Example of a written exam at the UN

The UN written exam is a mandatory part of the selection process for any UN agency. Let's examine its structure and how it is conducted.

The written exam consists of two parts: general competencies and specialized competencies. The total maximum score is 800 points. The test can take up to 3 hours and is conducted in English or French.

I. General Competencies Task

Candidates are given a 900–1,000-word article and must write a 300-word essay based on it. Copying text is prohibited. The goal of this task is to assess your editorial and analytical skills in English or French. This document is the same for all applicants regardless of the position applied for. The time limit for this task is 45 minutes, and the maximum score is 150 points.

Example 1. Text

"Farmers in Ghana plant rows of cassava next to their chili peppers and banana trees in the middle of cocoa plantations. In India, farmers hang bouquets of flowers in their apple trees. And in Brazil, farmers increasingly appreciate a law requiring them to leave a portion of their farms as a natural habitat..."
(The full passage continues with details on the FAO’s Global Pollination Project and its impact on agriculture).

II. Specialized Competencies Task

The goal of the second task is to assess your core knowledge in your area of expertise and your ability to think analytically. If you applied for an administrative position, you will receive a specialized test in that field. This task can be completed in any of the six official UN languages and also consists of two parts. The exam lasts 2.5 hours, and the maximum score is 650 points.

Part 1: Multiple Choice

The first part consists of about 50 multiple-choice questions related to the specialization of the position. Each correct answer is worth 3 points.

Example 2. UN YPP Exam Questions

1. Which of the following is not a permanent member of the Security Council?
   A. France
   B. China
   C. Germany
   D. United Kingdom
2. The headquarters of the International Court of Justice is located in:
   A. Geneva
   B. The Hague
   C. New York
   D. Paris
3. Which of the following is not a main organ of the United Nations?
   A. International Court of Justice
   B. Economic and Social Council
   C. Secretariat
   D. International Monetary Fund
4. UN Day is celebrated every year on:
   A. 24th September
   B. 28th September
   C. 24th October
   D. 28th October
5. Which of the following is not a function of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)?
   A. Protecting refugees worldwide
   B. Poverty reduction
   C. Crisis prevention and recovery
   D. Energy and environment
6. Which of the following UN agencies focuses on poverty reduction and improving living standards worldwide?
   A. World Bank
   B. IMF
   C. WHO
   D. ILO
7. How many principal organs does the UN have?
   A. 1
   B. 3
   C. 6
   D. 8
8. The headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO) is located in:
   A. Paris
   B. Geneva
   C. New York
   D. The Hague
9. Which of the following is the world’s center for cooperation in the nuclear field?
   A. ILO
   B. IAEA
   C. CTBTO
   D. ICAO
10. The Secretary-General of the UN is headquartered in:
    A. Paris
    B. Geneva
    C. New York
    D. The Hague

Example 3. Statistics Questions

1. Let y be a uniformly distributed random variable over the (0, θ) interval, where Pr(θ = 1) = Pr(θ=2) = 1/2 are the prior probabilities of the parameter θ. If a single data point y = 1 is observed, what is the posterior probability that θ = 1?
   A. 0
   B. 1/4
   C. 1/2
   D. 2/3
2. Of five letters (A, B, C, D, and E), two letters are to be selected randomly without replacement. How many possible selections are there regardless of order?
   A. 5
   B. 7
   C. 10
   D. 20