NYS Professional Career Opportunities (PCO/PCT) Test

Under New York Civil Service Law §50 et seq., what is the primary purpose of competitive examinations?

• AFilling positions based on political affiliation
• BFilling positions based on merit and fitness
• CFilling positions by seniority alone
• DFilling positions by interview only

The NYS classified service is divided into which four jurisdictional classes?

• AFederal, state, county, local
• BCompetitive, non-competitive, exempt, labor
• CPermanent, temporary, provisional, seasonal
• DExecutive, legislative, judicial, advisory

Which of the following best distinguishes the classified service from the unclassified service in NYS?

• AClassified service positions are unionized; unclassified are not
• BClassified service positions are generally covered by competitive exam requirements; uncl…
• CClassified service is for state agencies; unclassified is for local government
• DClassified service is full-time; unclassified is part-time

A position is in the non-competitive class when:

• AThe duties require a competitive written exam
• BIt is impracticable to determine merit by competitive exam but qualifications can still b…
• CNo qualifications are required
• DIt is filled by political appointment only

After a competitive exam, candidates are placed on an eligible list ranked by:

• ADate of application
• BFinal passing score plus any preference points
• CVeteran status alone
• DRandom lottery

Under the NYS "rule of three," an appointing authority must select from:

• AThe top one candidate only
• BThe top three willing candidates on the eligible list
• CAny candidate on the list
• DOnly veteran candidates

An eligible list in NYS may remain in force for:

• AA maximum of 30 days
• BNo less than one year and no more than four years
• CIndefinitely
• DUntil the next governor takes office

The NYS probationary period for a permanent competitive appointment is typically:

• A30 days
• B52 weeks unless a different period is set by Civil Service rule
• C10 years
• DNo probationary period applies

Section 75 of NYS Civil Service Law protects covered permanent employees from:

• AReassignment within the same title
• BRemoval or other disciplinary action without due process
• CPerformance evaluations
• DLateral transfers

A provisional appointment in NYS may be made when:

• AThe candidate is the agency head's friend
• BNo appropriate eligible list exists for a competitive-class position
• CThe candidate is on military leave
• DThe position is in the exempt class

Veterans' credits under NYS Civil Service Law are added to:

• AThe pass/fail status of the exam
• BA passing competitive exam score, not to qualify a failing score
• CAny score, including failing ones
• DOnly oral exam scores

Which agency administers most NYS civil service exams and maintains statewide eligible lists?

• ANYS Department of Labor
• BNYS Department of Civil Service
• CNYS Office of General Services
• DNYS Department of State

The PCO/PCT Training & Experience questionnaire evaluates candidates across how many competencies?

• AThree
• BFour
• CFive
• DSeven

The PCO/PCT exam is best described as:

• AA timed, in-person written test
• BA self-paced online Training & Experience (T&E) questionnaire
• CAn oral interview before a panel
• DA physical fitness evaluation

In a T&E questionnaire, candidates should:

• AExaggerate experience to maximize score
• BAnswer truthfully and document each claimed experience
• CSkip items they are unsure about
• DHave a friend complete the form

A candidate falsifies experience on a PCO questionnaire and is hired. What is the most likely consequence when the falsification is discovered?

• AA warning letter only
• BDisqualification, removal from the eligible list, or termination of employment
• CMandatory retraining
• DLoss of one week's pay

In NYS civil service, "canvassing" refers to:

• AA door-to-door political campaign
• BThe process of contacting eligible candidates to offer interviews or jobs
• CAn audit of agency budgets
• DA psychological screening

NYS Civil Service Law §52 governs:

• AOpen-competitive exams
• BPromotion exams
• CProvisional pay
• DRetirement benefits

A "reachable" candidate on an NYS eligible list is one who:

• ALives within commuting distance
• BFalls within the top three willing candidates an agency must consider
• CHas a working phone number
• DHas answered the canvass letter

A candidate appeals a disqualification on a NYS civil service exam. The appeal is heard by:

• AThe Governor's Office
• BThe NYS Civil Service Commission (or the local commission for local exams)
• CThe Senate Finance Committee
• DThe Attorney General

A NYS permanent competitive employee whose position is abolished is typically placed on a:

• ARetirement track
• BPreferred list for reemployment in the same or similar title
• CDisciplinary list
• DReserve list with no recall rights

The constitutional foundation for the NYS merit system is found in:

• AArticle I §1 of the U.S. Constitution
• BArticle V §6 of the NYS Constitution
• CFederal Civil Rights Act of 1964
• DHatch Act of 1939

The three branches of New York State government are:

• AFederal, state, local
• BExecutive, legislative, judicial
• CSenate, Assembly, Governor
• DDCS, OGS, DOB

The NYS Legislature is bicameral, consisting of:

• AThe Senate and the Assembly
• BThe Senate and the House of Representatives
• CThe Council and the Senate
• DTwo assemblies of equal size

The NYS fiscal year runs:

• AJanuary 1 to December 31
• BJuly 1 to June 30
• CApril 1 to March 31
• DOctober 1 to September 30