Your FREE Police Exam Flashcards 2026 – 200+ Cards

Add the parts together (addition).

Subtract (take the smaller amount away from the larger).

Multiply the size of one group by the number of groups.

Divide the total by the number of people.

Distance = rate × time.

Distance ÷ time. 210 miles ÷ 3 hours = 70 mph.

Add all the values, then divide by how many values there are.

25%.

50%.

75%.

20%.

10%.

About 33% (33.3…%).

12.5%.

Turn the percent into a decimal and multiply by the whole. 20% of 150 = 0.20 × 150 = 30.

Divide the part by the whole, then multiply by 100.

Change ÷ original × 100. From 40 to 50 is 10 ÷ 40 = 25% increase.

Move the decimal point one place to the left. 10% of 320 = 32.

Take 10% and halve it. 5% of 320 = 16.

Write a/b = c/d and cross-multiply to solve for the unknown.

¼.

½.

¾.

Add the numerators, keep the denominator. 1/8 + 3/8 = 4/8 = ½.

Parentheses, exponents, multiplication/division (left to right), then addition/subtraction.

12 minutes.

4 hours.

126 tubes.

12 hours each.

84 more forms.

300.

5.

A quick estimate catches answer choices that are clearly too big or too small.

No — practice mental math and quick conversions instead.

90 minutes (1.5 × 60).

96 (48 × 2).

125.

58.

4 cars (12 ÷ 3).

Add all four sides: 2 × (length + width).

Length × width.

20.

65.

45.

40.

0.75.

0.4.

60.

12.

56.

72 hours (3 × 24).

150 minutes.

8 hours.

48 miles.

3/12 = ¼ (25%).

0.25.

360 lines.

The middle value when the numbers are arranged in order.

The value that appears most often.

75 (60 + 15).

72 (80 − 8).

The single most important point the passage is making — what it is mostly about.

A specific fact, example, or reason that backs up the main idea.

A conclusion you reach by combining stated facts with logic — what the passage implies but doesn't say outright.

Figuring out a word's meaning from the surrounding sentence rather than a dictionary.

Answer only from the passage — not from outside knowledge or assumptions.

A choice that adds a fact the passage never stated, or contradicts it.

Read the first and last sentences and ask 'what is this mostly about?'

Stated answers appear word-for-word; implied (inference) answers follow logically from the text.

So you know whether you're hunting for the main idea, a detail, or an inference.

A fact can be verified; an opinion expresses a belief or judgment ('best,' 'should').

Pick the choice the text directly supports — do not bring in outside information.

The reason the passage was written — usually to inform, persuade, instruct, or describe.

First, next, then, after, before, finally — they show the order events happened.

Because, since, therefore, as a result, so — they link a cause to its effect.

However, but, although, on the other hand — they mark a change or exception.

Skim for structure, then re-read only the part that answers the specific question.

Verify each choice against the exact wording; eliminate any that overstate or aren't supported.

The author's attitude — e.g., neutral, urgent, formal — shown by word choice.

Combine the stated details to reach a result the passage logically leads to.

Choose the one that more completely and exactly matches the passage; reject the one that adds anything extra.

The sentence (often first) that states the paragraph's main point.

Restate the main idea and key supporting points in a few words, leaving out minor details.

The sentence defines or restates a hard word nearby ('a warrant, an order from a judge…').

An opposite word signals the meaning ('unlike the calm crowd, the suspect was agitated').

Crossing out unsupported choices narrows it to the answer the text actually backs.

Asks for the overall main idea, not one small detail.

Track who said what; don't confuse the witness's account with the officer's observation.

Scan the passage for the key word in the question, then read that sentence carefully.

When the main point isn't stated, infer it from how the details add up.

Restating a sentence in different words while keeping the same meaning.

Always go back and check the text — small wording differences change the right answer.

Keep details that answer the question; ignore facts that don't bear on it.

Flip your logic — you're looking for the one choice the passage does NOT support.

Apply the rule exactly as written; don't add exceptions the policy didn't state.

Skimming gets the gist quickly; scanning hunts for one specific piece of information.

Helps you focus on exactly what's being asked before reading the choices.

A broad statement; check whether the passage's details actually support it.

Asks the order events occurred — use time signal words to order them.

Shows how two things are alike and different; track each point for both.

The choice that captures the whole main idea, not just one detail.

Passages rarely support absolutes; such choices are often wrong.

Read the title, headers, and units before pulling a value.

Forming an expected answer first guards against tempting wrong options.

Go back to the passage every time — don't trust recall for exact facts.

The verb must match the subject in number: a singular subject takes a singular verb (The officer writes; The officers write).

To separate three or more items: 'the suspect, the witness, and the victim.'

Use one: 'Although it was late, the officer continued the search.'

Set off the name: 'Sir, please remain in your vehicle.'

W-A-R-R-A-N-T (not 'warrent').

P-R-I-V-I-L-E-G-E (no 'd,' ends in -ilege).

R-E-S-T-A-U-R-A-N-T (not 'restaurnt').

O-F-F-E-N-S-E (the act that breaks the law).

A-P-P-E-A-R-A-N-C-E (not 'appearence').

