This free police exam study guide teaches the — the written test departments use to screen recruit applicants before the academy.[1] It measures basic, job-related skills — reading, writing, math, and reasoning — rather than law-enforcement knowledge, so anyone can prepare for it with focused practice.
It’s interactive, not a wall of text: every skill area has a built-in checkpoint quiz, hover-able glossary terms, worked examples, labeled diagrams, and concept questions, so you learn by doing.
Work through the five skill-area modules, test yourself at each checkpoint, then round out your free police-exam prep with our practice questions and flashcards.
Police Exam Snapshot
There is no single nationwide police exam. Most agencies use one of a few standardized tests or their own civil-service exam, and the skills overlap heavily.[1] The most widely used standardized version is the from , which scores four written-skill areas separately:
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| What it is | A written pre-employment test of job-related skills (not police knowledge) |
| Common standardized versions | National POST (Stanard), NCJOSI (IOS), FrontLine National (NTN); PELLETB (CA), CJBAT (FL) |
| Core skill areas (National POST) | Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Incident Report Writing |
| Other versions may add | Reasoning, situational judgment, memory & observation |
| Passing standard | No universal score; ~70% is common, often per section — agencies set their own cut score |
| Scoring | Raw percent or a scaled score (e.g., PELLETB T-score); some agencies rank or 'band' applicants |
| Calculator | Usually not allowed |
| Where it fits | Step 1 of hiring → physical agility → oral board → background → polygraph/psych → medical |
| What you study here | The cross-version skills: reading, grammar, report writing, math, reasoning |
Because agencies set their own rules, treat any single number as a guideline, not a guarantee — but the skillsthe tests measure are remarkably consistent, and that’s exactly what this guide drills.[1]The four areas below are the National POST’s scored sections; this guide also teaches the reasoning, judgment, and memory items that appear on other versions.
Standardized tests like the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) score four written-skill areas separately, and many agencies require you to pass each area (commonly 70%). Reasoning, judgment, and memory items appear on some other versions and are taught here too.
- Arithmetic word problems
- Percentages, fractions & decimals
- Ratios, rates & averages
- Reading totals from a log or form
- Main idea & supporting details
- Inference (reading between the lines)
- Vocabulary in context
- Following a policy or passage
- Subject–verb agreement
- Punctuation & capitalization
- Commonly misspelled words
- Clear vs. unclear sentences
- The 5 W's and H (who/what/when/where/why/how)
- Chronological order
- Fact vs. conclusion
- Completeness & accuracy
Reading and writing skills (reading comprehension, grammar, and report writing) make up the largest share of most police entrance exams, with math and reasoning rounding them out. This guide groups the content into five study modules:
Exact proportions vary by test and agency, so weight your study toward your weak areas. Because many agencies require passing everysection, don’t neglect a skill just because it’s a smaller share.[1]
1 · Mathematics
Police-exam math is plain arithmetic in a duty scenario, solved without a calculator.[1] The skill is reading the words, choosing the right operation, and doing clean mental math — the numbers are usually friendly on purpose.
Arithmetic word problems
Word problems turn a real situation into a quick calculation. The skill is translation: name what’s asked, label the numbers, decide which operation the words call for, then solve.
Police-exam math is plain arithmetic dressed up in a duty scenario — no calculator. The skill is spotting which operation the words call for, then doing clean mental math.
Percentages, fractions & decimals
Percent, fraction, and decimal questions are common, so memorize the conversions to save seconds. To find a percent of a number, turn the percent into a decimal and multiply: 20% of 150 = 0.20 × 150 = 30.
| Fraction | Decimal | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| ½ | 0.5 | 50% |
| ¼ | 0.25 | 25% |
| ¾ | 0.75 | 75% |
| ⅕ | 0.2 | 20% |
| ⅒ | 0.1 | 10% |
| ⅛ | 0.125 | 12.5% |
Ratios, rates & averages
Ratios compare quantities (3 of 12 cars out of service = 3/12 = ¼). Rates divide one quantity by another (miles ÷ hours = speed). An average (mean) is the sum of the values divided by how many there are.
| Quantity | Set it up as |
|---|---|
| Average (mean) | sum of values ÷ count |
| Rate / speed | distance ÷ time |
| Ratio | part : part, or part / whole |
| Proportion | a / b = c / d (cross-multiply) |
| Total time | later time − earlier time |
Checkpoint · Mathematics
Question 1 of 10
An officer files 23 reports in the first week of the month and 31 reports in the second week. How many reports were filed across the two weeks?
2 · Reading Comprehension
Reading is usually the largest scored section, and the skill is reading carefully and answering only from the passage.[1] Police passages are short and factual — policy statements, incident summaries, and reports — so every answer must trace back to the text.
