U.S. Border Patrol Entrance Exam (BPA) Job-Related Knowledge, Logic, and Situational Judgment Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Job-Related Knowledge, Logic, and Situational Judgment deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. In a procedure, why must a step that depends on a prior result come after that prior step?

   The dependent step can't be done correctly without the output/condition of the earlier step (a prerequisite), so order is mandatory.

2. When following multi-step instructions, what is the safest way to ensure accuracy?

   Read all steps first, perform them in the exact order given, complete each fully before the next, and verify conditions ('if/then') at each step.

3. In a multi-step instruction with a conditional like 'if X, do A; otherwise do B,' how do you proceed?

   Check whether condition X is true; if yes do A, if no do B—do not perform both.

4. Apply: 'Add 6 to the number, then multiply by 3, then subtract 4.' Starting with 5, what is the result?

   ((5 + 6) × 3) − 4 = (11 × 3) − 4 = 33 − 4 = 29. Follow operations in the order stated.

5. In 'detecting errors in a sequence' tasks, what are you looking for?

   A step that is out of order, missing, duplicated, or inconsistent with the rule/pattern governing the sequence.

6. How do you check whether a numeric sequence contains an error?

   Determine the rule (e.g., constant difference or ratio), then verify each term follows it; the term that breaks the rule is the error.

7. Find the error: 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12. Which term is wrong and what should it be?

   The rule is +2 each step, so 9 is the error; it should be 8.

8. In comparing two lists or records to detect a transcription error, what method works best?

   Compare item-by-item in the same order, checking each character/digit; flag the first mismatch as the error.

9. A vehicle travels 150 miles in 3 hours. What is its average speed, and what formula did you use?

   50 mph. Speed = Distance ÷ Time = 150 ÷ 3 = 50.

10. State the distance formula and rearrangements for distance, rate, and time.

    Distance = Rate × Time; Rate = Distance ÷ Time; Time = Distance ÷ Rate.

11. If an item costs $80 and is discounted 25%, what is the sale price?

    $60. Discount = 80 × 0.25 = $20; 80 − 20 = $60 (or 80 × 0.75 = 60).

12. A patrol covers 12 miles in 4 hours on foot. At that rate, how far in 7 hours?

    21 miles. Rate = 12 ÷ 4 = 3 mph; 3 × 7 = 21 miles.

13. How do you convert a fraction to a percent, e.g., 3/4?

    Divide numerator by denominator and multiply by 100: 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75 → 75%.

14. A shift starts at 10:45 PM and lasts 8 hours 30 minutes. What time does it end?

    7:15 AM. 10:45 PM + 8 hr = 6:45 AM; + 30 min = 7:15 AM.

15. On a standard map, which directions correspond to up, down, left, and right?

    Up = North, down = South, right = East, left = West (unless a compass rose indicates otherwise).

16. Name the four intermediate (ordinal) compass directions and their positions.

    Northeast (between N and E), Southeast (between S and E), Southwest (between S and W), Northwest (between N and W).

17. If you are facing North and turn 90 degrees clockwise (to your right), which direction do you now face?

    East. Clockwise from North: North → East → South → West.

18. On a map, you travel 3 blocks east then 4 blocks north. In what general direction is your destination from the start?

    Northeast of the starting point.

19. What does a map scale tell you, and how do you use it?

    It gives the ratio of map distance to real distance (e.g., 1 inch = 1 mile); multiply measured map distance by the scale to get actual distance.

20. Complete the series and state the rule: 3, 6, 12, 24, __ .

    48. The rule is multiply by 2 each step (×2).

21. Complete the series and state the rule: 1, 4, 9, 16, __ .

    25. These are perfect squares (1², 2², 3², 4², 5²).

22. Find the next term and the rule: 2, 5, 11, 23, __ .

    47. The rule is multiply by 2 and add 1 (×2 +1) each step.

23. In letter-pattern series, how do you find the next term, e.g., A, C, E, G, __ ?

    Identify the alphabet step; here it skips one letter (+2 positions), so the next is I.

24. What is the general strategy for solving any pattern/series completion problem?

    Find the consistent rule between consecutive terms (difference, ratio, alternating pattern, or position rule), verify it across all given terms, then apply it to find the missing term.

What this deck covers

Job-Related Knowledge, Logic, and Situational Judgment flashcards FAQ