Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Human Resources Division

Police Officer Examination

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1

PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................... 2

PART II: TEST COMPONENT DESCRIPTIONS ............................................................ 4

SECTION 1: ABILITY TEST ...................................................................................... 4

SECTION 2: WORK STYLES QUESTIONNAIRE ....................................................... 5
SECTION 3: LIFE EXPERIENCE SURVEY ............................................................... 6

PART III: PROCEDURES FOR RECORDING RESPONSES .......................................... 7

PART IV: ABILITY TEST PREPARATION STRATEGIES................................................9

SECTION 1: GENERAL TEST INFORMATION ......................................................... 9

A. OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................... 9
B. GENERAL MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES ........................ 10
C. ERROR ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 12

SECTION 2: ABILITY AREAS .................................................................................. 15

A. ABILITY TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES ............................................................ 16

1. WRITTEN EXPRESSION ..................................................................................................... 16

2. WRITTEN COMPREHENSION ............................................................................................. 19
3. PROBLEM SENSITIVITY ...................................................................................................... 21
4. DEDUCTIVE REASONING ................................................................................................... 25
5. INDUCTIVE REASONING .................................................................................................... 30
6. INFORMATION ORDERING ................................................................................................. 33

B. SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS: ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS .................. 37

FINAL WORDS ............................................................................................................. 39

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 INTRODUCTION
This Preparation Guide has been distributed to help you prepare for the Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery
(LEAB). The LEAB consists of the following three test components: the Ability Test, the Work Styles
Questionnaire, and the Life Experience Survey.

The Ability Test is designed to test a series of abilities, such as Written Comprehension,
Problem Sensitivity and Reasoning, determined to be important to the effective performance of
entry-level law enforcement officers.

The Work Styles Questionnaire is designed to assess certain motivational, value-related and
attitudinal characteristics that are of potential relevance to successful performance of entry-level
law enforcement officers.

The Life Experience Survey consists of a series of multiple-choice questions related to

candidates' past history and experience of potential relevance to successful performance of
entry-level law enforcement officers.

In order to receive a LEAB score, you need to follow all instructions at the test administration and
you must achieve a score of 70 or higher on the ability test. In other words, if you do not score 70 or
higher on the ability section, your Work Styles Questionnaire and Life Experience Survey responses
will NOT be scored. If you do score 70 or higher on the ability section, all three LEAB test
components will be scored and your scores from all three components will be combined to
determine your continued eligibility in the selection process.
Please note that the order in which the three test components are administered is the same as the order in
which they are listed above (i.e., Ability Test, Work Styles Questionnaire, and Life Experience Survey). From
the information presented in this Guide, you will get a good understanding of the testing procedures, the types
of questions you will encounter on each test, and the systematic methods of study and preparation that you
should use in preparing for each test.

You are encouraged to review this Guide as many times as necessary to become comfortable with the
information and test-taking strategies presented.
This Preparation Guide is organized into the following parts:

Part I: General Information: This part provides you with general information regarding the schedule
and logistics for the LEAB.
Part II: Test Component Descriptions: This part describes the Ability Test, Work Styles Questionnaire
and Life Experience Survey. The descriptions include an overview of the administrative
procedures as well as sample questions for each test component. Preparation for the Work
Styles Questionnaire and Life Experience Survey is very minimal; however, we strongly
recommend that you review your previous school and/or work related documents (e.g.,
school transcripts, resume, evaluations from previous supervisors and/or instructors) to
ensure that you are able to answer the Life Experience Survey questions regarding your
past experiences as accurately as possible.

Part III: Procedures for Recording Responses: This part describes the administrative procedures and
procedures for recording your responses to the test questions when you take the LEAB.

Part IV: Ability Test Preparation Strategies: This part provides you with general test-taking strategies
that are useful when responding to all ability test questions (such as identifying important words
in questions) and suggestions that are specific to each ability area assessed. For each ability
that will be assessed, this section provides a definition, test-taking strategies, and sample
questions.

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 PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION
When participating in the LEAB, follow these general guidelines:

1. Read all of the directions carefully and pay careful attention to any additional instructions
provided by administrators. Specific instructions will be provided for each test component. It is very
important that you read these specific instructions carefully before starting each test component to
ensure that you understand the procedures that need to be followed.

2. Know how much time you have to take the LEAB and how much time you should spend on each
of the three components of the LEAB. You will have approximately 3 hours to take
the LEAB. The amount of time that you should allot to each component will be recommended in the
LEAB instructions. As a general guideline, it should take approximately 15 minutes to read all of the
instructions (about 5 minutes for each set of instructions that precede each of the three components of
the LEAB). You should plan on spending about 2 hours on the Ability Test, and a total of approximately
45 minutes on the Work Styles Questionnaire and the Life Experience Survey. Please note that
these are just suggested times. You can divide the total available time (i.e., 3 hours)
among the three LEAB components as you wish. You may wear a watch to keep track of the time
during the LEAB administration.

3. Make sure you know how to correctly record your responses. Part III of this Guide explains the
procedures to be followed for recording your responses. You should also pay careful attention to the
specific instructions that will be provided when you are taking the LEAB. Be careful to record your
responses carefully as you work through the LEAB to avoid losing credit due to response entry errors.

4. Test Administrators will be available to help you. If you have any questions about the testing
procedures, ask for assistance or clarification before the LEAB administration begins. However, keep in
mind that administrators will not explain the meaning of any question, define words, or give, in any
manner, information which may be of help in answering a question.

5. Take a mental break if and when needed. If you feel that your ability to concentrate is decreasing at
any point while you are taking the LEAB, take a brief mental break. Take a minute to clear your mind
and relax. Of course, you must keep in mind the time limit for the LEAB, but a brief mental break may
well be worth the time it takes.

6. Answer every question on each of the three test components. Do not leave any questions blank.

a. When completing the Ability Test, the outcome is the same whether you respond incorrectly to a
question or do not respond at all (i.e., you receive no credit for your response). When you respond
at least you have the opportunity, even if by chance, to answer the question correctly. It is
therefore to your advantage and in your best interest to respond to all Ability Test questions even if
you are not sure of the correct answer to a question.

b. When completing the Work Styles Questionnaire and Life Experience Survey, if you are unsure of
how to respond, choose the alternative that most accurately describes your past experiences,
behavior or how you feel. Candidates who do not respond to all questions on the Work Styles
Questionnaire and Life Experience Survey may be disqualified from the selection process.

7. Use extra time wisely to review your responses to the Ability Test. If you complete the Ability Test
well before the suggested two-hour time period has expired, it may be wise to review your responses to
the Ability Test (particularly questions to which you were unsure of the correct answer) prior to moving
on to the other two test components of the LEAB. However, once the suggested two-hour time period is
up, or soon thereafter, you should move on to the remaining test components to ensure that you have
enough time to complete them.

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8. Respond honestly when taking test components that ask you to describe your past experiences,
behavior, or feelings. This guideline applies to the Work Styles Questionnaire and Life Experience
Survey. It is very important that you respond honestly as you take each of these test components. It is
possible that other individuals may suggest that you respond in certain ways to increase your chances
of being hired, even if those responses do not accurately or honestly reflect your experience or feelings.
There are two important reasons why you should respond honestly despite these kinds of suggestions.
First, each of these two components contains internal mechanisms that make it possible to identify
candidates who are not responding honestly. If the pattern of your responses suggests that you are not
responding honestly, you may be disqualified from the selection process. Second, law enforcement
agencies conduct their own background investigations and other similar procedures on each candidate.
During these procedures, agencies will obtain specific information related to some of the questions
asked in the Work Styles Questionnaire and Life Experience Survey. If law enforcement agencies
obtain information during their internal investigations that is inconsistent with the responses you
provided during the LEAB, the agency may disqualify you from the selection process.

9. Be sure to bring the form(s) of identification required by the agency to which you are applying
when you appear to take the LEAB. Typical forms of identification required by agencies may include:

a. Valid picture identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport, etc.).

b. Your social security card.
c. Your valid driver’s license (can double as your picture identification if it contains a photo of you).

However, the specific form(s) of identification required by the agency for which you are testing may vary
and you should confirm the specific identification requirements with the agency for which you are
testing.

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 PART II: TEST COMPONENT DESCRIPTIONS
SECTION 1: ABILITY TEST
The Ability Test is designed to test a series of abilities, such as Written Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity
and Reasoning, determined to be important to the effective performance of entry-level law enforcement
officers. The Ability Test contains 48 questions. Each question will be followed by four alternatives (A through
D). For each question, candidates will be asked to identify the single best answer and record the response
chosen (see examples below in the boxed area).
You should use approximately two hours of the total LEAB assessment time to complete the Ability Test. You
should provide a response for every question. Questions that are left unanswered will be scored as incorrect.
Therefore, even if you are not at all sure of the correct answer to a question, it is in your best interest to
record a response rather than to leave the question blank.
Part IV of this Guide provides a comprehensive set of strategies to prepare you to take the Ability
Test. We encourage you to carefully review and practice these strategies before taking the LEAB.
The following examples are presented ONLY for illustrative purposes and do not actually appear on the Ability
Test portion of the LEAB. These examples closely represent the kinds of questions that will be included on
the Ability Test. Please note that the second example is preceded by a passage. Although there is only one
question associated with the passage, during the Ability Test you may be presented with passages of
information that apply to more than one question.

