Acing the Test

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has updated its required essay questions for job applicants. 

As a refresher, OPM’s Merit Hiring Plan, which was published on May 29, 2025, directed federal agencies to ask job applicants four essay questions, which included a question about the applicant’s favorite executive order or policy initiative - it was question #3. 

In mid-September, a federal judge blocked agencies from asking applicants this question.  The ruling came after three unions sued the government, arguing that the essay question could be used to determine an applicant’s political views which could then potentially be used to make hiring decisions.  Discrimination based on political affiliation is a prohibited personnel practice under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.

OPM has now issued a revised question 3 and directed agencies to include it in job announcements that close September 26, 2026 or later.  It reads as follows.

In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation.

OPM also directed agencies to develop a new fifth question and included the following sample text.

This position supports [agency]’s mission and current priorities, including [insert 1–3 current agency-wide priorities]. Describe how your skills and experience would help the agency advance those priorities in this role.

Keep in mind that these questions are only required in competitive service job announcements for positions at the GS-05 level or above.  They are optional (not mandatory) for “merit promotion” announcements, which are announcements typically aimed at current and former federal employees, eligible veterans, and those with non-competitive appointment eligibility.

Want to learn more?

You can find more information regarding prohibited personnel practices here.