CBSA OTEE Cheat Sheet

Reasoning Skills

Not published of exam
Reasoning Question Types Logic Rules Discrepancy Scanning Series Patterns Valid Conclusion Picker

Analytical Thinking

Not published of exam
Priority Grid Rules Data + Passage Rules Task Priority Picker Urgent vs Important

Client Service Orientation

Not published of exam
Service Criteria Clients + Responses Best Response Picker Most vs Least Effective

Writing Skills

Not published of exam
Grammar Rules Punctuation + Clarity Plain Language + Concision Sentence Assembly Writing Fix Picker

Exam Logistics

Not published of exam
Exam Day Logistics Results + Rewrite Rules After the Exam Pacing Picker

Quick Facts

Exam CBSA OTEE
Items 117 multiple-choice
Time 135 minutes
Pace About 69 seconds each
Format Online, single sitting
Window One week to start
Competencies Four, weights not published
Result Success keeps selection active
Rewrite One full year later
Pass benchmark 60% each competency; March 2026
Prerequisites Check current GC Jobs poster

Conclusion Check RE

Affirmative all: no converse; affirmative some: converse
All affirmative: no converse Some A are B: reverses No: reverses If-then: contrapositive also valid

Valid vs True RE

Valid

Follows from premises
Logic holds
Answer choice

True

Matches real world
Outside knowledge
Distractor
Answer from the passage

Valid Conclusion Picker RE

Question says must be true → Accept guaranteed conclusions only ( Deduction )
All A are B → Converse not implied ( Converse error )
Some A are B → Some B are A ( Affirmative some only )
Statement is if-then → Use the contrapositive ( Converse/inverse not implied )
Option needs outside facts → Eliminate it ( No assumptions )
Two lists of codes → Compare position by position
Numbers rise and fall → Split the interleaved series
Letters form a series → Number the alphabet

Reasoning Question Types RE

Code comparison Count list discrepancies Official sample
Picture match Spot the odd image Official sample
Number series Predict the next term Official sample
Letter series Alphabet position pattern
Syllogism Conclusion must follow
Conditional rule If-then statements applied
Analogy Same relationship repeated
Ordering puzzle Rank people from clues

Deductive vs Inductive RE

Deductive

Premises guarantee it
Must be true
Rule applied

Inductive

Pattern generalised
Probably true
Examples extended
Guaranteed versus probable

Logic Rules RE

All A are B Converse not implied
Some A are B Some B are A
No A are B No B are A
If P then Q Not Q means not P
Affirming consequent Invalid: Q so P
Denying antecedent Invalid: not P, not Q
Must be true Guaranteed by the premises
Could be true Possible, not proven
Deductive Premises guarantee the conclusion
Inductive Pattern suggests probable conclusion
Modus ponens P and P→Q imply Q

Discrepancy Scanning RE

Method Compare position by position
Count unit Use prompt’s counting unit
1 vs I vs l One, capital i, lowercase L
0 vs O Zero versus letter O
5 vs S Five versus letter S
8 vs B Eight versus letter B
2 vs Z Two versus letter Z
Official sample Three discrepancies of six Answer c
Picture items Sweep one feature first
Feature order Count, orientation, position, shading

Series Patterns RE

First differences Constant means arithmetic series
Second differences Squares or quadratic growth
Ratios Constant means multiplying series
Interleaved series Split odd and even
Squares 1, 4, 9, 16, 25
Official sample Next term is 36 3,9,4,16,5,25,6
Alphabet numbering A=1 through Z=26
Letter step Constant gap between letters
Two-track letters Check each pair separately

Priority Grid AN

Urgent plus important first; neither flag last
Both: immediately Urgent only: soon Important only: before event Neither: last

Urgent vs Important AN

Urgent

Clock is running
Needs action now
Timing question

Important

Critical to success
Security or image
Impact question
Timing versus impact

Task Priority Picker AN

Time sensitive and critical → Urgent/Important ( Do it now )
Time sensitive, not critical → Urgent/Not important ( Do soon )
Critical, not time sensitive → Not urgent/Important ( Before the event )
Neither critical nor timed → Not urgent/Not important ( Handle last )
Message dated event day → Re-rate the urgency ( Timing changed )
Both flags feel true → Judge each separately ( Then combine )

