COMPRO CBT Exam Exam Flashcards

Q: What is the COMPRO CBT Exam in Nigeria?

The Combined Confirmation and Promotion (COMPRO) Examination is a computer-based test for federal civil servants in Nigeria. It assesses knowledge of the Public Service Rules, Government Financial Regulations, civil service procedures, and the Constitution. Passing it is required to confirm an appointment and to become eligible for promotion to higher grade levels. The exam is administered by the Federal Civil Service Commission with CBT logistics often handled in partnership with JAMB.

Q: What happens if a civil servant fails the COMPRO exam three times?

Under a directive issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in 2026, an officer who fails the COMPRO exam after three consecutive attempts must resign or exit the service. Officers who fail to sit the confirmation exam within three years of their initial appointment face the same consequence. This strict enforcement aligns with Public Service Rules provisions and applies across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Q: Is there a published pass rate for the COMPRO CBT exam?

No. The Federal Civil Service Commission does not publicly release pass-rate statistics for the COMPRO exam because it is an internal assessment for serving officers. The commonly cited passing score is 50% of the 100 multiple-choice questions, with a 2-hour time limit, per FCSC examination guidelines. Candidates should focus on mastering the syllabus topics rather than relying on published pass-rate figures.

Q: Is there a fee to take the COMPRO exam and who is eligible?

The COMPRO exam carries no examination fee for eligible federal civil servants nominated by their MDAs. Eligible officers must be serving federal civil servants due for confirmation of appointment or promotion, and they must be officially nominated by their Ministries, Departments, or Agencies. Candidates register online through the official FCSC/OHCSF portal and sit the exam at designated CBT centers.

Q: What topics should I study for the COMPRO CBT exam?

The exam covers four core areas: the Nigerian Public Service Rules (about 40% of the exam) including appointments, leave, promotions, discipline, and retirement; Government Financial Regulations (about 30%) covering payments, stores, accounting officers, and procurement; Civil Service Procedures and Protocols (about 20%) such as correspondence, circulars, and hierarchy; and the 1999 Constitution plus general knowledge of MDAs (about 10%). Studying the latest PSR and Financial Regulations is essential.

Question 1

Temporary appointment (PSR) - maximum renewal period

Accepted Answer

A temporary appointment in the Nigerian Public Service may be renewed for a maximum of 12 months. After that the post should be made permanent or re-advertised, so temporary roles do not become indefinite.

Question 2

Interdiction - salary entitlement

Accepted Answer

An officer interdicted (suspended pending a serious disciplinary investigation) is entitled to not less than half of their salary. This provides sustenance during the probe without treating the officer as guilty before a finding is made.

Question 3

Annual leave entitlement for GL 07 and above

Accepted Answer

Officers on Grade Level 07 and above receive 30 working days of annual (vacation) leave per leave year. GL 04-06 officers receive 21 days, and GL 03 and below receive 14 days.

Question 4

Casual leave - maximum aggregate per leave year

Accepted Answer

Casual leave, granted at a superior's discretion for short absences, must not exceed an aggregate of 7 days in a leave year. It is separate from annual vacation leave and is usually not deductible from it.

Question 5

Paternity leave entitlement

Accepted Answer

A male officer is entitled to 14 working days of paternity leave when his spouse delivers a baby or on adoption of a child under four months. It may be taken not more than once in two years and applies to a maximum of four children.

Question 6

Mandatory retirement age and service years

Accepted Answer

Civil servants retire compulsorily at age 60 or after 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first. Some specialised cadres (e.g. judges, professors) have different limits, but 60/35 is the general rule.

Question 7

Promotion maturity period (GL 08 to GL 14)

Accepted Answer

An officer must normally serve a minimum of three years on a grade level before being eligible for promotion to the next level (between GL 08 and GL 14). Movement between GL 14 and GL 17 requires four years. Satisfactory performance and a vacancy must also exist.

Question 8

Seniority Principle in promotion

Accepted Answer

When two officers are on the same grade level, the one with the earlier date of appointment to that grade is senior. A newly promoted officer takes seniority based on their date of appointment to the new grade, keeping the hierarchy orderly.

Question 9

Dismissal vs termination of appointment

Accepted Answer

Dismissal is the most severe disciplinary penalty, imposed for grave misconduct, and it ordinarily forfeits retirement and other service benefits and bars re-employment. Termination is a lesser separation that does not, by itself, forfeit benefits already accrued.

Question 10

Absence without leave for 7 continuous days

Accepted Answer

Absence from duty without leave or reasonable excuse for seven continuous days is treated as abandonment of duty and is serious misconduct. After due process it typically leads to a recommendation for dismissal from the service.

Question 11

Irregular attendance - first-line disciplinary measure

Accepted Answer

Irregular attendance to duty is misconduct, but as a first resort it usually warrants an official reprimand or warning rather than dismissal. More severe penalties such as demotion or termination are reserved for repeated offences or grave misconduct.