Example 1
1. As a law enforcement officer arrived at the scene of a disturbance in an abandoned warehouse, the
officer noticed a van leaving the scene. Since the investigation revealed that the warehouse had been
vandalized, the officer felt that the van leaving the scene should be included in the report. The most
effective way for the officer to report this fact is to say:
A. "As I arrived at the warehouse, I saw a van driving away from the scene."
B. "A van which should not have been there, was at the warehouse."
C. "The vandals escaped in a van."
D. "I don't know if it's important but as I got there, I saw a vehicle leaving the scene."
Example 2

Use the information in the following passage to answer question 2.

Officer Thompson has noticed that in his patrol area, most of the assaults occur in the eastern and
northern sections, while most automobile thefts occur in the southern and western sections and most
traffic accidents occur in the western section.
The majority of automobile thefts take place between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Most of the traffic accidents
occur either between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Most of the assaults occur
between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. or between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
In addition, the traffic accidents almost always occur on Mondays and Fridays, the assaults take place on
any day from Wednesday through Saturday, and automobile thefts typically take place on weekday
mornings.
2. According to the preceding passage, Officer Thompson most likely would be able to reduce the
number of assaults by patrolling the:
A. eastern section between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m.
B. eastern section between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
C. western section between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
D. northern section between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m.

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 SECTION 2: WORK STYLES QUESTIONNAIRE

This component is an important part of the LEAB. In addition to the ability requirements placed upon law
enforcement officers, successful performance requires certain motivational, value-related, and attitudinal
characteristics. The Work Styles Questionnaire will be used to measure these important characteristics.

You should use a total of approximately 45 minutes of the total LEAB assessment time to complete the
Work Styles Questionnaire and Life Experience Survey. No preparation is necessary (or expected) for
this component of the LEAB. However, the Work Styles Questionnaire will be scored and your score will
be combined with your scores on the Life Experience Survey and Ability Test to determine your continued
eligibility in the selection process. Examples have been presented in the boxed area below so that you
will know what to expect during the Work Styles Questionnaire.

The Work Styles Questionnaire contains a series of 103 short statements. You will read each statement (see
examples below) and then decide the degree to which you agree or disagree with each statement as it applies
to you by selecting a rating from 1 to 5 using the rating scale presented in the boxed area below.

In this questionnaire you will be instructed to:

• Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 5 (see scale below) on a number of phrases or statements and
record the rating you choose.
• Choose “Unsure” ONLY when you are truly not sure how to rate yourself.
• Work quickly through the questionnaire, provide honest responses and avoid spending too
much time thinking about how to respond to any single statement.
• Respond to every statement, even if no single point on the rating scale describes you or the
way you feel perfectly, since candidates who do not respond to all statements on the Work
Styles Questionnaire may be disqualified from the selection process.

Strongly Strongly
Disagree Disagree Unsure Agree Agree

① ② ③ ④ ⑤
The following examples are presented ONLY for illustrative purposes and do not actually appear on the
Work Styles Questionnaire portion of the LEAB. These examples are closely representative of the kinds
of statements that will be included on the Work Styles Questionnaire.

1. I set goals and strive to achieve them.

2. I prefer to work alone.

3. I take time to think about why people do things.

4. I find myself taking control in group situations.

5. I find that it is not necessary to have all of the facts before making a decision.

6. Insults don't bother me.

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 SECTION 3: LIFE EXPERIENCE SURVEY
The Life Experience Survey is designed to assess characteristics related to each candidate's past history and
experience. In this survey you will be presented with 68 questions. These questions pertain to you and your
personal experiences, and will cover many different topics. Each question will be followed by five response
alternatives (A through E). For each question you will be asked to select which of the five response
alternatives best describes your past experience and to record the response you choose (see the examples in
the boxed area below).

You will be instructed to work at a steady pace through this survey, provide honest responses and avoid
spending too much time thinking about how to respond to any single question. You will also be instructed to
answer every question by selecting the response that best fits you and your personal experiences, even if no
single response perfectly describes you or your personal experiences. You should respond to every question
since candidates who do not respond to all questions on the Life Experience Survey may be disqualified from
the selection process.
You should use a total of approximately 45 minutes of the total LEAB assessment time to complete the
Life Experience Survey and Work Styles Questionnaire. Although no extended preparation is necessary
(or expected) for this component of the LEAB, we strongly recommend that you review your previous
school and/or work related documents (e.g., school transcripts, resume, evaluations from previous
supervisors and/or instructors) to ensure that you are able to answer the Life Experience Survey
questions regarding your past experiences as accurately as possible. The Life Experience Survey
will be scored and your score will be combined with your scores on the Work Styles Questionnaire and
Ability Test to determine your continued eligibility in the selection process.

Examples are presented below so that you will know what to expect during the administration of the Life
Experience Survey. These examples are presented ONLY for illustrative purposes and do not actually appear
on the survey but they closely represent the types of questions that you will see when you take this portion of
the LEAB.

1. Your previous supervisor would describe you as someone who usually does:
A. more than your fair share of the work that must be done.
B. more work than most of your coworkers.
C. about as much work as most of your coworkers.
D. almost as much work as most of your coworkers.
E. less work than most of your coworkers.
2. Within the past two years, how many times have you taken a day off because you did not feel like
going to work?
A. never.
B. once.
C. twice.
D. three times.
E. more than three times.
3. Since completing your high school education, how many days a month do you take part in some form
of community-based activity (e.g., community service, athletics, clubs, drama, etc.) outside of work
or school?
A. 0.
B. 1 - 2.
C. 3 - 5.
D. 6 - 8.
E. 9 or more.

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 PART III: PROCEDURES FOR RECORDING RESPONSES
Instructions for Recording Responses on the LEAB Answer Sheet

During the LEAB you will receive an examination booklet and an answer sheet. You may use your booklet for
scratch work or to apply the Ability Test strategies described in the next part of this Guide (e.g., underlining
key words that are identified). Although you may write in your booklet, your score will be based only on the
answers that appear on your answer sheet so you should pay very careful attention to the instructions for
recording responses on your answer sheet that are presented in this Guide and during the LEAB
administration.

All of the questions on the three components of the LEAB will be multiple-choice. You will receive one answer
sheet to record your responses to all three components. Your responses for each component will be recorded
in a separate section of the answer sheet. Samples of each section of the answer sheet are presented on the
next page. You will indicate your response selection by darkening the circle corresponding to your choice.
There are a few points we urge you to keep in mind when marking your responses on the answer sheet during
the LEAB:

1. Be sure to record all of your responses on the answer sheet. Do not make any other stray marks or
notes on the answer sheet.

2. Be sure to use only a No. 2 pencil when you record your responses on the answer sheet, because the
answer sheet is scannable and only marks made by a No. 2 pencil will be detected when scored. In
other words, you will only receive credit for those responses that you record with a No. 2 pencil.

3. Be sure to record a response to every question or statement. If you don’t respond to all Ability Test
questions, your score will likely be lower. Additionally, if you do not respond to all Work Styles
Questionnaire statements and all Life Experience Survey questions you may be disqualified from the
selection process.

4. Be sure that the number of the question you are working on in the examination booklet matches the
number of the question you are marking on the answer sheet. That is, if you are on question 12 in the
examination booklet, be sure that you are marking question 12 on the answer sheet.

5. Be sure to make pencil marks that are dark and neat when marking a response bubble. Pencil marks
that are too light may not be detected when scored, so make sure that your pencil marks are dark.
Pencil marks that overlap with another response bubble may be counted as a second response and the
item will be scored as incorrect.

6. Be sure to clean all erasure marks on the scan sheet since dark smudges within any of the response
bubbles may be scored as a response. DO NOT put an "X" over an erasure to indicate the answer is
incorrect and that you have changed your selection since the "X" and your new selection will be counted
as two responses and the item will be scored as incorrect.

7. Be sure to ask a Test Administrator at the LEAB administration site if you have questions about the
correct way to record your responses.

Practice the above procedures by using the samples of each section of the answer sheet on page 8 to record
your responses to the sample questions for each LEAB component starting on page 4 of this Guide. You can
get additional practice by using the Sample Answer Sheet presented in Part IV on page 15 to record your
answers to the 12 Ability Area sample questions.

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Immediately below are instructions and sample portions of the answer sheet that you will use during the LEAB
to record your responses. Feel free to practice filling in your responses to the sample questions included in
the boxed areas on the preceding pages using a pencil and following the “marking instructions” below.

Ability Test Work Styles Questionnaire Life Experience Survey

Note: The answer sheet you will receive to record your responses to the LEAB will be divided into three
sections. Each section of the answer sheet will correspond to one of the three LEAB components. You will
use the first section labeled “WRITTEN ABILITY TEST” to record your responses to the Ability Test questions
numbered 1 to 48. Although there are 100 items in this section, you will use only the first 48 answer fields.
You will use the second section labeled “WORK STYLES QUESTIONNAIRE” to record your responses to the
Work Styles Questionnaire statements numbered 1 to 103. Although there are 224 items in this section,
you will use only the first 103 answer fields. Finally, you will use the third section labeled “LIFE EXPERIENCE
SURVEY” to record your responses to the Life Experience Survey questions numbered 1 to 68. Although
there are 102 items in this section, you will use only the first 68 answer fields. These instructions for
completing your answer sheet will be repeated at the test administration.

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 PART IV: ABILITY TEST PREPARATION STRATEGIES
SECTION 1: GENERAL TEST INFORMATION
A. OBJECTIVES
To Familiarize You with the Ability Areas Covered on the Ability Test
The ability areas that will be assessed on the Ability Test include Written Expression, Written Comprehension,
Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning and Information Ordering. This Guide will
provide you with definitions of these ability areas and examples of how they apply to the job of an entry-level
law enforcement officer.
To Provide You with Test-Taking Strategies for Each of the Ability Areas
This part of the Guide contains strategies to help you answer questions that test each of the ability areas.
To Provide You with Some General Test-Taking Strategies
This Guide suggests general strategies for taking multiple-choice ability tests, including identifying key words
in questions and answering questions that you perceive as easier first.
To Familiarize You with the Procedures and Materials You Will Encounter During the Ability Test

This part of the Guide includes information about the procedures to be followed during the Ability Test. The
sample questions provided in the Ability Areas section will give you a good idea of the kinds of questions to
expect. Answering the sample questions will allow you to assess your own ability and identify those ability
areas where you should focus your preparation efforts. Giving you this first-hand experience with the test-
taking situation should help you feel more confident and comfortable when you take the actual test.

