Civil Service General Exam flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Necessary vs. sufficient condition

A necessary condition must hold for the outcome to occur; a sufficient condition guarantees it. Necessary does not imply sufficient: oxygen is necessary for fire but not sufficient alone.

Negation test for assumptions

Negate the candidate assumption and re-read the argument. If the conclusion no longer follows, the assumption is required; if the argument still stands, it is not.

Contrapositive rule

From "If P then Q" you may validly infer "If not Q then not P". The converse "If Q then P" is invalid and is a common distractor in logic items.

Percentage change formula

Percentage change equals (new value minus old value) divided by old value, multiplied by 100. The base is always the original value, so direction of change matters.

Combined work rate

When two workers complete a job in a and b days separately, their combined time is ab divided by (a plus b). Rates add; times do not add directly.

Compound interest formula

Compound interest equals principal times (1 plus rate) raised to the number of periods, minus principal. It exceeds simple interest whenever the period exceeds one.

Harmonic mean for average speed

For equal distances travelled at speeds x and y, average speed is 2xy divided by (x plus y). Using the arithmetic mean overstates the result.

CAGR formula

Compound annual growth rate equals (end value divided by start value) raised to the power of one over the number of years, minus one. It smooths multi-year growth.

Percentage point vs. percent

A change from 20 percent to 25 percent is five percentage points but a 25 percent relative increase. Mixing the two misstates the magnitude of change.

Correlation versus causation

Two variables moving together does not establish that one causes the other; a third factor or coincidence may explain the pattern. Analysis should state this limitation.

Pie chart sector angle

Each sector's central angle equals its share of the total multiplied by 360 degrees. A 25 percent share corresponds to 90 degrees, a 10 percent share to 36 degrees.

Syllogism validity check

From "All A are B" and "All B are C", "All A are C" validly follows. Reversing the direction, "All C are A", is invalid and should be rejected.

Counterexample method

A universal claim such as "all X are Y" is refuted by a single instance of X that is not Y. One counterexample suffices; no further evidence is needed.

Series rule order

Test constant difference, then constant ratio, then alternating operations, then squares or cubes, then sums of prior terms before assuming an irregular pattern.

Exclusive versus inclusive or

Inclusive "or" allows both alternatives to be true; exclusive "or" permits only one. Standard logic treats "or" as inclusive unless the question says otherwise.

Natural justice principles

Two core rules govern administrative fairness: hear the other side before deciding (audi alteram partem), and no one may judge a matter in which they have an interest.

Ultra vires doctrine

An administrative act or delegated legislation exceeding the powers granted by statute is void. The parent Act sets the outer limit of lawful authority.

Grounds for judicial review

Courts review administrative action for illegality, irrationality or unreasonableness, and procedural impropriety, with proportionality applied where rights are engaged.

Legitimate expectation

A clear and unambiguous representation by a public body may create an expectation of procedural or substantive fair treatment that can be enforced in review.

Delegatus non potest delegare

A person or body to whom power is delegated cannot sub-delegate it further unless the enabling statute expressly authorizes that further delegation.

Proportionality test

A measure must pursue a legitimate aim, be suitable for it, be the least restrictive means available, and not impose excessive burden relative to the benefit.

Separation of powers

Legislative, executive, and judicial functions are assigned to distinct institutions that check one another, preventing concentration of authority in a single body.

Horizontal accountability

Oversight exercised by institutions against each other, such as audit offices, ombudsmen, courts, and legislatures scrutinizing the executive, rather than through elections.

New Public Management

A reform model applying private-sector techniques to government: performance targets, contracting out, managerial autonomy, and citizen-as-customer orientation in service delivery.

Budget cycle stages

Public budgeting proceeds through formulation by the executive, legislative approval, execution by agencies, and independent audit and evaluation after the financial year ends.

Merit-based recruitment

Civil service appointments made on qualifications and demonstrated competence rather than patronage. It underpins impartiality and public trust in administration.

Escalation decision rule

Refer a matter upward when it exceeds your authority, carries legal or safety risk, or affects public trust. Silent self-resolution is inappropriate in those cases.

Conflict of interest recusal

When a personal, family, or financial interest could influence an official decision, the officer discloses it and withdraws from the decision-making process.

Consistent exercise of discretion

Similar cases should receive similar treatment, and the reasons for a discretionary decision should be recorded so the choice can be reviewed and defended.

Executive summary content

A standalone block stating the problem, principal findings, and recommendations, written so a reader can act without reading the full report body.

Actionable recommendation format

Each recommendation names the responsible officer, the action, the deadline, the resources required, and the indicator by which completion will be measured.

Active versus passive voice

Active voice names the actor and suits clear instructions; passive voice suits cases where the actor is unknown or unimportant, but overuse obscures accountability.

Parallel structure in lists

Items in a list should share grammatical form, such as all verb phrases or all noun phrases, so the reader parses the sequence without effort.