Question 12

Insubordination - grounds for a query

Accepted Answer

A query for insubordination is issued when an officer refuses to carry out a lawful and properly given official instruction from a superior. Questioning policy respectfully through proper channels or missing a deadline due to workload is not, by itself, insubordination.

Question 13

Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER)

Accepted Answer

The APER objectively assesses an officer's performance over a period. It is primarily used to inform promotion decisions and to identify training needs; it is not used to determine annual leave entitlements or salary scales.

Question 14

Study leave with pay - bonding requirement

Accepted Answer

An officer granted study leave with pay must sign a bond to serve the government for two years for every year of study (or part thereof). Breaching the bond usually requires refunding the expenses the government incurred.

Question 15

Acting appointment - initial maximum period

Accepted Answer

An acting appointment should not normally exceed six months in the first instance. Beyond that, formal steps toward a substantive appointment must begin, or the acting arrangement must be formally renewed, so temporary status does not drag on indefinitely.

Question 16

Code of Conduct - receiving gifts that may influence duty

Accepted Answer

Under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, a public officer must not accept gifts or benefits that could influence official duties. Any such gift must be rejected, or declared and forfeited to the state; the officer cannot keep it.

Question 17

Conflict of Interest

Accepted Answer

Conflict of interest is the principle that bars an officer from accepting gifts or benefits that could compromise impartial official duties. It ensures decisions are made for the public good rather than personal gain, and it is specifically addressed in the Public Service Rules.

Question 18

Three-failure rule for COMPRO

Accepted Answer

Under the 2026 Head of Service directive, an officer who fails the COMPRO exam after three consecutive attempts must resign or exit the service. An officer who fails to sit the confirmation exam within three years of appointment faces the same consequence.

Question 19

Accounting Officer - who and primary duty

Accepted Answer

The Accounting Officer of an MDA is usually the Permanent Secretary or Chief Executive Officer. Their primary duty is overall control and proper disbursement of public funds appropriated to the MDA, ensuring financial propriety and compliance with regulations.

Question 20

Payment Voucher (FR 601)

Accepted Answer

Before any payment is made for goods or services, a payment voucher must be prepared and certified as correct and properly authorised. It is the direct authorisation for the payment; a memo or audit report cannot substitute for it.

Question 21

Pre-conditions for any payment from public funds

Accepted Answer

No payment may be made from public funds unless there is an existing budget provision for the expenditure and it is authorised by a competent officer. Availability of funds plus proper authorisation are both required before disbursement.

Question 22

Imprest account - purpose

Accepted Answer

An imprest account is a fixed cash sum held by an MDA or designated officer to meet petty, urgent, or unforeseen expenditures. It is replenished after expenses are properly accounted for, and it is not used for salaries, large capital projects, or depositing revenue.

Question 23

Store Keeper - responsibility

Accepted Answer

The Store Keeper (Store Officer) is responsible for the proper custody, maintenance, and accounting of all government stores and inventories within an MDA. Internal auditors verify controls over stores but do not manage them directly.

Question 24

Store Ledger Card

Accepted Answer

A Store Ledger Card tracks the quantity (and often value) of each item received, issued, and the balance remaining in the store. It is the real-time inventory record used for accountability and stock management, not for authorising purchases.

Question 25

Requisition and Issue Voucher (RIV)

Accepted Answer

The RIV is the official document that sanctions the supply and issue of stores from a government store. It details the items required and authorises their release; a Local Purchase Order, by contrast, is used to order goods from an external vendor.

Question 26

Internal Audit Unit - role

Accepted Answer

The Internal Audit Unit provides an independent appraisal of an MDA's financial and operational activities, evaluating internal controls and compliance. It does not approve payments, prepare budgets, or run procurement; those are separate functions.

Question 27

Public Procurement Act 2007 - default procurement method

Accepted Answer

Open competitive bidding is the default and preferred method for procuring goods and works under the Public Procurement Act. Restricted tendering, request for quotations, and single-source procurement are exceptions allowed only in narrowly justified circumstances.

Question 28

Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)

Accepted Answer

The BPP is the regulatory body established by the Public Procurement Act 2007 to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money in public procurement and contract awards. It sets guidelines and monitors compliance; it is distinct from the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General's office.

Question 29

Mobilization fee (advance to contractors)

Accepted Answer

Under the Public Procurement Act, a mobilization fee advance to a contractor should not exceed 15% of the contract sum. It is released against an advance payment guarantee from a reputable bank or insurance company, protecting public funds.

Question 30

Appropriation Act - what it authorises

Accepted Answer

The Appropriation Act is the legislative instrument that authorises MDAs to incur recurrent and capital expenditure for a financial year. It is the legal basis for spending public funds; the Procurement Act and Finance Act govern process and revenue, not the authority to spend.

Question 31

Federal Government financial year

Accepted Answer

The financial (fiscal) year of the Federal Government of Nigeria runs from 1st January to 31st December, aligned with the calendar year. Budgets, Appropriation Acts, and accounts are prepared on this basis.

