One of the first steps toward becoming a Police Officer is taking and passing a Civil Service examination composed of several test components (Visit the Hiring Process section of this website for detailed information regarding the different components of the written test.)

The written test is designed to evaluate knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position of police officer. You do not need previous police experience to pass the written test. Preparation and practice are important aspects in achieving positive results. This information is a general overview of skills and ideas that can assist you preparing for your test.

Written examinations test specifically for skills necessary to perform the essential functions of a police officer. Most of the skills evaluated should have been acquired at the completion of high school. However, many applicants have not recently attended school or had the opportunity to demonstrate these skills. Therefore, if you encountered difficulty in a particular area during your prior education, you are strongly encouraged to study and practice these skills prior to testing. Public libraries, bookstores, and the Internet are available resources to help you refresh your skills.

To decrease test anxiety, avoid junk food and concentrate on a well-balanced diet for several days before the test. A good night’s sleep the night before the test and a healthy breakfast the morning of the test is strongly recommended.

Avoid tranquilizers and stimulants such as caffeinated beverages, especially on the day of the test. Avoid alcoholic beverages several days prior to testing and especially on the day of the test and the night prior.

Don’t be late for the test. Plan on arriving a few minutes early. Most testing facilities close and lock their doors as soon as the tests begin. If you arrive late you will not be allowed inside and will be disqualified from any further testing.

Follow the oral and written instructions that are given to you during the orientation session before each test section. Failure to follow instructions can be detrimental to your testing and you could be disqualified for failure to follow instructions. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask the test proctor for help if you do not understand the instructions.

Familiarize yourself with the time limits for each section and be aware of how much time you have used. You can check your remaining time periodically during the test. It is your responsibility to manage your time. If you do not know the answer to a question, skip it and come back to the question later. Do not spend too much time on one question. If you run out of time, questions you do not answer are counted as incorrect.

It is to your advantage to answer all of the test questions. If you are not sure which answer is correct, eliminate choices you know are wrong. If you can narrow the number of choices, you increase your chances of answering the question correctly.

Depending on the department, some tests allow you to proceed from one testing section to the next at your own pace. With others, each section is independently timed. If the test you are taking is timed by section, you must successfully complete and pass one section before advancing to the next. The test proctors will inform you when the time for each section has expired and will direct you to begin the following section. During timed section testing, once the time for that section has expired, you will not be allowed to return to it. If you complete a section before time expires, use the extra time to review your answers in that section or answer questions you skipped.

Whether the test is a proceed-at-your-own-pace, or a timed section test, all written tests are of a certain duration of time and you are expected to complete the entire test during that time frame. Any answers not completed during the testing period will be marked as wrong.

If time allows, check your answers. Be sure you have answered all of the questions in each section.

Rely on your own ability; do not attempt to look at other candidate’s answer sheets for assistance answering any of the questions. Anyone caught cheating or attempting to cheat will be disqualified and eliminated from any further testing process.

Most multiple choice tests have four answer choices and contain two obviously wrong answers. Identify these wrong answers immediately and eliminate them as potentially correct answers. The correct choice between the remaining two becomes easier to identify.

Most written tests last at least two hours, if not longer. Dress comfortably and be sure to use the restroom prior to the instructed testing time. Most departments do not allow candidates to leave the testing room once the examination has begun.

Do not bring food or drinks to the test. Any material you may need will be provided to you by the test proctors. Also, turn off any cell phones, pagers, or other electrical device you may have on your person. Disruptions to the testing process by ringing phones, pagers, etc. is looked upon disdainfully by the proctors as well as by the other candidates who are trying to concentrate on their own tests.

Some written tests contain mathematical problems that you will be required to complete. Do not bring calculators as they are normally not allowed and will be removed from your person. Furthermore, depending on the department, using a calculator to solve math problems may be grounds for being disqualified from the test. Scratch paper will be provided for your use and it is highly recommended that you use it.

Most importantly, try to relax. The written test is one of the easiest portions of the police officer hiring process and should not be made into something more difficult than it is. As stated earlier, everything you need to know to do well on the written test should have been acquired during your high school years. By brushing up on your basic grammar, math and vocabulary skills, you should have no problem passing, and scoring well, on a police written exam. Good Luck!