The written police officer exam is usually the first step in the hiring process, after a candidate fills out an application. This exam tests candidates in a variety of subject areas. Though the written exam may vary depending on the police department, two common exams are the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) and the New York City (NYC) Police Department Police Officer Candidate Test. The following table outlines the most common subject areas and the types of questions related to each subject area.
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Passages and question sets that test your ability to understand and interpret what you read |
| Grammar and Spelling | Questions that test your grammar and spelling skills and your ability to choose a sentence that's clear, accurate, and complete |
| Observation and Memory | Photographs that you have to study for a set amount of time and then answer questions about from memory; information-ordering questions, questions requiring you to visualize direction and placement, and questions about maps |
| Incident Reports | Multiple-choice and open-ended questions about incident reports |
| Mathematics | Basic mathematics, including solving problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and determining percentages and averages |
| Essays | Writing an essay in response to a written prompt |
| Personal History Statement | Answering questions about your education and work experiences |