AS Level Business chapter 2: Human resource management MCQs with answers
By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026
72 exam-style questions on Human resource management, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.
Ten Human resource management questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.
1. A manager decides how to divide a limited budget between two departments and negotiates a new contract with a supplier. Which of Mintzberg's role types is this?
A
an interpersonal role
B
an informational role
C
a supervisory role
D
a decisional role
Show answer
Answer: D. Allocating resources and negotiating are decisional roles, alongside entrepreneur and disturbance handler.
2. A company pays the same rate to men and women doing the same job and promotes on merit. What is it demonstrating?
A
multi-skilling of the workforce
B
job rotation between departments
C
collective bargaining with unions
D
equality in the workplace
Show answer
Answer: D. Equal pay and promotion on merit demonstrate equality, which can improve morale and reduce the risk of legal claims.
3. The Hawthorne experiments, associated with Elton Mayo, found that output rose when
A
pay was cut for all of the workers involved
B
supervision was completely removed from the workplace
C
workers felt valued as part of a group
D
the workers were kept apart from each other at work
Show answer
Answer: C. Mayo concluded that attention, social relations and group membership were important motivators, not just pay and physical conditions.
4. A manager believes employees enjoy work, seek responsibility and can direct themselves. Which theory does this represent?
A
McGregor's Theory X
B
Taylor's scientific management
C
McGregor's Theory Y
D
Mintzberg's disturbance handling
Show answer
Answer: C. Theory Y managers assume that employees are self-motivated and responsible.
5. A manager makes all the decisions, gives orders and does not ask for the workers' opinions. What is this management style?
A
democratic
B
laissez-faire
C
paternalistic
D
autocratic
Show answer
Answer: D. Autocratic managers make decisions alone and communicate orders downwards.
6. A worker is offered either $9 an hour for a 40-hour week or a piece rate of $1.80 per unit. She can make 45 units a day for 5 days. Which is better and by how much?
A
the time rate, by $45 a week
B
the piece rate, by $9 a week
C
the piece rate, by $45 a week
D
the two give the same weekly pay
Show answer
Answer: C. Piece rate: 225 units × 1.80 = $405. Time rate: 40 × 9 = $360. The piece rate is $45 higher.
7. A firm with 200 employees, each working 250 days a year, introduces flexible working. Absence falls from 8% to 5% of working days. How many working days a year are gained?
A
1,500
B
3,000
C
4,000
D
2,500
Show answer
Answer: A. The fall is 3 percentage points: 3% × 200 × 250 = 1,500 days. The other figures use the wrong percentage.
8. An employee is offered extra paid holiday for meeting her targets, but she has no interest in more leave. Which element of Vroom's theory explains why she is not motivated?
A
expectancy: she doubts that effort will improve her performance
B
instrumentality: she doubts that targets will be rewarded
C
a hygiene factor: her pay is too low
D
valence: she places a low value on the reward
Show answer
Answer: D. Valence is how much the individual values the reward. If the reward is not wanted, it will not motivate even when effort would lead to performance and performance to reward.
9. A factory trains its workers to carry out several different jobs. Which is a benefit for the business?
A
more flexibility to cover staff absences
B
workers no longer need any supervision or pay rises
C
the wage bill is certain to fall in the following year
D
recruitment of new workers will never be needed again
Show answer
Answer: A. Multi-skilled workers can be moved between tasks, so the firm can cope with absence and changing workloads.
10. A hospital cleaner has a secure job and fair pay, but feels that nobody notices her work. Which Herzberg factor is most obviously missing?
A
recognition, which is a motivator
B
pay, which is a hygiene factor
C
job security, which is a hygiene factor
D
working conditions, which are a hygiene factor
Show answer
Answer: A. Herzberg's motivators, such as recognition and achievement, give satisfaction. The hygiene factors mentioned are already adequate.
How many Human resource management MCQs are there?
72, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 3 topics: Human resource management (HRM), Motivation, Management. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.
Is the AS Level Business chapter 2 test free?
Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.
How is the chapter test marked?
The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.
