PAST PAPER Assistant Director (HR & ADMIN) PPSC [SOLVED]
1. Which of the following is a primary function of management?
A) Marketing
B) Planning
C) Accounting
D) Research
Answer: B) Planning
2. What does SWOT analysis stand for?
A) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
B) Strategies, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Tactics
C) Strengths, Workforce, Operations, Threats
D) Strategies, Workforce, Objectives, Tactics
Answer: A) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
3. Which management style is characterized by making decisions independently with little input from others?
A) Democratic
B) Laissez-faire
C) Autocratic
D) Participative
Answer: C) Autocratic
4. What is the primary goal of strategic management?
A) Minimize costs
B) Maximize profits
C) Align resources with organizational goals
D) Ensure employee satisfaction
Answer: C) Align resources with organizational goals
5. Which of the following is a method of performance appraisal?
A) 360-Degree Feedback
B) SWOT Analysis
C) Balanced Scorecard
D) Business Model Canvas
Answer: A) 360-Degree Feedback
6. In organizational behavior, ‘motivation’ refers to:
A) The process of setting objectives
B) The process of influencing people
C) The inner drive to perform
D) The structure of the organization
Answer: C) The inner drive to perform
7. Which of the following is NOT a type of organizational structure?
A) Functional
B) Matrix
C) Divisional
D) Coordinative
Answer: D) Coordinative
8. Which leadership style encourages team participation and input?
A) Autocratic
B) Laissez-faire
C) Transformational
D) Transactional
Answer: C) Transformational
9. What is the purpose of a business plan?
A) To outline the marketing strategy
B) To define the company’s mission and objectives
C) To evaluate employee performance
D) To manage cash flow
Answer: B) To define the company’s mission and objectives
10. Which term refers to the systematic study of the nature of work and the workplace?
A) Human Resource Management
B) Operations Management
C) Organizational Behavior
D) Industrial Engineering
Answer: D) Industrial Engineering
11. Which of the following is a key component of a good team?
A) Diversity
B) Homogeneity
C) Isolation
D) Lack of communication
Answer: A) Diversity
12. What is the primary purpose of financial management?
A) Maximizing profit
B) Ensuring employee satisfaction
C) Managing financial resources
D) Reducing costs
Answer: C) Managing financial resources
13. In project management, what does the term ‘scope creep’ refer to?
A) Completing a project on time
B) Increasing project scope without control
C) Reducing project costs
D) Meeting project deadlines
Answer: B) Increasing project scope without control
14. Which financial statement shows a company’s revenue and expenses over a specific period?
A) Balance Sheet
B) Income Statement
C) Cash Flow Statement
D) Statement of Retained Earnings
Answer: B) Income Statement
15. What does the term ‘market segmentation’ mean?
A) Dividing a market into distinct groups of buyers
B) Analyzing market trends
C) Setting product prices
D) Identifying competitors
Answer: A) Dividing a market into distinct groups of buyers
16. Which of the following is a characteristic of a successful leader?
A) Autocracy
B) Inflexibility
C) Vision
D) Indifference
Answer: C) Vision
17. What is the purpose of a feasibility study?
A) To create a business model
B) To evaluate the potential success of a project
C) To assess employee performance
D) To design marketing strategies
Answer: B) To evaluate the potential success of a project
18. Which of the following is an example of a qualitative measure of performance?
A) Sales figures
B) Customer satisfaction surveys
C) Market share
D) Profit margins
Answer: B) Customer satisfaction surveys
19. In which type of market structure do many firms compete, and products are similar but not identical?
A) Monopoly
B) Oligopoly
C) Perfect competition
D) Monopolistic competition
Answer: D) Monopolistic competition
20. Which of the following is a primary role of human resource management?
A) Overseeing production
B) Managing finances
C) Recruiting and training employees
D) Developing marketing strategies
Answer: C) Recruiting and training employees
21. What is the primary focus of operations management?
A) Financial planning
B) Product development
C) Process efficiency
D) Market research
Answer: C) Process efficiency
22. Which management theory emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior in the workplace?
A) Scientific Management
B) Human Relations Theory
C) Systems Theory
D) Contingency Theory
Answer: B) Human Relations Theory
23. Which of the following terms refers to a company’s ability to meet its short-term obligations?
A) Solvency
B) Liquidity
C) Profitability
D) Equity
Answer: B) Liquidity
24. What is the primary purpose of a marketing strategy?
A) To minimize costs
B) To increase market share
C) To improve employee morale
D) To manage cash flow
Answer: B) To increase market share
25. Which document outlines an employee’s job responsibilities?
A) Employment contract
B) Job description
C) Performance appraisal
D) Training manual
Answer: B) Job description
26. Which term describes a method of increasing employee performance through feedback?
