Office Skills Test (OST-200) Sample Test

Sample Questions

The following questions are similar to those on the Office Skills Test (OST-200). There are five sub-tests and example questions are provided for each sub-test. Note that you will not be permitted to use a calculator during the test.

Sub-test I – Filing

Sub-Test 1 is designed to measure speed and accuracy in filing items in alphabetical, numerical, or chronological order. Each question consists of a set of five names, five numbers or five dates numbered successively from (1) to (5).

Arrange the names in alphabetical order, the numbers in ascending order from lowest to highest, and the dates in chronological order from earliest to most recent. Select the correct order from among the five alternatives listed below each set of items.

You can work out your answers on a piece of paper if you want. When writing the actual test, you will have 4 minutes to answer as many questions as you can. Work as quickly and as accurately as possible. If you complete this sub-test before the time limit, review your answers. You are not permitted to look at any other sub-test.

Example 1

1. Layman, Kenneth
2. Lavoie, Rachelle
3. Laviolette, Pierre
4. Lawson, Virgina
5. Lavigne, Margaret

Answer Choices

1. 2, 5, 1, 3, 4
2. 5, 3, 2, 4, 1
3. 2, 3, 5, 4, 1
4. 5, 2, 4, 3, 1
5. 2, 3, 5, 1, 4

In this example,

• 5. Lavigne, Margaret would be filed first;
• 3. Laviolette Pierre would be filed second;
• 2. Lavoie, Rachelle would be filed third;
• 4. Lawson, Virginia would be filed fourth;
• 1. Layman, Kenneth would be filed fifth.

Therefore, the correct order is 5, 3, 2, 4, 1. The correct answer is the second option.

Example 2

1. 24981
2. 24736
3. 26483
4. 24965
5. 26473

Answer Choices

1. 4, 2, 3, 5, 1
2. 2, 4, 5, 1, 3
3. 4, 5, 2, 3, 1
4. 2, 4, 1, 5, 3
5. 2, 5, 3, 4, 1

In this example,

• 2. 24736 would be filed first;
• 4. 24965 would be filed second;
• 1. 24981 would be filed third;
• 5. 26473 would be filed fourth;
• 3. 26483 would be filed fifth.

Therefore, the correct order is 2, 4, 1, 5, 3. The correct answer is the fourth option.

Example 3

1. June 5, 1999
2. December 20, 1998
3. October 15,1997
4. January 12, 1998
5. September 4, 1999

Answer Choices

1. 3, 4, 2, 5, 1
2. 4, 1, 5, 3, 2
3. 3, 4, 2, 1, 5
4. 4, 3, 2, 1, 5
5. 3, 2, 4, 1, 5

In this example,

• 3. October 15, 1997 would be filed first;
• 4. January 12, 1998 would be filed second;
• 2. December 20, 1998 would be filed third;
• 1. June 5, 1999 would be filed fourth;
• 5. September 4, 1999 would be filed fifth.

Therefore, the correct order is 3, 4, 2, 1, 5. The correct answer is the third option.

Sub-test II – Arithmetic

Sub-test 2 is designed to measure speed and accuracy in solving arithmetic problems of addition, substraction, multiplication and division. Note that calculators are not permitted for this sub-test. However, you may use paper to do your calculations. Marking the test booklet is forbidden.

When writing the actual test, you will have 13 minutes to answer as many questions as you can. Work as quickly and as accurately as possible. If you complete this sub-test before the time limit, review your answers. You are not permitted to look at any other sub-test.

Solve the problem below and select the correct answer.

Example 4

8 + 12 + 17 + 5 =

Answer Choices

1. 30
2. 32
3. 40
4. 42
5. 46

In this example, the correct answer is 42. The fourth option.

Sub-test III – Checking

Sub-test 3 is designed to measure your ability to rapidly check the accuracy of information on one list of persons against information on a correct list.

When writing the actual test, you will have 3 minutes to answer as many questions as you can. Work as quickly and as accurately as possible. If you complete this sub-test before the time limit, review your answers. You are not permitted to look at any other sub-test.

The information on the list to be checked is presented in four columns. Each column may or may not contain errors for any individual. For each question, compare the information in the columns with the error-free list, the original list, and count the number of columns that are incorrect. Select your answer from the following alternatives:

1. One column is incorrect.
2. Two columns are incorrect.
3. Three columns are incorrect.
4. Four columns are incorrect.
5. No column is incorrect.

Example 5

Original List

George Winters
640-582-253
Clarence Creek, Ont.
$42,102

Example 6

Original List

Louise Hamel
324-722-663
Marieville, Que.
$37,700

List To Be Checked

In Example 5, three columns in the list to be checked are incorrect: the name (George Witners as opposed to George Winters); the personal identification number (640-587-253 as opposed to 640-582-253) and the annual salary ($42,120 as opposed to $42,102). There is no error in the address column. Since three columns are incorrect, the correct answer is the third option.

In Example 6, all of the columns in the list to be checked are correct. Since there are no errors in any of the columns, the correct answer is the fifth option.

Sub-test IV – Vocabulary

Sub-test 4 is designed to measure your understanding of vocabulary.

Each question consists of a sentence or a part of a sentence in which a word or phrase is in bold type. From the five alternatives provided, select the one that has the closest meaning to the word or phrase in bold type.

When writing the actual test, you will have 5 minutes to answer as many questions as you can. If you complete this sub-test before the time limit, review your answers. You are not permitted to look at any other sub-test.

Select the word or phrase that best defines the word in bold type.

Example 7

To attend a meeting.

Answer Choices

1. prepare
2. schedule
3. be present at
4. call for
5. organize

In this example, the alternative with the closest meaning to the word “attend” in the expression “to attend a meeting” is “be present at.” The correct answer is the third option.

Sub-test V – Following Directions

Sub-test 5 is designed to measure the ability to understand and follow written directions.

Each question is related to a 12-month calendar and a calendar information list. For each question, select the correct answer from among the five alternatives provided, considering the information given in the Calendar and the Calendar Information List.

When writing the actual test, you will have 22 minutes to answer as many questions as you can. Work as quickly and as accurately as possible. If you complete this sub-test before the time limit, review your answers. You are not permitted to look at any other sub-test.

Determine the correct answer by using the calendar and information listed below.

Information List

• Holidays are boxed and shaded.
• Saturdays and Sundays are weekend days.
• All days except holidays and weekends are working days.

Example 8

What is the sixth working day before the third weekend?

Answer Choices

1. 7^th
2. 8^th
3. 9^th
4. 10^th
5. 11^th

The correct choice is the "8^th", answer choice 2.

Example 9

What is the last non-working day of the month?

Answer Choices

1. 25^th
2. 26^th
3. 27^th
4. 28^th
5. 29^th

The correct choice is the "25^th", answer choice 1.

Answers to sample questions

1. (2)
2. (4)
3. (3)
4. (4)
5. (3)
6. (5)
7. (3)
8. (2)
9. (1)