Civil Service Examination (USAJOBS / OPM federal hiring) Veterans' Preference and Special Eligibilities Syllabus

Veterans' Preference and Special Eligibilities syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Veterans' Preference and Special Eligibilities in Civil Service Examination (USAJOBS / OPM federal hiring), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Veterans' Preference Rules

   3 topics

   • Eligibility categories
     • 5-point preference (TP)
     • 10-point preference (CP, CPS, XP)
     • Sole survivorship preference
   • Qualifying service requirements
     • Campaign badges and service medals
     • Active duty periods that qualify
   • How preference is applied
     • Point addition in numerical rating
     • Floating to the top of categories
     • Pass-over procedures
2. 2

   Veteran Hiring Authorities

   3 topics

   • Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
     • Eligibility and grade limits
   • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)
     • Competing for merit promotion jobs
   • 30% or more disabled veteran authority
     • Noncompetitive appointment process
3. 3

   Other Special Appointing Authorities

   3 topics

   • Schedule A for people with disabilities
     • Proof of disability documentation
     • Reasonable accommodation in hiring
   • Military spouse preference
     • PCS relocation eligibility
   • Indian preference and other statutory paths
     • Bureau of Indian Affairs hiring

Veterans' Preference and Special Eligibilities flashcards for Civil Service Examination (USAJOBS / OPM federal hiring)

23 of 49 cards from the Veterans' Preference and Special Eligibilities deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the three main categories of veterans' preference points awarded in federal hiring?

   0-point (sole survivorship), 5-point (TP), and 10-point (CP, CPS, XP) preference.

2. What does the preference code 'TP' stand for in federal hiring?

   TP = Tentative/5-point Preference, given to veterans whose qualifying service does not involve a service-connected disability.

3. What does the preference code 'CP' designate?

   CP = Compensable disability preference: a 10-point preference for veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 10% to 29%.

4. What does the preference code 'CPS' designate?

   CPS = a 10-point preference for veterans with a service-connected disability rated 30% or more.

5. What does the preference code 'XP' designate?

   XP = a 10-point preference (other than for the veteran's own compensable disability), e.g., for a Purple Heart recipient, certain spouses, widows/widowers, or mothers of veterans.

6. What is 'sole survivorship preference' and how many points does it grant?

   It is 0-point preference for a veteran released from active duty due to a sole survivorship discharge; it grants no points but conveys preference status in some processes.

7. What character of discharge is required to qualify for veterans' preference?

   An honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge; dishonorable or bad-conduct discharges disqualify a person from preference.

8. How many points are added to a passing examination score for a TP (5-point) preference eligible?

   5 points are added to the passing score.

9. How many points are added to a passing examination score for a CP, CPS, or XP (10-point) preference eligible?

   10 points are added to the passing score.

10. Must a veteran achieve a passing score before preference points are added?

    Yes; preference points are added only to a passing score, not to a failing one.

11. Under the category rating system, how is veterans' preference applied instead of adding points?

    Preference eligibles are floated to the top of their assigned quality category (e.g., top of 'Well Qualified'); 10-point CP/CPS disabled veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for non-scientific/professional positions at GS-9 and above.

12. Under category rating, can a manager pass over a preference-eligible veteran to select a non-veteran in the same category?

    Generally no; a non-preference candidate cannot be selected over a preference eligible in the same category without OPM-approved 'pass over' (objection-to-eligible) approval.

13. What is the 'rule of three' and how does preference interact with it?

    Under traditional rated-and-ranked numerical lists, the selecting official chooses from the top three available eligibles; a preference eligible cannot be passed over to select a lower-ranked non-preference eligible without approved pass-over.

14. To use 5-point preference, what are the basic active-duty service-period requirements?

    Service during a war, in a campaign/expedition for which a campaign medal was authorized, the Gulf War period (Aug 2, 1990–Jan 2, 1992), or more than 180 consecutive days of active duty (other than for training) during a qualifying period since Sept 11, 2001.

15. Does active duty served solely for training (e.g., initial reserve training) qualify a person for veterans' preference?

    No; active duty for training purposes only does not confer veterans' preference.

16. What is the minimum continuous active-duty service requirement for veterans who enlisted after Sept 7, 1980?

    Generally 24 months of continuous active duty (or the full period called/ordered to active duty), unless discharged for a service-connected disability or other statutory exception.

17. Does the 24-month minimum service requirement apply to a veteran discharged for a service-connected disability?

    No; a veteran discharged or released because of a service-connected disability is exempt from the 24-month minimum service requirement.

18. What document is the primary proof of military service for claiming veterans' preference?

    The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

19. What form and documentation are required to claim 10-point preference?

    SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) plus supporting documents such as a VA disability rating letter or other proof of entitlement.

20. What is the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)?

    An excepted-service hiring authority that lets agencies appoint eligible veterans without competition to positions up to GS-11 or equivalent.

21. What is the maximum grade level for an initial VRA appointment?

    GS-11 or equivalent (or up to the highest grade in the position's career ladder, not exceeding GS-11).

22. Into what service is a VRA appointment made, and what does it convert to?

    VRA is an excepted-service appointment that converts to career or career-conditional (competitive service) status after 2 years of satisfactory service.

23. List the categories of veterans eligible for a VRA appointment.

    Disabled veterans; veterans who served in a campaign/expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized; veterans who, while serving on active duty, participated in a U.S. military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; and recently separated veterans (within the last 3 years).

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