"Pass the CA CPM Assessment: 100
Questions Based on CSUS Curriculum
Standards"
1. Which principle best describes the ethical obligation of public managers to act transparently with the
public?
A) Confidentiality
B) Accountability
C) Transparency
D) Efficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Transparency requires that public managers disclose information about decisions and actions,
allowing citizens to see how resources are used and policies are formed.
---
2. In the ethical decision-making model, what is the first step a manager should take when faced with a
conflict of interest?
A) Evaluate alternatives
B) Identify the ethical issue
C) Consult the code of conduct
D) Implement a solution
Answer: B
Rationale: Recognizing that an ethical dilemma exists is the initial step; without identification, the
manager cannot proceed to analysis or resolution.
---
,3. Which legal doctrine ensures that a public agency must provide a fair hearing before depriving an
individual of a protected interest?
A) Stare decisis
B) Due process
C) Sovereign immunity
D) Preemption
Answer: B
Rationale: Due process, rooted in the 5th and 14th Amendments, guarantees notice and an opportunity
to be heard before the government can take life, liberty, or property.
---
4. A public manager discovers that a subordinate has accepted a gift from a contractor. Which course of
action best demonstrates personal and organizational integrity?
A) Ignore the incident to avoid conflict
B) Counsel the employee privately and remind them of ethics policies
C) Terminate the employee immediately
D) Report the employee to law enforcement
Answer: B
Rationale: Personal and organizational integrity requires addressing ethical violations appropriately—
counseling and reminding employees of policies demonstrates commitment to ethics while allowing for
corrective action.
---
5. The "conflict of interest" provision in public service ethics primarily prohibits:
A) All outside employment
,B) Using public position for private gain
C) Accepting any gift
D) Political participation
Answer: B
Rationale: Conflict of interest rules prohibit public employees from using their official positions to
benefit themselves, family members, or associates financially or otherwise.
---
6. Which of the following is an example of a personal integrity competency?
A) Budget forecasting
B) Modeling ethical behavior
C) Strategic planning
D) Performance evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: Personal integrity competencies include increasing awareness, building skills, and modeling
behaviors related to identifying potential ethical problems and conflicts of interest.
---
7. When a public manager faces an ethical dilemma, the manager should first:
A) Consult legal counsel
B) Identify stakeholders affected by the decision
C) Determine the most politically advantageous course
D) Follow the path of least resistance
Answer: B
, Rationale: Ethical decision-making requires identifying all stakeholders who may be affected by the
decision and considering the impact on each.
---
8. The "accountability" principle in public management requires that public managers:
A) Maximize agency profits
B) Answer for their decisions and actions to the public and oversight bodies
C) Avoid all risk-taking
D) Delegate all decision-making authority
Answer: B
Rationale: Accountability means public managers are responsible for their decisions and actions and
must be able to justify them to the public, elected officials, and oversight bodies.
---
9. A public manager who discovers fraud in their agency has an obligation to:
A) Conceal it to protect the agency's reputation
B) Report it through appropriate channels
C) Wait for someone else to report it
D) Ignore it if it involves a small amount
Answer: B
Rationale: Public managers have a fiduciary duty to report fraud, waste, and abuse through appropriate
channels. Concealment or inaction violates ethical obligations.
---
10. Which of the following best describes "stewardship" in public management?
Questions Based on CSUS Curriculum
Standards"
1. Which principle best describes the ethical obligation of public managers to act transparently with the
public?
A) Confidentiality
B) Accountability
C) Transparency
D) Efficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Transparency requires that public managers disclose information about decisions and actions,
allowing citizens to see how resources are used and policies are formed.
---
2. In the ethical decision-making model, what is the first step a manager should take when faced with a
conflict of interest?
A) Evaluate alternatives
B) Identify the ethical issue
C) Consult the code of conduct
D) Implement a solution
Answer: B
Rationale: Recognizing that an ethical dilemma exists is the initial step; without identification, the
manager cannot proceed to analysis or resolution.
---
,3. Which legal doctrine ensures that a public agency must provide a fair hearing before depriving an
individual of a protected interest?
A) Stare decisis
B) Due process
C) Sovereign immunity
D) Preemption
Answer: B
Rationale: Due process, rooted in the 5th and 14th Amendments, guarantees notice and an opportunity
to be heard before the government can take life, liberty, or property.
---
4. A public manager discovers that a subordinate has accepted a gift from a contractor. Which course of
action best demonstrates personal and organizational integrity?
A) Ignore the incident to avoid conflict
B) Counsel the employee privately and remind them of ethics policies
C) Terminate the employee immediately
D) Report the employee to law enforcement
Answer: B
Rationale: Personal and organizational integrity requires addressing ethical violations appropriately—
counseling and reminding employees of policies demonstrates commitment to ethics while allowing for
corrective action.
---
5. The "conflict of interest" provision in public service ethics primarily prohibits:
A) All outside employment
,B) Using public position for private gain
C) Accepting any gift
D) Political participation
Answer: B
Rationale: Conflict of interest rules prohibit public employees from using their official positions to
benefit themselves, family members, or associates financially or otherwise.
---
6. Which of the following is an example of a personal integrity competency?
A) Budget forecasting
B) Modeling ethical behavior
C) Strategic planning
D) Performance evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: Personal integrity competencies include increasing awareness, building skills, and modeling
behaviors related to identifying potential ethical problems and conflicts of interest.
---
7. When a public manager faces an ethical dilemma, the manager should first:
A) Consult legal counsel
B) Identify stakeholders affected by the decision
C) Determine the most politically advantageous course
D) Follow the path of least resistance
Answer: B
, Rationale: Ethical decision-making requires identifying all stakeholders who may be affected by the
decision and considering the impact on each.
---
8. The "accountability" principle in public management requires that public managers:
A) Maximize agency profits
B) Answer for their decisions and actions to the public and oversight bodies
C) Avoid all risk-taking
D) Delegate all decision-making authority
Answer: B
Rationale: Accountability means public managers are responsible for their decisions and actions and
must be able to justify them to the public, elected officials, and oversight bodies.
---
9. A public manager who discovers fraud in their agency has an obligation to:
A) Conceal it to protect the agency's reputation
B) Report it through appropriate channels
C) Wait for someone else to report it
D) Ignore it if it involves a small amount
Answer: B
Rationale: Public managers have a fiduciary duty to report fraud, waste, and abuse through appropriate
channels. Concealment or inaction violates ethical obligations.
---
10. Which of the following best describes "stewardship" in public management?