Finally, these materials will show you that all information necessary to answer the questions is contained
within the test itself. This test is designed to assess abilities, not specific knowledge about law enforcement.
Any law enforcement terms or procedures that are included in the test will be defined or described so that all
candidates have the same information on which to base their answers. Keep in mind that any policies and
procedures described in the test are not intended to match the policies and procedures of any specific
department for which you may be seeking employment. Be sure to base your responses solely on the
information presented for each question.

To Provide You with Information about Common Test-Taking Errors and Strategies for Avoiding Them

This part of the Guide explains errors typically made in multiple-choice ability tests and includes steps for
analyzing your own errors and strategies for avoiding the same errors in the future.

This Guide contains a great deal of information. The last thing we want to do is to overwhelm you with too
many strategies to think about for each type of question on the Ability Test. In order to avoid this, there are
several points that you should keep in mind:
1. The more familiar you become with the strategies suggested in this Guide, the more automatic they will
become. REPETITION and PRACTICE are the keys. The more often you review this Guide, the better
prepared you will be.

2. Many of the strategies suggested for each of the ability areas apply only to questions testing those areas.
For example, you'll see that the suggestions for dealing with Deductive Reasoning questions apply only to
those types of questions. By becoming very familiar with the ability areas, you will be able to quickly and
easily decide which strategies to apply to each type of question.

3. Some of the general test-taking techniques that are relevant to all questions are particularly useful when
you cannot answer a question easily. If you are 100% sure of an answer, you should simply select the
correct answer. However, there are some strategies, such as identifying key words and phrases, which
do not take much time and are useful for questions testing almost all ability areas.

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 B. GENERAL MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

When completing the Ability Test, follow these general guidelines:

Make sure you understand the question.

1. Read each question carefully. Try to answer the question before you look at the choices. If you know the
answer, compare it to the available choices and pick the closest alternative.

2. Break the test questions down in a way that makes them easier to read. Specifically:

a. Break down sentences into small segments. This will make you more attentive to separate ideas in a
long sentence. Note the following example.

Example:

Before Test administrators will be available to help every candidate with testing procedures; however,
administrators will not explain the meaning of any question, define words, or give, in any
manner, information that may be of help in answering a question.

Below, slash marks are used to indicate how you can break up complex sentences. Note the statement
just made.

After Test administrators \ will be available to help every candidate with testing procedures; \
however, administrators will not explain the meaning of any question, \ define words, \ or give,
in any manner, information that may be of help in answering a question.

See how breaking the sentence down makes it easier to understand what the sentence is about by
focusing your attention on the separate ideas presented.

b. Identify key words that tell you what a sentence or passage is about. If you skip the question and
come back to it later, identifying key words may make it easier to remember what the question was
about, without reading the full question or passage again. Note the example below that illustrates how
to identify key words.

Example:

Before Test administrators will be available to help every candidate with testing procedures; however,
administrators will not explain the meaning of any question, define words, or give, in any
manner, information that may be of help in answering a question.

Identify key words. Note the key words underlined in the statement just made.

After Test administrators will be available to help every candidate with testing procedures; however,
administrators will not explain the meaning of any question, define words, or give, in any
manner, information that may be of help in answering a question.

See how this helps you focus on the important parts of the sentence. This is particularly helpful when you
are looking back and forth between two pieces of information (such as a test question and the answers to
the question).

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 c. Find words that "harden" or "soften" statements. Note the double-underlined words below.

1. Words such as all, never, none and every harden a sentence by indicating that there are no
exceptions. As a rule, alternatives with these words have less chance of being correct.

2. Words such as sometimes, may, generally and possibly soften a statement and leave more
room for the alternative to be correct.

3. AND means that one element of the alternative must be present or true, in addition to another
element for the alternative to be correct.

4. OR means there is a choice of situations. Only one of the elements of the alternative must be
present or true for the alternative to be correct.

Proceed through the questions strategically.

1. Answer questions that you perceive as easier first.

When you go through each question on the Ability Test, answer the questions you feel are easier first and
leave the ones you feel are more difficult until after you've answered all of the questions you feel are
easier. This will prevent you from spending too much time on any one question and ensure that you have
the time to respond to, and receive credit for, every question that you can answer correctly. If you are
unsure of an answer, you can skip the question. Or, you can record the answer that is most likely correct,
but return to it later. Don't be afraid to change this answer if, when you return to it, you realize you have
misunderstood the question. If, after returning to and thinking about the question in more depth, you are
still unsure of the answer, select your first answer.
2. Use the process of elimination.

If you don't know the answer to a question, first eliminate those choices that are clearly wrong. This will
save you time by reducing the number of answers you have to re-read and re-evaluate before making
your final choice, particularly if you skip the question and come back to it later.
3. Tackle difficult questions methodically.

Don't get bogged down if there is a word or sentence you do not understand. You may get the main idea
without knowing a specific word or understanding a specific sentence.
4. Take a mental break when needed.

If you feel that your ability to concentrate is decreasing at any point during the testing period, take a brief
mental break. Take a minute to clear your mind and relax. Of course, you must keep in mind the overall
time limit for the LEAB, but a brief mental break may well be worth the time it takes.
5. Answer every question.

You will not lose any more credit for an incorrect response than you will for no response, so even if you
are not sure of the correct answer to a question, record a response. Although your response may not be
correct, the alternative is to leave this question blank and be assured of getting it wrong.

Use extra time wisely.

If you have extra time, go back and review your responses. Make any changes that you feel are necessary.
Also, make sure that you have recorded your responses correctly.

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 C. ERROR ANALYSIS

Strategies for Analyzing and Avoiding Errors

Each one of us has weak areas in our test-taking behavior. It is to your advantage to identify those weak
areas before participating in the LEAB. The sample questions contained in the Ability Areas section within
this Guide are very similar to the questions that will appear on the Ability Test. After answering these
questions and checking them against the answers and explanations, you should complete the Error Analysis
Form contained later in this section of the Guide. After completing the Error Analysis Form, focus on the
questions you answered incorrectly. This will allow you to identify any major weak areas in your test-taking
behavior. This is called Error Analysis.

There are several possible reasons for choosing an incorrect response. Seven of these reasons are
presented below, along with suggestions for avoiding such errors. Once you've identified the reason for
choosing an incorrect response, it will be easier to correct it, in turn making it easier to answer that type of
question correctly in the future.

Reasons for Choosing Incorrect Responses

1. Errors made when recording responses/guessing errors.

Since there are a limited number of questions on the Ability Test, errors related to the improper recording
of responses are costly. Check as you record each answer choice to ensure you are recording the
answer you have chosen. As an additional check, if you have extra time, go back and double check your
work.

You may miss questions because you failed to provide an answer or were forced to quickly record an
answer. If either of these things happened, consider why. Possible reasons and suggestions include:

a. You may have missed a question because you skipped it and failed to return to it later. Be sure to
return to skipped questions.

b. You may have lost track of the time. Be sure to check a timing device every so often so that you have
time to complete all three LEAB components.

c. You may have been forced to quickly choose an answer because you spent too much time working on
difficult questions, rather than skipping them and saving them for later. Or, if you did skip difficult
questions, you may have failed to identify the various alternatives as not correct; possibly correct; and
most likely correct. Thus, you did not reduce the number of alternatives you had to reconsider when
you re-read the questions. Be sure that you evaluate any alternatives that you do review in order to
save some time re-reading and re-evaluating.

2. Misreading a question or answer by overlooking a key word or phrase.

The solution to this problem is identifying key words. Once you have identified the key words and phrases
in a question, check the details of the possible answers with the details you identified, one-by-one. If
every detail doesn't match, consider that answer suspect and try another, always keeping in mind you're
looking for the best possible answer.

3. Not knowing the meaning of one or more key terms.

This is a vocabulary problem. When you come to an unfamiliar word, reread the sentence to determine its
meaning without worrying about the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Try to understand the general
message of the sentence or paragraph. The meaning of the unfamiliar word should become clearer once
you understand the phrases and ideas that surround it.

12
4. Having difficulty distinguishing between the important and unimportant parts of a question
because it is complicated or difficult to understand.

These may be the types of questions you should skip until later. When you do go back to these difficult
questions, first read the possible answers before reading the question. This tells you what to concentrate
on while reading the question. Also, focus on the topic sentences, which are usually the first and last
sentences in a question. Read these difficult questions twice. The first time, read for the general idea.
Do not get stuck on individual words or phrases you do not understand. The second time, read for a more
detailed understanding. The first reading will give you the general meaning, so that the second reading
will be easier. Finally, picture in your mind what the question is asking.

5. Not being familiar with comparing combinations of information.

This is a problem of re-arranging information in the correct way to make it easier to understand. Identify
important pieces of information in the question and then compare this information with the possible
answers point-by-point. Also, concentrate on eliminating the wrong answers first.

6. Choosing an answer simply because it "looks" good.

Several factors may cause you to select incorrect answers that "look" good:

a. An incorrect answer may contain an exact phrase from the original question.

b. An incorrect answer may contain a phrase or sentence from the original question, but be presented in
a different way. For example, an idea that is rejected in the question may be presented in the answer
as an idea that was supported.

c. An incorrect answer may overstate what the question has stated. For example, if the question says,
"Some incidents...," the incorrect answer may say, "All incidents..."

