Clerical Ability Reviewer - Part 1

Practice 10 Clerical Ability questions for the Civil Service Exam (CSE), each with the correct answer and an explanation.

10 questions80% passing markFree

Part 1 of our Clerical Ability reviewer has 10 practice questions in the style of the Civil Service Exam. Answer them in order, read the explanation after each one, and check your score against the 80% passing mark at the end. Questions and choices are reshuffled every time you retake the part.

Start Part 1

Sample questions from Part 1

Here are a few questions from this part. Take the full test to answer all 10 and get your score.

Sample question 1

This is a type of document issued by a seller to a buyer relating to a sale transaction and indicating
the products, quantities and prices sold to the buyer.

  • Check voucher
  • Purchase order
  • Delivery receipt
  • Sales invoice
Answer: Sales invoice
A sales invoice is issued by the seller to the buyer and lists the products, quantities and prices sold. A purchase order is issued by the buyer; a delivery receipt only proves delivery; a check voucher supports a payment.

Sample question 2

Which of the following is not a usual document used in a sales company?

  • Form 137
  • Delivery receipt
  • Sales invoice
  • Purchase order
Answer: Form 137
Form 137 is a student's permanent academic record used by schools. Delivery receipts, sales invoices and purchase orders are all common sales documents.

Sample question 3

One of the responsibilities of a clerical job is answering and tending phone calls. Which is the best
way to answer a phone call in a company?

  • Say “Hello,” and wait for the caller to speak.
  • Run and get a pen and notebook then pick up the phone.
  • Answer the phone politely and give your department or company name.
  • Wait for fellow employees to answer the phone.
Answer: Answer the phone politely and give your department or company name.
Answer politely and identify your department or company. This tells the caller they reached the right place and is professional. The other choices are unprofessional or delay the call.

Sample question 4

An example of a hard copy document is:

  • PDF file letter
  • Company email message
  • A business letter saved in USB
  • Business letter in a paper
Answer: Business letter in a paper
A hard copy is a physical, printed document, so a business letter on paper is the example. PDFs, emails and USB files are soft (digital) copies.

Sample question 5

What does a CC means in an email message?

  • Copy sent
  • Copy furnished
  • Copy cat
  • Client copy
Answer: Copy furnished
CC stands for carbon copy, traditionally read in office correspondence as "copy furnished": others receive a copy of the message.

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