D-E-S-C-R-I-P-T-I-O-N.

R-E-C-E-I-V-E ('i before e except after c').

S-E-P-A-R-A-T-E (there's 'a rat' in sepARATe).

D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y (no 'a').

O-C-C-U-R-R-E-D (double c, double r).

N-E-C-E-S-S-A-R-Y (one c, two s).

L-I-E-U-T-E-N-A-N-T.

S-E-R-G-E-A-N-T.

V-E-H-I-C-L-E.

W-E-A-P-O-N.

P-U-R-S-U-I-T.

Use one before a noun: 'a split-second decision,' 'a well-known suspect.'

For a command or strong emotion: 'Stop or I will fire!' Use sparingly in reports.

Their = possession; there = place; they're = they are.

Your = belonging to you; you're = you are.

Its = belonging to it; it's = it is.

To = direction/infinitive; too = also/excessively; two = the number 2.

Affect is usually a verb (to influence); effect is usually a noun (a result).

Then = time/sequence; than = comparison.

Two complete sentences joined with no proper punctuation — split them or use a semicolon/conjunction.

An incomplete sentence missing a subject or verb — fix by completing the thought.

Names, streets, cities, days, and titles before a name: 'Officer Diaz on Elm Street.'

Add 's to show ownership: 'the officer's report,' 'the witness's statement.'

To join two closely related complete sentences: 'No fire was found; the building was evacuated.'

They are singular: 'Each officer files a report,' 'Every vehicle was searched.'

'didn't see nothing' is wrong; write 'didn't see anything.'

Keep list items in the same form: 'searched the car, questioned the driver, and filed a report.'

A pronoun must match its noun: 'each witness gave his or her account.'

A clear sentence has one obvious meaning; rewrite anything a reader could read two ways.

Prefer active ('Officer Diaz searched the vehicle') — it's clearer about who did what.

Use them around what a person actually said: He stated, 'I did not see the stop sign.'

A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T.

A-R-R-E-S-T.

T-E-S-T-I-M-O-N-Y.

D-E-F-E-N-D-A-N-T.

L-I-C-E-N-S-E.

M-I-S-D-E-M-E-A-N-O-R.

F-E-L-O-N-Y.

S-U-S-P-E-C-T.

W-I-T-N-E-S-S (two s's).

S-U-R-V-E-I-L-L-A-N-C-E.

'Who' is the subject (who did it); 'whom' is the object (to whom).

Lay needs an object (lay the gun down); lie does not (the suspect lay on the ground).

Saw — 'The officer saw the vehicle.'

Before a list or explanation after a complete sentence: 'Three items were found: a knife, a phone, and cash.'

Comma before the quote: He said, 'Stop.'

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How — the facts every complete report must answer.

To record an incident clearly, accurately, and completely so anyone can understand what happened.

Usually the choice that includes ALL the required facts in plain, clear language.

Chronologically — in the order they actually happened.

Record observable, attributable facts; leave out the officer's interpretation or opinion.

Many agencies use first person ('I observed…'); be consistent with whatever style is required.

No — only what was observed, reported, or established by fact; never guess at motive or intent.

'March 3 at 8:45 p.m. at 210 Birch Lane' is usable; 'last night somewhere downtown' is not.

Must have a subject and a verb and express a full thought: 'The driver fled north at midnight.'

Use their exact words in quotation marks when wording matters: He said, 'I did not see the stop sign.'

Identifies the person who reported the incident (e.g., Kevin Tran).

List concrete, observable details: 'a tall man in a red jacket,' not 'a suspicious-looking man.'

Reports become legal records used in court; an error can undermine a case.

Stick to facts and avoid loaded or judgmental words; let the facts speak.

Name everyone involved: victim, suspect, witnesses, and the reporting officer.

State exactly what happened — the offense or event.

Give the date and time as precisely as possible.

Give the exact location of the incident.

Describe the method or sequence of how the event occurred.

Avoid jargon and vague words; write so a reader unfamiliar with the case understands it.

Spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes — proofread to remove them.

Re-read for missing facts, unclear wording, and spelling/grammar before you submit.

Distinguish what you saw yourself from what someone told you ('the victim stated…').

They can be misread; clear, full wording prevents confusion in a legal record.

On report-writing items, prefer the version that records all key facts and omits opinion.

Different fields: when the call came in vs. when the officer reached the scene.

Keep names, times, and details consistent throughout the document.

Personal opinions, assumptions, conclusions about guilt, or facts you can't support.

Name the specific item taken ('a bicycle,' 'a laptop and a cash box').

Set the scene, then describe events in order, then the outcome/actions taken.

Follow standard rules — they make a report look professional and read clearly.

The written account of what happened, told in order and in clear sentences.

It identifies the reporting officer and provides accountability.

Include make, model, color, and plate when known.

Use neutral terms; describe behavior, not character judgments.

State the result plainly: 'no fire was found; the building was evacuated for 25 minutes.'

Use precise clock times so the sequence is verifiable.

Record names and how to reach witnesses for follow-up.

Attribute it clearly ('the witness stated') rather than presenting it as your own observation.

Note it specifically: 'fled north on 9th Street.'

Cover every required fact without padding — clarity over length.