[back to the information center]
NEW JERSEY POLICE PROMOTIONAL EXAM
CHANGED
By Dr. Jeff Bernstein
Candidates who took the most recent 2009 Police
Promotional exam, experienced a major change in the exam format. On the Captains exam, candidates were given a
report review audit test exercise, and a tactical planning test exercise. At the start of the exam two test booklets
were given to the Captain candidates.
Booklet “A” as it was called contained multiple choice questions. Booklet “B” contained “stimulus material” and
background information which was used in answering the Report Audit and Tactical
Planning exercises. The first 26
questions related to these new exam
components. The report audit exercise
contained a series of reports that candidates had to review. Report guidelines were provided for
candidates to follow. There were 13
questions on the report audit exercise.
I am happy to say the Bernstein
study group was the only group to prepare their students for this
exercise. Ask around!
On the tactical planning exercise, candidates were
given work sample items such as
background information, To/From memos, intelligence updates, maps, etc. This exercise involved a protest march
scheduled for the next day. Candidates
were directed by the Chief to ensure the protest march route had proper police
coverage. Assignments had to be given
with specific locations identified on the map.
Again, 13 multiple choice questions followed.
On the lieutenant’s exam, the changes were as
follows. There was a four page policy
given on suspensions. Candidates had to
review the policy and answer about 6 questions.
Questions were extremely detailed, so a careful reading was
necessary. Lieutenant candidates also
had a report review component. The
questions that followed addressed problems with the report. Errors had to be identified. Additionally, candidates were tested on
English grammar. Grammatical errors in
the report had to be addressed.
These were the first new changes to the exam in approximately 10 years. No format changes were seen on the 2009
sergeant’s exam. However, changes are expected for the 2010
sergeant’s exam. Specifically, work
sample type items that appeared on the 2009 Lieutenants and Captains exams.
Police
promotional
candidates who would like to see what these work
sample test items looked like, may attend a free 2-hour session
sponsored by Bernstein & Associates. Click here for dates
and times.