Strategies to avoid the tendency to select incorrect answers that "look" good include:

a. Have an answer in mind before you look over the alternatives. This will make you less likely to
choose an answer that just "looks" good.

b. Beware of choosing answers based on common sense or previous knowledge and experience.
Answer only on the basis of the material presented in the test question.

c. Stick strictly to the facts or rules described in the test question. Don't select answers that stretch or
exaggerate these facts or rules. Identify words such as only, never, always, whenever, all, etc. to
help you pay close attention to words that "harden" or "soften" answers.

d. Beware of answers containing exact words or phrases from the test question. Don't simply assume
that such answers are correct.

e. Prepare a defense for your answer. Find something in the test question that will allow you to give a
strong defense for your answer.

7. You may not know why you answered a question incorrectly.

Finally, if you are unsure as to why you answered a question incorrectly and don't know why an answer is
correct, it would be a good idea to review this Guide again. In addition, talk with someone else who may
be taking the LEAB to compare answers and information or ask a tutor, friend or family member for help.

Remember, as you review your answers to the sample questions contained in the Ability Areas
section, use the Error Analysis Form to evaluate/diagnose your test-taking behavior.

13
Instructions for Using the Error Analysis Form

Use the form below to analyze sample questions you answer incorrectly in the Ability Areas section of this
Guide. As you work through the Ability Areas section, review each sample question as follows: If you
answered the question correctly, place a check mark in the blank within the column labeled "CORRECT
ANSWER." Then, for each incorrect answer, identify which of the seven reasons presented previously
caused you to make the error and mark the appropriate blank in the set of columns labeled "REASONS FOR
INCORRECT ANSWERS." Total the number of marks in each column to identify the kinds of errors you are
making most often. Examine the ability area listed for each incorrectly answered question to determine those
abilities that are giving you the most difficulty. Once you have identified the troublesome ability areas and
errors, go back and review the test-taking strategies for the ability areas and the strategies for avoiding errors.
Focus on those ability areas and errors that are causing you to choose incorrect answers most often.

Error Analysis Form: For Use with Sample Questions

SAMPLE REASONS FOR INCORRECT ANSWERS

CORRECT
QUESTION ABILITY AREA
ANSWER
NUMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 Written Expression

2 Written Expression

3 Written Comprehension

4 Written Comprehension

5 Problem Sensitivity

6 Problem Sensitivity

7 Deductive Reasoning

8 Deductive Reasoning

9 Inductive Reasoning

10 Inductive Reasoning

11 Information Ordering

12 Information Ordering

TOTAL QUESTIONS CORRECT

TOTAL FOR EACH TYPE OF ERROR

14
 SECTION 2: ABILITY AREAS

This section of the Guide is designed to familiarize you with the nature of the questions you will encounter on
the Ability Test, and to provide you with some useful strategies for responding to these types of questions.
This portion of the Guide is organized around the ability areas that will be tested. For each ability area, the
following information is provided:

Definition: In this section, the ability area is defined and you are provided with examples of how the ability
applies to the job of an entry-level law enforcement officer.

Techniques: This section describes the various types of questions that will be used to assess each of the
ability areas. For each type of question, you will be given some strategies to assist you in responding to such
questions. For most question types, an illustrative example and explanation is provided to give you a better
understanding of the question descriptions and test-taking strategies.

Sample Test Questions: Two sample test questions are provided for each ability area to be tested.
Answers to the sample questions have been provided after all ability types are presented on pages 37 through
39. By answering the sample test questions you can assess your understanding of the information and test-
taking strategies provided. Responding to the sample questions will also allow you to assess your current
level of ability and to identify those ability areas upon which you should focus your preparation efforts. After
responding to all 12 questions, use the Error Analysis Form on page 14 to evaluate your test-taking behavior.

Use the answer sheet provided below to record your answers to the 12 sample questions contained in the
Ability Test-Taking Strategies section of this Guide.

In summary, the information in this portion of the Guide is being presented to help you become familiar with
the kinds of questions you will encounter on the Ability Test and to become comfortable with the kinds of
strategies you should use when responding to these questions. This information should help you feel more
comfortable when you take the Ability Test portion of the LEAB.

15
 A. ABILITY TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

1. WRITTEN EXPRESSION

Definition: This ability involves using language in writing to communicate information or ideas to other people.
These other people might include suspects, victims, witnesses, other law enforcement personnel, shop
owners, or any individuals with whom the individual might come in contact. This ability includes vocabulary,
knowledge of distinctions among words, and knowledge of grammar and the way words are ordered.

Examples of this ability include:

• documenting the details of an incident in a report

• composing a letter to a member of the community

Techniques: There are two types of Written Expression questions that you may encounter. The first type
requires you to identify the most appropriate way to communicate a particular thought or idea to another
individual. For these questions, it is important to ensure that the alternative chosen (a) accurately reflects
the content of the original idea, and (b) expresses the original idea in the most clear and concise manner.
Consider the example below.

Example 1:

As a law enforcement officer arrived at the scene of a disturbance in an abandoned warehouse,

the officer noticed a van leaving the scene. Since the investigation revealed that the warehouse
had been vandalized, the officer felt that the van leaving the scene should be included in the
report. The most effective way for the officer to report this fact is to say:

A. "As I arrived at the warehouse, I saw a van driving away from the scene."
B. "A van which should not have been there, was at the warehouse."
C. "The vandals escaped in a van."
D. "I don't know if it's important but as I got there, I saw a vehicle leaving the scene."

Correct Response and Explanation:

A is the correct answer, because it correctly reflects the facts given in the question.

Answers B and C are incorrect, because they provide details which have not been established
(the van should not have been there AND the vandals escaped in the van) in the question.
The officer was only able to state that the vehicle was leaving the scene as the officer arrived.

Answer D is not the best answer because it leaves out the important fact that the vehicle was
a van.

The second type of Written Expression question requires that you order your thoughts, or statements, in a
logical sequence so that others will understand you. Such questions will start with a list of statements to
be made by an individual. For example, the statements may represent sentences contained within a
report describing the sequence of events that occurred at an incident. These statements will not be
presented in the correct order. The response alternatives will present you with several possible ways to
order the statements; however, only one correct possibility will be included among the alternatives
provided.

16
Example 2:

Officer Wilkins is preparing a report on a hit and run accident. The report will include the following
sentences. (These sentences are NOT listed in the correct order.)

1. The Dodge struck the right rear fender of Mrs. Smith's Ford, and continued on its way.
2. Mrs. Smith stated that she was making a left turn from 40th St. onto Third Avenue.
3. As the car passed, Mrs. Smith noticed the rear license plate #412AEJ.
4. Mrs. Smith complained to police of back pains and was removed by ambulance to Bellevue
Hospital.
5. A green Dodge traveling on Third Avenue went through the red light at 40th St. and Third
Avenue.

The most logical order for the above sentences to appear in the report is:

A. 1, 3, 2, 5, 4.
B. 2, 5, 1, 3, 4.
C. 4, 5, 1, 2, 3.
D. 5, 3, 1, 2, 4.

When responding to this type of question, look at the content of each sentence separately and
determine whether it can stand alone, or whether it must precede or follow another sentence. If it
can't stand alone, look for the sentence that contains the information you need. However, don't
forget to evaluate that sentence in the same way as the first. Ask the questions, what happened
first and what happened next? Similarly, consider whether there are sentences that the sentence
under consideration cannot precede or follow. This also will help to narrow down the choices.

While we suggest that you identify the pairs of sentences that must (or cannot) go together, we'd
like to discourage you from attempting to determine the correct order of all of the sentences before
checking the response alternatives provided. The reason for this is that there may be several
logical ways in which to order the sentences. However, only one correct possibility will be
included among the alternatives provided. Instead, we suggest that you work through each of the
alternatives presented one-by-one, keeping in mind the sentences that must (or cannot) appear
together. Alternatives that are not feasible should be eliminated until you find the one alternative
that places the sentences in an appropriate order.

If you're not sure which sentence should be first, you may find it easier to note which sentence
should be last. This will help you considerably in eliminating obviously wrong choices. If you don't
know which sentence should be first nor last, then go by what you know for sure. In other words,
even if you do not know the proper order of all of the sentences, nor which sentence should come
first or last, you may know that one of the sentences should come after another. If so, you may be
able to choose the correct answer by using just those two sentences to answer the question. The
key thing to remember is that you practically never need to know the correct order of all of
the sentences to answer these types of questions.

Correct Response and Explanation:

The correct answer is B. To identify the correct order, the sentences for the report need to be
placed into the proper time sequence. Sentences 1, 2, 3 and 5 describe the events of the
accident. The proper sequence for these four events is 2, 5, 1, 3. (Mrs. Smith is attempting a
left turn, a Dodge ran the red light, struck her vehicle and continued on its way, and as it
passed she noticed its license plate number.) Answer B is the only alternative with this
sequence.

17
Sample Test Questions:

Sample Question 1:

1. A law enforcement officer is writing an outline for a presentation to a local citizen's group on the
role of law enforcement in responding to domestic conflicts. During the presentation, the officer
would like to explain that law enforcement officers are often contacted because a domestic conflict
is disturbing neighbors. In addition, the officer will point out that many calls occur prior to a crime
being committed. This is effective, because one of the objectives of law enforcement is to stop
crime before it starts. The most effective way for the officer to sum up the role of law enforcement
in responding to domestic conflicts during the presentation is to say:

A. "Since frequently no crime has been committed, the role of law enforcement in domestic
conflicts is fairly limited."
B. "In responding to domestic conflicts, the officer's function is to restore order and prevent
possible crimes from occurring."
C. "The officer's main goal in responding to domestic conflicts is to protect the innocent."
D. "Many people involved in domestic conflicts call the police in order to have an objective
authority help settle disputes."

