Police Written Test 101
ou've taken the first choice, essay, etc.) and what
step. Your application is areas of knowledge will be
in the hands of a police tested.
recruiter. Now you're ready to
take the plunge with the written Ask also if the test is Civil
test. Like everything else in Service. Civil service tests are
your quest for the badge, the key usually only offered once or
to success in the written test twice a year, and re-testing may
is: preparation. also be limited. Check your guide
for specifics, but in general,
First on your prep list is the police written tests are
test study guide. Before you timed,contain 100 to 200
leave the recruiter's office, ask questions in several sections,
for one, or where you can get require 2-3 hours time for
one. Many agencies have an online completion and are scored as
guide available on their website. pass/fail or require 70% correct
These test guides tell you what to pass. Most tests are completed
types of questions to expect and by hand (pencil-marked answer
how many there are per section, sheets), but many are taken on
how much time you have on each computers.
section,and what skills and
abilities are tested. If your Study preparation for the written
agency does not have a test test is simple and
guide, ask the recruiter or your straightforward. Read your test
department contact, for guide front to back and then read
information about the test.Find it again. Check out the library,
out where the test is taken, the internet and bookstore for more
time required to complete the resources on police written
test, what types of questions tests, especially for sources
will be on the test (multiple with sample questions. Most
libraries will have books in the information given.
reference section that contain
explanations of the test sections This test section evaluates your
most commonly used and sample ability to perform police-related
questions for each. If duties such as: remembering
you find a test section that you suspect descriptions, wanted
feel is a weak area for you, posters/pictures, department
spend extra time on it to tone policies and procedures, and
down test day anxiety. safety and tactical procedures.
Nearly every police written test 2. Written Skills
will include 5 areas of Your ability to communicate in
evaluation. These areas may be writing. You will be given either
covered in separate sections of a spelling or vocabulary test
questions, or may be bundled usually consisting of 25-50 words
within 2 or 3 sections. They to be defined and spelled
include: correctly. You will also be
given, in some form, a scenario
1. Accuracy of Observation/Memory to read and take notes on. You
Your ability to retain and recall will then write a report that
specific information. You will be relates to specific test-defined
given printed information, points of the scenario.
allowed to read and study it (no
note-taking) for a certain amount This test section evaluates your
of time (5 to 25 minutes), then ability to perform police-related
the materials are returned and duties such as: report writing,
you are tested on the contents. witness statements and completing
Tests may be strictly memory department forms.
recall, or may ask for
conclusions to be drawn from the 3. Reading Comprehension
Your ability to understand what situation and to choose an
you read. You will be given appropriate course of action. You
materials to read and will then will be given written, audio or
answer multiple choice questions video materials and then asked to
on that information to show that pick the best response out of
you understand and can apply several responses, within an
information you read. extremely limited time frame (10
seconds, for example).
This test section evaluates your
ability to perform police-related This test section evaluates your
duties such as: accurately ability to perform police-related
reading and comprehending duties such as: responding calmly
technical and legal information - to provocation, handling
court orders, department policy, authority appropriately, using
state law, haz-mat warnings and unbiased enforcement,
training materials, for example. professional ethics and social
maturity.
Prepare for test sections 1 - 3
by cornering family and friends Prepare for test section 4 by
to give you verbal or written studying sample questions,reading
answer pop-quizzes on information newspaper accounts of crimes and
you've read in newspapers and proposing what your response
magazines. This is so close to a would be, and observing officer
game that you shouldn't have any response during a police ride
trouble finding people to 'play'. along.
4. Decision Making/Judgment 5. Navigational
Skills Skills/Directional Orientation
Your ability to identify and Your ability to read maps and
comprehend critical elements of a recognize the direction you are
traveling. You will be given away from your partner's vehicle.
materials that ask you to find You will begin your imaginary
locations on maps, show point to 'chase' of a suspect (at legal
point routes for specific speeds)while giving directions to
location responses and suspect your 'backup' over your cell
vehicle and foot chases. phone. Set a time limit (5
minutes). When the suspect is
This test section evaluates your 'apprehended', see if your backup
ability to perform police-related finds you. Then switch roles and
duties such as: routing to calls have your partner be the lead
to decrease response time, vehicle. Your job will be to
knowledge of street closures and follow, and also to anticipate
need for re-routing, radio routes that would allow you to
transmissions of a suspect chase, block the suspects anticipated
and emergency response to officer direction of travel. Again, this
down/needs assistance. is a great game and you'll have
little trouble finding partners.
Prepare for test section 5 by
observing the officer during a The police written test is
ride along, sticking a compass in designed to evaluate multiple
your vehicle and learning to use abilities and skills. In addition
landmarks as orientation guides to the five evaluation sections
and lastly, involve friends or noted above, you will also find
family in imaginary suspect simple math and problem-solving
'chases'. Your 'chase' exercise math questions, and behavioral
would be something like this: questions that indicate
Both drivers are in cell phone character, compliance with laws
contact. Your vehicle is 2 blocks and personal accountability.
About the Author:
Sgt. George Godoy recently retired after 22 years
of police service in the Denver, CO area. He has created
http://www.PoliceExam911.com to help police officer
candidates get top scores on their written exam.
Read more articles by: George Godoy
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