If you are interested in taking the police exam and joining the force, be certain that you can look at various situations in the way a police officer would. At the same time, try to develop the mindset of the people who developed the tests, who are experienced in law enforcement, and determine how they expect you to respond to the questions they pose.
What the police exam is like
What you will be dealing with when you take the written test is an evaluation of the way in which you approach life, and your capability in handling critical incidents frequently and consistently, while staying within established parameters that are highly regulated. The qualities you are expected to possess include dependability of thought and effort, reliability in reacting to various situations and durability in your decision making. Above all, he purpose of the test is to discover if you have that special combination of characteristics that will enable you to endure the difficulties inherent in police work, and to thrive and succeed on the job as well.
Note that that the test will cover basic reading and math concepts, as well as information retention, problem solving and comprehension. It is used to measure the candidates’ observational skills, judgmental skills and memory to evaluate how they would react in various situations and the motives that prompt their reactions. With this in mind, you will find that certain questions will clearly state a regulation and then proceed to test the candidate’s skill in applying it in a specific situation.
Currently, the most common type of written test police departments in the United States use is a multiple-choice exam. The have found that such a test is objective in assessing the applicant’s skills, it is often administered from a PC, and it can also be graded easily and quickly.
Preparing for the police exam
You will want to find out as much as you can about the test ahead of time, and this can be done by speaking to the police recruiter, contacting the department’s HR division, or going to the department’s website. Learn to be very observant, but avoid making any hasty assumptions. Try to spend some time observing places, vehicles and people, memorize their description, and then verify that what you thought you saw was really accurate.
Along with that, look for a study guide that seems really challenging and provides pertinent details in regard to what the test will be like and what you will be expected to know. Once you have that guide in your hands, remember to study it every day. Those candidates who are ready to spend some time preparing for the test on a daily basis are the ones who pass the police exam and land the job they wanted in law enforcement.
If you have difficulty with certain parts of a practice test, find someone who is willing to work with you, much like a tutor. Also, if you happen to have a friend who is a law officer, they may be able to guide you in learning to develop the right mindset for the job and provide some pointers when it comes to passing the test as well.
Along with that, you can go to the website of the police department where you have applied and find the basic components of the police exam they use—such as grammar, spelling, memorization, reading comprehension, problem solving and judgment.
Look for some first-hand experience
If you have never gone for a “ride along” in a police squad care, schedule one as soon as you can. As you ride, pay attention to every action the officer you are with takes. In this case, your goal will be to determine the basis of an officer’s everyday actions, reactions and decisions. Don’t hesitate to take notes and ask questions and take notes, and you will come away with a clearer understanding of what a career in law enforcement is all about.
Taking practice tests as part of your preparation
Doing this is essential because you will start to feel comfortable with the idea of taking the actual police exam, and you will also reduce the test-taking phobia that most of experience as well. Search the Internet for police practice tests and create an authentic test-taking situation by establishing your own time limits. By doing this, you can tell how much time you should devote to answering each question and improve your odds of earning a higher score on test day.
Once you know the amount of time you have to complete the police exam, determine how far you should have progressed when one-quarter, one-one half and three-quarter of the time has elapsed. In addition, allot some time for reviewing you answers and responding to any question that you have left unanswered.
Scheduling your study program
Resolve to study every section of the police exam separately. As a rule, these components include reading comprehension, grammar, writing and math, and you will want to concentrate on your weakest area. By searching the web, you can find the valuable information you need to strengthen your skills before test day arrives.
When test day finally comes
Get a good night’s sleep before taking the exam, and allow plenty of time for your commute in case traffic is heavy. Your aim should be to arrive at the test site at least 15 minutes ahead of time, and you should also know exactly where to report.
Be sure that you understand all of the written and verbal instructions the test proctor gives, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need to have something clarified. Divide the time you are given for the total test (or a particular section) by the number of questions to be answered. This will help you to determine the amount of time you should spend on each question, and it will also enable you to work at a steady pace throughout the exam.Although you should read all of the questions carefully, it is also important to avoid being side-tracked by any of them. If a certain question really has you stumped, try to choose the most logical, common-sense answer, and if you finish ahead of time, take a second look at any items you had to struggle with
Finally, remember that your goal in taking the police exam, which paves the way toward earning your badge, is easy to define. You want to obtain the highest possible score and win the top ranking on your police department’s eligibility list.