Study hacks to increase your score

Note from the publisher: Welcome to the new police1 series “Application for probation” by the investigator Jesse Cohen von der Westminster (Colorado) police authority. In this series, police applicants and police recruits are directed from the initial phases of the test process to their last day of probation, with the most important steps covering on the way, including the preparation of the academy and the tips for the work of the cemetery layer. All advice comes from first -hand experience from the author's experience, which should help you avoid shared pitfalls and to ensure a successful start to your career.

When I took the SASs as a junior in the high school for the first time, I received a very average score. This summer I wrote down for a SAT preparation course and then took the test again in my last year. Somehow I had a worse score the second time. I remember that I checked myself, changed many of my answers and made careless mistakes.

This experience has taught me something that I constantly plays with police applicants: if the test is successful, it is not just a matter of knowing the material-it is about how to do the test.

Which written exams really test

Departments use written exams from different companies, but all relatively similar. Some contain basic mathematics, others do not. Most include reading understanding. But at its core, these tests measure two critical skills that we use every day in the job:

• Common sense
• Decision -making

If you are like me, you have probably not made much math since the high school. Even if not every test contains mathematics, it is a good idea to just cut it up for the case. For example, the written test that we carry out at Westminster PD does not contain any mathematics. However, I know that other departments use mathematical exams so that it would not hurt to update their memory of things like the first semester algebra before the test day.

How to study for something you have never done before

You may ask yourself: “Okay, I can study some math, but how should I study common sense or decision -making for a job that I have never done?”

Great question – thank you for asking!

I recommend the following:

• Go to the police1 and search for “written test”. There are several helpful articles with tips on the approach to the exam.
• Perform a Google search for “writing police officers” test preparation. You will find affordable Prepare books on AmazonMany with exercise tests that are very similar to the real thing.

If you test for Westminster PD, I will send you a study leader directly from the company who provides the test. I can't speak for every department, but I encourage you to ask the agency with which you test whether you offer similar support.

If you take time and effort into preparing these resources, go into the test that feels confident – and know that you have done your best.

(Randnote: At Westminster PD only entry applicants have to carry out a written test. Lateral applicants are excluded.)

The error #1 that costs the test

You studied. You have taken exercise tests. You are ready.

Now let's talk about the most common reason why people do not pass these tests – careless mistakes.

Even if you have a fixed time to end, many applicants no longer have time because they do not keep an eye on the watch. In this case you leave questions empty – and this has a big influence on whether you exist or where you manage.

At the other end of the spectrum, some people end far too quickly. Sure, some test participants are really quickly and well prepared. But more often Rushing leads to reading questions wrong, skipping important details and losing points for answers that they could have received properly.

I recommend the following:

• Read every question carefully. Don't hurry.
• Watch your time. Tempo you so that you are finished.
• If you are not sure, take your best guess or come back later.
• When you're done, read correction. Check for errors.
• Do not change your answer unless you are absolutely sure that you misunderstood the question for the first time.

Also, do not argue that you get a perfect score. Very few people do it. What matters is your best to minimize the mistakes and go well prepared.

Trust comes from the preparation

If there is one thing that I should lose weight from it, it is the following: Trust is built up by preparation.

The more you study, practice and understand the test format, the safer you will be if it is important. Sometimes the difference between the forward movement in the setting process and the reduction is a question.

Prepare yourself now so that you do this question correctly.

Your checklist for preparing the police examination

• Confirm whether your test contains mathematics
• Justify yourself basic mathematics and reading skills
• Search the police1 and Amazon for preparatory materials
• Take at least one practical test in full length
• If you are tested with Westminster, request the study leader
• Practice your pace and time management
• Read your test and avoid careless mistakes
• Go confident and know that you have prepared yourself

| PREVIOUSLY: From civilian to the police: how prepared for the police academy and beyond

If you have any questions about the hiring process or preparation of the academy, contact the investigator Jesse Cohen in the Westminster police authority (Colorado). You can use him an e -mail to an e -mail jacohen@westminsterco.govor text under 720-705-3732

You can find more articles from Investigator Cohen Here And listen to him that he will discuss the police applicant process here:

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