Last reviewed 22 Sept 2026 · 5 min read
Eligibility questions
A set of conditions is given — age, qualification, experience, marks — along with exceptions of the form "however, if a candidate satisfies everything except (i), the case may be referred to the General Manager". Each candidate's details follow, and one of five decisions is to be chosen.
- Rule out on the main conditions first, one at a time, in the order printed.
- Note which condition fails, and check whether an exception covers exactly that one.
- Apply the exception only if every other condition is met.
- If information needed for a condition is missing, the answer is "data inadequate", not rejection.
The five standard options are: selected; not selected; data inadequate; refer to the higher authority named in exception (i); refer to the one named in exception (ii). The commonest error is rejecting a candidate whose single failure is exactly what an exception forgives.
Situation judgement
A workplace or public situation is described and several responses offered. A good response is:
- Safe — it removes danger first.
- Honest — it does not conceal or mislead.
- Procedural — it follows the rules and informs whoever must be informed.
- Proportionate — neither ignoring the problem nor escalating it wildly.
Responses that are kind but ineffective, or decisive but improper, both fail. Where a person is in danger, the response that protects them comes before the one that reports the matter.
Cause and effect
Two statements are given and you must say whether one caused the other, whether both are effects of a common cause, or whether they are independent.
- A cause must come before its effect.
- Two statements about the same subject need not be causally linked — a common third cause is very often the intended answer.
- A measure taken because of a problem is an effect of the problem, not its cause.
Assertion and reason
Two statements, A and R, with options such as: both true and R explains A; both true but R does not explain A; A true and R false; A false and R true.
Judge truth first, separately, and only then ask whether R explains A. A true reason that happens to be irrelevant is the most common answer, and the one most often missed.
Worked examples
A post requires: (a) age 21–30, (b) a degree with at least 55%, (c) two years' experience. Exception: a candidate meeting all but (c) may be referred to the Director. Candidate: 26 years, degree with 60%, no experience.
Solution. Only (c) fails, and the exception covers exactly that → refer to the Director.
Same rules. Candidate: 24 years, three years' experience, degree percentage not stated.
Solution. Condition (b) cannot be checked → data inadequate.
Same rules. Candidate: 32 years, degree with 50%, three years' experience.
Solution. Two conditions fail and no exception covers both → not selected.
You notice a live wire hanging over a footpath near a school. Responses: I. Photograph it and post it online. II. Keep people away and call the electricity department at once.
Solution. II — it removes the danger and informs the authority; I does neither.
A colleague repeatedly submits incorrect measurements. Responses: I. Correct them quietly each time without telling anyone. II. Point out the errors to the colleague and, if they continue, inform the supervisor.
Solution. II — I is kind but hides a fault that will recur; II is proportionate and follows procedure.
Statement I: The municipality has banned parking on the main road. Statement II: Traffic jams on the main road had become severe.
Solution. II is the cause and I the effect — the ban was a measure taken because of the jams.
Statement I: Vegetable prices have risen sharply this week. Statement II: Several trucks carrying vegetables were stranded by floods.
Solution. II caused I. (Had the statements instead been "prices rose" and "supply fell", a common third cause — the floods — would have been the answer.)
A: Concrete is reinforced with steel. R: Concrete is weak in tension.
Solution. Both are true, and R explains A.
A: The bridge was closed for repairs. R: Steel is stronger than concrete in tension.
Solution. Both statements are true, but R does not explain A.
A junior points out a mistake in your calculation, in front of others. Responses: I. Check the calculation and correct it if the junior is right. II. Tell the junior not to question seniors publicly.
Solution. I — the work comes before the manner in which the point was made.