Master the FBI Special Agent Test (Phase 1 & Phase 2) with Tailored Practice Tests

The answer is (E).

According to the passage, many burglars are driven by addiction, looking for a quick buck [in the logical formulation: (burglars + addiction + quick buck)*many]. Thus, it can be inferred from the amount specified that there are some burglars who are driven by this. Also, there is no logical fallacy in the transposing of both sentence parts, i.e., a few people driven by addiction and looking for quick money are actually burglars [in the logical formulation: (addiction + quick buck + burglars)*many].

Answer (A): According to the passage, most burglars that break into homes are out for cash, jewellery, and electronics [in the logical formulation: (burglars + out for cash, jewellery and electronics)*most]. When an amount is specified, the transposed statement cannot be inferred, as in answer (A), which states that most people who are out for cash, jewellery and electronics are burglars (out for cash, jewellery, and electronics + burglars)*most. Thus, answer (A) is incorrect.

Answer (B): According to the passage, a few burglars break into homes with the intention of hurting the residing families [in the logical format: (burglars + hurt)*a few]. Thus, answer (B) cannot be inferred, as it states that a lot of people break into homes with the intention of hurting the residing families [in the logical format: (people + hurt)*a lot]. The amount specified in answer (B) does not fit the premise (only the opposite conclusion can be inferred - see logical principle "many-some").

Answer (C): According to answer (C), some burglars do not actually break into homes, yet are still interested in jewellery [in the logical format: (burglars + not breaking in + jewellery)*some]. While this could be true, this information is not supported in the text, as information is only given about burglars who do break into homes.

Answer (D): Although the passage states noises and lights deter most burglars from breaking in (in the logical format: noises and lights ➞ deter burglars), no information is given of what happens when the lights are out and music is not being played. Thus, the opposite notion presented in answer (D) is not supported (in the logical formulation: no noises and no lights ➞ no deterring of burglars).

Logical principles:

Many ➞ some: According to logic principles, if it is known that there are many (a lot, most etc.), then it can be concluded that there must be some (a few). This principle cannot be reversed for inference from amount type premises: if it is stated that there are some, it cannot be deduced that there are many.

Transposed negative: As demonstrated in answer (D), a generalizing statement is not equivalent to the negative form of the same statement (all A ➞ are B is not logically equivalent to all, not A ➞ are not B). However, a transposed negative form is equivalent: all not B ➞ are not A! E.g., if all police officers on duty wear uniforms, it can be inferred that if one is not wearing a uniform, one is not a police officer on duty.

Solution

The answer is B.

• Core competency: encouraging employees’ development
• Secondary competencies: supervising performance, effective communication

This is a question about employees’ training and development, as well as your need to supervise their performance. More specifically, the question discusses appropriate and effective ways to provide feedback. The question asks what you should avoid.

Employees’ ability to manage time and resources (response A) is relevant to their work effectiveness. Hence, it is relevant and beneficial to address this aspect of their work in their review.

Providing feedback and suggesting strategies could help them improve their work and become more efficient.

Response B implies that since receiving negative feedback could feel uncomfortable, it’s better to keep it general and thus avoid hurting the employee. However, general feedback is less effective – it’s vague, might be less coherent, and can be misunderstood easily.

Moreover, the more general the feedback is, the more room for the employee to guess what you really mean or feel your discomfort in providing this feedback. Your avoidance could make a big deal out of something that could be simpler. In short, providing clear and specific feedback is more effective.

This response is the one that should be avoided. That being said, providing negative feedback should indeed be done with sensitivity, focusing on improvements rather than pointing out errors.

This response lacks effective communication skills and could also make you seem to lack confidence.

Responses C and D could seem very personal – addressing your employee’s personal goals or discussing her relationship with you. However, before you cross out one of these options based on a hunch, try to approach each one calmly and consider it analytically. Are there any situations in which these topics could be relevant?

An employee’s career goals (response C) are a relevant topic for discussion. One of your goals as a manager is to help employees develop professionally, for both the benefit of the organization and the employee. Discussing your supervisor’s goals enables you to both establish shared goals and direct your supervisor’s development (tasks she would be assigned to, professional courses she may take, etc.) accordingly.

Your supervisor’s acceptance of authority (response D) is relevant to your ability to work together. Employees’ acceptance of authority is essential for their ability to work under management. While differences of opinion and disagreements will happen and – if discussed appropriately – could contribute additional views and ideas; however, when your supervisor refuses authority, or the relationship is rocky, work can be much more difficult.

Solution

The answer is 4.

Across the rows, each frame is the mirror image of the frame preceding it.

In order to find the answer choice, find the mirror image of the bottom-middle frame.

Alternatively, as you move across the rows and down the columns, the frames switch colors. Blue square change to white squares and vice versa.

Answer choice 4 is, therefore, the correct answer.