What Are True, False, and Cannot Say Questions in Civil Service Exams?

Hey there! 👋

If you're preparing for the UK Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test, I’ve got your back! This test is just one step in the overall Civil Service application process. It can seem daunting, but with the right prep and mindset, you’ll be ready to ace it. Today, I’m going to talk about one of the trickier parts of the test: True, False, and Cannot Say questions.

The Civil Service application process is pretty thorough, but don’t let that intimidate you. There are several stages to navigate through, including different types of tests and interviews. The Verbal Reasoning Test is designed to assess how well you can understand and interpret written information. The True, False, and Cannot Say questions make up a good portion of this test, so knowing how to tackle them is key to doing well!

What Are True, False, and Cannot Say Questions?

In the UK Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test, you'll come across True, False, and Cannot Say questions. These are designed to check how well you can analyze a passage of text and determine whether a statement based on that text is accurate, inaccurate, or if the information simply isn't there.

Sounds simple, right? Well, it’s all about careful reading. Let’s break it down:

True: The statement matches exactly with the information provided in the passage. No guessing or assumptions—just a direct link.

False: The statement contradicts the information in the text. You should be able to point to the text and see a clear difference between what’s written and the statement.

Cannot Say: The passage doesn’t provide enough information for you to say either way. This can be tricky because you might think you know the answer, but if the text doesn’t give you enough to go on, you’ve got to select Cannot Say.

How to Tackle These Questions

When faced with these types of questions, keep a few things in mind:

🔥 Read the passage carefully. You’re looking for exact matches or contradictions. Don’t rush, or you might miss a key detail.

🧐 Don’t assume or add extra information. Even if a statement seems logical or you think it “must” be true, if it’s not explicitly in the passage, go with Cannot Say.

💡 Take your time. These questions aren’t about rushing. Focus on accuracy over speed.

Example Question

Let’s run through an example to get a feel for it.

Passage:

"According to the UK’s weather forecast, rainfall is expected to increase in the northern regions throughout the summer months. Meanwhile, southern regions are predicted to experience drier conditions than usual."

Statement:
"The southern regions will experience the same weather as the northern regions this summer."

❓ Is this True, False, or Cannot Say?

Answer: This statement is False. The passage specifically says the southern regions will be drier while the northern regions will have more rain.

See? It’s all about matching or contradicting what’s in the text! Keep practicing, and you'll be nailing these questions in no time.

Good luck! 🍀 You've got this, and with the right preparation, the UK Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Test will be one more challenge you can confidently check off your list. Just stay focused, practice those True, False, and Cannot Say questions, and remember—you’re in control!