UPDATED 2025/2026
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a major step of the examining process?
A) Identify the job and its assessments.
B) Recruit & announce the job.
C) Conduct a final interview with all applicants.
D) Accept & review applications.
E) Certify eligibles.
Correct Answer: C) Conduct a final interview with all applicants
Rationale: The major steps of the examining process provided are: 1. Identify the job and its
assessments, 2. Recruit & announce the job, 3. Accept & review applications, 4. Assess
applicants, and 5. Certify eligibles. Conducting a final interview is not listed as one of these
major steps.
Question 2
True or False. Applicants are notified at 4 touch points during the examining process.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Rationale: The provided content states, "Applicants are notified at 4 touch points during the
examining process. True."
Question 3
True or False. Applicants are notified at 2 touch points during the examining process.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: The provided content explicitly states that applicants are notified at 4 touch points,
making the statement of 2 touch points false.
Question 4
True or False. OPM retains exclusive authority to make medical qualifications determinations
pertaining to preference eligibles.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Rationale: The provided content confirms, "OPM retains exclusive authority to make medical
qualifications determinations pertaining to preference eligibles. True."
,Question 5
What authority does OPM delegate to agencies to fill competitive civil service jobs through a
competitive process open to all U.S. Citizens?
A) Merit Promotion Authority
B) Direct Hire Authority
C) Delegated Examining Authority
D) Excepted Service Authority
E) Special Appointing Authority
Correct Answer: C) Delegated Examining Authority
Rationale: The content states, "OPM delegates to agencies to fill competitive civil service jobs
through a competitive process open to all U.S. Citizens. DE Authority."
Question 6
True or False. OPM retains exclusive authority to grant or deny an agency request to pass over a
preference eligible with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Rationale: The provided content confirms this statement as true.
Question 7
True or False. Delegated examining has 3 fundamental responsibilities.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: The provided content explicitly states, "False, it has 2 fundamental responsibilities."
Question 8
True or False. One of the two fundamental responsibilities of DE is to ensure to the maximum
extent possible that the agency's vacant positions are filled with the least-qualified persons
from a sufficient pool of well-qualified eligibles, and taking into account veteran's preference
requirements.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: The statement is false because the goal of DE is to fill positions with the best-
qualified persons, not the least-qualified.
Question 9
The following are results for a GS-0343-11 Management Analyst assessment.
,Scale
High Qualified: 95-100
Well Qualified: 85-94
Qualified: 70-84
Who should be placed in the Highly Qualified category based on the scores below?
A) Opal (99-NV)
B) Larry (78-CP), Nick (91-CPS), and Opal (99-NV)
C) Larry (78-CP), Marvin (86-XP) Nick (91-CPS), and Opal (99-NV)
D) Karli (92-TP), Larry (78-CP), Marvin (86-XP) Nick (91-CPS), and Opal (99-NV)
E) Nick (91-CPS) and Opal (99-NV)
Correct Answer: A) Opal (99-NV)
Rationale: The "Highly Qualified" category is defined as 95-100. Only Opal's score of 99 falls
within this range.
Question 10
John is applying for a Budget Assistant, GS-0561-05 position. He has 9 months of specialized
experience and 75 semester hours toward his Bachelor's degree in Finance. Does he qualify for
the Budget Assistant position at the GS-05 level?
A) Yes, he qualifies for this position through experience alone.
B) No, he must finish his degree before he can use his education to qualify.
C) Yes, he has experience and education, that when combined, equals at least 100% of the
requirement.
D) No, he does not have enough education and experience to qualify through a combination.
E) Yes, he qualifies solely based on his education.
Correct Answer: C) Yes, he has experience and education, that when combined, equals at least
100% of the requirement.
Rationale: The provided answer confirms that a combination of his experience and education is
sufficient to qualify him for the position.
Question 11
Mara (E-4) served honorably on active duty in the Army Reserve from July 1, 2000 -September
14, 2001. She has no qualifying badges or medals. How would you adjudicate her veterans'
preference?
A) NV (Non-Veteran)
B) SSP (Sole Survivor Preference)
C) TP (Tentative Preference)
D) XP (10-point Compensable Disability Preference)
E) CP (10-point Other Compensable Disability Preference)
, Correct Answer: C) TP (Tentative Preference)
Rationale: Service between September 11, 2001, and August 31, 2010, is typically considered a
qualifying period for 5-point preference (TP) if the individual served honorably for more than
180 consecutive days. Mara's service during this period meets the criteria.
Question 12
True or False. You can't start recruitment for your vacancy until the job opens on the USAJOBS
website.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: The provided content states, "False, recruitment can occur before the job opens."
Question 13
True or False. Recruitment and public notice are one and the same.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: B) False
Rationale: The provided content states, "False, public notice is one type of recruitment. Public
notice explains to jobseekers when, where, and how to apply for a Federal job."
Question 14
True or False. OPM regulations require agencies to post JOAs to USAJOBS for competitive
service vacancies open to applicants outside an agency's work force, including temporary
vacancies lasting 121 days or more.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Rationale: The provided content confirms this statement as true.
Question 15
Y/N: Is there a minimum open period for job opportunity announcements?
A) Yes
B) No
Correct Answer: B) No
Rationale: The provided content indicates "No" regarding a minimum open period for job
opportunity announcements.
Question 16
True or False. Two circumstances where the use of a cut-off date might be appropriate are: 1. To