Sample Question 2:

2. Officer Turner is writing a report on a homicide investigation. The report will include the following
five sentences. (These sentences are NOT listed in the correct order.)

1. I noticed a display case for handguns was open, but there were no guns in it.
2. We got a call reporting that the front door of a pawnshop was open, but the owner was not
there.
3. We interviewed tenants of the apartments in the upstairs sections of the same building.
4. Upon arrival, we discovered the body of the shop owner, apparently dead from knife wounds
to the chest.
5. I called an ambulance to pick up the victim.
The most logical order for the above sentences to appear in the report is:
A. 2, 1, 4, 5, 3.
B. 2, 4, 5, 1, 3.
C. 2, 5, 1, 3, 4.
D. 4, 5, 2, 3, 1.

18
2. WRITTEN COMPREHENSION

Definition: This is the ability to understand written language. This ability involves the understanding of
individual words as well as patterns of words (sentences and phrases), so it is more than simply
vocabulary. It is also the ability to read a sentence or series of sentences and understand the meaning.
This involves receiving information, not giving it.

Examples of this ability include:

• reading narrative material, such as an arrest report

• following written instructions

Techniques: Items designed to test Written Comprehension will include a passage describing a police-
related incident or set of operating procedures. These passages will be approximately one-half to a full
page in length and will be followed by two or more test questions. These questions will test your
understanding of the information presented in the passage.

For some candidates, these questions may prove to be difficult simply because of the initial amount of
information you'll be given. Some of the techniques you can use on these questions have already been
discussed as part of the general test-taking strategies.

A. One of the most useful techniques involves reading the test questions and possible answers
before reading the passage to help you identify and focus on the information that is being
sought. You may find that you locate the answer to one of the questions related to a passage
before you even finish reading the passage. If so, answer the question right away. As you go
from one sentence or paragraph to the next in the passage, you may have to glance back at the
questions to remind yourself of the specific details for which you are searching.

B. Another extremely useful technique is to identify key words once you have read the questions
related to a passage and know what to focus on. For example, if the questions related to the
passage seek information about a particular person (e.g., Mr. Jones), then make note of Mr.
Jones' name when you come to it in the passage, so that you don't waste time looking back
through the passage later. Also, make the passage easier to understand by breaking sentences
down into key phrases.

C. These tend to be time consuming questions which you may not have the opportunity to read
more than once. A third technique is to read for understanding the first time and avoid getting
bogged down by individual words that you do not understand. Sometimes you can tell the
meaning of a word from the context within which it has been placed, or you may not need to
understand the word at all to understand the passage. We caution you, however, do not try to
read faster than you can read with comprehension.

D. Try to form a picture in your mind as you read. School books used to teach reading contain
many pictures, since pictures aid in comprehension.

E. Ask yourself questions as you read. When you finish reading a paragraph or a long sentence,
ask yourself what the passage or sentence was about. What was the point of the paragraph or
sentence?

It's important to note that most of the suggested strategies for Written Comprehension questions are
designed to help candidates understand the relatively lengthy passage of information which precede these
questions. Thus, these strategies would be useful with any type of question that requires candidates to
read and understand a large amount of information.

19
Sample Test Questions:

Use the information in the following passage to answer questions 3 and 4.

Two patrol vehicles were dispatched to a home on the evening of June 12, at 9:47 p.m. The owner of
the home had reported a robbery which took place while he and his wife were out. The owner also
stated that the suspects were still in the home when he and his wife arrived, but they fled the scene in
a dark blue sedan.

Upon arrival at the home, Officers Baker and Reigner began to question Mr. Corneal. In the
meantime, Officers Lucas and Gentry conducted a preliminary investigation of the home to determine
the activities of the suspects. The questioning revealed that Mr. Corneal collected exotic guns and
had accumulated an extensive collection. In addition, Mrs. Corneal had several sets of antique
jewelry. When questioned as to who knew about the collections, Mr. Corneal stated that only friends
of the family and members of the rifle club were aware of them. He was further questioned to
determine whether any unusual events had occurred recently that might be related to this incident.
Mr. Corneal stated that they had extensive remodeling done to the interior of the home during the past
six weeks by several different companies. Officer Reigner asked if they had reason to suspect any of
the workers. Mr. Corneal stated that several members of the crew had shown an interest in seeing
and discussing his collection of guns, but that it would be very difficult to determine which individuals,
if any, may have been involved. Officer Reigner requested the names of the companies and the
services they performed.

After a few minutes, Officers Lucas and Gentry returned from their search of the home. They had
determined that the suspects concentrated their efforts on the two collections, since the only other
areas of the home that were disturbed were ones which typically contain money (e.g., dresser top,
dresser drawers). They concluded that the suspects must have been aware of the collections before
entering the home.

Sample Question 3:

3. According to the preceding passage, when the Corneals arrived home on the evening of June 12,
they discovered that their home had been:

A. ransacked, but nothing was stolen.

B. entered, and the television, stereo, and computer were stolen.
C. entered, and the suspects were still in the home.
D. robbed, and five antique guns and several pieces of exotic jewelry were the items that were
taken.

Sample Question 4:

4. According to the preceding passage, considering the robbery and subsequent investigation
described above, the ONLY statement that accurately reflects the information gathered is:

A. Officer Reigner requested the names of the companies and the services they performed.
B. Mrs. Corneal seemed to be the one to answer all of the officers’ questions.
C. Officer Baker helped with the search of the home.
D. The robbers fled the scene in a dark blue van.

20
3. PROBLEM SENSITIVITY

Definition: This is the ability to recognize or identify the existence of problems. It involves both the
recognition of the problem as a whole and the elements of the problem. This ability does not include the
ability to solve the problem, only the ability to identify or recognize the problem.

Examples of this ability include recognizing when:

• an explanation that someone provides is farfetched and probably not truthful

• to stop and question a group of individuals
• to call in information about roadway conditions
• to report a malfunction in the patrol car

Techniques: There are two types of Problem Sensitivity questions that you may encounter. The first
type of Problem Sensitivity question will consist of stories or descriptions by victims and witnesses. For
these questions, a problem exists when a victim or witness gives information that is different from
information supplied by other victims or witnesses. Consider the example below.

Example 1:

Officer Dunn interviewed four witnesses to a stabbing that took place in a crowded bar and grill. Each
of the witnesses saw the suspect as he was fleeing the bar. They described the suspect as follows:

Witness 1 - "He was a White male, about 25 to 30 years of age, with brown, shoulder-length hair. He
was about 6'0" and weighed about 185 pounds. He wore black jeans and a brown leather jacket. He
had a small scar on his forehead."
Witness 2 - "He was a male, White or Hispanic, late twenties, around 5'10", about 190 pounds, with
long, brown hair. He was stocky and wore dark pants and a brownish jacket."
Witness 3 - "He was a light skinned male, possibly White or Hispanic, in his mid-twenties, about 6'
weighing about 180 pounds. He had a tattoo of a panther on his right forearm. He had moderately
long hair and wore a brown shirt and dark pants."
Witness 4 - "He was a White male, around 25 years old, about 5'11" and weighing about 185 pounds.
His hair was brown and over his ears, fairly long. He wore darkish clothes, I'm not sure of the color of
his jacket or pants."

Given the above information, Officer Dunn should recognize that there is a problem with the
description given by witness:

A. 1.
B. 2.
C. 3.
D. 4.

Correct Response and Explanation:

C is the correct answer. There is agreement that the suspect was a White or Hispanic male in his
mid-to-late twenties with long, brown hair who was approximately 6' tall and 185 pounds. In
addition, his pants and jacket were dark in color. There were only two discrepancies across the
descriptions. Witness 1 reported that the suspect had a small scar on his forehead. Witness 3
reported a tattoo of a panther on the suspect’s right forearm. Of the two, it is much harder to
explain how a tattoo of a panther could be overlooked by three of four witnesses AND how one
witness could see it when the other three witnesses all stated that the suspect had a jacket on
during the incident. Thus, C is the best answer.

21
The second type of Problem Sensitivity question will often begin with the presentation of rules, procedures
or recommended practices followed by a description of an incident or situation in which these rules should
be applied. Based on the applicable rules, you will be required to identify a problem (or the most serious
of several problems) in the way the incident was handled. Because this type of Problem Sensitivity
question typically involves the presentation of a large amount of initial information, many of the suggested
strategies for Written Comprehension questions (e.g., identifying key information) will also assist you with
these types of questions.

Example 2:

Use the information in the following passage to answer this question.

Police and Fire Departments have standard procedures for handling bomb threats that include the
following:

1. Trained police personnel direct operations at the scene; fire personnel stand by and typically
assist in rescue operations.
2. While radios may be left on at the scene of an unexploded device to receive instructions from the
Communications Office, no radio transmissions are to be made from the scene, because radio
signals can detonate an explosive device.
3. The decision to evacuate a building is to be made by the management of the building, unless an
explosive device has been found; in such an instance, police personnel in charge of the scene
make the evacuation decision.
4. No public statements are to be made to the media by police or fire personnel.
5. If one device detonates, there is always the possibility of a second or third device, so police and
fire personnel should stay clear of the area until it has been determined (usually by Bomb Squad
Personnel) to be safe.

