Public Administration and Civic Knowledge
What this domain tests
Public administration and civic knowledge tests the principles that govern public bodies: legality, due process, accountability, impartiality, public finance, and the rights and duties of citizens. Expect definitions, application to short scenarios, and questions about which body or document controls a decision.
Core rules and concepts
- Rule of law: a public body needs legal authority for its actions. Discretion must be exercised in good faith, for a proper purpose, on relevant evidence, and reasonably.
- Due process: notice, an opportunity to be heard, an impartial decision-maker, and reasons for decisions.
- Separation of powers: the legislature makes law, the executive implements it, and the judiciary interprets it. Do not let one branch perform another's core function.
- Accountability: audit offices, ombudsmen, freedom-of-information regimes, and legislative committees scrutinise administration.
- Public finance: budgets are authorised before spending, and spending is audited afterwards. Keep authorisation and payment separate.
- Merit and neutrality: recruitment and promotion on merit; public servants serve the government of the day impartially.
- Subsidiarity: decisions are taken at the lowest level competent to take them.
Worked example
A municipal officer is asked by a councillor to fast-track a permit for a campaign donor. The correct response is to refuse, apply the published criteria equally, record the request, and inform the supervisor if pressure continues. The councillor may set policy but may not direct staff on an individual case, and preferential treatment breaches impartiality and likely the law.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing efficiency with legality.
- Believing an elected official can instruct staff on a specific applicant.
- Missing a conflict of interest.
- Treating consultation as a substitute for a legally required hearing.
- Assuming silence equals approval.