Standard Chartered Graduate Assessment Test – Free Online Practice

1. Research into the diets of other countries and cultures can be used to point out the health benefits of certain foods. One example of this is the Japanese diet, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, compared to a Western diet, in which omega-6 fatty acids are more prevalent. A recent study has discovered that diets which incorporate high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, found particularly in fish oils, may prevent some types of blindness. Tests performed only on mice so far revealed that omega-3 fatty acids protect against retinopathy, which leads to loss of vision. Further tests are scheduled to begin soon to ascertain the potential benefits for humans.

The Western diet incorporates very few omega-3 fatty acids.

2. Research into the diets of other countries and cultures can be used to point out the health benefits of certain foods. One example of this is the Japanese diet, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, compared to a Western diet, in which omega-6 fatty acids are more prevalent. A recent study has discovered that diets which incorporate high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, found particularly in fish oils, may prevent some types of blindness. Tests performed only on mice so far revealed that omega-3 fatty acids protect against retinopathy, which leads to loss of vision. Further tests are scheduled to begin soon to ascertain the potential benefits for humans.

Japanese people tend to have better eyesight than their Western counterparts

3. Although people are buying less sugar to add to their food, the percentage of sugar eaten in manufactured foods is increasing sharply. In that form it is often referred to on the label as fructose, sucrose or dextrose. Although there is concern at the growing compulsion to eat over-sugared food, there is no proven link between sugar and coronary heart disease, and sugar does not by itself make people fat.

The average individual consumption of sugar in all its various forms is increasing

4. Although people are buying less sugar to add to their food, the percentage of sugar eaten in manufactured foods is increasing sharply. In that form it is often referred to on the label as fructose, sucrose or dextrose. Although there is concern at the growing compulsion to eat over-sugared food, there is no proven link between sugar and coronary heart disease, and sugar does not by itself make people fat.

Over-consumption of sugar sometimes results in heart disease.

5. Hargraves, one of the country’s leading specialist electrical engineering companies announced the rejection of a take-over bid made by the larger, more generalized MLT Group. The Board of Directors stated that this was the decision of the majority of shareholders and the announcement kept the price of Hargraves shares where it had stood before the bid had been made. The Chairman was known to be very relieved by the decision as he could see no
advantage for the shareholders, the company or its employees in the take-over.

The employees of Hargraves were against the take- over.

6. A few ‘Safe As Houses’ alarms have been redesigned in an attempt to reduce the large number of complaints where alarms have sounded by accident. One of the new types of alarm is less sensitive than its predecessors. Studies have shown that these newer alarms are rarely activated for no apparent reason. ‘Safe As Houses’ still sells a number of the original, sensitive alarm systems, because the increase in threshold for motion detection means that the new style alarms may fail to register break-in where limited force is being used.

All of the company’s alarm system are now less sensitive.

7. A UN report has warned of the potential problems of global warming. If the production of greenhouse gases continues at the current rate, this will result in the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic. The consequences of this will be rising sea levels, which will endanger 145 million people. In response to the problem, the report observes the need for an immediate international agreement on reducing emissions.

The report recommends an international agreement to stabilize emissions

8. A UN report has warned of the potential problems of global warming. If the production of greenhouse gases continues at the current rate, this will result in the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic. The consequences of this will be rising sea levels, which will endanger 145 million people. In response to the problem, the report observes the need for an immediate international agreement on reducing emissions.

Emission of greenhouse gases can result in a change in sea levels.

9. One of the foremost concerns for reputable commercial construction companies is the significant amount of time require for contractors and cost estimators to commit to pricing up raw materials like steel and concrete. This is due to the constantly changing massive inflation rates, which result in a need for continuous researching and reporting on pricing information.
In addition, these companies need to ensure they have good relationships with their major subcontractors and suppliers, in order to capitalize on their capacity to forecast and budget the costs effectively throughout the whole construction process. However, some construction owners are taking a more proactive role throughout the whole process to streamline communication and impel project completion, by functioning as a team
member.

By working as part of a team it is possible for construction owners to reduce the amount of money they spend on a construction project.

10. One of the foremost concerns for reputable commercial construction companies is the significant amount of time require for contractors and cost estimators to commit to pricing up raw materials like steel and concrete. This is due to the constantly changing massive inflation rates, which result in a need for continuous researching and reporting on pricing information. In addition, these companies need to ensure they have good relationships with their major subcontractors and suppliers, in order to capitalize on their capacity to forecast and budget the costs effectively throughout the whole construction process.
However, some construction owners are taking a more proactive role throughout the whole process to streamline communication and impel project completion, by functioning as a team member.