A) Autocratic leadership
B) Performance appraisal
C) Job rotation
D) Task delegation
Answer: B) Performance appraisal
27. What does ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) refer to?
A) Maximizing shareholder profits
B) Ensuring compliance with laws
C) Ethical behavior towards society and the environment
D) Increasing production efficiency
Answer: C) Ethical behavior towards society and the environment
28. Which of the following is a common method of conflict resolution in organizations?
A) Avoidance
B) Compromise
C) Aggression
D) Manipulation
Answer: B) Compromise
29. What is a key advantage of teamwork?
A) Reduced communication
B) Increased creativity
C) Slower decision-making
D) Limited perspectives
Answer: B) Increased creativity
30. In which type of organizational structure do employees report to multiple managers?
A) Functional
B) Matrix
C) Divisional
D) Hierarchical
Answer: B) Matrix
31. Which of the following is a measure of a company’s profitability?
A) Gross Profit Margin
B) Current Ratio
C) Debt-to-Equity Ratio
D) Inventory Turnover
Answer: A) Gross Profit Margin
32. What is the purpose of a contingency plan?
A) To establish routine operations
B) To prepare for unexpected events
C) To increase employee productivity
D) To improve financial performance
Answer: B) To prepare for unexpected events
33. Which term refers to the process of identifying and developing new markets?
A) Market Penetration
B) Market Development
C) Market Segmentation
D) Market Diversification
Answer: B) Market Development
34. Which leadership style is characterized by a hands-off approach?
A) Autocratic
B) Democratic
C) Laissez-faire
D) Transformational
Answer: C) Laissez-faire
35. What is the term for the tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs?
A) Cognitive Dissonance
B) Confirmation Bias
C) Anchoring Effect
D) Groupthink
Answer: B) Confirmation Bias
36. Which of the following is a disadvantage of a sole proprietorship?
A) Limited control
B) Unlimited liability
C) Shared profits
D) Limited resources
Answer: B) Unlimited liability
37. What is the purpose of market research?
A) To analyze financial performance
B) To understand consumer needs and preferences
C) To evaluate employee satisfaction
D) To manage production processes
Answer: B) To understand consumer needs and preferences
38. Which financial ratio is used to assess a company’s debt levels?
A) Current Ratio
B) Quick Ratio
C) Debt Ratio
D) Return on Equity
Answer: C) Debt Ratio
39. Which type of decision-making involves evaluating alternatives before reaching a conclusion?
A) Programmed Decision
B) Non-programmed Decision
C) Rational Decision
D) Intuitive Decision
Answer: C) Rational Decision
40. Which of the following is NOT a step in the decision-making process?
A) Identifying the problem
B) Generating alternatives
C) Implementing the decision
D) Finalizing the budget
Answer: D) Finalizing the budget
41. What does the term ‘organizational culture’ refer to?
A) The formal structure of an organization
B) The shared values and beliefs within an organization
C) The external environment affecting an organization
D) The financial performance of an organization
Answer: B) The shared values and beliefs within an organization
42. Which of the following is a characteristic of effective communication?
A) Ambiguity
B) Clarity
C) Complexity
D) Noise
Answer: B) Clarity
43. Which strategy focuses on reducing costs to gain a competitive advantage?
A) Differentiation Strategy
B) Cost Leadership Strategy
C) Focus Strategy
D) Growth Strategy
Answer: B) Cost Leadership Strategy
44. What is the primary role of a project manager?
A) To oversee daily operations
B) To develop marketing strategies
C) To plan and execute projects
D) To manage financial resources
Answer: C) To plan and execute projects
45. Which concept refers to the systematic approach to improving processes and reducing waste?
A) Total Quality Management
B) Lean Management
C) Six Sigma
D) Business Process Reengineering
Answer: B) Lean Management
46. What does the acronym ‘KPI’ stand for?
A) Key Performance Indicator
B) Key Project Implementation
C) Knowledge Performance Index
D) Key Profit Indicator
Answer: A) Key Performance Indicator
47. Which term describes the process of assessing an employee’s performance over a specific period?
A) Job Analysis
B) Performance Evaluation
C) Training Needs Assessment
D) Employee Feedback
Answer: B) Performance Evaluation
48. What is the purpose of financial forecasting?
A) To analyze past performance
B) To predict future financial performance
C) To assess employee productivity
D) To evaluate market trends
Answer: B) To predict future financial performance
49. Which of the following is an example of a quantitative research method?
A) Focus Groups
B) Surveys
C) Case Studies
D) Interviews
Answer: B) Surveys
50. What does the term ’emotional intelligence’ refer to?
A) The ability to understand financial data
B) The ability to manage one’s own emotions and understand others’ emotions
C) The ability to make rational decisions
D) The ability to influence others
Answer: B) The ability to manage one’s own emotions and understand others’ emotions
51. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of effective teams?
