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How to Prepare for the Police Written Test

Dec 20, 2024

5 Tips to Ace the Police Written Test

The police written test is one of the foundational steps in the hiring process. It’s designed to assess your reading comprehension, writing skills, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities—all essential for a career in law enforcement. Here’s how to prepare effectively and perform your best on test day.

1. Understand the Test Format

Police written tests vary by department, but they generally cover similar topics such as reading comprehension, memory, basic math, and situational judgment. Familiarizing yourself with the format will help you focus your preparation on the right areas.

Tip: Research the specific test used by the department you’re applying to. Many agencies provide practice guides or sample questions on their websites.

2. Practice Regularly with Sample Questions

Practice is the key to mastering the written test. Working on sample questions helps you identify your strengths and areas for improvement while building your confidence for test day.

Tip: Dedicate 30–60 minutes daily to solving practice questions. Many resources, such as online police test prep websites, offer free and paid materials tailored to the test.

3. Hone Your Reading and Writing Skills

Reading comprehension and clear writing are critical parts of the test. You’ll likely encounter passages with questions about the main idea, details, and inferences. Additionally, you may need to write summaries or answers clearly and concisely.

Tip: Read articles or reports and practice summarizing them in a few sentences. This will improve both your reading comprehension and ability to convey information effectively.

4. Strengthen Your Basic Math and Logic

The test may include basic math questions, such as percentages, ratios, or word problems, as well as logical reasoning puzzles. Brushing up on these skills ensures you’re prepared for any numerical or analytical challenges.

Tip: Use math apps or online resources to refresh key concepts, and practice solving logic puzzles to sharpen your analytical thinking.

5. Stay Calm and Focused on Test Day

Nerves can affect your performance, but preparation and a calm mindset will help you succeed. Arrive early, review your materials one last time, and approach the test with confidence.

Tip: Practice deep breathing techniques to stay calm. Inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds. This can help reduce stress and improve focus.


The police written test is your opportunity to showcase the skills that are crucial for success in law enforcement. With consistent preparation and a confident mindset, you’ll be ready to tackle this challenge and move closer to your goal.

For more tips on excelling in the police hiring process, visit www.armoganct.com.

Best,
Barbara
Armogan Training Team

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