Fast Stream Situational Judgement (Public Sector Scenarios)

Question 1

Your line manager asks you to send a briefing note to ministers using data you believe may be outdated. What should you do first?

Accepted Answer

Raise your concern with your manager before sending

Answer

Send the note and flag the issue afterwards

Answer

Send the note as instructed without comment

Answer

Ask a colleague to send it instead

Question 2

A colleague regularly takes extended lunch breaks, which affects team output. Your manager has not noticed. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Speak to your colleague directly and calmly about the impact

Answer

Immediately report it to your manager without speaking to the colleague

Answer

Ignore it as it is not your responsibility

Answer

Complain to other team members

Question 3

You discover that a process your team has followed for years contains a significant inefficiency. You have an idea for improvement. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Document your idea and raise it through the appropriate channels

Answer

Implement the change yourself without telling anyone

Answer

Dismiss the idea as your team has always done it this way

Answer

Wait until your annual review to mention it

Question 4

You are working on a confidential policy document when a journalist contacts you directly asking for details. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Decline to comment and refer them to the press office

Answer

Share the document as transparency is important

Answer

Ask a colleague what to do before responding

Answer

Tell them you will look into it and call them back

Question 5

Your team is under pressure to meet a deadline, and a shortcut would save time but reduce the quality of the output. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Discuss the trade-off with your manager and agree a course of action

Answer

Take the shortcut to meet the deadline without telling anyone

Answer

Miss the deadline to maintain full quality without informing anyone

Answer

Ask your manager to extend the deadline without explaining why

Question 6

A member of the public sends an angry complaint about a policy you helped develop. How should you respond?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the complaint professionally and explain the process for formal responses

Answer

Defend the policy in detail and explain why the complainant is wrong

Answer

Ignore the email as policy complaints go through other channels

Answer

Forward it to your manager without any acknowledgement