Constantly changing inflation rates causes considerable problems for cost estimators

11. Hargraves, one of the country’s leading specialist electrical engineering companies announced the rejection of a take-over bid made by the larger, more generalized MLT Group. The Board of Directors stated that this was the decision of the majority of shareholders and the announcement kept the price of Hargraves shares where it had stood before the bid had been made. The Chairman was known to be very relieved by the decision as he could see no
advantage for the shareholders, the company or its employees in the take-over.

Some shareholders were against accepting the proposed take-over

12. Despite decrease in the miles travelled by the average cyclist in recent years, increase in bicycle sales over the last 5 years have meant a corresponding increase in cyclist accidents. This increase is especially marked amongst teenagers and young children. Last year, 45% of all cyclist casualties were under 14 and another 20% under 20 years. The provisional figures for this year show some improvement, but the fact remains that the number of cyclist of all
ages injured each year is unacceptably high.

Fewer adults were involved in cycle casualties this year.

13. Despite decrease in the miles travelled by the average cyclist in recent years, increase in bicycle sales over the last 5 years have meant a corresponding increase in cyclist accidents. This increase is especially marked amongst teenagers and young children. Last year, 45% of all cyclist casualties were under 14 and another 20% under 20 years. The provisional figures for this year show some improvement, but the fact remains that the number of cyclist of all
ages injured each year is unacceptably high.

The majority of cyclist casualties last year involved people under 20 years of age.

14. Staff training can have a number of objectives. It can be educational, aiming to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of the trainees; it can be a vehicle to promote company policy or values; or finally, it can raise levels of staff satisfaction by ensuring employees are able to improve their existing skills. Lively debate usually accompanies the allocation of expenditure to the annual training budget. Critics argue that certain costs associated with such programs could be scaled down, and those courses which are unproductive could be axed .

Training sharpens an organization’s competitive edge.

15. Staff training can have a number of objectives. It can be educational, aiming to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of the trainees; it can be a vehicle to promote company policy or values; or finally, it can raise levels of staff satisfaction by ensuring employees are able to improve their existing skills. Lively debate usually accompanies the allocation of expenditure to the annual training budget. Critics argue that certain costs associated with such programs could be scaled down, and those courses which are unproductive could be axed .

Knowledge-based training is the most effective form for staff.

16. The early chaos of the home computing industry in the USA, where it developed, probably had a more detrimental effect in Europe than it did in the States. All the innovators in the field were companies which were too small to cope with or understand foreign sales. As a result, all US companies sold exclusively through European distributors, some of which were only interested in making maximum profits in a minimum amount of time. Home computing in Europe got off to a slow start because greedy distributors worked through incompetent suppliers, none of which had any real interest in the long term future of the technology.

None of the American innovators in the field were able to deal adequately with foreign sales.

17. The early chaos of the home computing industry in the USA, where it developed, probably had a more detrimental effect in Europe than it did in the States. All the innovators in the field were companies which were too small to cope with or understand foreign sales. As a result, all US companies sold exclusively through European distributors, some of which were only interested in making maximum profits in a minimum amount of time. Home computing in Europe got off to a slow start because greedy distributors worked through incompetent suppliers, none of which had any real interest in the long term future of the technology.

Incompetent suppliers were one of the reasons for the slow development of home computing in Europe.

18. Sages Store enjoys an international reputation for quality and style. Nowhere is this more important than in the dress and appearance of its staff. The company sets minimum standards of appearance which are demanded of all shop floor staff, although some departments have specific additional requirements. Hair must be clean, tidy and well cut at all times. With very few exceptions, such as “Designer Corner”, which operates a different staff dress code reflecting their particular style, business dress must be worn…Women should wear tailored suits, with a white or cream blouse. Men should wear dark grey trousers together with a white shirt and navy blazer.

Business dress must be worn by staff in all departments

19. Sages Store enjoys an international reputation for quality and style. Nowhere is this more important than in the dress and appearance of its staff. The company sets minimum standards of appearance which are demanded of all shop floor staff, although some departments have specific additional requirements. Hair must be clean, tidy and well cut at all times. With very few exceptions, such as “Designer Corner”, which operates a different staff dress code reflecting their particular style, business dress must be worn…Women should wear tailored suits, with a white or cream blouse. Men should wear dark grey trousers together with a white shirt and navy blazer.

Women in “Designer Corner” are allowed to wear jewelry

20. A few ‘Safe As Houses’ alarms have been redesigned in an attempt to reduce the large number of complaints where alarms have sounded by accident. One of the new types of alarm is less sensitive than its predecessors. Studies have shown that these newer alarms are rarely activated for no apparent reason. ‘Safe As Houses’ still sells a number of the original, sensitive alarm systems, because the increase in threshold for motion detection means that the new style alarms may fail to register break-in where limited force is being used.

The new alarm systems should reduce the number of accidental soundings by at least a half.