Reading is usually the largest scored section. Almost every wrong answer either adds information the passage never stated or contradicts it — so anchor every choice to the text.
- 1. Read the question firstKnow what you're hunting for — main idea, a specific detail, or an inference — before you read the passage.
- 2. Skim for structure, then read closelyGet the gist, then re-read the parts that answer the question. Police passages are short and factual.
- 3. Answer only from the passagePick the choice the text actually supports — not what's true in the real world or what you'd assume.
- 4. Separate stated from impliedMain-idea and detail answers are stated directly; inference answers follow logically from what's stated.
- 5. Eliminate, then confirmCross out choices that add facts the passage never gave, then verify your pick against the exact wording.
Main idea & supporting details
The is what the passage is mostly about — often stated in the first or last sentence. The are the specific facts that develop it. Main-idea questions ask for the big point; detail questions ask for a specific fact stated in the text.
Inference & drawing conclusions
An is a conclusion you reach by combining stated facts with logic — what the passage implies but doesn’t say outright. The discipline is to pick the choice the text logically supports, not what’s true in the real world or an assumption you brought with you.
Vocabulary in context
items ask what a word means in that sentence. Use the surrounding words — a nearby definition, an example, or a contrast word like “unlike” or “however” — then test each choice by reading it back into the sentence.
Checkpoint · Reading Comprehension
Question 1 of 10
Read the passage, then answer the question. Department policy states that any officer who discharges a firearm while on duty must notify the watch commander within one hour and submit a written report before the end of the shift. According to the passage, who must an officer notify after discharging a firearm on duty?
3 · Grammar, Spelling & Clarity
Clear writing is essential to a usable police report, so the exam tests grammar, spelling, and clarity directly.[1] These items reward knowing a handful of high-frequency rules and trouble words cold.
Subject–verb agreement & punctuation
means the verb matches its subject in number: the officer writes, but the officers write. Punctuation items ask you to pick the correctly punctuated sentence — commas in a series, after an introductory clause, and in direct address are the usual tests.
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Singular subject → singular verb | The officer writes the report. |
| 'Each' / 'every' are singular | Each officer files a report. |
| Comma after an introductory clause | Although it was late, the search continued. |
| Comma in direct address | Sir, please remain in your vehicle. |
| Hyphen in a compound modifier | A split-second decision. |
| Semicolon joins two full sentences | No fire was found; the building was evacuated. |
Spelling & commonly confused words
Spelling items ask you to spot the one misspelled word, and confused-word items test homophones. Memorize the high-frequency trouble words — and the police-specific ones.
| Watch out for | Correct / rule |
|---|---|
| warrent → warrant | ends in -ant |
| recieve → receive | i before e except after c |
| seperate → separate | there's 'a rat' in sepARATe |
| occured → occurred | double c, double r |
| lieutenant, sergeant | common police titles — learn the spelling |
| their / there / they're | possession / place / they are |
| its / it's | belonging to it / it is |
| affect / effect | verb (influence) / noun (result) |
Sentence clarity
Clarity items give several versions of a sentence and ask which communicates the same facts most plainly. A clear sentence has one obvious meaning, uses plain words, and usually prefers the active voice (“Officer Diaz searched the vehicle”), which states exactly who did what.
Checkpoint · Grammar & Spelling
Question 1 of 10
Among the words below, which one contains a spelling error?
4 · Incident Report Writing
An records an event clearly, accurately, and completely — and it becomes a legal record used in court.[1] On this section, the best answer is almost always the one that includes every required fact in plain, factual language.
The 5 W’s and H
A complete report answers the : who was involved, what happened, when and where it occurred, why (only if established by fact), and how it was carried out. Run this checklist against every report-writing answer.
A complete police report answers all six questions. On the report-writing section, the “best” answer is almost always the one that includes every required fact in clear, plain language.
Victim, suspect, witnesses, reporting officer — full names
The offense or event: a stolen purse, a collision, an alarm
March 3 at 8:45 p.m. — be specific, not 'last night'
210 Birch Lane; the rear of Greenfield Market on Elm Street
Only if established by fact — never guess at intent
How the act was carried out, in order: forced entry, then theft
Facts vs. conclusions
A is something observed or reported that can be verified; a is the officer’s interpretation. A good report records the facts and leaves the conclusions out, because facts hold up as evidence.
A good report states what was observed or reported— measurable, attributable facts. It leaves out the officer’s interpretation. The test rewards the factual version every time.
The driver said he did not see the stop sign.
The driver was being careless and ran the stop sign.
The window was broken and glass was on the floor inside.
The suspect broke the window to get in.
The man's speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol.
The man was drunk.
Clarity, order & completeness
Beyond the facts, the test rewards , complete sentences, and precise times and places. Write so a reader who knows nothing about the case can follow exactly what happened.
