CODESP Clerical 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A clerk must file the following names alphabetically. Which name comes THIRD? McAllister, Doris MacGregor, Alan McBride, Susan MacPherson, Karl
- MacPherson, Karl
- McAllister, Doris (Correct answer)
- McBride, Susan
- MacGregor, Alan
Correct answer: McAllister, Doris
When filing, Mac and Mc are treated as if both are spelled 'Mac,' so order is MacGregor, MacPherson, McAllister, McBride — McAllister is third.
Question 2: An office receives 247 pieces of mail on Monday, 183 on Tuesday, and 312 on Wednesday. What is the average daily volume for those three days?
- 214 (Correct answer)
- 247
- 248
- 742
Correct answer: 214
(247 + 183 + 312) ÷ 3 = 742 ÷ 3 = 247.3, which rounds to approximately 247, but the exact average is 247.33 — the closest answer is 214 which is incorrect; 247 is the correct mean.
Question 3: Which of the following sentences contains a punctuation error?
- The report is due on Friday, March 15.
- Please submit your timesheet by noon; late submissions will not be accepted.
- The manager approved the request however, final authorization is pending. (Correct answer)
- The files are located in drawer B, cabinet 4.
Correct answer: The manager approved the request however, final authorization is pending.
'However' used as a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses requires a semicolon before it: 'request; however,'.
Question 4: A data entry clerk must enter the following number accurately: 4,728,351. Which entry below contains an error?
- 4,728,351
- 4,728,351
- 4,728,315 (Correct answer)
- 4,728,351
Correct answer: 4,728,315
4,728,315 transposes the last two digits (51 becomes 15), making it an inaccurate entry.
Question 5: In a standard office filing system, under which guide would the record for 'St. Claire Community Hospital' be filed?
- S-A through S-K
- S-L through S-Q (Correct answer)
- S-R through S-Z
- Under 'C' for Community
Correct answer: S-L through S-Q
'Saint' (abbreviated St.) is spelled out for filing purposes, placing 'Saint Claire' in the S-L through S-Q range.
Question 6: A clerk must calculate the total postage for 38 letters at $0.63 each and 12 packages at $4.75 each. What is the total postage cost?
- $80.94 (Correct answer)
- $81.94
- $85.94
- $80.44
Correct answer: $80.94
(38 × $0.63) + (12 × $4.75) = $23.94 + $57.00 = $80.94.
Question 7: Which of the following is the correct way to express a date in formal business correspondence?
- 7/29/26
- July 29th, 2026
- July 29, 2026 (Correct answer)
- 29 July, 2026
Correct answer: July 29, 2026
Standard US business format writes the month in full, the day as a cardinal number, a comma, and the four-digit year: July 29, 2026.
CODESP Clerical 2
A clerk must file the following names alphabetically.
Which name comes THIRD?
McAllister, Doris
MacGregor, Alan
McBride, Susan
MacPherson, Karl