← MCSCCE
Past Questions
The mean of five numbers is 30. If the one number is excluded, their mean becomes 28. The excluded number is
A)
28
B)
30
C)
37
D)
38
Step-by-step calculation:
1. Find the total sum of the original five numbers:
Sum = Mean × Number of values = 30 × 5 = 150.
2. Find the total sum of the remaining four numbers after one is excluded:
New Sum = New Mean × New Number of values = 28 × 4 = 112.
3. The excluded number is the difference between the original sum and the new sum:
Excluded Number = 150 - 112 = 38.
Verification of options:
- Option (a) 28: Incorrect. This is the new mean, not the excluded value.
- Option (b) 30: Incorrect. This is the original mean.
- Option (c) 37: Incorrect. Calculation error.
- Option (d) 38: Correct. Matches the calculated difference.
Lali knew that to apologise would be __________ to admitting she had failed
A)
Equate
B)
Assumed
C)
Tantamount
D)
Abrogate
'Tantamount' means equivalent in seriousness or effect.
__________ happens when the person hears only what they want to hear, typically misinterpreting what the other person says
A)
Critical listening
B)
Evaluative listening
C)
Comprehension listening
D)
Biased listening
Biased listening (selective listening) occurs when an individual filters incoming information, hearing only what aligns with their preconceived notions or desires and misinterpreting or ignoring contrary information.
Based on the passage provided, is the conclusion 'Subconsciousness plays no role in our lives' true?
A)
the conclusion is definitely true
B)
the conclusion is probably true
C)
the data are inadequate to answer
D)
the conclusion is definitely false
Without the specific passage, the role of the subconscious cannot be determined; therefore, the data is inadequate.
Five boys participated in a debate. Lala ranked higher than Siama. Siama ranked higher than Para. Lala ranked lower than Ngura, Khuma’s rank is in between Lala and Siama. Who is the highest in rank?
A)
Ngura
B)
Lala
C)
Siama
D)
Khuma
Based on the comparisons: Ngura > Lala > Khuma > Siama > Para. The boy with the highest rank is Ngura.
Based on the passage provided, is the conclusion 'Prayer, by direct miracles, removes hurdles and difficulties from our lives' true?
A)
the conclusion is definitely true
B)
the conclusion is probably true
C)
the data are inadequate to answer
D)
the conclusion is definitely false
The passage outlines the empirical psychological effect of prayer in relieving mental stress rather than miraculous supernatural intervention, rendering the claim that prayer removes hurdles by direct miracles definitely false.
Based on the passage provided, it seems to be remarkably correct in modern life that
A)
a man has enough leisure
B)
youth needs less work and more rest
C)
the correct choice of task preserves one’s life
D)
men fail to choose a task for themselves
In the passage discussing Ralph Waldo Emerson's maxim ('A man's task is his life-preserver'), having meaningful work and the correct choice of task is highlighted as vital for preserving and anchoring one's life in modern times.
Find the missing number in the following series? 3, 5, 5, 19, 7, 41, 9, ?
A)
71
B)
61
C)
79
D)
69
This is an alternating series. The odd positions (3, 5, 7, 9) increase by 2. The even positions (5, 19, 41) have increasing differences of 14, 22, 30. 41 + 30 = 71.
Role conflict is one source of
A)
Encounter stressors
B)
Situational stressors
C)
Time stressors
D)
Anticipatory stressors
Role conflict (incompatible expectations) is classified as a situational stressor because it stems from the specific demands of a role within an organization.
__________ is looking too narrowly at a problem, screening out too much relevant data and making assumptions that inhibit problem solution.
A)
Constancy
B)
Commitment
C)
Compression
D)
Complacency
In the context of cognitive psychology and problem-solving, 'Compression' (specifically mental set or cognitive compression) refers to the tendency to narrow one's focus too much. When a person 'compresses' their view of a problem, they screen out relevant data and rely on rigid assumptions or previous patterns of success, which inhibits the ability to find a creative or correct solution. This is closely related to 'functional fixedness' or 'mental set'.
Evaluating other options:
- Constancy (a) refers to the perception of an object as remaining the same despite changes in sensory input (e.g., size or shape constancy).
- Commitment (b) is a dedication to a course of action, which is not a cognitive bias for screening data.
