100+ Free SL PSC Civil Service Entrance Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SL PSC Civil Service Entrance Exam

100

Multiple-Choice Questions

PSC Guidelines

2 hours

Time Limit

PSC Guidelines

5 topics

Syllabus Areas

PSC Syllabus

Merit

Selection Method

PSC Recruitment Policy

The Sierra Leone PSC Civil Service Entrance Exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour limit. It is the primary gateway for graduate recruitment into government departments and ministries. The exam is divided into 5 modules: English, math, general knowledge, reasoning, and public sector rules. Selection is highly competitive and based on merit.

Sample SL PSC Civil Service Entrance Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SL PSC Civil Service Entrance exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Choose the word that is MOST nearly a synonym for 'diligent' in the context of administrative duty.

A.Impulsive

B.Lethargic

C.Indifferent

D.Industrious

Explanation: In an administrative or public service context, a 'diligent' officer is one who shows steady, earnest, and energetic effort in their duties. 'Industrious' is the closest synonym, reflecting hard work and devotion to duty. 'Lethargic' means sluggish, 'indifferent' means unconcerned, and 'impulsive' means acting without forethought, all of which are opposite or unrelated to diligence.

2Identify the grammatically correct sentence regarding subject-verb agreement in administrative writing.

A.Neither the minister nor his directors is attending the summit.

B.Neither the minister nor his directors was attending the summit.

C.Neither the minister nor his directors has attended the summit.

D.Neither the minister nor his directors are attending the summit.

Explanation: When two subjects are joined by 'neither... nor', the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. In this sentence, the plural noun 'directors' is closer to the verb, so the plural verb 'are' is correct. The singular verbs 'is', 'has', and 'was' are incorrect because they do not agree with the plural noun 'directors'.

3Select the word that is the MOST appropriate antonym of 'transparent' as used in public sector governance.

A.Accountable

B.Clear

C.Stewardship

D.Opaque

Explanation: In governance, 'transparent' refers to processes that are open, clear, and visible to the public. The opposite of transparent is 'opaque', which means hidden, unclear, or impenetrable to public scrutiny. 'Accountable' and 'stewardship' are positive governance concepts, and 'clear' is a synonym for transparent.

4Fill in the blank with the correct preposition: 'The ad-hoc committee was charged ______ investigating the procurement discrepancies.'

A.at

B.by

C.for

D.with

Explanation: The idiomatic phrase is 'charged with', meaning given the responsibility or task of doing something. Therefore, 'with' is the correct preposition. Prepositions like 'at', 'by', and 'for' do not form the correct idiomatic expression when combined with 'charged' in this context.

5What is the meaning of the idiom 'to read between the lines' in communication?

A.To criticize the writer's style

B.To read a text very quickly

C.To skip paragraphs while reading

D.To understand the hidden or implied meaning

Explanation: The idiom 'to read between the lines' means to perceive or understand a hidden, unexpressed, or implied meaning behind what is explicitly written or spoken. It does not refer to speed of reading, skipping text, or criticizing literary style.

6Identify the word that is correctly spelled.

A.Liaisonn

B.Liasion

C.Liason

D.Liaison

Explanation: The correct spelling is 'Liaison', which refers to communication or cooperation that facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations. Spelling variants like 'Liasion', 'Liason', or 'Liaisonn' are common misspelling errors.

7Change the following sentence from active to passive voice: 'The President appointed the new commissioners yesterday.'

A.The President was appointing the new commissioners yesterday.

B.Yesterday, the President had appointed the new commissioners.

C.The new commissioners were appointed by the President yesterday.

D.The new commissioners appointed the President yesterday.

Explanation: To convert 'The President appointed the new commissioners yesterday' into the passive voice, the object 'the new commissioners' becomes the subject, followed by the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' in the past tense ('were') and the past participle ('appointed'), ending with the agent ('by the President'). This makes 'The new commissioners were appointed by the President yesterday' the correct sentence.

8Choose the correct indirect speech form of: The director said to the clerk, 'Submit the report now.'

A.The director said to the clerk to submit the report now.

B.The director requested the clerk that he submit the report then.

C.The director told the clerk that he should submit the report now.

D.The director ordered the clerk to submit the report then.

