Clerical Exams Name & Number Checking 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Compare these two entries and identify the difference: Original: Gerald T. Hutchinson | Copy: Gerald T. Hutchenson
- No difference
- Middle initial is different
- The last name is different — Hutchinson vs Hutchenson (Correct answer)
- The first name is different
Correct answer: The last name is different — Hutchinson vs Hutchenson
Original has 'Hutchinson'; copy has 'Hutchenson' — the 'i' has been changed to 'e'.
Hutchin-son vs Hutchens-on: the 'i' in 'Hutchinson' is changed to 'e' in 'Hutchenson'. This is a subtle substitution error in the last name. Name-checking questions require careful character-by-character comparison, especially for longer names.
Question 2: Which pair of numbers is IDENTICAL?
- 4,827,310 and 4,872,310
- 6,140,295 and 6,140,295 (Correct answer)
- 9,003,714 and 9,003,741
- 5,516,280 and 5,516,208
Correct answer: 6,140,295 and 6,140,295
6,140,295 and 6,140,295 are identical. All other pairs have differences.
A: 4,827,310 vs 4,872,310 — digits 4 and 5 are swapped (transposition). C: 9,003,714 vs 9,003,741 — last two digits transposed. D: 5,516,280 vs 5,516,208 — digits differ in position 7. B: 6,140,295 vs 6,140,295 — identical.
Question 3: Compare: Original: P.O. Box 2847-A | Copy: P.O. Box 2874-A
- Entries are identical
- The letter suffix is different
- The box number has a transposition error (Correct answer)
- The P.O. prefix is different
Correct answer: The box number has a transposition error
Original: 2847; Copy: 2874 — digits 4 and 7 are transposed.
2847 vs 2874: the '4' and '7' are in switched positions — this is a transposition error. Transposition errors in addresses are among the most common data entry errors and are specifically tested in name/number checking sections of clerical exams.
Question 4: Which of the following name pairs are NOT identical?
- Williamson, Patricia A. and Williamson, Patricia A.
- Kozlowski, Frank and Kozlowski, Frank
- Abernethy, Louise M. and Abernethy, Louise N. (Correct answer)
- O'Brien, Daniel and O'Brien, Daniel
Correct answer: Abernethy, Louise M. and Abernethy, Louise N.
Abernethy, Louise M. vs Abernethy, Louise N. — the middle initial differs: 'M' vs 'N'.
Options A, B, and D are identical pairs. In option C, the middle initial changes from 'M' to 'N'. Middle initial discrepancies are subtle errors that are easily missed under time pressure — exactly what clerical accuracy tests are designed to detect.
Question 5: Compare these Social Security Numbers: Original: 523-44-8910 | Copy: 523-44-8910
- Identical (Correct answer)
- Area number differs
- Group number differs
- Serial number differs
Correct answer: Identical
Both SSNs are 523-44-8910 — they are identical.
Area number (523) matches, group number (44) matches, serial number (8910) matches. The two SSNs are identical. On timed clerical exams, simple identical comparisons are included alongside error items to test whether candidates can quickly and accurately confirm matches.
Question 6: Compare these telephone numbers: Original: (714) 836-2905 | Copy: (714) 836-2095
- Identical
- Area code differs
- Exchange differs
- Subscriber number has a transposition (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Subscriber number has a transposition
Original: 2905; Copy: 2095 — digits '9' and '0' are transposed in the subscriber number.
The area code (714) and exchange (836) are identical. The subscriber number differs: 2905 vs 2095 — the 9 and 0 are transposed. Transposition errors in phone numbers cause calls to reach wrong parties and are a key focus of clerical accuracy testing.
Clerical Exams Name & Number Checking 2
Compare these two entries and identify the difference:
Original: Gerald T.
Hutchinson | Copy: Gerald T.
Hutchenson