- Complacency (d) is a state of self-satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies, which is a behavioral state rather than a specific cognitive mechanism for data screening in problem solving.
A chair is brought for Rs. 3000 and sold at a loss of 6%. Find the selling price?
A)
Rs. 2720
B)
Rs. 2820
C)
Rs. 2900
D)
Rs. 2550
Step-by-step solution:
1. **Identify Given Values**:
- Cost Price (CP) = Rs. 3000
- Loss Percentage = 6%
2. **Calculate the Loss Amount**:
Loss = (Loss Percentage / 100) × Cost Price
Loss = (6 / 100) × 3000
Loss = 6 × 30 = Rs. 180
3. **Calculate the Selling Price (SP)**:
Selling Price = Cost Price - Loss
SP = 3000 - 180
SP = Rs. 2820
Alternative Method:
Selling Price = CP × (100 - Loss%) / 100
SP = 3000 × (94 / 100)
SP = 30 × 94 = Rs. 2820.
Comparing with options:
- Option a (Rs. 2720) is incorrect as it implies a loss of Rs. 280.
- Option b (Rs. 2820) is correct.
- Option c (Rs. 2900) is incorrect as it implies a loss of Rs. 100.
- Option d (Rs. 2550) is incorrect as it implies a loss of Rs. 450.
Based on the passage provided, as far as money is concerned, we get the impression that the writer
A)
is incapable of saving anything
B)
is never inclined to be extravagant
C)
would like to be considered extravagant
D)
doesn’t often have enough to spare
In the reading comprehension passage, the author states that being 'hard up' is 'usually the case,' indicating that the author does not frequently have spare funds to spend freely or save.
In a mixture of 120 litres, the ratio of milk and water is 2:1. What amount of water must be added to make the ratio of milk and water as 1:2?
A)
40 litres
B)
80 litres
C)
100 litres
D)
120 litres
Initial: Milk=80, Water=40. To get 1:2 ratio, 80/Water_new = 1/2 => Water_new=160. Total added water = 160-40=120. (Given options might be slightly varied or based on a typo, assuming 120 is the target, will mark as c)
In a situation where people are demolishing churches/mosques, what would you do as a DM/SP?
A)
Use all force available to prevent them from doing this.
B)
You guess it may be a political matter, so inform Chief Minister and act as per his/her order.
C)
Negotiate with the leader of the mobs demolishing the church/mosques.
D)
You are a secular person, so you do not interfere unless you receive a formal complaint of loss of life, injury or personal property.
In situational judgement tests for administrative roles (like DM/SP), the primary duty of the officer is the maintenance of law and order and the protection of life and property.
1. Why Option (a) is correct: The demolition of religious structures is a serious criminal offense and a breach of public peace. As the head of district administration (DM) or police (SP), the officer has the legal authority and duty to use the necessary force (proportionate to the situation) to stop illegal acts and prevent communal violence immediately.
2. Why Option (b) is incorrect: While keeping superiors informed is standard, waiting for orders from a political executive (Chief Minister) during an active riot or crime is a dereliction of duty. An officer must act decisively to prevent the loss of life and property.
3. Why Option (c) is incorrect: Negotiation is a tool for conflict resolution, but it cannot be the primary response while a crime (demolition) is actively occurring. Negotiation with a mob during a violent act can be perceived as weakness or legitimacy given to the criminals, potentially emboldening them.
4. Why Option (d) is incorrect: This represents a complete failure of administrative duty. A DM/SP cannot remain a passive observer to a crime. Secularism implies the state protects all religions equally, not that it ignores the destruction of religious sites.
A chair is brought for Rs. 3000 and sold at a loss of 6%. Find the selling price?
A)
Rs. 2720
B)
Rs. 2820
C)
Rs. 2900
D)
Rs. 2550
Cost Price (CP) = Rs. 3000. Loss = 6% of 3000 = (6 / 100) * 3000 = Rs. 180. Selling Price (SP) = CP - Loss = 3000 - 180 = Rs. 2820.
I travel to work by bus and train. If my bus journey takes 28 minutes and my train journey takes 35 minutes longer, what is the total travelling time in hours and minutes?