Question 32

Treasury Single Account (TSA)

Accepted Answer

All public revenue collected by MDAs must be paid into the Treasury Single Account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria. The TSA consolidates government revenue and enhances transparency; it is distinct from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and Contingency Fund.

Question 33

Delegation of financial powers by an Accounting Officer

Accepted Answer

An Accounting Officer may delegate financial powers only with the express written approval of the Minister or Head of Extra-Ministerial Department (Financial Regulation 108). Delegation is not at the Accounting Officer's sole discretion, and there is no general grade-level threshold or bond requirement for it.

Question 34

Opening a bank account for an MDA

Accepted Answer

A government MDA may open a bank account only with the express authorisation of the Accountant-General of the Federation. This centralised control safeguards public funds and supports oversight; a CBN directive or National Assembly resolution is not the authorising instrument.

Question 35

Circular - primary purpose

Accepted Answer

A circular conveys policy directives, instructions, or clarifications on rules to all relevant MDAs or specified groups of public servants. It ensures uniform interpretation and implementation of government policies, and it is not used for individual promotions or contract bids.

Question 36

Service-Wide Circular

Accepted Answer

A Service-Wide Circular is the principal document for announcing new policies, amending rules, or conveying directives from central authorities (such as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation) to all MDAs. It is numbered, dated, and signed by a senior official.

Question 37

Official memorandum (memo) - key structural feature

Accepted Answer

An official memo uses 'To', 'From', 'Subject', a reference number, and a date, but it does not carry formal salutations like 'Dear Sir/Madam' or complimentary closings. It is direct and is used for internal communication on specific issues.

Question 38

Minute Sheet - purpose

Accepted Answer

A Minute Sheet records internal official communications, directives, and decisions on a specific file or subject within or between departments. It documents the administrative trail on a matter; it is not for inviting external stakeholders or publishing public notices.

Question 39

Endorsement in official correspondence

Accepted Answer

An endorsement is used to distribute copies of a letter or memorandum to other relevant officers, departments, or agencies. It ensures all necessary parties are informed; it is not the same as final approval or a mere acknowledgement of receipt.

Question 40

Upward communication hierarchy in a Ministry

Accepted Answer

An officer communicates upward through their immediate superior, typically a Director, who then relays to the Permanent Secretary when needed. Bypassing the chain to go directly to the Permanent Secretary breaks proper channel and accountability.

Question 41

Pyramidal structure of the Civil Service

Accepted Answer

The Nigerian Civil Service operates a pyramidal hierarchy with clear lines of authority flowing from the top (Permanent Secretary) down to the lowest cadres. It is neither flat and decentralised nor a matrix; the structure is designed for order and control.

Question 42

Permanent Secretary vs Minister

Accepted Answer

The Minister is the political head of a Ministry, appointed by the President, giving policy direction. The Permanent Secretary is the career civil servant and highest administrative head, responsible for day-to-day administration and the ministry's human and material resources.

Question 43

Mail Registry Officer - responsibility

Accepted Answer

The Mail Registry Officer (Registry Unit) is responsible for recording, sorting, and dispatching all incoming and outgoing mail in a department. This ensures accountability and tracking; the Permanent Secretary and Head of Administration oversee but do not perform this daily function.

Question 44

Handling a 'Confidential' document

Accepted Answer

A confidential document must be opened only by the addressee or an officer specifically authorised to do so. The Mail Registry must pass it unopened; photocopying it for wider distribution or displaying it on a notice board is a serious breach of confidentiality.

Question 45

Paragraph numbering in official correspondence

Accepted Answer

Official Nigerian Civil Service correspondence uses consecutive Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...) for main paragraphs, with letters (a, b, c...) or (i), (ii) for sub-paragraphs. This systematic referencing aids clarity; bullet points or unnumbered text are not standard for structured official documents.

Question 46

Executive powers of the Federation (Section 5)

Accepted Answer

Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution vests the executive powers of the Federation in the President, who may exercise them directly or through the Vice-President, Ministers, or officers in the public service of the Federation. The National Assembly exercises legislative powers, not executive ones.

Question 47

Legislative powers - which body

Accepted Answer

Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution vests the legislative powers of the Federation in the National Assembly, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It makes laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Federation.

Question 48

Composition of the Senate

Accepted Answer

The Senate has 109 members: three senators from each of the 36 states plus one from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (Section 48). 360 is the House of Representatives, and 774 is the number of Local Government Areas, not senators.

Question 49

Federal Character Principle

Accepted Answer

Enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Character Principle requires that appointments to federal public service and the composition of government bodies reflect the diversity of Nigeria's states and ethnic groups. Its aim is national unity by preventing dominance by a few states or groups.

Question 50

Declaration of a state of emergency (Section 305)

Accepted Answer

Only the President may declare a state of emergency in the Federation or any part of it, but the declaration is subject to approval by the National Assembly within a specified period. The Chief Justice, Inspector-General of Police, and National Council of State lack this power.

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Federal Civil Service Confirmation/Promotion (COMPRO) CBT Exam (Nigeria)