Priority Grid Rules AN

Urgent/Important Address it immediately Official grid
Urgent/Not important Address as soon as possible
Not urgent/Important Finish before the event
Not urgent/Not important Lowest priority; schedule later
Urgent means Time sensitive right now
Important means Critical to event success
Two judgments Rate urgency, then importance
Timestamps Same request, new priority
Security or image Raises importance immediately

Data + Passage Rules AN

Read first Row and column labels
Units Rate or raw count
Percentage base 40% of 50 = 20
Fact Stated in the passage
Inference Follows from stated facts
Assumption Unstated belief conclusion needs
Conflicting figures Trace the source record
Constraint grid Cross out eliminated options
Branching rules Apply conditions in order
Ties in data Two values can match

Service Criteria CL

Quality, Timeliness, Completeness, Knowledge, Courtesy, Fairness, Outcome
Quality: correct Timeliness: prompt Completeness: nothing missing Knowledge: competent Courtesy: professional Fairness: equal Outcome: solved

Official Sample: Most vs Least CL

Most effective

Solves the problem
Corrects and returns
Closes the loop

Least effective

Attacks integrity
Blames the drafters
Leaves errors standing
Sample-specific; check each scenario

Best Response Picker CL

Authorized to fix verified error → Correct it yourself ( Most effective )
Answer is unknown → Find out, follow up ( Competence )
Beyond your authority → Escalate to supervisor ( Not routine items )
Safety or security risk → Escalate immediately ( Never delay )
Client is hostile → Answer the substance ( Stay neutral )
Full answer takes days → Acknowledge with a date ( Timeliness )
Rule bending requested → Apply rules equally ( Fairness )
Tempted to blame drafters → Address evidence professionally ( Avoid unsupported accusations )

Service Criteria CL

Quality Accurate, correct work CBSA definition
Timeliness Prompt, realistic response
Completeness Nothing left unanswered
Knowledge/competence Correct information, or find out
Courtesy Professional tone throughout
Fairness Same rules for everyone
Outcome Problem actually resolved
Named with etc. Examples, not closed list

Internal vs External Clients CL

Internal

Colleagues and units
Other departments
Still a client

External

Travellers and importers
Public inquiries
Same standard applies
Both count as clients

Clients + Responses CL

External clients Travellers, importers, the public
Internal clients Colleagues, units, departments
Most effective Correct it, return it Official sample
Least effective Question the drafters integrity Official sample
Middle options Weak, but not worst
Escalate Beyond authority or safety
Hostile client Answer substance, not tone
Unknown answer Find out, then follow up
Paired format Two different answer choices

Writing Sweep WR

Agreement, Pronoun, Modifier, Punctuation, Wordiness
Subject-verb agreement One clear antecedent Modifier matches subject Cut wordy connectors

Concise vs Verbose WR

Concise

Now
Many
Because

Verbose

At this point in time
A large number of
Due to the fact that
Shortest option keeping meaning

Writing Fix Picker WR

Two clauses, one comma → Add period or semicolon ( Comma splice )
Verb far from subject → Cover the middle phrase ( Agreement )
Pronoun has two antecedents → Repeat the noun ( Ambiguity )
Opening phrase dangles → Match the main subject ( Modifier )
Wordy connector appears → Cut to one word ( Concision )
Words are scrambled → Find the main verb ( Then subject )
Two options both correct → Choose the clearer one ( Plain language )

Grammar Rules WR

Subject-verb agreement Ignore the phrase between
Each/either/neither alone Singular in formal usage
Pronoun antecedent Exactly one possible noun
Ambiguous pronoun Repeat the noun instead
Its vs it's Contraction: it is/has
Their, there, they're Possessive, place, they are
Your vs you're Possessive versus you are
Verb tense Change tense when time changes
Dangling modifier Opener must describe subject
Parallel lists Same form each item

Formal vs Plain WR

Formal

Long sentences
Heavy vocabulary
Passive voice

Plain

One idea each
Everyday words
Actor named first
Plain language is graded

Punctuation + Clarity WR

Comma splice Two clauses, one comma
Splice repairs Period, semicolon, or conjunction
Run-on sentence Clauses with no punctuation
Semicolon Links related independent clauses
Colon Complete clause introduces list/explanation
Comma before and Joins two independent clauses
Apostrophe Possession or contraction only
Sentence fragment Lacks a complete independent clause

