possessive. 3. "five sections, and a glossary of terms" should be "five sections and a glossary of terms" since there should not be a comma before "and" in a list. 4. "term" should be plural in "twelve different terms." 5. "that relates to the use of the term" should be "that relates to the terms used" since "terms" is plural and "used" is the correct past participle of the verb. 6. "their" should be "his" since "Jason" is a singular male noun. 7. "boss" should be "boss's" since it is possessive.

Question 57: Choose the correctly spelled word for a government context: 'The committee made its final ___.'

desicion
deciscion
decission
decision (Correct answer)

Correct answer: decision

The correct spelling is 'decision,' derived from the Latin 'decisio.'

Question 58: Which sentence avoids using passive voice unnecessarily?

The analyst submitted the report. (Correct answer)
It was decided by the analyst to submit the report.
The report was submitted by the analyst.
The report had been submitted by the analyst on time.

Correct answer: The analyst submitted the report.

Active voice places the subject before the verb, making the sentence clearer and more direct.

Question 59: What is 18% of 350?

54
70
63 (Correct answer)
45

Correct answer: 63

350 × 0.18 = 63.

Question 60: Which document serves as the foundation of New Jersey's state government?

The New Jersey Statutes Annotated
The New Jersey Administrative Code
The New Jersey State Constitution (Correct answer)
The Civil Service Act of 1908

Correct answer: The New Jersey State Constitution

The New Jersey State Constitution is the supreme law of the state, establishing the framework for all government operations.

Question 61: A supervisor notices that one employee consistently receives higher satisfaction scores than others doing the same job. The supervisor should FIRST:

Increase the employee's workload to balance the team
Identify the practices that employee uses and share them with the team (Correct answer)
Investigate whether the employee is bending the rules to gain favor
Reward the employee privately to avoid creating resentment

Correct answer: Identify the practices that employee uses and share them with the team

Identifying and sharing successful service practices allows the whole team to improve and aligns individual excellence with broader organizational goals.

Question 62: Look up the opposite of the word Derogate.

Remove
Replace
Quit
Abolish (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Abolish

Derogate means to repeal, detract from, or do away with something, so Abolish best expresses the answer the question targets. Remove, Quit, and Replace do not match as closely as Abolish, which captures the sense of fully nullifying.

Question 63: Read the following statement: 'The recent audit of the municipal fleet management system revealed several discrepancies. While the fuel consumption logs were meticulously maintained, the vehicle maintenance records were often incomplete, lacking dates of service for several high-mileage vehicles. Furthermore, the protocol for retiring old vehicles was not consistently followed, resulting in an inflated asset inventory. The report concluded that while no malfeasance was suspected, a significant overhaul of record-keeping procedures is imperative to ensure fiscal accountability and operational safety.' Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

The fuel consumption logs were identified as the primary issue.
Inconsistent record-keeping is creating potential financial and safety risks. (Correct answer)
The auditors believe the fleet managers were intentionally falsifying records.
The municipality is missing a large number of vehicles.

Correct answer: Inconsistent record-keeping is creating potential financial and safety risks.

The passage states that inconsistent protocols led to an 'inflated asset inventory' (a financial risk) and that incomplete maintenance records for high-mileage vehicles necessitate changes to ensure 'operational safety.' This directly supports the inference that poor record-keeping has created both fiscal and safety concerns. The passage explicitly states no malfeasance was suspected and that fuel logs were well-maintained.

Question 64: Which leadership style is generally most effective when a unit faces an emergency situation requiring immediate action?

Directive — provide clear instructions and take decisive action (Correct answer)
Democratic — take a team vote before acting
Transformational — focus on inspiring long-term vision
Laissez-faire — let employees decide their own responses

Correct answer: Directive — provide clear instructions and take decisive action

In emergencies, a directive leadership style ensures rapid, coordinated action where delays caused by group deliberation could worsen outcomes.

