[back to the information center]
POLICE PROMOTIONAL EXAM
2010/2011 UPDATE
By Dr. Jeff Bernstein
1. HAVE THEY CANCELLED THE 2010 POLICE PROMOTIONAL EXAMS?
No, Civil Service has informed Bernstein & Associates that
the police lieutenant and captain promotional exams will be given
on schedule in 2010. A tentative month of January 2011 has
been set for the police sergeants exam. Civil Service is currently in discussions with the
Justice Department on changes in exam format and content. If New Jersey settles or loses the lawsuit, the Department of Justice
psychologists will have to approve the changes.
2. WHAT'S THE NEW DIRECTION OF THE POLICE PROMOTIONAL EXAMS?
Due to a lawsuit filed in January 2010 by the US Department of Justice, we anticipate some exam formats will change. As we are the only national test preparation company doing work in New Jersey, we are
familiar with the different exam formats used throughout the country.
We believe the
new test for 2010 will be very similar to the BERNSTEIN WORK SAMPLE ASSESSMENT TEST or B-WSAT. We will show you exactly
what the work samples will look like, and how to answer the new work sample questions.
The goal in answering work samples is to score points! Additionally, we
will review the expected changes to the exam in our
four-month course. You should know most testing experts
like a two part exam.
Civil Service is planning a two part exam for the police sergeants
exam.
3. WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THE POLICE PROMOTIONAL LAWSUIT?
One thing we can tell you is
we believe the format and content for
the next sergeants exam will change. We believe they will be changing the sergeants exam to be more like what is done in Miami, Chicago, and New Orleans. These are all places where
police departments were forced to make changes in the police promotional exams. As Dr. Bernstein has taught classes in Miami, Chicago and New Orleans,
the Bernstein students will be well prepared for the new exam. If you decide to study with us this year in our June - December
course, you will be prepared for the new sergeant, lieutenant and captain's exam.
4. WHAT IF I REGISTER WITH BERNSTEIN & ASSOCIATES FOR THE
2010 POLICE PROMOTIONAL EXAM AND THE 2010 EXAM IS POSTPONED?
You should still attend the 2010 course, even if it's just to learn about the new parts of the exam. If you register now for our course and civil service postpones the 2010 sergeants exam until 2011, you
may attend our 2011 course. That means you can take the 2010 course and 2011 course at no additional cost. It’s our goal to make sure our students score higher than anyone else.
5. WILL THE OLD STYLE MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST QUESTIONS LIKE THOSE
PREVIOUSLY TAKEN FROM THE HOLTZ HANDBOOK BE USED ON THE NEW POLICE
PROMOTIONAL EXAM?
No, the United States Department of Justice has demanded that New Jersey not use these multiple choice questions on the sergeant's promotional exam.
The top testing experts in the world like the work sample assessment test. They also
like a differentially weighted multiple choice test, as
well as the video assessment. All reviewed in the
4-month course.
6. WHAT IS THE NEW WORK SAMPLE ASSESSMENT TEST?
Work samples are the kinds of things supervisors have to deal with in the real world. Some involve things that a supervisor does every day e.g. high frequency items - reports, letters, memos, emails, wanted
flyers, schedules, etc. Others involve situations where it is of critical importance for a supervisor to respond to e.g. highly critical items - officer involved shootings, hazmat incidents, pursuits, sexual harassment,
bias incidents, terrorist attacks, etc. When I developed the original Bernstein Work Sample Test, I made up test items involving all these things. In New Jersey a major incident is referred to as a
"Bernstein."
The Work Sample free style response type tests, allow candidates an opportunity to show what they know. In this type of test, you are placed in the situation and asked "What actions would you take?" Just like in the real world, you have to know what to do. A good candidate should know what to do. Because as we all know in the real world you don't have four choices like A B C or D. You have to show
leadership and make a decision.
7. WHAT ABOUT SCHOOLS RUN BY INSTRUCTORS WHO HAVE NO
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PROJECTED NEW TEST?
There are schools out there that were good on the old multiple choice test, but have no clue about the
new 2010 work sample test. They offer 5,000 outdated multiple choice questions that
are no longer going to be used. The
B-WSAT involves written responses, oral responses, and multiple
choice questions. Again, all reviewed in class.
Candidates should ask themselves, “Who is best qualified to prepare me for the
Bernstein Assessment type test?” The answer should be easy. Before you pay as much as $2,550, learn more about the
projected
new test. Click here to register for
the 4-month police promo comprehensive course.
When an exam format is changed, it's always controversial. Change is scary for most cops. Try and look at it this way. It doesn't matter if you like the new test or not. It doesn't matter if I like it or if the
State of New Jersey likes it. In my 20 years of testing experience, if the U.S. Justice Department demands a test be changed, it always is! Psychologists believe the Bernstein Work Sample Test is more fair and valid
than a multiple choice book test. So, get ready for it. It's definitely coming.