A) Clear goals
B) Strong leadership
C) Limited communication
D) Mutual accountability
Answer: C) Limited communication
52. What is the primary focus of marketing management?
A) Financial performance
B) Customer satisfaction
C) Employee training
D) Production efficiency
Answer: B) Customer satisfaction
53. In project management, the term ‘Gantt chart’ is used for:
A) Budgeting
B) Scheduling
C) Risk assessment
D) Performance evaluation
Answer: B) Scheduling
54. Which term refers to the distribution of authority and responsibility within an organization?
A) Organizational Structure
B) Chain of Command
C) Delegation
D) Accountability
Answer: A) Organizational Structure
55. Which financial statement provides a snapshot of a company’s financial position at a specific point in time?
A) Cash Flow Statement
B) Income Statement
C) Balance Sheet
D) Statement of Retained Earnings
Answer: C) Balance Sheet
56. What is the role of a human resources manager in an organization?
A) To manage financial resources
B) To oversee production processes
C) To recruit, train, and develop employees
D) To create marketing strategies
Answer: C) To recruit, train, and develop employees
57. Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?
A) A financial bonus
B) Recognition from peers
C) A sense of personal achievement
D) Job security
Answer: C) A sense of personal achievement
58. What does the term ‘benchmarking’ refer to in business?
A) Setting goals based on past performance
B) Comparing performance metrics with best practices in the industry
C) Measuring employee satisfaction
D) Analyzing financial statements
Answer: B) Comparing performance metrics with best practices in the industry
59. Which of the following is a disadvantage of a partnership?
A) Shared decision-making
B) Limited resources
C) Unlimited liability
D) Diverse expertise
Answer: C) Unlimited liability
60. What is the primary goal of quality management?
A) To reduce costs
B) To ensure customer satisfaction
C) To increase market share
D) To enhance employee productivity
Answer: B) To ensure customer satisfaction
61. Which leadership style focuses on establishing clear goals and monitoring performance?
A) Laissez-faire
B) Transactional
C) Transformational
D) Servant Leadership
Answer: B) Transactional
62. What is the main purpose of organizational change management?
A) To maintain the status quo
B) To ensure smooth transitions during change initiatives
C) To increase employee turnover
D) To reduce costs
Answer: B) To ensure smooth transitions during change initiatives
63. Which of the following is a primary responsibility of a marketing manager?
A) Managing financial resources
B) Developing marketing strategies
C) Overseeing production processes
D) Conducting performance appraisals
Answer: B) Developing marketing strategies
64. What is the purpose of a training needs assessment?
A) To evaluate employee performance
B) To identify skill gaps and training requirements
C) To develop marketing strategies
D) To assess customer satisfaction
Answer: B) To identify skill gaps and training requirements
65. Which term refers to the ability of an organization to adapt to changes in the external environment?
A) Flexibility
B) Efficiency
C) Effectiveness
D) Stability
Answer: A) Flexibility
66. What is the role of a change agent in an organization?
A) To resist changes
B) To facilitate and implement change
C) To analyze financial performance
D) To manage day-to-day operations
Answer: B) To facilitate and implement change
67. Which type of leadership focuses on empowering employees and fostering a collaborative environment?
A) Authoritarian
B) Transformational
C) Transactional
D) Bureaucratic
Answer: B) Transformational
68. What does the term ‘organizational development’ refer to?
A) The study of financial performance
B) The process of improving organizational effectiveness and health
C) The analysis of market trends
D) The development of employee skills
Answer: B) The process of improving organizational effectiveness and health
69. Which of the following is NOT a common barrier to effective communication?
A) Cultural differences
B) Noise
C) Clarity
D) Physical distance
Answer: C) Clarity
70. Which term refers to the potential for an organization to grow and expand its market presence?
A) Scalability
B) Sustainability
C) Profitability
D) Liquidity
Answer: A) Scalability
71. What is the primary focus of change management?
A) To maintain the current organizational structure
B) To ensure smooth transitions during change initiatives
C) To minimize employee turnover
D) To maximize profit
Answer: B) To ensure smooth transitions during change initiatives