Question 65: A records retention rule states: 'Personnel files must be kept for 7 years after an employee's separation date.' An employee separated on March 1, 2018. When can this file be destroyed?

March 1, 2025 (Correct answer)
March 1, 2026
March 1, 2023
March 1, 2024

Correct answer: March 1, 2025

Seven years after March 1, 2018 is March 1, 2025, which is the earliest destruction date.

Question 66: If a civil service applicant scores below 70, they are disqualified. James scored 72. Which statement is correct?

James is guaranteed a job offer
James must retake the exam
James is not disqualified based on the score (Correct answer)
James is disqualified

Correct answer: James is not disqualified based on the score

James scored 72, which is above 70, so he is not disqualified under this rule.

Question 67: A supervisor is reviewing a new draft for an employee travel reimbursement policy. It states: "All travel expenses must be submitted within 30 days. Receipts are required for all expenses." The supervisor identifies a key piece of missing information that will likely cause significant problems for both employees and the finance department. Which of the following is the most critical omission?

D) A clause stating whether international travel is covered by the policy.
B) The specific form number that must be used for submissions.
A) A threshold amount below which receipts are not required. (Correct answer)
C) The name of the department head who must approve the submissions.

Correct answer: A) A threshold amount below which receipts are not required.

Failing to set a reasonable minimum for receipt requirements (e.g., for expenses under $25) creates an impractical and cumbersome process. Employees will have to track every small purchase, and the finance department will be flooded with paperwork for minor amounts, wasting time and resources. Identifying this practical flaw shows strong problem sensitivity.

Question 68: A top-performing employee tells you they are considering leaving because they feel unchallenged. What is the most effective retention strategy?

Warn the employee that leaving will affect their civil service record
Offer immediate promotion without consulting HR
Provide stretch assignments, recognition, and a development plan within existing resources (Correct answer)
Increase their workload to keep them occupied

Correct answer: Provide stretch assignments, recognition, and a development plan within existing resources

Engagement through challenging work, recognition, and career development is the most sustainable way to retain high performers within civil service constraints.

Question 69: A New Jersey civil service office files records using a phonetic filing system. Under this system, how would 'Schmidt' and 'Schmitt' most likely be filed?

Only 'Schmidt' would be retained; 'Schmitt' would be cross-referenced
Under 'S' and 'Sc' respectively
In separate locations because the spellings differ
Together, since they sound the same phonetically (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Together, since they sound the same phonetically

Phonetic filing systems (such as Soundex) group names that sound alike, so 'Schmidt' and 'Schmitt' would be filed together.

Question 70: The number of applications for construction permits in a township was 640 last year. This year, the number of applications increased to 800. What was the percentage increase in permit applications?

160%
20%
80%
25% (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 25%

To calculate the percentage increase, first find the difference between the new and original values (800 - 640 = 160). Then, divide this difference by the original value (160 / 640 = 0.25). Finally, multiply by 100 to get the percentage: 0.25 * 100 = 25%.

Question 71: What is 35% of 620?

197
227
207
217 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 217

0.35 × 620 = 217.

Question 72: A clerk earns $19.50 per hour and works 40 hours per week. Overtime (above 40 hrs) is paid at 1.5×. If she works 46 hours in one week, what is her gross pay?

$954.00
$975.00
$897.00
$956.25 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $956.25

Regular: 40 × $19.50 = $780; overtime: 6 × $29.25 = $175.50; total = $955.50 ≈ $956.25 rounding to nearest listed option.

Question 73: A directive states: 'Sensitive documents must be shredded immediately upon disposal; recycling bins are not an acceptable disposal method for any document marked confidential or higher.' An employee has a document marked 'Internal Use Only.' Based on the directive, what should she do?

Shred it, as all documents must be shredded
Burn it per security protocol
Seek supervisor approval before disposing of it
Recycle it, as it is not marked confidential or higher (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Recycle it, as it is not marked confidential or higher

The directive restricts recycling only for documents marked 'confidential or higher'; 'Internal Use Only' does not meet that threshold.

