Courses of Action Practice Exercises for Exams

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Courses of Action:

This type of questions was asked for the first time in a competitive exam in the year 1991. Since then such questions appear in almost all the competitive examinations. These questions are asked to test the candidate’s ability to analyze a problem correctly in usual circumstances. In this type of questions, a situation or problem is given accompanied by some course of action as a follow up of the situation or problem. You are required to point out which course of action would you like to adopt to deal with that situation or problem. Now a question arises:

What is a course of action?

A course of action is a step or administrative decision to be taken for improvement, follow up or further action in regard to the problem, policy etc., on the basis of the information given in the statement (i.e., a problem or a situation).

Such questions are asked to test the candidate’s ability to judge a problem correctly under given circumstances; to determine or ascertain the root cause of the problem and finally, to prescribe a suitable course of action, which could solve the problem aptly. As a responsible officer, you may face many administrative challenges and you will be required to decide appropriate courses of action or take an appropriate decision.

Nature of the question on course of action:

Generally, two patterns are adopted in questions on deciding courses of action:

1) A problem followed by suggested courses of action which will prescribe solution to the problem, and

2) A fact or situation followed by suggested courses of action which could improve the situation.

Therefore, first of all you should decide whether the given statement talks of a problem or describes simply a fact/situation.

Problem-Solution Type: 

In the case of a problem solution question, the suggested course of action will be appropriate if:

1) It does solve or reduce or minimize the problem and

2) It is a practical solution.

In other words, we have to examine the suggested course of action in the light of above mentioned framework.

It is not very difficult to judge whether a suggested course of action would solve or minimize a problem. You can decide it up by applying your commonsense and awareness and by your everyday experiences. Similarly, if a solution is applicable in everyday life, it is regarded as practical follow up.

Fact/Situation-improvement type: 

In this type of questions, the suggested course of action is taken up for the improvement in the given situation. Therefore, in the case of Fact Improvement type questions, the suggested course of action will be appropriate if:

1) It improves the situation and

2) It is a practical approach.

Directions to solve these type of questions:

Each question is given by a statement and followed by two courses of action I and II. A course of action is a step or administrative decision to be taken for improvement, follow up or further action in regard the problem, policy, etc., on the basis of the information given in the statement. You have to assume everything in the statement to be true, and then decide which of the given suggested courses of action logically follows the pursuing.

Give answer (1) : If only I follows.

Give answer (2) : If only II follows.

Give answer (3) : If either I or II follows.

Give answer (4) : If neither I or II follows.

Give answer (5) : If both I or II follow.

Course Of Action Practice Question Paper1
Course Of Action Practice Question Paper2