| The police written test will vary throughout the | | | | the Internet. For example, if you consider yourself |
| country. Some police agencies rent the written | | | | weak in math you can go to Google and enter |
| test from companies like Stanard & | | | | the word math. You will find a great site called |
| Associates that specialize in the police entrance | | | | Here you can brush up on basic math. You can do |
| test, while other agencies have written tests | | | | this with any subject. |
| provided to them by state run organizations such | | | | 3. Take practice police tests. This can reduce your |
| as POST (Peace Officer Standards & | | | | anxiety and improve your test taking strategies. |
| Training). Still, countless municipalities with smaller | | | | 4. Organize your schedule so you can perform |
| budgets write their own. | | | | your best on the day of test. Prepare mentally. |
| In the days and weeks prior to taking the written | | | | Stay positive. Negative feelings of failure are |
| test it is imperative to study. This is one phase of | | | | common, but don't allow these thoughts to enter |
| the process that you will have the opportunity to | | | | your head. Being prepared for the written test will |
| prepare, so don't cut yourself short. A little | | | | allow you to feel confident in the test room. |
| preparation will help you excel over your | | | | Study and practice prior to test day will make a |
| competition. | | | | big difference in your test score. |
| Types of Questions | | | | 5. Get enough sleep. Most adults do best with 7-8 |
| The police written test can comprise of true/ | | | | hours. Try to adopt this pattern several days |
| false, essay, fill in the blank...but the most popular | | | | before the exam. Give yourself plenty of time to |
| type of written exam used by police departments | | | | have a light, balanced breakfast. Minimize your use |
| today is the multiple choice test. The reasons are | | | | of caffeine. Arrive at the test 20 minutes early. |
| straightforward. It is the simply the most | | | | Allow enough time to cope with traffic, weather, |
| objective test to measure a candidates ability to | | | | parking, etc. |
| perform the tasks of a police officer. In addition: | | | | Written Test Tips |
| It is easy to grade. | | | | 1. Understand all verbal and written instructions |
| It removes subjectivity because there is only one | | | | given by the test proctor. Ask questions if you're |
| correct answer. | | | | unsure. The time to ask questions is before the |
| Any trained person grading the test will have the | | | | written test begins. |
| same results. | | | | 2. Use the time given to complete each section of |
| Multiple choice tests can be administered directly | | | | the test carefully. Some written tests are given a |
| from a PC and graded instantly. | | | | total time to complete, others will be timed |
| Prepare For The Written Test | | | | separately. Divide the time given by the number |
| 1. Find out what's on the test. Visit the police | | | | of questions. This will tell you how much time you |
| department website you applied to for the basic | | | | have on each question, or get you close. Keep a |
| components of the written test. Common areas | | | | steady pace throughout the test. |
| that are tested include: judgment and problem | | | | 3. Read each question carefully. Don't get bogged |
| solving, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, | | | | down on any one question. Sometimes a certain |
| memorization, mathematics and reading | | | | question will stump you. Use your informed |
| comprehension. If the website tells you that you | | | | judgment to make a choice between possible |
| will be taking a civil service exam, and that's it, | | | | answers. This is not guessing. To the extent your |
| then it is not inappropriate to call human resources | | | | decision is informed you are demonstrating a |
| or the recruitment section in larger department's | | | | degree of knowledge and not just blindly guessing. |
| and politely ask what components will be on the | | | | Answer all questions. |
| test. You will find in most cases that you will be | | | | 4. Avoid reading too much into a question. Most |
| provided with this information. | | | | questions require an answer that is most correct. |
| 2. Establish a study program. Study each | | | | Reason through the answers to find the most |
| component separately. If the components given | | | | logical answer. |
| to you were math, reading comprehension, and | | | | 5. Use all the allotted time given to complete the |
| writing and grammar then start with your | | | | test. If you finish early go back to problematic |
| weakest area first. You can find most of the | | | | questions and re-think them. Use every second |
| information needed to tweak your knowledge on | | | | you're given on the written test. |