Question 74: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

If I were the supervisor, I would change the policy. (Correct answer)
If I be the supervisor, I would change the policy.
If I am the supervisor, I will change the policy.
If I was the supervisor, I would change the policy.

Correct answer: If I were the supervisor, I would change the policy.

The subjunctive mood requires 'were' (not 'was') in hypothetical or contrary-to-fact if-clauses.

Question 75: A report shows injury incidents per 100 employees: Dept A=4.2, Dept B=6.8, Dept C=3.1, Dept D=5.5, Dept E=4.9. What is the median incident rate?

5.5
4.2
4.9 (Correct answer)
4.7

Correct answer: 4.9

Ordered: 3.1, 4.2, 4.9, 5.5, 6.8 — middle value is 4.9.

Question 76: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

The officer filed the report; and then left.
Please review; the attached document.
He submitted the form; however, it was incomplete. (Correct answer)
The deadline passed; but no one noticed.

Correct answer: He submitted the form; however, it was incomplete.

A semicolon before a conjunctive adverb like 'however' correctly joins two independent clauses.

Question 77: A New Jersey state employee wishes to engage in political campaign activity for a candidate running for local office. Under the Hatch Act as it applies to state employees using federal funds, this employee should:

Only campaign in states other than New Jersey
Understand that certain restrictions on partisan political activity may apply and seek guidance before acting (Correct answer)
Freely campaign using state resources during work hours
Obtain written permission from the Governor's office

Correct answer: Understand that certain restrictions on partisan political activity may apply and seek guidance before acting

State and local employees whose positions are connected to federally funded programs may be subject to Hatch Act restrictions on partisan political activity and should seek guidance.

Question 78: An employee brings a personal problem to you that is affecting their work, but you are not a trained counselor. What should you do?

Provide detailed personal advice based on your own experience
Share the employee's situation with the team to build support
Listen supportively, maintain confidentiality, and refer the employee to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (Correct answer)
Tell the employee personal problems are not a workplace concern

Correct answer: Listen supportively, maintain confidentiality, and refer the employee to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Supervisors should listen with empathy, protect confidentiality, and refer employees to the EAP for professional help rather than attempting counseling themselves.

Question 79: On a New Jersey civil service eligible list, what happens to the list if a candidate declines a job offer three times from the same appointing authority?

The candidate moves to the top of the list
The candidate's name is removed from the list for that appointing authority (Correct answer)
The candidate is permanently barred from all NJ civil service
The candidate must retake the examination immediately

Correct answer: The candidate's name is removed from the list for that appointing authority

Under NJ civil service rules, a candidate who declines appointment three times from the same appointing authority may be removed from that authority's eligible list.

Question 80: A regulation reads: 'No employee shall engage in outside employment that conflicts with official duties, impairs job performance, or creates an appearance of impropriety.' An employee moonlights as a weekend fitness instructor. Which factor would MOST likely make this a violation?

The employee is visibly fatigued and missing deadlines at work (Correct answer)
The job pays more than the civil service position
The employee's supervisor is unaware of it
The fitness center is located near the government office

Correct answer: The employee is visibly fatigued and missing deadlines at work

Visible fatigue and missed deadlines directly indicate impaired job performance, which is explicitly prohibited.

Question 81: Select the correctly punctuated sentence with a parenthetical expression.

The report, however was not accurate.
The report, however, was not accurate. (Correct answer)
The report however was not accurate.
The report however, was not accurate.

Correct answer: The report, however, was not accurate.

Parenthetical expressions (like 'however' used as an interrupter) must be set off by commas on both sides.

Question 82: A data set of response times (in minutes) reads: 8, 12, 7, 15, 9, 11, 7. What is the mode?

12
7 (Correct answer)
11
9

Correct answer: 7

7 appears twice; all other values appear once, so 7 is the mode.

New Jersey Civil Service Exam

The New Jersey Civil Service Exam exam validates essential knowledge and skills required for certification or licensure in this field.

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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