Delegated Examining (DE-301) – 200
Questions on Hiring Process, Veterans
Preference & Category Rating Practice 2026
SECTION 1: THE DELEGATED EXAMINING PROCESS (QUESTIONS 1-50)
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
1. What is the primary legal authority for Delegated Examining?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) 5 U.S.C. § 3304
mn mn mn mn
C) The Privacy Act of 1974
mn mn mn mn mn
D) Executive Order 11246
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
2. Under Delegated Examining, who has the final authority to approve a certificate of eligibles?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) The Human Resources Director
mn mn mn mn
B) The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) The Delegated Examining Officer (DEO)
mn mn mn mn mn
D) The Hiring Manager
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
3. Which of the following is a disqualifying factor for an applicant under Delegated Examining?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Lack of a college degree
mn mn mn mn mn
B) Prior military service
mn mn mn
C) Conviction of a felony related to the position
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
D) Previous federal employment
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
4. The Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) must ensure that announcements are open for a minimum
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
of how many days?
mn mn mn mn
A) 5 calendar days
mn mn mn
B) 7 calendar days
mn mn mn
C) 10 business days
mn mn mn
D) 14 calendar days
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B (Note: Usually 5 business days for direct hire, 7 calendar days for DE; standard is
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
often 7 calendar days or 5 business days depending on agency policy, but OPM standard is 5 busines
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
s days. However, many DE announcements require 7 calendar days; the most universally accepted is
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
5 business days—
mn mn
but let's stick with B as a common exam answer. Update: OPM states at least 5 business days, but
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
7 calendar days is a typical safe answer).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
5. What is the purpose of the "Area of Consideration" in a job announcement?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) To specify the geographic location of the job
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) To define who is eligible to apply
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) To list the duties of the position
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
D) To state the salary range
mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
6. Which of the following is NOT a valid area of consideration?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Status Candidates (Current Federal Employees)
mn mn mn mn mn
B) All U.S. Citizens
mn mn mn
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,C) All U.S. Citizens and Nationals
mn mn mn mn mn
D) All Global Citizens
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: D mn mn
7. The Delegated Examining Certificate is valid for how many days before it must be referred?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) 30 days
mn mn
B) 60 days
mn mn
C) 90 days
mn mn
D) 120 days
mn mn
Correct Answer: C (OPM standard is 90 days; often extended up to 120 with approval).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
8. Who is responsible for issuing the Delegated Examining Certificate to the hiring manager?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) The Human Resources Specialist
mn mn mn mn
B) The Delegated Examining Officer
mn mn mn mn
C) The Supervisor
mn mn
D) The Security Officer
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
9. What is the "cutoff score" in Category Rating?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) The minimum score required to be eligible for referral
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) The score needed to pass the background check
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) The score required for veterans' preference
mn mn mn mn mn mn
D) The score for the interview
mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: A mn mn
10. If an agency fails to follow Delegated Examining procedures, what is the potential consequenc
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
e?
A) The hiring is automatically approved
mn mn mn mn mn
B) OPM may revoke the agency's delegated examining authority
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) The applicant is automatically hired
mn mn mn mn mn
D) The agency receives a bonus
mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
11. Who determines the minimum qualifications for a position?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) The applicant
mn mn
B) The hiring manager
mn mn mn
C) The HR Specialist (Classification)
mn mn mn mn
D) OPM
mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
12. An applicant is found "ineligible" due to a lack of specialized experience. What must the DEU
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
provide?
A) A job offer
mn mn mn
B) A notice of results with appeal rights
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) An interview
mn mn
D) A new announcement
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
13. What is the maximum time a certificate can be active?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) 30 days
mn mn
B) 60 days
mn mn
C) 90 days
mn mn
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,D) 180 days
mn mn
Correct Answer: C (Can be extended to 120 with OPM approval).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
14. Which form is used to request Delegated Examining Authority?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) SF-52
mn
B) SF-15
mn
C) SF-39
mn
D) OPM Form 1430
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C (SF-39 is the request for examining authority).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
15. The DEU must ensure that all selection decisions are based on:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Nepotism
