Which two cognitive skill groups are typically tested in New Jersey civil service written exams?

• A. Verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning
• B. Numerical/analytic reasoning and artistic reasoning
• C. Verbal reasoning and numerical/analytic reasoning
• D. Reading speed and memory recall

Answer: (C)

Two cognitive skill groups most commonly assessed in New Jersey civil service written exams are verbal reasoning and numerical/analytic reasoning. Verbal reasoning evaluates how well you understand, interpret, and draw conclusions from written material—skills you use when reading policies, regulations, or reports and deciding what they imply. Numerical/analytic reasoning measures your ability to work with numbers, interpret data from charts or tables, perform calculations, and recognize patterns or logical relationships in numerical information. These two areas cover the kinds of thinking used in a wide range of public-service tasks, from interpreting instructions and policies to analyzing budgets or performance data. Other skills like spatial or artistic reasoning, or measures like reading speed and memory recall, aren’t typically required for standard civil service exams unless a specific job demands them.