According to the preceding passage, of the four actions described below, the potentially most serious
error would occur if:

A. Immediately after a second bomb exploded in a bank, Firefighter Thomas entered the bank to
conduct rescue operations.
B. While standing by at the scene of a bomb threat, Police Lieutenant Caffey provided information
regarding the incident to a reporter.
C. While standing by at the scene of a bomb threat, Fire Lieutenant Griffin received instructions from
the Communications Office via his radio.
D. After an unexploded device was discovered in an apartment building, Assistant Police Chief
Johnson ordered the apartment building manager to evacuate the building.

Correct Response and Explanation:

A is the correct answer. Answers A and B represent the only mistakes. With respect to answer A,
Firefighter Thomas should have waited to enter the bank until the Bomb Squad Personnel
determined that it was safe (according to procedure 5). With respect to answer B, no police or fire
personnel, should make a public statement to the media (according to procedure 4). Since the
question asks for the "potentially most serious error," the best answer is A, since entering the bank
without proper safety clearance is a direct risk to one's own life and to the life of anyone who
follows.

C is incorrect, because it is acceptable to receive instructions via the radio as long as no

transmissions are made (according to procedure 2).

D is incorrect, because the actions of Assistant Police Chief Johnson were appropriate (according
to procedure 3).

22
Sample Test Questions:

Sample Question 5:

Use the information in the following passage to answer question 5.

Law enforcement officers should follow the guidelines presented below when dealing with individuals
suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol:

1. A separate citation shall be issued for any traffic offense that originally brought the driver to
the attention of the officers (e.g., reckless operation of motor vehicle).
2. If the driver refuses to submit to a blood alcohol test or submits to such tests and scores
above the limit, the arresting officer should order the driver to surrender his/her license and
issue a citation for driving under the influence.
3. If the driver scores below the legal limit on the blood alcohol test, his/her license shall not be
confiscated. The results of field tests (e.g., walking heel to toe on a straight line) have no
influence on this guideline.
4. Even if the driver scores below the legal limit, the driver can still be charged with driving under
the influence, if the officer can justify the charge through the use of field tests.

5. Consider the following situation:

Officer Kelley notices a car swerving in and out of its lane. Officer Kelley stops the car and asks
the driver to submit to a test for driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver submits to the
test and scores below the legal limit. However, based on the results of several field tests, Officer
Kelley still charges the driver with driving under the influence. Officer Kelley then orders the driver
to surrender his license.
According to the preceding passage, Officer Kelley's actions were:
A. appropriate, because they were consistent with the guidelines provided.
B. problematic, because the driver was forced to surrender his license.
C. problematic, because Officer Kelley did not have a witness to the field tests.
D. problematic, because Officer Kelley charged the driver with driving under the influence even
though the driver passed the blood alcohol test.

23
Sample Question 6:

6. Officer Johnson interviewed four witnesses to a bank robbery. Each of the witnesses described the
suspects as follows:
Witness 1 - "There were two of them. Both male, about 6'2" tall, with medium builds. One of them
had dark hair and was wearing jeans, a leather jacket, and sunglasses. The other had short, blond
hair and was wearing jeans and a red, light-weight jacket. Only the one with the sunglasses spoke,
and he had a foreign accent."

Witness 2 - "Both of the men were about the same size. Maybe 6', about 180 pounds. One of
them was wearing a leather jacket and the other one was wearing a light-weight, red jacket. I
couldn't see their faces because one had on a ski mask and the other had on dark sunglasses.
The one with the sunglasses had dark hair."

Witness 3 - "Both of the men were about 6'1" and 180 pounds. One had on a leather jacket, the
other a red windbreaker. Both men were wearing jeans and tennis shoes. One had dark hair and
sunglasses on. The other one was wearing some kind of stocking cap that was pulled down over
his face."

Witness 4 - "Both men had on jeans, tennis shoes and jackets. One jacket was leather, the other
bright red. One of the men had dark hair, and I could not see the other one's face because of a ski
mask. They both looked a little over 6' tall. Only the one with the dark hair spoke."
Given the above information, Officer Johnson should recognize that there is a problem with the
description provided by witness:
A. 1.
B. 2.
C. 3.
D. 4.

24
4. DEDUCTIVE REASONING

Definition: This is the ability to apply general rules or regulations to specific cases or to proceed from
stated principles to logical conclusions.
Examples of this ability include:

• identifying a particular situation as a civil or criminal case

• distinguishing between burglary and trespass, or between assault and harassment
• determining whether a homeless person should be referred to a charitable organization or a public
welfare agency
• determining which factors to take into account when drawing a weapon

Techniques: There are four types of Deductive Reasoning questions that you may encounter, questions
based on verbal rules and procedures, questions based on quantitative rules, questions based on the
assignment of a specific case to one of several given classifications, and law interpretation questions.

For Questions Based on Verbal or Quantitative Rules and Procedures: The first and second
types of questions will start with the presentation of general verbal or quantitative rules and
procedures and require candidates to apply the general rules to specific cases. The general
quantitative rules and procedures will be presented in tabular fashion. Rules and procedures are
intended to ensure that law enforcement officers make correct decisions in a wide variety of situations.
There are four factors to attend to when answering questions about rules and procedures:

1. PAY ATTENTION TO THE DEFINITE ORDER IN WHICH STEPS ARE TAKEN: Many rules and
procedures require law enforcement officers to go through a series of actions. There is often a
correct order for these actions. Make sure the correct answer has that same sequence of steps.

2. PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN A RULE OR PROCEDURE IS IN EFFECT: Some rules apply only
to certain types of situations or certain periods of time. Make sure the correct answer applies to
the situation and time in question.

3. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO EXCEPTIONS: Pay particular attention to any exceptions given in
the rule or procedure. Identify key words such as except, unless, if, and only that "harden" or
"soften" statements.

4. PAY ATTENTION TO COMPLETENESS: If a procedure requires law enforcement officers to do

several things, make certain the correct answer allows that all those things can be done.
However, if the question is just focusing on a few things, or on a series of many, make sure the
correct answer doesn't eliminate the possibility of the events taking place.

For Questions Based on the Assignment of a Specific Case to One of Several Given
Classifications: The third type of question will start with the presentation of categories or
classifications and require candidates to assign a specific case to one of the given categories or
classifications. The following strategy may be helpful in responding to this type of Deductive
Reasoning question.

1. Determine how the classifications or categories differ.

2. Review the particular incident presented in the question with regard to these differences.

3. Identify the classification or category that matches the particular incident with regard to these
differences.

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Example 1:

Use the information in the following passage to answer the next question.

Law enforcement officers categorize accidents into the four classes described below:

CLASS I - Any accident involving one vehicle but no injuries.

CLASS II - Any accident involving two vehicles but no injuries or one vehicle and at least one injury.
CLASS III - Any accident involving two or more vehicles and multiple injuries.
CLASS IV - Any accident involving a hazardous materials spill.

Consider the following situation:

A law enforcement officer was dispatched to the scene of an accident. When the officer arrived, the
officer found a nine-year-old girl with a pair of roller blades lying on the road. Witnesses stated that a
small blue car swerved to avoid hitting the girl, but the car's back bumper hit the girl as it passed. The
driver did not stop to see if the girl was hurt. According to the preceding passage, the accident could
be categorized most accurately as Class:

A. I.
B. II.
C. III.
D. IV.

Correct Response and Explanation:

B is the correct answer. The accident involved one vehicle and one injury.

A is incorrect because Class I involves one vehicle and no injuries, but the situation presented
involved one injury.

C is incorrect because Class III involves two vehicles with multiple injuries, but the situation
presented involved only one vehicle and one injury.

D is incorrect because Class IV involves a hazardous materials spill, but the situation presented
did not involve a spill.

For Law Interpretation Questions: The fourth type of Deductive Reasoning question will provide
you with a definition of a police-related term (usually a crime) and ask you to interpret the term with
respect to a specific police-related situation. Like questions which list procedures (e.g., Information
Ordering), these questions require great attention to detail. You must carefully analyze the definition
of a crime.

Analyzing the Definition: The definition of a crime usually has several parts. Each part is referred to
as an element. The elements are like the pieces of a puzzle; all the elements must be present to
make up the crime. If any one of the elements is missing, that particular crime has not been
committed.

There are usually several elements in a legal definition. The definition must be broken down into
these separate elements. Once the elements of the definition are separated, identify key words and
take note of words that "harden" or "soften" statements in the definition. Then, check to see if the
elements apply to the situation. The elements must be compared to the situation on an item-by-item
basis. Specifically, watch out for the words AND and OR.

AND means that one element must be present in addition to another for the crime to be present.

26
OR means there is a choice of elements; only one of the choices must be present for the crime to be
committed.

For example, consider the definition of DISORDERLY CONDUCT: When, with intent to cause public
inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or recklessly creating a risk thereof, a person engages in fighting
or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior.
The slash marks below indicate how you can separate the definition to make it easier to understand:

DISORDERLY CONDUCT: When, / with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm /
or recklessly creating a risk thereof, / a person engages in fighting / or in violent, tumultuous or
threatening behavior.

For the crime of DISORDERLY CONDUCT:

Is it necessary to intend public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm? No. The definition says "intent to
cause... OR recklessly create a risk thereof..."

Is it necessary to be fighting? No. The definition says "engages in fighting OR in violent, tumultuous
OR threatening behavior."

Practice using this strategy with the example below:

Example 2:

Criminal Mischief - the crime of criminal mischief is committed when:

1. A person intentionally damages property belonging to another and the amount of the damage is
250 dollars or more; or
2. A person intentionally damages property, in any amount, by means of explosives.