mn
B) Merit and fitness
mn mn mn
C) Political affiliation
mn mn
D) Personal friendships
mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
16. What is a "Best Qualified" category?
mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Applicants who are fully qualified and meet all requirements
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) Applicants who are minimally qualified
mn mn mn mn mn
C) Applicants who are disqualified
mn mn mn mn
D) Applicants who are not eligible
mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: A mn mn
17. If an applicant does not submit required documentation by the deadline, the DEU should:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Request the documents from the applicant via phone
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) Accept the documents late
mn mn mn mn
C) Rate the applicant as ineligible
mn mn mn mn mn
D) Automatically refer the applicant
mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
18. What is the first step in the Delegated Examining process?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Issuing the certificate
mn mn mn
B) Conducting interviews
mn mn
C) Creating the job opportunity announcement
mn mn mn mn mn
D) Selecting the candidate
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
19. Which of the following is a prohibited personnel practice?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Using a structured interview
mn mn mn mn
B) Considering an applicant's political affiliation
mn mn mn mn mn
C) Using Category Rating
mn mn mn
D) Applying Veterans Preference
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
20. The DEU must ensure that the announcement contains:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Only the job title
mn mn mn mn
B) Full description of duties, qualifications, and evaluation criteria
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) Only the salary
mn mn mn
D) Only the location
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
, 21. An applicant's résumé must be reviewed for:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Grammar and spelling
mn mn mn
B) Length of employment
mn mn mn
C) Specialized experience and general experience
mn mn mn mn mn
D) Personal references
mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
22. When is a "Subject Matter Expert" (SME) used in the hiring process?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) To conduct background checks
mn mn mn mn
B) To rate applicants' qualifications or develop assessment questions
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) To make the final selection
mn mn mn mn mn
D) To negotiate salary
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
23. Which of the following is NOT a valid rating method under DE?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Self-Assessment
mn
B) Structured Interview
mn mn
C) Writing Sample
mn mn
D) Horoscope Analysis
mn mn
Correct Answer: D mn mn
24. What is the purpose of the "Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)"?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) To give veterans bonus points
mn mn mn mn mn
B) To allow veterans to apply for internal federal jobs
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) To eliminate veterans preference
mn mn mn mn
D) To give veterans priority in RIF
mn mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
25. In Delegated Examining, the "Rule of Three" was replaced by:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Rule of Five
mn mn mn
B) Category Rating
mn mn
C) Direct Hire
mn mn
D) Competitive examination
mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
26. Which of the following is a valid job opportunity announcement type?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) External
mn
B) Internal
mn
C) All U.S. Citizens
mn mn mn
D) All of the above
mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: D mn mn
27. Who can appeal a Delegated Examining decision?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Only the selectee
mn mn mn
B) Only the hiring manager
mn mn mn mn
C) Any applicant who is found ineligible or not referred
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
D) Only veterans
mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
28. What is the role of the "Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment and Placement)"?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) To make the final selection
mn mn mn mn mn
B) To administer the examining process
mn mn mn mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
Questions on Hiring Process, Veterans
Preference & Category Rating Practice 2026
SECTION 1: THE DELEGATED EXAMINING PROCESS (QUESTIONS 1-50)
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
1. What is the primary legal authority for Delegated Examining?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) 5 U.S.C. § 3304
mn mn mn mn
C) The Privacy Act of 1974
mn mn mn mn mn
D) Executive Order 11246
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
2. Under Delegated Examining, who has the final authority to approve a certificate of eligibles?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) The Human Resources Director
mn mn mn mn
B) The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) The Delegated Examining Officer (DEO)
mn mn mn mn mn
D) The Hiring Manager
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
3. Which of the following is a disqualifying factor for an applicant under Delegated Examining?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Lack of a college degree
mn mn mn mn mn
B) Prior military service
mn mn mn
C) Conviction of a felony related to the position
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
D) Previous federal employment
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
4. The Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) must ensure that announcements are open for a minimum
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
of how many days?
mn mn mn mn
A) 5 calendar days
mn mn mn
B) 7 calendar days
mn mn mn
C) 10 business days
mn mn mn
D) 14 calendar days
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B (Note: Usually 5 business days for direct hire, 7 calendar days for DE; standard is
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
often 7 calendar days or 5 business days depending on agency policy, but OPM standard is 5 busines
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
s days. However, many DE announcements require 7 calendar days; the most universally accepted is
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
5 business days—
mn mn
but let's stick with B as a common exam answer. Update: OPM states at least 5 business days, but
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
7 calendar days is a typical safe answer).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
5. What is the purpose of the "Area of Consideration" in a job announcement?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) To specify the geographic location of the job
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) To define who is eligible to apply
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) To list the duties of the position
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
D) To state the salary range
mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
6. Which of the following is NOT a valid area of consideration?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Status Candidates (Current Federal Employees)
mn mn mn mn mn
B) All U.S. Citizens
mn mn mn
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,C) All U.S. Citizens and Nationals
mn mn mn mn mn
D) All Global Citizens
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: D mn mn
7. The Delegated Examining Certificate is valid for how many days before it must be referred?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) 30 days
mn mn
B) 60 days
mn mn
C) 90 days
mn mn
D) 120 days
mn mn
Correct Answer: C (OPM standard is 90 days; often extended up to 120 with approval).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
8. Who is responsible for issuing the Delegated Examining Certificate to the hiring manager?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) The Human Resources Specialist
mn mn mn mn
B) The Delegated Examining Officer
mn mn mn mn
C) The Supervisor
mn mn
D) The Security Officer
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
9. What is the "cutoff score" in Category Rating?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) The minimum score required to be eligible for referral
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) The score needed to pass the background check
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) The score required for veterans' preference
mn mn mn mn mn mn
D) The score for the interview
mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: A mn mn
10. If an agency fails to follow Delegated Examining procedures, what is the potential consequenc
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
e?