72. Which financial metric measures the profitability of a company relative to its total assets?
A) Return on Assets (ROA)
B) Debt-to-Equity Ratio
C) Gross Profit Margin
D) Current Ratio
Answer: A) Return on Assets (ROA)
73. What is the primary purpose of employee training and development?
A) To reduce turnover
B) To improve employee skills and performance
C) To minimize costs
D) To ensure compliance with regulations
Answer: B) To improve employee skills and performance
74. Which of the following is a characteristic of transformational leadership?
A) Focus on tasks
B) Emphasis on change and innovation
C) Strict adherence to rules
D) Limited interaction with employees
Answer: B) Emphasis on change and innovation
75. What does the term ‘organizational behavior’ study?
A) Financial performance of organizations
B) Employee behavior within organizations
C) Market trends
D) Legal issues in business
Answer: B) Employee behavior within organizations
76. Which of the following is NOT a function of management?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Forecasting
D) Controlling
Answer: C) Forecasting
77. What is the main objective of financial management?
A) To maximize profit
B) To ensure liquidity
C) To optimize the use of resources
D) To minimize costs
Answer: C) To optimize the use of resources
78. Which of the following is an example of a qualitative research method?
A) Surveys
B) Experiments
C) Interviews
D) Observations
Answer: C) Interviews
79. What is the primary goal of operations management?
A) To enhance customer satisfaction
B) To minimize costs
C) To improve efficiency and effectiveness in production
D) To maximize profit
Answer: C) To improve efficiency and effectiveness in production
80. Which of the following best describes strategic planning?
A) Short-term decision-making
B) Development of specific tasks
C) Long-term organizational goals and strategies
D) Daily operational management
Answer: C) Long-term organizational goals and strategies
81. Which country is known as the Land of the Rising Sun?
A) China
B) Japan
C) South Korea
D) Thailand
Answer: B) Japan
82. What is the capital of Pakistan?
A) Karachi
B) Lahore
C) Islamabad
D) Quetta
Answer: C) Islamabad
83. In which year did Pakistan gain independence?
A) 1945
B) 1947
C) 1950
D) 1952
Answer: B) 1947
84. Who was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan?
A) Liaquat Ali Khan
B) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
C) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
D) Benazir Bhutto
Answer: A) Liaquat Ali Khan
85. Which of the following is the smallest continent in the world?
A) Africa
B) Asia
C) Australia
D) Europe
Answer: C) Australia
86. What is the chemical symbol for water?
A) O2
B) H2O
C) CO2
D) NaCl
Answer: B) H2O
87. Which of the following is a mammal?
A) Crocodile
B) Eagle
C) Dolphin
D) Lizard
Answer: C) Dolphin
88. Who is known as the “Father of the Nation” in Pakistan?
A) Liaquat Ali Khan
B) Allama Iqbal
C) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
D) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Answer: C) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
89. Which organ of the human body is primarily responsible for pumping blood?
A) Brain
B) Liver
C) Heart
D) Lungs
Answer: C) Heart
90. What is the square root of 64?
A) 6
B) 7
C) 8
D) 9
Answer: C) 8
91. Which of the following is a programming language?
A) HTML
B) CSS
C) Java
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
92. What does the abbreviation ‘CPU’ stand for in computer terminology?
A) Central Processing Unit
B) Computer Personal Unit
C) Central Programming Unit
D) Computer Processing Unit
Answer: A) Central Processing Unit
93. Which city is known as the “City of Lights”?
A) Islamabad
B) Karachi
C) Lahore
D) Peshawar
Answer: B) Karachi
94. What is the primary language spoken in Pakistan?
A) Urdu
B) Punjabi
C) Sindhi
D) Pashto
Answer: A) Urdu
95. In which of the following states is the Thar Desert located?
A) Sindh
B) Punjab
C) Balochistan
D) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Answer: A) Sindh
96. Which of the following is a famous mountain range in Pakistan?
A) Rocky Mountains
B) Himalayas
C) Andes
D) Alps
Answer: B) Himalayas
97. What is the boiling point of water in Celsius?
A) 50°C
B) 75°C
C) 100°C
D) 120°C
Answer: C) 100°C
98. Which of the following is a famous festival in Pakistan?
A) Diwali
B) Eid-ul-Fitr
C) Christmas
D) Halloween
Answer: B) Eid-ul-Fitr
99. What is 15% of 200?
A) 25
B) 30
C) 35
D) 40
Answer: B) 30
100. Which type of energy is derived from the sun?
A) Nuclear Energy
B) Solar Energy
C) Geothermal Energy
D) Wind Energy
Answer: B) Solar Energy