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PPC - General Competency Test Level 2 (GCT2) - Practice Test

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Important Notice

This practice test includes examples of all question types found in the actual test. If you are a candidate with special needs or with a disability, you may require test accommodation for part or all of the test. Test accommodation is assessed on a case-by-case basis. More information is available in the Assessment Accommodation Services section of the Web site.

To take this practice test, you have two options:

  1. Print a copy of the practice test and answer the questions manually. When you have completed the test, to determine your score, please refer to the answer key provided on our Web site.
  2. Read the questions in this practice test from your computer and record your answers on a piece of paper. When you have completed the test, to determine your score, please refer to the answer key provided on our Web site.

Instructions

The practice test contains the same 5 question types used in the actual test: similarities, arithmetic problems, figure analogies and number series. The 5 types of questions appear randomly. Read the Instructions and Sample Questions before you take the practice test. Keep the instructions and sample questions page open in a separate tab and consult it as needed while you take the practice test.

To simulate actual test conditions, you should allow yourself 60 minutes to complete the practice test (the time limit for the test itself will be 120 minutes).

Question 1

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word OSTRACIZE.

  1. criticize, reproach
  2. free, release
  3. sever, cut
  4. exile, shun
  5. penalize, punish

Question 2

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word SUCCINCT.

  1. resulting or terminating favourably
  2. filled with juice
  3. serving to draw in by suction
  4. mentally acute, ingenious
  5. terse, concise, briefly expressed

Question 3

In this type of question your task is to identify the answer figure that logically completes the problem figures series.

Question 3 – Figure Completion
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 4

In this type of question your task is to identify the answer figure that logically completes the problem figures series.

Question 4 – Figure Completion
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 5

In this type of question, you identify the relationship that exists between the first pair of figures, and then you use this information to choose the figure among the five answer choices that has the same relationship to the third figure in the question.

Question 5 – Figure Analogy
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 6

A flagpole casts a ten metre (m) shadow at the same time as a six metre statue beside it casts a two metre shadow. What is the height of the flagpole?

  1. 24m
  2. 27m
  3. 30m
  4. 32m
  5. 34m

Question 7

Each question of this type presents a series (list) of numbers and/or letters. Find the rule that has been used to produce this series; then use this rule to select the item (either a number or letter) which would follow at the end.

  • 5,
  • 10,
  • 16,
  • 23,
  • 31,
  1. 45
  2. 37
  3. 42
  4. 38
  5. 40

Question 8

In this type of question your task is to identify the answer figure that logically completes the problem figures series.

Question 8 – Figure Completion
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Instructions

In the analytical reasoning section, you are presented with short passages of text. Your task is to answer a set of questions about each passage. For a given passage, the individual questions are independent of each other. Also, information contained in one question (or its answer choices) should not be used to answer other questions.

Questions 9 to 11 are based on the following passage:

A committee to monitor the effects of new policies on AIDS is to be formed from 3 Psychologists (Patricia, Peter, Pauline), 3 Physicians (Michael, Mary, Maureen), 2 Social Workers (Steve, Susan), and 3 Economists (Edward, Eileen, Edith). The committee must include exactly 2 Psychologists, 2 Physicians, 1 Social Worker, and 1 Economist. The individuals who make up the committee or group can vary from one meeting to the next. Peter cannot meet in the second half of any month. Furthermore, Maureen cannot be paired with Steve because they do not get along, and Pauline cannot be on any committee in which Steve is a member. Mary cannot meet on Wednesdays.

Question 9

How many committees can be formed if Steve is a member?

  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 9
  4. 10
  5. 12

Question 10

How many committees that include Edward and Susan and that will meet on Tuesday, April 11, can be formed?

  1. 1
  2. 3
  3. 9
  4. 12
  5. 18

Question 11

How many groups can be formed that include Patricia, Pauline, and Susan, and that will meet on Wednesday, January 8?

  1. 3
  2. 6
  3. 9
  4. 12
  5. 15

Question 12

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word DEFUNCT.

