What is a written test like for a Law Enforcement job?

[Bailey Guns]

My experience is far too old to be much good for you. But good luck anyway.

[Gman]

You got this!

[Shooter45]

Most of the ones I've seen have been a basic education test on reading, writing, spelling, and math. Each section will have a time limit that must be met then a combined score is made. Math is what get's most people when I went through the testing.

[Ronin13]

From my experience (hired 3 years ago this Nov, and have applied to another agency this year)- most Denver Metro area agencies utilize the POST (Police Officer Selection Test- by Stanard & Associates) test (not the same as the Colorado POST-Certification Test)- which is the most prominent testing resource used in Colorado/Metro area. It covers basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, division, and math comprehension), reading comprehension, grammar memory, and some agencies do a report writing portion of the test (Park County does). Other agencies- like Thornton- do a different entrance test with some of the same, including map reading (they show a map and ask what is the best route from A to B), facial recognition, and sample law questions (that don't require any legal knowledge, they provide definitions). Usually it's 70% and higher that moves on. The test isn't all that hard (for me it wasn't), and having basic knowledge and common sense you should be fine. With a degree you should be good to go, so long as college wasn't 20 years ago and you forgot a lot of basic arithmetic.

I dress business casual (slacks and polo) for these, and then for the interview I wear a suit and tie. The process differs with each agency, but for the most part it's test, interview, background/CVSA/Poly, psych, physical fitness, UA/medical, follow-up interview.

Good luck! Any other questions about the process you have I'd gladly answer. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it, despite the lull in the market, it's still pretty competitive, and having a degree doesn't hurt.

[osok-308]

From my experience (hired 3 years ago this Nov, and have applied to another agency this year)- most Denver Metro area agencies utilize the POST (Police Officer Selection Test- by Stanard & Associates) test (not the same as the Colorado POST-Certification Test)- which is the most prominent testing resource used in Colorado/Metro area. It covers basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, division, and math comprehension), reading comprehension, grammar memory, and some agencies do a report writing portion of the test (Park County does). Other agencies- like Thornton- do a different entrance test with some of the same, including map reading (they show a map and ask what is the best route from A to B), facial recognition, and sample law questions (that don't require any legal knowledge, they provide definitions). Usually it's 70% and higher that moves on. The test isn't all that hard (for me it wasn't), and having basic knowledge and common sense you should be fine. With a degree you should be good to go, so long as college wasn't 20 years ago and you forgot a lot of basic arithmetic.

I dress business casual (slacks and polo) for these, and then for the interview I wear a suit and tie. The process differs with each agency, but for the most part it's test, interview, background/CVSA/Poly, psych, physical fitness, UA/medical, follow-up interview.

Good luck! Any other questions about the process you have I'd gladly answer. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it, despite the lull in the market, it's still pretty competitive, and having a degree doesn't hurt.

+1. I was planning on giving a similar answer, but why try when it's been so thoroughly covered? Most of the basic math, grammar, and reading comprehension are stuff that don't require a college degree to understand. The degree can for sure help. (It helped me for sure)

[KevDen2005]

Years ago when I was getting out of the army I was told by some former cops, wear a suit for every step of the process except the physical. Believe me you are being judged at every step and I will pass that recommendation on as well.

[Ronin13]

Years ago when I was getting out of the army I was told by some former cops, wear a suit for every step of the process except the physical. Believe me you are being judged at every step and I will pass that recommendation on as well.

+1!
Testing I dress nice, but not in a suit, but I think from here on out, I will just wear the suit, can't hurt.