PSHRA SCP Study Guide Exam Review
Practice Questions with Correct Answers and
Rationales| LATEST UPDATED TEST 2026 WITH
VERRIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1: What qualifies someone as a 0-point preference eligible?
A) Any veteran who served during wartime
B) The only surviving child in a family where a parent or sibling served in the armed
forces and was killed, missing in action, or permanently disabled
C) A veteran with a service-connected disability
D) A veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 0-point preference eligible, also known as Sole Survivorship Preference
(SSP), applies to the only surviving child in a family where a parent or sibling served in
the armed forces and was killed, missing in action, or permanently disabled. This
preference provides 0 additional points but grants preference eligibility status.
www.nlrb.gov
Question 2: What is the requirement for a 5-point preference eligible regarding active
duty service?
A) Active duty service for more than 90 consecutive days
,B) Active duty service for more than 180 consecutive days, with specific dates and
conditions related to service
C) Active duty service during any period of war
D) Active duty service with a service-connected disability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 5-point preference eligible must have served on active duty for more than
180 consecutive days, with specific dates and conditions related to service. The
discharge or release from active duty must have been under honorable conditions.
www.opm.gov
Question 3: What are the specific time frames for 5-point preference eligibility?
A) Service must be between September 11, 2001, and August 31, 2010; August 2, 1990,
and January 2, 1992; or after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976
B) Service must be during any period of declared war
C) Service must be after September 11, 2001
D) Service must be between 1955 and 2010
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The specific time frames for 5-point preference eligibility are: September 11,
2001, to August 31, 2010 (Persian Gulf War era); August 2, 1990, to January 2, 1992
(Gulf War); or after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976 (Vietnam era). These
specific dates are established by federal regulation.
www.opm.gov
,Question 4: What qualifies someone as a 10-point preference eligible?
A) Served at any time with a service-connected disability or received a Purple Heart
B) Served during wartime only
C) Served more than 180 consecutive days
D) Served in the National Guard
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 10-point preference eligible is a veteran who served at any time and either
(1) has a present service-connected disability or (2) received a Purple Heart. This is the
highest level of veteran's preference and provides 10 additional points to the veteran's
passing examination score.
www.opm.gov
Question 5: How are applicants considered in a rank score system?
A) Randomly selected from the applicant pool
B) Based upon their rank on the list, starting with the highest score and working down
the eligible list in score order
C) Based on first-come, first-served basis
D) Based on geographical location
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a rank score system, applicants are considered based upon their rank on
the list, starting with the highest score and working down the eligible list in score order.
, This ensures that the most qualified candidates, as determined by their scores
(including any veteran's preference points), are considered first.
www.opm.gov
Question 6: What flexibility do organizations have in considering applicants?
A) Organizations must consider all applicants equally
B) Organizations are typically allowed to consider a limited number of applicants who
are considered to be coequal
C) Organizations can only consider the top three applicants
D) Organizations have no flexibility and must follow strict numerical order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Organizations are typically allowed to consider a limited number of
applicants who are considered to be coequal. This flexibility allows hiring managers to
consider multiple qualified candidates within a certain score range rather than being
restricted to strict numerical order, enabling consideration of factors beyond just the
numerical score.
www.opm.gov
Question 7: Which of the following veterans would qualify for 10-point preference?
A) A veteran who served 6 months of active duty with no disability
B) A veteran who received a Purple Heart
C) A veteran who served during peacetime only
D) A veteran who served in the Reserve for 10 years
Practice Questions with Correct Answers and
Rationales| LATEST UPDATED TEST 2026 WITH
VERRIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1: What qualifies someone as a 0-point preference eligible?
A) Any veteran who served during wartime
B) The only surviving child in a family where a parent or sibling served in the armed
forces and was killed, missing in action, or permanently disabled
C) A veteran with a service-connected disability
D) A veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 0-point preference eligible, also known as Sole Survivorship Preference
(SSP), applies to the only surviving child in a family where a parent or sibling served in
the armed forces and was killed, missing in action, or permanently disabled. This
preference provides 0 additional points but grants preference eligibility status.
www.nlrb.gov
Question 2: What is the requirement for a 5-point preference eligible regarding active
duty service?
A) Active duty service for more than 90 consecutive days
,B) Active duty service for more than 180 consecutive days, with specific dates and
conditions related to service
C) Active duty service during any period of war
D) Active duty service with a service-connected disability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 5-point preference eligible must have served on active duty for more than
180 consecutive days, with specific dates and conditions related to service. The
discharge or release from active duty must have been under honorable conditions.
www.opm.gov
Question 3: What are the specific time frames for 5-point preference eligibility?
A) Service must be between September 11, 2001, and August 31, 2010; August 2, 1990,
and January 2, 1992; or after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976
B) Service must be during any period of declared war
C) Service must be after September 11, 2001
D) Service must be between 1955 and 2010
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The specific time frames for 5-point preference eligibility are: September 11,
2001, to August 31, 2010 (Persian Gulf War era); August 2, 1990, to January 2, 1992
(Gulf War); or after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976 (Vietnam era). These
specific dates are established by federal regulation.
www.opm.gov
,Question 4: What qualifies someone as a 10-point preference eligible?
A) Served at any time with a service-connected disability or received a Purple Heart
B) Served during wartime only
C) Served more than 180 consecutive days
D) Served in the National Guard
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A 10-point preference eligible is a veteran who served at any time and either
(1) has a present service-connected disability or (2) received a Purple Heart. This is the
highest level of veteran's preference and provides 10 additional points to the veteran's
passing examination score.
www.opm.gov
Question 5: How are applicants considered in a rank score system?
A) Randomly selected from the applicant pool
B) Based upon their rank on the list, starting with the highest score and working down
the eligible list in score order
C) Based on first-come, first-served basis
D) Based on geographical location
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a rank score system, applicants are considered based upon their rank on
the list, starting with the highest score and working down the eligible list in score order.
, This ensures that the most qualified candidates, as determined by their scores
(including any veteran's preference points), are considered first.
www.opm.gov
Question 6: What flexibility do organizations have in considering applicants?
A) Organizations must consider all applicants equally
B) Organizations are typically allowed to consider a limited number of applicants who
are considered to be coequal
C) Organizations can only consider the top three applicants
D) Organizations have no flexibility and must follow strict numerical order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Organizations are typically allowed to consider a limited number of
applicants who are considered to be coequal. This flexibility allows hiring managers to
consider multiple qualified candidates within a certain score range rather than being
restricted to strict numerical order, enabling consideration of factors beyond just the
numerical score.
www.opm.gov
Question 7: Which of the following veterans would qualify for 10-point preference?
A) A veteran who served 6 months of active duty with no disability
B) A veteran who received a Purple Heart
C) A veteran who served during peacetime only
D) A veteran who served in the Reserve for 10 years