  1. failing to do what is required by duty or law
  2. no longer existing
  3. unable to pay debts
  4. excessively self-indulgent
  5. insufficient in quantity

Question 13

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word TANTAMOUNT.

  1. equivalent in value, effect
  2. extremely or infinitely small
  3. accomplished with dispatch
  4. highest in rank, superior
  5. sad, calamitous, distressing

Question 14

Each question of this type presents a series (list) of numbers and/or letters. Find the rule that has been used to produce this series; then use this rule to select the item (either a number or letter) which would follow at the end.

  • 1,
  • 2,
  • 6,
  • 24,
  • 120,
  1. 320
  2. 480
  3. 220
  4. 720
  5. 144

Question 15

One person can devote 24 hours a week to a project and two others can each devote 30 hours a week to the same project. If the total project requires 420 hours to complete, how many weeks will it take?

  1. 4.5
  2. 5
  3. 5.5
  4. 6
  5. 8

Question 16

In this type of question, your task is to identify the answer figure that logically completes the problem figures series.

Question 16 – Figure Completion
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 17

In this type of question, you identify the relationship that exists between the first pair of figures, and then you use this information to choose the figure among the five answer choices that has the same relationship to the third figure in the question.

Question 17 – Figure Analogy
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 18

Each question of this type presents a series (list) of numbers and/or letters. Find the rule that has been used to produce this series; then use this rule to select the item (either a number or letter) which would follow at the end.

  • 12,
  • 12,
  • 9,
  • 9,
  • 6,
  • 6,
  1. 5
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4

Question 19

Each question of this type presents a series (list) of numbers and/or letters. Find the rule that has been used to produce this series; then use this rule to select the item (either a number or letter) which would follow at the end.

  • 64,
  • 16,
  • 32,
  • 8,
  • 16,
  • 4,
  1. 2
  2. 1
  3. 8
  4. 10
  5. 6

Question 20

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word ANOMALY.

  1. deviation from the common rule
  2. opposition or contrast of ideas
  3. short, pithy sentence
  4. word contrary in meaning to another
  5. lack of feeling or passion

Question 21

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word SUBSTANTIATE.

  1. remove
  2. elaborate
  3. re-phrase
  4. repeat
  5. confirm

Question 22

Department A has 40 wooden desks and 120 metal desks. Department B has 90 wooden desks and 60 metal desks. What is the difference between the percentages of wooden desks in each department?

  1. 25%
  2. 33%
  3. 35%
  4. 40%
  5. 117%

Question 23

In this type of question' your task is to identify the answer figure that logically completes the problem figures series.

Question 23 – Figure Completion
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 24

In this type of question, you identify the relationship that exists between the first pair of figures, and then you use this information to choose the figure among the five answer choices that has the same relationship to the third figure in the question.

Question 24 – Figure Analogy
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Instructions

In the analytical reasoning section, you are presented with short passages of text. Your task is to answer a set of questions about each passage. For a given passage, the individual questions are independent of each other. Also, information contained in one question (or its answer choices) should not be used to answer other questions.

Question 25 to 29 are based on the following:

Six international delegates need to communicate with one another in "one on one" discussions.

Delegate A is fluent in Hindi and French.

Delegate B is fluent in English and Hindi.

Delegate C is fluent in Russian and Greek.

Delegate D is fluent in Russian and English.

Delegate E is fluent in French and Russian.

Delegate F is fluent in English.

Because the material to be discussed is sensitive, no outsiders (i.e., non-delegates) can be present. Therefore, pairs of delegates who cannot communicate directly require translation by another delegate.

Question 25

To communicate, A & C need an interpreter. How many other pairs of delegates need a third delegate to act as an interpreter?

  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 6
  4. 7
  5. 9

Question 26

Which delegate can communicate with the most other delegates without an interpreter?

  1. A
  2. D
  3. B
  4. C
  5. F

Question 27

Which delegates can act as interpreters when delegates A and D want to communicate?

  1. B and F
  2. E and C
  3. B and E
  4. C and D
  5. E and F

Question 28

Which delegate can act as an interpreter when delegates B and C wish to communicate?

