Believe it or not, the top candidates to be police officers aren’t usually the ones who actually get the position. Due to getting average test scores on the selection test, numerous individuals are rejected who would make the best officers. Police applicants are now being ranked solely by their test scores in states such as New York. This means that just passing isn’t going to be enough. Scores that are in the middle 90’s and above are the new ideal.
The truth is that no matter how knowledgeable you are when it comes to different facts and figures, you’re still don’t to fail if you don’t focus on how you answer the questions.
One advantage that you already have is that many of the police officer tests are actually that difficult. This means that your academic knowledge isn’t going to be a major factor. Another advantage that you have is access to this article. By the end of it, you’ll have all the information needed to pass the law enforcement test with flying colors. Let’s dive in.
Can You Pass the Written Exam?
When dealing with the hiring process to become an officer of the law, expect to take a lot of test and exams. The 1st of these exams will be a written one. This is the 1st step used to filter out the good candidates from the bad ones.
If you really want to wear a badge, then you’ll need to obtain a great score on this part to be seen as an eligible candidate. Doing so will help you move up the ranking list. To be considered as a real future police officer, you’ll want to try and stay among the top 5 individuals on this list. This will take a constant effort on your part. Don’t be discouraged because this is a very doable task.
The Various Questions on the Exam
One thing you should keep in mind is that the written test can vary greatly from state to state. Since all areas are different, there is no “one size fits all” exam. Numerous municipalities create and design their own unique written exams. However, others are known for hiring special agencies to create their entrance exams for potential police candidates. There are even state run businesses that are responsible for developing the exam in other states. This is why you won’t know what you’re getting until you actually get it.
These tests can consist of all, none, or even a mixture of different types of questions. You may find yourself answering questions that require you to fill in the missing information, mark whether a question/statement is true or false, and/or even right and essay. Typically, most departments find that using the multiple-choice structure makes it easier for an examiner to judge a potential candidate’s abilities. They also prefer multiple choice because:
§ They can easily be graded
Remove subjectivity from the exam Allows all test examiners to obtain the exact same Can easily be administered and instantly graded on a PC
Preparing to Take the Written Exam
The police exam is simple to pass if you prepare for it. The easiest way to do this is by making sure you are informed prior to taking it. There are a variety of methods you can use to help you do just that such as:
1. Figure out what you’ll be tested on
Getting ready for the Police Officer Selection Test (POST) is no different than getting ready to take any other test. Inquire as much as possible about what will actually be on the test itself. You can find this information out from a variety of different resources. Sometimes it is listed on the police department’s website, a recruiter might have the information you need, or the information can be obtained by visiting the human resource department. After obtaining the information, you should be all set.
2. Purchase a study guide
After figuring out what will actually be on the test, you can then practice on the areas where your lacking the most. Improve on skills such as spelling, grammar, math, vocabulary, and even critical thinking. Also, if you haven’t been an avid reader over the years, now might be a good time to start picking up books again. If you’re not into thick novels, find a few interesting articles online to read over every day. You’ll soon see benefits that will later assist you when taking the test. Try testing yourself afterwards to see how much you can remember and understood from each article.
3. Do practice tests on your own
Even though the written test will primarily be examining your vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and math abilities, there are still a few other things you will want to practice. The post exam will also be examining your abilities to do other things such as recall incidents accurately, respond rationally to situations, and even make sound judgments. You can enhance these abilities by doing a variety of different task on a daily basis. You can even make it fun by playing different memory and logic games. Test your ability for critical thinking by doing fun riddles throughout the day. Even though they are fun, it doesn’t mean you won’t actually be learning and improving. Because they’re fun, you’ll be more likely to continue practicing and developing your skills further.
4. Repeat, repeat, and repeat some more
if you read through a police study guide before, then you’ll know that one of the main things drilled into your head is the act of repetition. If you really want to understand the police written exam, you should take as many practice tests as you possibly can. Doing so will prepare you for the test in many ways that most people rarely consider. You’ll find that you will have less, if any, anxiety when it comes time for the actual test. This will allow you to think clearly during test time. If you time your self during your practice tests, you’ll be able to identify which areas you spend the most time on. Having this insight will enable you to figure out which questions you should give the most time to in order for you to obtain the highest scores.
Why Choose a Good POST Study Guide?
if you aren’t too certain why you should choose a good Post study guide, that can be answered very easily. A study guide for the police exam typically makes taking the actual exam a lot easier and less stressful. It provide you with a great idea of what to expect on the exam and properly prepare for. It even outlines time frames for each section of the test. This allows you to have proper time management. According to the study guide, you should allocate:
- about 20 minutes to answer 20 questions in the math section
- about 25 minutes to answer 25 questions in the reading section
- about 15 minutes to answer 20 questions in the grammar section
- and about 15 minutes to answer 10 questions in the section dedicated to writing an incident report
Even though a good study guide will provide you with all of the best tips and advice for acing the post exam, here are just a few more that you should keep in mind come test day:
• make sure that you fully understand the instructions and ask for clarification if you don’t
• keep track of your time and make sure you aren’t wasting any of it
• in cases where a question has more than one logical answer, remember to choose the most logical one as opposed to dismissing them assuming it might be a trick question
• make sure to go back and complete any questions that were skipped
By following these suggestions, you are sure to come out on top. Good luck with the exam.