Plain Language + Concision WR

Plain language Clear on first reading CBSA definition
Sentence rule One idea per sentence
Active voice Name the actor first
in order to Write to
at this point in time Write now
a large number of Write many
due to the fact that Write because
in the event that Write if
Jargon Replace with everyday words
Word-pair items Pick two equivalent words

Sentence Assembly WR

Scrambled words Form one complete sentence
Step 1 Find the main verb
Step 2 Attach the acting subject
Step 3 Add objects and modifiers
Check Read the sentence aloud
Follow-up task Identify the letters asked
Common slip Counting before rebuilding correctly

Four Competencies LO

Reason, Analyse, Serve, Write
Reasoning skills Analytical thinking Client service orientation Writing skills

Result vs Published Threshold LO

Result

Successful keeps selection active
Unsuccessful removes candidacy
Follow recruitment instructions

Threshold

60% in each competency
March 2026 fact sheet
Question weights not published
Outcome versus performance threshold

Pacing Picker LO

Stuck past one minute → Best guess, move on ( 69 second average )
Question 59 by 68 minutes → You are on pace
Falling behind the clock → Speed up short items ( Grammar first )
No idea at all → Eliminate, then answer ( Blank cannot score )
Limitation may affect you → Notify before starting ( Accommodation )
Qualifying alternate-date reason → Request an alternate date ( Proof required )

Exam Day Logistics LO

Invitation Sent inside a selection process
Start window One week to begin
Once started Must finish in one
Duration 135 minutes total
Questions 117 multiple-choice items
Prior knowledge None of CBSA needed
Alternate dates Religion, death, illness, vacation, military
Accommodation Notify recruitment before starting
Proceeding anyway You accept the results
Misconduct Cheating can remove you

Pacing Rule LO

117 questions, 135 minutes, 69 seconds each
Halfway near 68 minutes Mark and move Finish in one sitting

Results + Rewrite Rules LO

Reported result Successful keeps selection active
Feedback Follow recruitment result instructions
Pass mark 60% each competency (March 2026)
Competency weighting Question split not disclosed
Successful result Continue current selection process
Unsuccessful result Candidacy is terminated
Rewrite wait One year after initial attempt
Early rewrite Void; new wait starts

After the Exam LO

Interview Six competencies assessed
Psychological assessment Two exams plus interview
Firearms courses CFSC and CRFSC required
Medical exam Category III health assessment
Corrected vision 6/9 better; 6/15 other
Hearing standard Better ear ≤25dB, 500–3000Hz
Second language BBB for bilingual positions
Security clearance Enhanced Reliability plus Secret
Fingerprints Digital, at your expense
PARE Not required, current process
Process length Up to 18 months
Online training 3 weeks distance learning
College training 15 weeks in-residence, Rigaud

Common Traps

Urgent vs important

Urgent is timing ≠ Important is impact

All vs some

All A are B: no converse ≠ Some affirmative converts safely

Valid vs plausible

Valid follows premises ≠ Plausible needs outside knowledge

Polite vs effective

Courtesy alone fails ≠ Outcome must be solved

Correcting vs blaming

Correcting serves clients ≠ Questioning integrity ranks worst

Characters vs entries

Read requested counting unit ≠ Official sample: three differing entries

Formal vs clear

Long words impress nobody ≠ Plain language is required

Threshold Is Not Pass Rate

60% each competency, March 2026 ≠ Candidate pass rate not published

Rewrite vs reapply

Wait one full year ≠ Early rewrite is void

Speed vs accuracy

69 seconds average ≠ Discrepancy items need care

Last Minute

1. 117 questions in 135 minutes
2. One week to start; finish once
3. Successful result keeps selection process active
4. Failing = one-year wait to rewrite
5. Urgent = timing; important = impact
6. Affirmative some converts; negative some cannot
7. If-then: original and contrapositive valid
8. CBSA sample: correct and return
9. CBSA sample worst: question drafters’ integrity
10. Service criteria include fairness and outcome
11. Internal colleagues are clients too
12. Compare codes position by position
13. Plain language: one idea per sentence
14. Cut wordy phrases; keep the meaning
15. No prior CBSA knowledge needed

CBSA Officer Trainee Entrance Examination (OTEE)

Practice Questions 214 questions Study Guide 24 topics Cheat Sheet 140 facts Flashcards 50 cards Shorts 2 short s Blogs 2 blogs Podcast