How are scores used to determine ranking on an eligible list when ties occur?

• A. Ranks are determined by alphabetical order of names.
• B. Ranks are based on years of service.
• C. Scores are sorted from highest to lowest with tie-breakers as needed.
• D. Ranks are assigned randomly.

Answer: (C)

Scores determine ranking on an eligible list by ordering applicants from highest to lowest based on their performance. When two or more candidates have the same score, tie-breakers are applied to decide their relative positions, so the list remains fair and deterministic even when scores are equal. This approach keeps the emphasis on exam performance while providing a clear rule to resolve ties as needed. The other ideas—sorting by alphabetical name, using years of service, or assigning ranks randomly—do not reflect exam results or a consistent method for breaking ties, so they wouldn’t appropriately determine actual ranking.