POLICE OFFICER
ENTRANCE EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
The Entrance Exam for police officers measures the basic skills necessary to perform
successfully as a police officer. The test covers four areas: (1) math skills, (2) reading
comprehension skills, (3) language skills, and (4) writing skills.
Each test section is timed (between 15 and 25 minutes each), and contains between 10 and 25
questions. The tests will be graded based on how many questions are answered correctly and the
minimum passing score is 75% on all four sections combined. Specifically, the math portion of
the exam contains 20 questions, the reading comprehension section contains 25 questions, the
language skills portion contains 20 questions, and the writing sample contains 10 questions. In
order to score 75% on the entire exam, at least 57 questions must be answered correctly.
Therefore, given the limited time in which to answer questions, examinees should focus
their time and attention on the questions that they find easier. Spending too much time on
one question can result in the examinee running out of time and not being able to answer
other questions. Based on past results of the test, examinees should pay particular
attention to appropriately budgeting their time on the math portion of the exam.
Scratch paper will be provided, but otherwise, examinees will not be allowed to utilize
calculators, dictionaries, or any other aid.
, POLICE OFFICER
ENTRANCE EXAM STUDY GUIDE
Math Skills
In the math portion of the exam, examinees are provided with situations that require the use of basic
arithmetic. Examinees will be required to read a word problem, apply the appropriate arithmetic
operations, and then select the correct multiple-choice answer. On the math section of the exam, there
are 20 questions similar to the ones below, and examinees are given 20 minutes to complete the section.
Sample questions
1. Following the arrest of 3 drug dealers, police officers took cash from the arrested persons in the
following bill amounts:
100s 50s 20s
Johnson 20 2 10
Reed 50
Thompson 10 10 50
How much cash did the officers retrieve from suspect Johnson?
$2,300
$2,500
$5,000
$9,800
2. Bail for Mr. Anderson was set at $25,000. In order to be released, he must pay 10% of this in cash.
How much must Mr. Anderson pay?
$25
$250
$2,050
$2,500
3. A car skidded 8 feet, 11 inches before coming to a complete stop. The accident report must list the
distance in inches only. What distance should be entered on the report?
12
88
107
132
4. An appliance store is burglarized and 21 clock radios with a total value of $1050 are stolen. What is
the average value of the radios.
$10.50
$50.00
$55.00
$105.50
$22,050
ENTRANCE EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
The Entrance Exam for police officers measures the basic skills necessary to perform
successfully as a police officer. The test covers four areas: (1) math skills, (2) reading
comprehension skills, (3) language skills, and (4) writing skills.
Each test section is timed (between 15 and 25 minutes each), and contains between 10 and 25
questions. The tests will be graded based on how many questions are answered correctly and the
minimum passing score is 75% on all four sections combined. Specifically, the math portion of
the exam contains 20 questions, the reading comprehension section contains 25 questions, the
language skills portion contains 20 questions, and the writing sample contains 10 questions. In
order to score 75% on the entire exam, at least 57 questions must be answered correctly.
Therefore, given the limited time in which to answer questions, examinees should focus
their time and attention on the questions that they find easier. Spending too much time on
one question can result in the examinee running out of time and not being able to answer
other questions. Based on past results of the test, examinees should pay particular
attention to appropriately budgeting their time on the math portion of the exam.
Scratch paper will be provided, but otherwise, examinees will not be allowed to utilize
calculators, dictionaries, or any other aid.
, POLICE OFFICER
ENTRANCE EXAM STUDY GUIDE
Math Skills
In the math portion of the exam, examinees are provided with situations that require the use of basic
arithmetic. Examinees will be required to read a word problem, apply the appropriate arithmetic
operations, and then select the correct multiple-choice answer. On the math section of the exam, there
are 20 questions similar to the ones below, and examinees are given 20 minutes to complete the section.
Sample questions
1. Following the arrest of 3 drug dealers, police officers took cash from the arrested persons in the
following bill amounts:
100s 50s 20s
Johnson 20 2 10
Reed 50
Thompson 10 10 50
How much cash did the officers retrieve from suspect Johnson?
$2,300
$2,500
$5,000
$9,800
2. Bail for Mr. Anderson was set at $25,000. In order to be released, he must pay 10% of this in cash.
How much must Mr. Anderson pay?
$25
$250
$2,050
$2,500
3. A car skidded 8 feet, 11 inches before coming to a complete stop. The accident report must list the
distance in inches only. What distance should be entered on the report?
12
88
107
132
4. An appliance store is burglarized and 21 clock radios with a total value of $1050 are stolen. What is
the average value of the radios.
$10.50
$50.00
$55.00
$105.50
$22,050
