Past-paper MCQs · VII · 2024–2026 (8 questions) — Public Administration

Syllabus home: VII. Public Management Skills

8 questions · 1 mark each. Extracted from the supplied 2024–2026 papers. These are reasoned study answers, not an official FPSC key. Where wording or options are defective, the likely intended answer and the precise concept are distinguished.

2024 · Q1(4)

Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2024.pdf, PDF page 1

Stephen Robbins has organized the leadership studies into:

(A) Trait, behavioral and political theories
(B) Trait, behavioral and contingency theories
(C) Scientific management / need theories
(D) None of these

Answer: B

The conventional three broad phases are trait, behavioural and contingency approaches. The phases overlap.

2024 · Q1(5)

Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2024.pdf, PDF page 1

Maslow’s theory of human motivation based on hierarchy of needs, also includes:

(A) Self-actualization
(B) Self-esteem
(C) Both (A) & (B)
(D) None of these

Answer: C

Both esteem and self-actualisation appear in the familiar five-level hierarchy.

2025 · Q1(7)

Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2025.pdf, PDF page 1

MBO focuses on:

(A) Performance against set targets
(B) Performance against reactive strategies
(C) Performance against expectations
(D) None of these

Answer: A

Management by Objectives assesses performance against agreed objectives or targets, with review and feedback.

2026 · Q1(7)

Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1

The traditional theory of motivation is the theory of:

(A) Fear and punishment
(B) Participation
(C) Motivation hygiene
(D) None of these

Answer: A — likely intended

The options suggest an older coercive conception of motivation. However, “traditional theory” is not a uniquely defined label, and Scientific Management also stressed economic incentives.

Wording/key caution: Ambiguous terminology: do not equate all classical motivation theory solely with punishment.

2026 · Q1(9)

Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1

“Leaders are born and not made", is a perception based on:

(A) Contingency Theory of leadership
(B) Trait Theory of Leadership
(C) Fiedler's Model of Leadership
(D) None of these

Answer: B — closest

Early trait approaches, closely related to great-man thinking, emphasised inborn leadership characteristics. Modern trait research does not imply that leadership cannot be developed.

2026 · Q1(15)

Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1

Management is a ___ use of resources.

(A) Proper
(B) Systematic
(C) Maximum
(D) None of these

Answer: B — best fit

Management organises and coordinates resources systematically towards objectives. “Proper” is broadly desirable but less precise; maximising resource use is not the same as efficient use.

Wording/key caution: The sentence is generic, so B is a best-fit interpretation rather than an exclusive definition.

2026 · Q1(16)

Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1

Balancing and reconciling possible conflicts among goals is:

(A) Optimizing
(B) Communication
(C) Inconsistency
(D) None of these

Answer: A

Optimising among multiple goals involves reconciling competing objectives and trade-offs. It differs from blindly maximising one goal while ignoring others.

2026 · Q1(17)

Source: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 2026.pdf, PDF page 1

Maslow’s highest need in his “hierarchy of needs” was:

(A) Love of affiliation needs
(B) Physiological needs
(C) Esteem needs
(D) None of these

Answer: D

Self-actualisation is the highest level in the conventional five-level Maslow hierarchy and is absent. Later extensions of Maslow’s thought should not be confused with this standard exam model.