According to the definition given, the following is the best example of criminal mischief:

A. Frank is playing baseball with his friends when he hits a ball that breaks the 2,000 dollar window
of Ford Motors.
B. Tony is chopping down a tree in his backyard. The tree falls the wrong way and hits the
neighbor's house, causing 3,500 dollars worth of damage.
C. Harold gets mad after an argument with his wife and throws his 600 dollar T.V. through the 200
dollar picture window of his house.
D. Lloyd decides to get even with a neighbor and throws an M-80 firecracker onto his neighbor's
porch on Halloween night. The only damage is to his neighbor's milk box, about 15 dollars.

Correct Response and Explanation:

D is the correct answer. Intentional damage using explosives fits part 2 of the Criminal Mischief
definition.

A and B are incorrect because there was no intent in either case to damage property (the window
or the house, respectively).

C is incorrect because, although there was intent, no explosives were used AND the damage to
property belonging to another was not equal to or greater than 250 dollars, because Harold
damaged his own property.

27
Sample Test Questions:

Sample Question 7:

Use the information in the following table to answer question 7.

Law enforcement officers are required to call for backup when responding to certain offenses.
Examples of offenses requiring backup are listed below, along with the number of backup officers
needed:

OFFENSES NUMBER OF BACKUP OFFICERS

Speeding violations of more than 30 mph 1
over the posted speed limit.
Robbery whereby the police are notified 1
within 30 minutes after the incident.
Fatal traffic accident where two or less 2
people are killed.
Any situation involving hostages. 3
Any situation where three or more people are killed. 3
Any situation where there are two or more armed suspects. 3

7. According to the preceding table, Officer Latimer should call for backup in the following situation:

A. A manager of a store reported a robbery that occurred more than 30 minutes ago after untying
himself from a chair.
B. A motorist traveled 35 mph in a 65 mph zone because of poor road conditions.
C. A suspect armed with an automatic rifle has been holding employees and customers of a
liquor store hostage for 40 minutes.
D. Two people suffered broken bones in a traffic accident.

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Sample Question 8:

Use the information in the following passage to answer question 8.

The following dress code guidelines apply to law enforcement officers.

1. The Antron Jacket will be worn for outside duty during the months of November through
February and whenever the temperature is below 55 degrees.
2. The Eisenhower Jacket shall be worn for outside duty during the months of March, April,
May, September, and October, only if the temperature is below 65 degrees. Officers at
the rank of Captain or above may wear the Double Breasted Blouse instead of the
Eisenhower Jacket.
3. A navy blue, long sleeve uniform shirt shall be the standard shirt to be worn with all
jackets. All individuals at the rank of Captain or above will substitute a white shirt.
4. The short sleeve shirt may be worn whenever the temperature is above 70 degrees during
the months of May through September.
5. Officers assigned to indoor duty may also substitute the short sleeve shirt for the long
sleeve shirt.
6. Regulation trousers shall be worn. The black trouser braid or stripe shall be worn by
individuals at the rank of Lieutenant and above.

TYPICAL RANKS 1. Chief of Police 4. Lieutenant

(from highest rank to lowest rank): 2. Deputy Chief 5. Sergeant
3. Captain 6. Patrol Officer

8. Consider the following situation:

The temperature for the day is expected to stay right around 60 degrees. The date is
September 15. According to the preceding passage, if Captain Cross was assigned to outside
duty she should wear:

A. an Eisenhower Jacket, a white, long sleeve shirt and regulation trousers with a black
stripe.
B. a Double Breasted Blouse, a navy blue, long sleeve shirt and regulation trousers.
C. an Antron Jacket, a white, long sleeve shirt and regulation trousers with a black braid.
D. a Double Breasted Blouse, a white, short sleeve shirt and regulation trousers with a black
braid.

29
5. INDUCTIVE REASONING

Definition: This is the ability to find a rule or concept that fits the situation. This would include coming up
with a logical explanation for a series of events that seem to be unrelated. In addition, this ability involves
understanding how a string of objects or events might be connected.

Examples of this ability include:

• coming upon an accident scene and correctly guessing what must have happened from the
position of the cars, the skid marks, and the road conditions
• recognizing that the same pattern applies to a series of burglaries or purse snatchings
• examining a log book for previous days in order to see if there is some pattern that can be found
for a series of events

Techniques: Inductive Reasoning questions require that you notice something common among a series
of events or objects. In order to do this, you have to be able to identify the details that are important to
answering a question. The majority of questions for Inductive Reasoning will start with a passage which
provides you with all the information you will need to answer the question. Scan the passage to get an
idea of what it's about and then read the questions. The questions may ask you to identify which parts of
the passage are similar or different. For example there may be a description of four different incidents of
rape and you may be asked which ones might have been committed by the same suspect. This will
require you to compare the four descriptions, point-by-point and to note differences that would rule out the
same suspect. For example, if a heavy, White male, committed one rape and a thin, Black male
committed another rape, they could not have been committed by the same suspect. You might find it
useful to compare objects or suspects by asking, "Are they the same or different?" The table below
shows how you might compare four rape suspects to answer this question.

Suspect Description

Height Weight Race Age Scars

Rape 1 5’10” 170 W 30 No

Rape 2 5’3” 120 W 16 Face

Rape 3 5’8” 155 B 26 No

Rape 4 5’9” 165 W 35 No

From looking at this table, you can be fairly sure that the suspect in Rape 3 was not involved in rapes 1, 2,
or 4 since he was described as Black and the other suspects are White. Also, the suspect in Rape 2 was
probably not involved in 1 or 4, because he is too short (5'3") and the other two suspects are described as
average in height. On the other hand, the same suspect could have committed Rape 1 and Rape 4, since
there are only slight differences in estimated height, weight and age.

Remember, when you are reading the question, identify the pieces of important information. This might
include color of clothing or the physical characteristics of a suspect. When considering the example on
the next page, compare the suspects in a similar way and ask if they are the same or different.

30
Example 1:

Officer Crawford received a series of reports from victims who were mugged in the early evening as
they were exiting from the Spruce Street subway station. The description of each suspect is as
follows:

Report 1 (November 16) - male, White, early 30s, around 5'10", about 180 pounds, dark hair,
mustache, one gold earring, blue jeans, black jacket, running shoes.
Report 2 (November 20) - male, White, 25-30, about 5'6", around 120 pounds, dark hair, dark glasses,
one gold earring, blue jeans, green sweatshirt, running shoes.
Report 3 (November 21) - male, White, 40-45, almost 5'10", about 130-140 pounds, dark hair,
mustache, one gold earring, blue jeans, black jacket, running shoes.
On November 23rd, a male who was loitering near the subway station mugged another person.
However, a witness saw the mugging, called 911, and the male was apprehended two blocks away.
The description of the suspect is as follows:
Report 4 (November 23) - male, White, 25-30, 5'10", 175 pounds, dark hair, mustache, blue jeans,
black jacket, green ski cap, boots.

Based on the description given above of the suspects in the first three reports, the suspect in report 4
should also be considered a suspect in report(s):

A. 1 only.
B. 1 and 2 only.
C. 2 and 3 only.
D. 1, 2, and 3.

Correct Response and Explanation:

The important differences among the suspects in the four reports center around three
characteristics -- age, height and weight. Report 4 does not match Report 2, because the
suspects differ substantially with respect to height and weight. Report 4 does not match Report 3,
because the suspects differ substantially with respect to age and weight. Report 4 does closely
match Report 1. Comparing the suspects in the reports allow us to determine the correct answer,
A.

31
Sample Test Questions:

Sample Question 9:

Use the information in the following passage to answer question 9.

Officer Thompson has noticed that in his patrol area, most of the assaults occur in the eastern and
northern sections, while most automobile thefts occur in the southern and western sections and most
traffic accidents occur in the western section.

The majority of automobile thefts take place between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. Most of the traffic accidents occur
either between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Most of the assaults occur between 7
p.m. and 9 p.m. or between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.

In addition, the traffic accidents almost always occur on Mondays and Fridays, the assaults take place on
any day from Wednesday through Saturday, and automobile thefts typically take place on weekday
mornings.

9. According to the preceding passage, Officer Thompson most likely would be able to reduce the
number of assaults by patrolling the:

A. eastern section between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m.

B. eastern section between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
C. western section between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
D. northern section between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Sample Question 10:

10. Officer Riggins received a series of reports from victims who were mugged outside the South Side
Shopping Plaza. The description of each suspect is as follows:

Incident 1: (May 7) - male, Black, early 20s, almost 5'9", about 170 pounds, black hair, tattoo on his
upper arm, blue jeans and t-shirt.
Incident 2: (May 13) - male, Black, 20-26, about 5'10", around 175 pounds, black hair, tattoo on left
hand, tank top, jeans and sneakers.
Incident 3: (May 15) - male, Black, late teens, about 5'11", around 190 pounds, brown hair, snake
tattoos on both forearms and red tank top.
Incident 4: (May 20) - male, Black, 17-21, 6'1"-6'2", about 210 pounds, brown hair, brown pants, a
three-quarter length sleeve shirt, and no jewelry.
Incident 5: (May 21) - male, Black, 16-20, about 6'7", around 230 pounds, black hair, an earring in the
left ear, blue jeans and a tank top.

On June 3rd, a suspect was apprehended after mugging a person outside the South Side Shopping
Plaza. The description of the suspect is as follows:

Incident 6: (June 3) – male, Black, 23, 5’10”, 180 pounds, black hair, a tattoo of a cobra on his bicep,
cut-off blue jeans and a muscle shirt.