  1. D
  2. A
  3. E
  4. F
  5. none

Question 29

If delegate F could learn another language prior to the next meeting of the same individuals 5 years from now, what language should be learned to communicate directly with the greatest number of delegates?

  1. English
  2. Spanish
  3. Greek
  4. Hindi
  5. Russian

Question 30

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word MANDATE.

  1. security
  2. encouragement
  3. funding
  4. authorization
  5. clarification

Question 31

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word PROTRACT.

  1. prolong, lengthen
  2. cut short, deprive of
  3. express dissatisfaction with
  4. drive back, repulse
  5. refuse dealings with

Question 32

Each question of this type presents a series (list) of numbers and/or letters. Find the rule that has been used to produce this series; then use this rule to select the item (either a number or letter) which would follow at the end.

  • 30,
  • 26,
  • 28,
  • 23,
  • 26,
  • 20
  1. 22
  2. 15
  3. 24
  4. 25
  5. 16

Question 33

Each question of this type presents a series (list) of numbers and/or letters. Find the rule that has been used to produce this series; then use this rule to select the item (either a number or letter) which would follow at the end.

  • 3B,
  • 6Y,
  • 9E,
  • 12V,
  • 15H,
  • 18
  1. P
  2. R
  3. T
  4. Q
  5. S

Question 34

A merchant bought chairs for a price of $180 a dozen. When she sold them she received as much for 3 chairs as she had paid for 4 chairs. What was the selling price per dozen?

  1. $120
  2. $200
  3. $240
  4. $270
  5. $360

Question 35

In a class of 40 students, 80% are business majors. Of the 24 students who passed the mid-term examination, 75% are business majors. What percentage of students in the class who are not business majors passed the examination?

  1. 60%
  2. 65%
  3. 70%
  4. 75%
  5. 80%

Question 36

If 9 employees require 15 days to complete a task, how long would it take to do the same work if there were 3 additional employees?

Assume that all employees are equally efficient.

  1. 10
  2. 11.25
  3. 12
  4. 16
  5. 20

Question 37

In this type of question, you identify the relationship that exists between the first pair of figures, and then you use this information to choose the figure among the five answer choices that has the same relationship to the third figure in the question.

Question 37 – Figure Analogy
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 38

In this type of question, you identify the relationship that exists between the first pair of figures, and then you use this information to choose the figure among the five answer choices that has the same relationship to the third figure in the question.

Question 38 – Figure Analogy
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 39

In this type of question, you identify the relationship that exists between the first pair of figures, and then you use this information to choose the figure among the five answer choices that has the same relationship to the third figure in the question.

Question 39 – Figure Analogy
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Question 40

Each question of this type presents a series (list) of numbers and/or letters. Find the rule that has been used to produce this series; then use this rule to select the item (either a number or letter) which would follow at the end.

  • 10,
  • 14,
  • 11,
  • 18,
  • 18,
  • 22
  1. 28
  2. 14
  3. 25
  4. 19
  5. 44

Question 41

Each question of this type presents a series (list) of numbers and/or letters. Find the rule that has been used to produce this series; then use this rule to select the item (either a number or letter) which would follow at the end.

  • 1,
  • 3,
  • 9,
  • 2,
  • 8,
  • 32,
  • 3
  1. 15
  2. 9
  3. 10
  4. 12
  5. 7

Question 42

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word AMEND.

  1. shorten
  2. praise
  3. revise
  4. suggest
  5. confirm

Question 43

From among the five answer choices given, select the word or phrase which best defines the word FRUGAL.

  1. resourceful
  2. deliberate
  3. barren
  4. resentful
  5. economical

Question 44

A father and his son can do a job in 20 days. The father can do four times as much work as his son in a given amount of time. In how many days can the father do the job alone?

  1. 16
  2. 22
  3. 24
  4. 25
  5. 27.25

Question 45

Thirty prizes were distributed among 5% of the individuals who entered a department's "good ideas" contest. If there was one prize per person, how many people entered the contest?

  1. 15
  2. 60
  3. 150
  4. 300
  5. 600

To determine your test score, please consult the answer key.

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