Checkpoint · Incident Report Writing
Question 1 of 10
Use the following report facts to answer: Incident occurred at 8:45 p.m. on March 3 at 210 Birch Lane; victim Maria Lopez reported a stolen purse; suspect described as a tall man in a red jacket. Which sentence reports these facts in a clear, concise, and complete way?
5 · Reasoning, Judgment & Memory
Some police entrance exams add reasoning, judgment, and memory items — for example FrontLine National and the NCJOSI include a judgment or human-relations component.[3]These sections aren’t on the National POST’s four scored areas, but they appear often enough that they’re worth practicing.
Deductive & inductive reasoning
goes from general rules to a specific, guaranteed conclusion — applying a stated policy to a situation. goes from specific observations to a likely general rule — the way an investigator builds an explanation from individual clues. On logic items, accept only the conclusions the statements actually support.
Situational judgment
A item describes a realistic on-the-job scenario and asks which action is best (and sometimes which is worst). Choose the response that follows policy, prioritizes safety, and is reasonable and professional — not the most aggressive or most passive option.
Memory & observation
Some exams show a scene, photo, or written details, then test what you recall. Study deliberately: scan systematically (left to right, top to bottom), note people, vehicles, and distinguishing features, group details into chunks, and then answer only from what you actually observed.
Scores & Passing the Police Exam
There is no single nationwide passing score. Many standardized tests, including the National POST, use a common benchmark of about 70%, and some require you to pass each section separately.[1] Other exams report a — California’s , for example, uses a T-score scale — and many agencies rank or applicants on an eligibility list rather than setting a simple pass/fail line.
Remember that the written exam is only the first step. Applicants who pass move on to the rest of a multi-stage hiring process:
The written test is one step of a multi-stage selection process. Exact order and steps vary by agency, but the written exam almost always comes first — pass it and you move on to the rest.
- 1. Written entrance examThe test this guide covers — reading, writing, math, and reasoning. Usually the first hurdle.
- 2. Physical agility test (PAT)A timed run, push-ups, sit-ups, and similar — a separate pass/fail standard.
- 3. Oral board interviewA panel interview scoring judgment, communication, and motivation to serve.
- 4. Background investigationA deep check of your history, references, employment, and finances.
- 5. Polygraph & psychological examIntegrity screening and a psychological evaluation for fitness for duty.
- 6. Medical exam & conditional offerA medical/drug screen, then a conditional offer and the police academy.
How to Use This Study Guide
A study guide is a map, not the whole territory — use it alongside timed practice and our free tools. Because the exam is timed and often graded section by section, practice every area, not just your strongest.
- 1
Learn the skill areas
Work the five modules so reading, grammar, report writing, math, and reasoning are all familiar.
- 2
Take the checkpoint
The quick check at the end of each module exposes what didn't stick.
- 3
Drill the gaps
Send your weakest area straight into the free practice questions and flashcards.
- 4
Rehearse under time
Take full, timed practice runs so pacing is automatic — and so a weak section can't sink you.
Police Exam Concept Questions
The reading, writing, math, and reasoning skills the police entrance exam actually tests — at least one per skill area. Tap any card for a short, exam-ready answer backed by an official source, then test yourself on them as flashcards.
Police Exam Glossary
Quick definitions for the terms you’ll see most across the police entrance exam:
- 5 W's and H
- Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How — the six questions a complete police report must answer.
- Background investigation
- A thorough review of an applicant's history, references, employment, and finances during hiring.
- Banding
- Grouping similar scores into a single tier so applicants within a band are treated as equally qualified, rather than ranked to the exact point.
- Chronological order
- Arranging events in the sequence they actually happened — the standard structure for a police report.
- Civil service exam
- A government-administered entrance test (used by many city and county agencies) that ranks applicants for hiring from an eligibility list.
- CJBAT
- The Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test required of law-enforcement applicants in Florida.
- Conclusion
- An interpretation or judgment drawn from facts. A good report records facts and leaves conclusions out.
- Cut score
- The minimum score an applicant must reach to pass or advance. Police entrance exams often set a cut score around 70%, but each agency sets its own.
- Deductive reasoning
- Reasoning from general rules to a specific conclusion that must be true if the premises are true.
- Fact
- A statement that can be verified as true or false. Reports and evidence must rest on facts.
- FrontLine National
- A law-enforcement entrance test delivered through the National Testing Network (NTN). It assesses video-based human relations/judgment, reading, and report writing.
- Incident report
- A written account of an event an officer responded to, recording the facts clearly, accurately, and completely as a legal record.
- Inductive reasoning
- Reasoning from specific observations to a likely general rule or explanation.
- Inference
- A conclusion reached by combining stated facts with logic — what a passage implies but does not state outright.
- Main idea
- The single most important point a passage makes — what it is mostly about. Supporting details back it up.
