Free PSB Professional Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the PSB Professional Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A survey records strong support for a waterfront project. What does that result establish for the planner's public-interest analysis?

   1. A.The survey result settles the public-interest recommendation.
   2. B.The result is public input that still needs wider analysis.Correct answer: B
   3. C.The result overrides the applicable community plan.
   4. D.The result removes the need to consider nonparticipants.

   Explanation: The PSB supplement states "only a starting point". Survey responses are evidence of public opinion. They must be assessed with policy, underlying concerns and wider interests before an independent recommendation is reached.

   Reference: PSB Public Interest Supplementary Material — p. 3, Public Interest and the Code of Professional Conduct

2. 2A planner is asked to release a major recommendation before checking the evidence supporting it. Which response meets the professional preparation obligation?

   1. A.Release it now and research the justification if it is challenged.
   2. B.Rely on the report's polished layout as assurance of quality.
   3. C.Complete the necessary research and factual checks before presenting it.Correct answer: C
   4. D.Let the client's confidence replace verification of the evidence.

   Explanation: The CIP Code requires "render services with appropriate preparation". Diligence requires a prepared, researched recommendation. Presentation, client confidence and later defensive research do not replace that work.

   Reference: CIP Member Code of Professional Conduct — p. 3, Code 2.2

3. 3A planner is experienced in housing policy but has neither training nor experience in a specialized ecological assessment. A client requests that assessment. Which response respects the competence boundary?

   1. A.Accept because registration covers all specialties.
   2. B.Arrange for a suitably qualified specialist.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Accept if the client waives the expertise requirement.
   4. D.Use a report template to replace specialist knowledge.

   Explanation: The CIP Code states "only within their areas of professional competence". Registration is not universal specialist competence. A qualified specialist addresses the gap; consent or a template does not supply missing expertise.

   Reference: CIP Member Code of Professional Conduct — p. 3, Code 2.1

4. 4Residents all describe a proposal as disruptive, but some cite delivery access and others cite loss of gathering space. How should the planner clarify the issue?

   1. A.Count each use of the word disruptive as the same concern.
   2. B.Classify the comments by the speakers' street addresses.
   3. C.Ask follow-up questions about the reasons behind the comments.Correct answer: C
   4. D.Adopt the first explanation offered as the common concern.

   Explanation: The PSB supplement states "root issues underlying individual statements". The shared label can conceal different underlying concerns. Follow-up questions reveal the issues that analysis must address; word counts, addresses and the first explanation do not establish those issues.

   Reference: PSB Public Interest Supplementary Material — p. 4, Public Opinion and Public Interest

5. 5A client's project values differ from the planner's personal preferences but do not conflict with the CIP Code. How should the planner approach those values?

   1. A.Acknowledge them in the work while maintaining professional judgment.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Disregard them because the planner's preferences take priority.
   3. C.Follow them only if every stakeholder shares the same values.
   4. D.Treat any difference from personal preferences as professional misconduct.

   Explanation: The CIP Code requires "acknowledge the values held by the client or employer". The Code requires acknowledgment unless the values conflict with other aspects of the Code. Personal disagreement alone does not supply that exception.

   Reference: CIP Member Code of Professional Conduct — p. 4, Code 2.3

6. 6A client asks a planner to change a well-supported planning conclusion solely to improve the client's approval prospects. What should guide the planner's opinion?

   1. A.The paying client's preferred result.
   2. B.The client's intended publicity message.
   3. C.Independent professional judgment.Correct answer: C
   4. D.Avoidance of disagreement with the client.

   Explanation: The CIP Code states "provide independent professional opinion". The opinion must remain independent. Payment, marketing and avoidance of disagreement do not justify replacing a supported conclusion with advocacy for a desired result.

   Reference: CIP Member Code of Professional Conduct — p. 3, Code 2.1

7. 7An engagement plan treats all tenants as having the same interests because they share a tenure category. What is the specific analytical defect?

   1. A.It equates one shared attribute with shared interests.Correct answer: A
   2. B.It treats every comment as a separate community.
   3. C.It counts institutional positions as individual views.
   4. D.It substitutes attendance totals for population data.

   Explanation: The PSB supplement warns against "Assuming homogeneity within a group". Sharing tenure does not establish common needs or views. The other options describe different analytical errors, none of which is stated here.

   Reference: PSB Public Interest Supplementary Material — p. 5, stakeholder groups

8. 8A planner changes firms and retains non-public commercial information learned from a former client. No overriding Code obligation requires disclosure. How should that information be handled?

   1. A.Disclose it to the new firm because the former engagement has ended.
   2. B.Keep it confidential despite the change of employment.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Use it in another client's report if no source is named.
   4. D.Share it with colleagues provided they promise not to quote it.

   Explanation: The CIP Code requires "confidentiality of information gathered through a professional relationship". Confidentiality attaches to information gained through the professional relationship. Moving firms does not by itself authorize its disclosure, indirect use or informal sharing.

   Reference: CIP Member Code of Professional Conduct — p. 4, Code 2.4

9. 9A bidder offers a planner a future job if the planner's advice favours its proposal. Which ethical issue controls the response?

   1. A.An inducement that could influence planning advice.Correct answer: A
   2. B.A permitted reward because the job would begin after the present contract.
   3. C.An ordinary recruitment offer because no cash has yet changed hands.
   4. D.A disclosure matter that becomes relevant only if the bidder wins.

   Explanation: The CIP Code states "including prospective employment". The inducement rule explicitly includes prospective employment and appearances of influence. Future timing or absence of immediate cash does not remove the concern.

   Reference: CIP Member Code of Professional Conduct — p. 4, Code 2.7

10. 10A planning team offers one technical briefing online. Interviews show some affected groups rely on printed material and others need spoken explanations. Which adjustment addresses this communication problem?

    1. A.Repeat the same online briefing at a later date.
    2. B.Require groups to nominate one technically trained spokesperson.
    3. C.Restrict the analysis to groups that used the website.
    4. D.Provide information through forms and media suited to those groups.Correct answer: D

    Explanation: The PSB supplement states "using different forms and different media". Communication should fit the different publics. Repeating the inaccessible format, filtering participation through technical representatives or omitting affected groups does not address the identified communication needs.

    Reference: PSB Public Interest Supplementary Material — p. 5, stakeholder communication