Explanation: When converting an imperative sentence with a command from direct to indirect speech, reporting verbs like 'ordered' or 'commanded' are used. Additionally, words indicating time or place are changed: 'now' becomes 'then', and the imperative verb 'submit' becomes an infinitive clause 'to submit'. Thus, the correct form is 'The director ordered the clerk to submit the report then.'

9Which word describes the quality of having strong moral principles, honesty, and decency, particularly in a public servant?

A.Partiality

B.Prejudice

C.Peculation

D.Probity

Explanation: In public administration, 'probity' means the quality of having strong moral principles, honesty, and integrity. It is considered an essential value for civil servants. 'Prejudice' means bias, 'peculation' means embezzlement of public funds, and 'partiality' means favoring one side over another, which are all negative traits.

10Identify the segment of the sentence that contains a grammatical error: 'Although the staff worked late (A) / to meet the deadline (B) / but they could not finish the audit (C) / on time (D).'

A.A

B.D

C.B

D.C

Explanation: The sentence contains a redundancy error. 'Although' is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a concession clause. It should not be paired with a coordinating conjunction like 'but' in the main clause. The correct sentence should read: 'Although the staff worked late to meet the deadline, they could not finish the audit on time.' The word 'but' in segment C must be removed.

About the SL PSC Civil Service Entrance Exam

The Sierra Leone Civil Service Entrance Examination is administered by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to recruit competent and qualified professionals into the civil service. The examination is designed to assess general academic aptitude, cognitive capabilities, and domain knowledge relevant to public service. Key topics tested include English Language and Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, General Knowledge and Current Affairs of Sierra Leone, Logical Reasoning, and Public Administration concepts including Civil Service Rules and regulations.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions (covering English, Math, General Knowledge, Reasoning, and Civil Service Rules)

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Merit-based competitive cutoff (typically 50% minimum score to qualify)

Exam Fee

Varies (Public Service Commission (PSC) of Sierra Leone)

SL PSC Civil Service Entrance Exam Content Outline

20%

English Language and Verbal Ability

Synonyms, antonyms, sentence correction, reading comprehension, idioms, and grammatical structures.

20%

Quantitative Aptitude and Numerical Ability

Basic arithmetic, ratios, percentages, averages, interest, profit and loss, and simple data tables.

20%

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

History and geography of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Constitution, political institutions, public administration history, and global current events.

20%

Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability

Number and letter series, coding-decoding, syllogisms, blood relations, and spatial reasoning.

20%

Public Administration and Civil Service Rules

Government structures in Sierra Leone, the Civil Service Code of Conduct, principles of administration, accountability, and public sector ethics.

How to Pass the SL PSC Civil Service Entrance Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Merit-based competitive cutoff (typically 50% minimum score to qualify)
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions (covering English, Math, General Knowledge, Reasoning, and Civil Service Rules)
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: Varies

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SL PSC Civil Service Entrance Study Tips from Top Performers

1Brush up on basic arithmetic, focusing on percentages, ratios, and simple word problems.

2Stay updated on Sierra Leone's current affairs and key historical dates, especially post-independence history and government reforms.

3Read the Civil Service Code of Conduct of Sierra Leone to understand rules on ethics, neutrality, and discipline.

4Practice reading comprehension and grammar exercises to ensure accuracy in the English section.

5Take timed mock exams to manage your pace, aiming to spend about one minute per question.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sierra Leone Civil Service Entrance Exam?

It is a standardized competitive exam conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Sierra Leone to assess and select candidates for employment in the country's civil service, especially for administrative and executive cadres.

What is the structure of the exam?

The exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions. It covers English Language and Verbal Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, and Public Administration / Civil Service Rules. The time limit is 2 hours.

Is there a negative marking policy?

Generally, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers on the Sierra Leone PSC exam. Candidates are encouraged to answer all questions.

What is the passing score for the exam?

While a minimum score of 50% is often considered the baseline, the exam is highly competitive. Final selection and shortlisting for interviews are based on merit ranking and the number of available vacancies.

How should I prepare for the public administration section?

Study the structure of the Sierra Leone Government (Executive, Legislature, Judiciary), the Civil Service Code of Conduct, the role of the Public Service Commission, and the basic principles of public policy and administrative ethics.