- NCJOSI
- The National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory, a police entrance test from Industrial/Organizational Solutions (IOS) that combines cognitive ability with a judgment/work-style component.
- Oral board
- A panel interview that scores an applicant's judgment, communication, and motivation to serve.
- PELLETB
- The POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery used by many California agencies; it measures writing (spelling, vocabulary, clarity, reading) and is scored on a T-score scale.
- Physical agility test (PAT)
- A timed physical-fitness assessment (running, push-ups, sit-ups, etc.) that is a separate stage of the hiring process.
- Police entrance exam
- A written test police departments use to screen recruit applicants. It measures basic job-related skills — reading, writing, math, and reasoning — rather than law-enforcement knowledge, which you learn at the academy.
- POST (Police Officer Selection Test)
- A widely used standardized police entrance test from Stanard & Associates. The National POST scores four areas — Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Incident Report Writing — each separately.
- Scaled score
- A converted score on a common scale (such as a T-score). Many entrance tests report a raw percent or a scaled score; there is no single universal police-exam score.
- Situational judgment test (SJT)
- An item that describes a realistic on-the-job scenario and asks which action is best (or worst), measuring practical judgment.
- Stanard & Associates
- The firm that publishes the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST). 'POST' on this page refers to that selection test (not the same as a state 'POST' commission that certifies officers).
- Subject–verb agreement
- The grammar rule that a verb must match its subject in number — a singular subject takes a singular verb.
- Supporting detail
- A specific fact, example, or reason in a passage that develops or backs up the main idea.
- Vocabulary in context
- Determining a word's meaning from the surrounding sentence rather than from a dictionary.
Free Police Exam Study Materials & Resources
Everything you need to prepare for the police entrance exam is free here — no paywall, no sign-up. This guide is the foundation; pair it with the rest of our free police-exam study materials for active recall and timed practice:
- Police Exam Practice Test — exam-style questions across math, reading, grammar, and report writing, with explanations.
- Police Exam Flashcards — active-recall decks for the high-yield vocabulary, math conversions, spelling, grammar rules, and report-writing facts.
Police Exam Study Guide FAQ
Most police entrance exams test basic job-related skills, not law-enforcement knowledge. The widely used National POST scores four areas: Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Incident Report Writing. Other versions add reasoning, situational judgment, or memory and observation. You learn actual police work later, at the academy.
There is no single universal passing score. Many standardized tests, including the National POST, use a common benchmark of about 70%, and some require you to pass each section separately. Agencies set their own cut scores, and some rank or 'band' applicants on an eligibility list, so a passing score at one department may not pass at another.
It depends on the agency. The National POST (Stanard & Associates), the NCJOSI (IOS), and FrontLine National (through the National Testing Network) are three of the most common, and many cities use their own civil-service entrance exam. California often uses the PELLETB and Florida uses the CJBAT. The skills overlap heavily, so studying reading, writing, math, and reasoning prepares you for any of them.
Usually no. The math section tests mental arithmetic in everyday policing situations — totals, percentages, rates, and averages — so practice solving these without a calculator and memorize common fraction-to-percent conversions.
The exam covers high-school-level reading, writing, and math plus practical reasoning, so it isn't advanced — but it is timed, and many agencies require passing every section. The most common reasons applicants fail are weak grammar and report writing, careless math, and poor pacing, all of which improve quickly with focused practice.
It tests whether you can write a clear, complete, accurate account of an event. You arrange facts in chronological order, answer the 5 W's and H (who, what, when, where, why, how), record facts rather than conclusions, and write grammatically correct sentences. On the test, the best answer is usually the one that includes every required fact in plain language.
The written test is typically the first step. Applicants who pass move on to a physical agility test, an oral board interview, a background investigation, a polygraph and psychological evaluation, and a medical exam before a conditional offer and the academy. The exact order and steps vary by agency.
Work through the five skill-area modules — Mathematics, Reading, Grammar, Report Writing, and Reasoning & Judgment — take each checkpoint to find your gaps, then drill your weakest area with our free practice questions and flashcards. Because the exam is timed and often graded section by section, practice every area, not just your strongest.
Yes — the full guide, the checkpoints, the glossary, the practice questions, and the flashcards are 100% free, with no account required.
References
- 1.Stanard & Associates, Inc.. “National POST — Police Officer Selection Test.” Stanard & Associates (APPL First). ↑
- 2.Stanard & Associates, Inc.. “Pre-Employment Testing for Law Enforcement.” Stanard & Associates (APPL First). ↑
- 3.National Testing Network. “FrontLine National — Law Enforcement Entry-Level Test.” National Testing Network. ↑
- 4.California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. “Police Officer — Becoming an Officer.” California POST. ↑
Sources for the concept answers
Every answer in the police exam concept questions above is drawn from an official primary source:
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