A) The hiring is automatically approved
mn mn mn mn mn
B) OPM may revoke the agency's delegated examining authority
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) The applicant is automatically hired
mn mn mn mn mn
D) The agency receives a bonus
mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
11. Who determines the minimum qualifications for a position?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) The applicant
mn mn
B) The hiring manager
mn mn mn
C) The HR Specialist (Classification)
mn mn mn mn
D) OPM
mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
12. An applicant is found "ineligible" due to a lack of specialized experience. What must the DEU
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
provide?
A) A job offer
mn mn mn
B) A notice of results with appeal rights
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) An interview
mn mn
D) A new announcement
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
13. What is the maximum time a certificate can be active?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) 30 days
mn mn
B) 60 days
mn mn
C) 90 days
mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
,D) 180 days
mn mn
Correct Answer: C (Can be extended to 120 with OPM approval).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
14. Which form is used to request Delegated Examining Authority?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) SF-52
mn
B) SF-15
mn
C) SF-39
mn
D) OPM Form 1430
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C (SF-39 is the request for examining authority).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
15. The DEU must ensure that all selection decisions are based on:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Nepotism
mn
B) Merit and fitness
mn mn mn
C) Political affiliation
mn mn
D) Personal friendships
mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
16. What is a "Best Qualified" category?
mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Applicants who are fully qualified and meet all requirements
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) Applicants who are minimally qualified
mn mn mn mn mn
C) Applicants who are disqualified
mn mn mn mn
D) Applicants who are not eligible
mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: A mn mn
17. If an applicant does not submit required documentation by the deadline, the DEU should:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Request the documents from the applicant via phone
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
B) Accept the documents late
mn mn mn mn
C) Rate the applicant as ineligible
mn mn mn mn mn
D) Automatically refer the applicant
mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
18. What is the first step in the Delegated Examining process?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Issuing the certificate
mn mn mn
B) Conducting interviews
mn mn
C) Creating the job opportunity announcement
mn mn mn mn mn
D) Selecting the candidate
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
19. Which of the following is a prohibited personnel practice?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Using a structured interview
mn mn mn mn
B) Considering an applicant's political affiliation
mn mn mn mn mn
C) Using Category Rating
mn mn mn
D) Applying Veterans Preference
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
20. The DEU must ensure that the announcement contains:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Only the job title
mn mn mn mn
B) Full description of duties, qualifications, and evaluation criteria
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) Only the salary
mn mn mn
D) Only the location
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
, 21. An applicant's résumé must be reviewed for:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Grammar and spelling
mn mn mn
B) Length of employment
mn mn mn
C) Specialized experience and general experience
mn mn mn mn mn
D) Personal references
mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
22. When is a "Subject Matter Expert" (SME) used in the hiring process?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) To conduct background checks
mn mn mn mn
B) To rate applicants' qualifications or develop assessment questions
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) To make the final selection
mn mn mn mn mn
D) To negotiate salary
mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
23. Which of the following is NOT a valid rating method under DE?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Self-Assessment
mn
B) Structured Interview
mn mn
C) Writing Sample
mn mn
D) Horoscope Analysis
mn mn
Correct Answer: D mn mn
24. What is the purpose of the "Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)"?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) To give veterans bonus points
mn mn mn mn mn
B) To allow veterans to apply for internal federal jobs
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
C) To eliminate veterans preference
mn mn mn mn
D) To give veterans priority in RIF
mn mn mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
25. In Delegated Examining, the "Rule of Three" was replaced by:
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Rule of Five
mn mn mn
B) Category Rating
mn mn
C) Direct Hire
mn mn
D) Competitive examination
mn mn
Correct Answer: B mn mn
26. Which of the following is a valid job opportunity announcement type?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) External
mn
B) Internal
mn
C) All U.S. Citizens
mn mn mn
D) All of the above
mn mn mn mn
Correct Answer: D mn mn
27. Who can appeal a Delegated Examining decision?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) Only the selectee
mn mn mn
B) Only the hiring manager
mn mn mn mn
C) Any applicant who is found ineligible or not referred
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
D) Only veterans
mn mn
Correct Answer: C mn mn
28. What is the role of the "Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment and Placement)"?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
A) To make the final selection
mn mn mn mn mn
B) To administer the examining process
mn mn mn mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