A)
1 hour 31 minutes
B)
2 hours
C)
1 hour 10 minutes
D)
2 hours 10 minutes
Bus journey = 28 min. Train journey = 28 + 35 = 63 min. Total time = 28 + 63 = 91 minutes = 1 hour 31 minutes.
Find the odd word
A)
Tongue
B)
Lips
C)
Brain
D)
Nose
To find the odd one out, we must identify the common characteristic shared by the majority of the options.
1. Tongue: An external/visible organ (or accessible via the mouth) that serves as a sensory organ for taste.
2. Lips: External/visible parts of the face.
3. Brain: An internal organ located inside the skull; it is not visible from the outside of the body.
4. Nose: An external/visible organ that serves as a sensory organ for smell.
Alternatively, looking at the location: The tongue, lips, and nose are all located on the exterior/surface of the face. The brain is located internally within the cranium. Therefore, 'Brain' is the odd one out because it is an internal organ, while the others are external facial features.
A strong, firm handshake when greeting people signifies
A)
Aggressiveness
B)
Confidence
C)
Disinterest
D)
Dominance
A firm and steady handshake conveys confidence, openness, and trustworthiness in interpersonal interactions.
Twenty-four men can complete a work in sixteen days. Thirty-two women can complete the same work in twenty-four days. Sixteen men and sixteen women started working and worked for twelve days. How many more men are to be added to complete the remaining work in 2 days?
A)
48
B)
24
C)
36
D)
None of these
Total work = 384 man-days = 768 woman-days, so 1 man = 2 women. The rate of 16 men and 16 women is 24/384 = 1/16 per day. In 12 days, they complete 12/16 = 3/4 of the work, leaving 1/4 work. To finish 1/4 in 2 days requires a rate of 1/8 per day = 48 men equivalent. Since the existing group equals 24 men, 48 - 24 = 24 additional men are required.
Praise, recognition and attention are part of which source of power:
A)
Legitimate power
B)
Expert power
C)
Reward power
D)
Referent power
In French and Raven's typology of social power, reward power encompasses the ability to confer positive tangible or intangible benefits such as praise, recognition, attention, promotions, and commendations.
Which of the following is not a method to enhance active listening skills?
A)
Being judgemental
B)
Paying attention
C)
Clarifying
D)
Reflecting
Active listening is a communication technique that requires the listener to fully concentrate, understand, respond, and then remember what is being said.
1. **Paying attention (Option b)**: This is the foundation of active listening. It involves focusing entirely on the speaker, ignoring distractions, and observing non-verbal cues.
2. **Clarifying (Option c)**: This involves asking questions to ensure the message is understood correctly, which prevents misunderstandings and shows the speaker that the listener is engaged.
3. **Reflecting (Option d)**: This is the process of paraphrasing or mirroring the speaker's words or emotions to confirm understanding and validate the speaker's feelings.
4. **Being judgemental (Option a)**: This is a barrier to effective communication. When a listener is judgemental, they stop listening objectively and start forming opinions or criticisms, which shuts down open communication and prevents the listener from truly understanding the speaker's perspective. Therefore, it is NOT a method to enhance active listening.
Find the odd word
A)
Orange
B)
Guava
C)
Apple
D)
Grapes
Grapes are the odd word out because they grow in clusters/bunches on vines (climbers), whereas oranges, guavas, and apples grow individually on trees.
One of the zeroes of the polynomial (2x² + 7x - 4) is
A)
-2
B)
-1/2
C)
2
D)
1/2
Factoring 2x² + 7x - 4: 2x² + 8x - x - 4 = 2x(x + 4) - 1(x + 4) = (2x - 1)(x + 4) = 0. The zeroes are x = 1/2 and x = -4. Thus, 1/2 is the zero present in the options.
Conflict resolution leads to
A)
One party winning over the other
B)
Dominance of one party over the other
C)
Peaceful solutions between two parties
D)
Both parties losing
The primary objective of conflict resolution is to de-escalate hostility and achieve constructive, peaceful, and mutually acceptable outcomes for all parties involved.
Role conflict is one source of
A)
Encounter stressors
B)
Situational stressors
C)
Time stressors
D)
Anticipatory stressors
In stress management models (Whetten & Cameron), encounter stressors arise from interpersonal interactions and relationships, which include role conflicts (conflicting expectations between roles) and issue conflicts.