CSS General Science & Ability MCQs: Everyday Science and Maths With Answers

General Science & Ability (GSA) has a 20-mark objective part that mixes basic science with quantitative and analytical questions. This sample is from the CSS Main MCQs QBank.

Sample MCQs

1. The green colour of plants is due to the presence of:

• A) Iron
• B) Sodium
• C) Phosphorus
• D) Chlorophyll ✅

2. The purest form of water is:

• A) Tap water
• B) Seawater
• C) Rainwater ✅
• D) Lake water

3. The sum of ages of two children is 12 and their product is 32. The age of the elder one:

• A) 8 years ✅
• B) 6 years
• C) 10 years
• D) 12 years

4. D9Y, J27S, P81M, V243G, ?

• A) A324B
• B) C729B
• C) B729A ✅
• D) A729B

The leading letters increase by 6 (D, J, P, V, next wraps to B); the numbers triple each time (9, 27, 81, 243, next 729); the trailing letters decrease by 6 (Y, S, M, G, next A) — giving "B729A."

5. The speed of a train is 120 kmph and the length of the train is 240 m. find the time it will take to cross a pole.

• A) 9.6 seconds
• B) 7.2 seconds ✅
• C) 4.8 seconds
• D) 2.4 seconds

120 km/h = 33.33 m/s. Time to cross a pole = length ÷ speed = 240 ÷ 33.33 ≈ 7.2 seconds.

6. Radiation is harmful as it:

• A) Causes anemia
• B) Is unstable
• C) Causes skin cancer
• D) Alters body tissue ✅

7. Who is considered the founder of modern chemistry?

• A) Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier ✅
• B) Henry Cavendish
• C) John Dalton
• D) Robert Boyle

8. Which material is used in making chips containing microcircuits for computers and other electronic equipment?

• A) Aluminium
• B) Silicon ✅
• C) Chromium
• D) Copper

9. A fathometer is used to measure:

• A) Rainfall
• B) Earthquakes
• C) Ocean depth ✅
• D) Sound intensity

10. What inspired the invention of reflecting road lights?

• A) Car door reflecting mirrors
• B) Sunlight on steel posts on roadsides
• C) The light a cat's eyes gave off on a fence ✅
• D) The sunlight on the windshield

11. A bomb is dropped at a point from a moving airplane. The pilot observes that:

• A) The bomb traverses a curved path and falls some distance ahead
• B) The bomb drops vertically downward ✅
• C) The bomb traverses a curved path and falls some distance behind that point
• D) The bomb explodes immediately upon release

12. Ultraviolet light is visible, but infrared light is not visible.

• A) Water
• B) Heat
• C) Waste ✅
• D) Fossil fuels

Study Notes

• Science: keep to everyday applications of physics, chemistry and biology rather than advanced theory.
• Quantitative: percentages, ratios, speed and work problems repay timed practice.
• Do the arithmetic items first, since they are fast marks.

More on the paper scheme is in the CSS Main syllabus and scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does GSA test?

Basic general science and quantitative or analytical ability, with a 20-mark objective part and an 80-mark subjective part.

Is a calculator allowed?

Calculators are not part of the exam; practise mental arithmetic and check the current FPSC instructions.

Practise the Objective Section

The CSS Main MCQs QBank groups MCQs by compulsory paper, with a free batch of questions to try first. Related: compulsory paper pattern, MPT vs Main objective.