Based on the descriptions given above of the suspects in the first five incidents, the suspect in
incident 6 should also be considered a suspect in incident:

A. 1.
B. 2.
C. 3.
D. 5.

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6. INFORMATION ORDERING

Definition: This is the ability to apply rules to a situation for the purpose of putting the information in the
best or most appropriate sequence. In order to use this ability, rules or instructions must exist for the
person to know what the correct order of information is. This ability also involves the application of
specified sequences or procedures to a given situation. This ability would come into play particularly
when deciding which set of procedures to follow first, which to follow next, and so on.

Examples of this ability include:

• determining what should be done first, second, and so on in a first aid situation
• arranging the importance of certain activities in a traffic accident or domestic dispute
• determining whether traffic control or first aid procedures take priority and should be implemented
first at a traffic accident on a busy street when a serious injury is involved

Techniques: These questions usually start with the relevant rules, procedures, or other items of
information. In some instances, procedures are presented in the order in which they must be performed.
Candidates are then given a specific set of events and asked to identify the next step which must be
followed (based on the sequence of procedures specified in the initial passage). Such questions require
you to closely follow the sequence of procedures presented in the initial passage. Consider the example
below.

Example 1:

Use the information in the following passage to answer the next question.

When responding to an incident involving a person needing medical assistance, law enforcement
officers should follow these steps in the order given:

1. Render reasonable aid to the sick or injured person.

2. Request an ambulance or doctor, if necessary.
3. Notify the Radio Dispatcher if the person is wearing a Medic-Alert emblem, indicating that the
person suffers from diabetes, heart disease, or other serious medical problems.
4. Wait to direct the ambulance to the scene, or instruct someone else at the scene to do so.
5. Make a second call in 20 minutes if the ambulance does not arrive.
6. Make an Activity Log entry, including the name of the person notified regarding the Medic-Alert
emblem.

While on foot patrol, Officer Grayson is approached by a woman who informs the officer that an
elderly man has just collapsed on the sidewalk around the corner. Officer Grayson, while offering aid
to the man, notices that the man is wearing a Medic-Alert emblem indicating heart disease. Officer
Grayson, requests an ambulance to respond. According to the preceding passage, the next step the
officer should take is to:

A. wait for the ambulance to arrive.

B. have another person direct the ambulance to the scene.
C. place a second call for the ambulance after 20 minutes.
D. inform the Radio Dispatcher of the Medic-Alert emblem.

33
 Correct Response and Explanation:

The correct answer is D. There are two key points to this question. First, the last step completed
by Officer Grayson was to request an ambulance (step 2). Second, the next step is a conditional
one. The radio dispatcher is only notified if "the person is wearing a Medic-Alert emblem."
According to the description of the incident, prior to calling for the ambulance, Grayson "notices
that the man is wearing a Medic-Alert emblem." Thus, the next step would be number 3 (as
indicated by answer D). Answers A, B and C are incorrect, because they correspond to steps 4, 4
and 5, respectively.

In other Information Ordering questions, the initial items of information may be presented out of order and
you may be asked to arrange the information in the most logical order.

Example 2:

Law enforcement officers may discover firearms at crime scenes. The following steps should be used
when discovering a firearm at a crime scene. (These steps are NOT listed in the correct order.)

1. Note the position of the hammer, and whether the safety latch is on or off.
2. Unload the firearm, if possible, to ensure safe transportation.
3. Place each recovered spent cartridge separately in an envelope or box.
4. Carefully transport the firearm, cartridges, and cartridge casings to the lab for analysis.
5. Photograph the firearm close up and sketch each cartridge case position.
6. Wrap recovered cartridges in tissue paper.

The most logical order for the above steps is:

A. 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 4.
B. 2, 6, 3, 5, 1, 4.
C. 5, 1, 3, 6, 2, 4.
D. 5, 4, 1, 6, 3, 2.

The approach recommended for these types of questions is similar to the approach recommended for
the second type of Written Expression question. That is, put in order only as much information as you
need to answer the question. Don't try to put all of the steps in correct order. You could be wasting
valuable time doing this, because you usually do not need to put all of the steps in order to identify the
correct answer. Consider only the order shown in each of the response alternatives. Go through the
alternatives one-by-one. Examine each alternative only as far as the point where you find it to be
wrong. Then proceed to the next response alternative.

If you're not sure which step should be first on the list, you may find it easier to note which step should
be last. This will help you considerably in eliminating obviously wrong choices. If you don't know
which step should be first nor last, then go by what you know for sure. In other words, even if you do
not know the proper order of all of the steps, nor which step should come first or last, you may know
that one of the steps should come after another. If so, you may be able to choose the correct answer
by using just those two steps to answer the question. The key thing to remember is that you
practically never need to know the correct order of all of the steps to answer these types of
questions.

34
 Correct Response and Explanation:

The correct answer is A. To determine the correct answer, the steps must be listed in the correct
time sequence. Steps 2, 3, 5 and 6 deal with handling the cartridges (or cartridge casings) which
are either in the firearm or ejected to the ground. In terms of these four steps, 5 must occur before
2, 2 before 6 and 6 before 3. In other words, you must sketch the cartridge positions before
unloading cartridges from the firearm. The firearm must be unloaded before the cartridges can be
wrapped. Once the cartridges are wrapped, then the recovered cartridges are placed in a
separate envelope or box. The only answer with the 5, 2, 6, 3 sequence is answer A.

Sample Test Questions:

Sample Question 11:

Use the information in the following passage to answer question 11.

When dusting objects at a crime scene for fingerprints, law enforcement officers should follow these
steps in the order given:

1. Choose a powder color in contrast with the surface to be dusted.

2. Dip a brush into the powder and work the powder into the fibers of the brush.
3. Lift the brush out of the powder, checking to make sure there is not too much powder on the
brush.
4. Holding the brush lightly, shake a light dusting of powder onto the suspected area.
5. If a light pattern shows up, brush more powder into the pattern lightly with the flow of the
ridges.
6. Lightly clean up the pattern by brushing excess powder out of the voids between the ridges to
define the print.
7. Photograph the impression and proceed to lift the impression with transparent tape.

11. An officer is dusting the top of a dresser for fingerprints and notices a pattern emerging.
According to the preceding passage, the officer's next step should be to:

A. follow along the pattern with additional powder on the brush.

B. shake a light dusting of powder over the entire area.
C. shake the brush lightly to make sure there is no excess powder on it.
D. photograph the impression and lift the impression with transparent tape.

35
Sample Question 12:

12. Law enforcement officers are required to search all individuals that have been taken into custody
prior to placing individuals in a station holding cell. The following steps should be used when
searching a prisoner. (These steps are NOT listed in the correct order.)

1. Lower both of your hands to the base of the prisoner's neck and proceed with the search by
covering the chest, stomach, and back.
2. Have the prisoner empty all pockets in pants, shirt, coat and jacket.
3. Be sure no other prisoners are in the room when the search takes place.
4. From the waistline, proceed down the legs, using both hands on one leg and then the other.
5. Have the prisoner stand facing a wall, back to you, legs spread and arms extended straight
out.
6. From behind, using both hands, start at the forehead and run your fingers or a comb through
the prisoner's hair.

The most logical order for the above steps is:

A. 2, 1, 4, 3, 5, 6.
B. 3, 2, 5, 6, 1, 4.
C. 3, 5, 2, 6, 4, 1.
D. 3, 5, 4, 2, 6, 1.

36
 B. SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS: ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

The answers to the sample test questions for the six ability areas are listed below. Explanations of the
answers follow this list.

1. B 5. B 9. D
2. B 6. A 10. A
3. C 7. C 11. A
4. A 8. A 12. B

Written Expression questions - 1 and 2.

1. B is the correct answer. It correctly reflects the role of law enforcement in responding to domestic
conflicts -- 1) handling a conflict that disturbs the neighbors AND 2) stopping crime before it starts.

Although alternatives A, C and D do relate (in varying degrees) to other aspects of law enforcement
involvement in domestic conflicts, none of these aspects are directly mentioned as information in the
question.

2. The correct answer is B. To identify the correct order, the sentences to be included in the report need
to be ordered into the proper time sequence. The clearest clues involve sentences 4 and 2.

Sentence 4 begins "Upon arrival..." Therefore, sentence 4 must separate the actions that occurred
prior to arriving at the scene from those events occurring after arriving at the scene. Sentence 2 is the
only statement regarding actions prior to arriving (i.e., getting the call). Thus, sentence 2 must occur
first and be followed by sentence 4. Only answer B begins with the sequence 2, 4. In addition, the
rest of the sequence (5, 1, 3) is also appropriate.

Written Comprehension questions - 3 and 4.

3. C is the correct answer. As stated in the passage, "The owner of the home had reported a
robbery...AND... the suspects were in the home when he and his wife arrived home."

Although the information in the passage does not indicate the exact number and type of items taken
from the Corneal home, Officers Lucas and Gentry did determine that the suspects concentrated their
efforts on the exotic gun collection, the antique jewelry collection and the areas of the house that
typically contain money.

A- is incorrect, because it states that nothing was stolen;

B- is incorrect, because the wrong items are listed;

D- is incorrect, because it states specific numbers of items stolen which were not stated in the
passage.

4. A is the correct answer. Officer Reigner was the officer who "requested the names of the companies
and the services they performed."

B- is incorrect, Mr. Corneal seemed to answer all of the officers' questions.

C- is incorrect, because Officers Lucas and Gentry searched the home. Officer Baker assisted with
questioning Mr. Corneal.

D- is also incorrect, the suspects fled the scene in a dark blue sedan, not a dark blue van.

37
Problem Sensitivity questions - 5 and 6.

5. B is the correct answer. The driver submitted to the blood alcohol test and scored below the legal
limit. According to guideline 3, "the driver's license SHALL NOT be confiscated." Officer Kelley did
take the license and that was problematic.

A- is incorrect, given the fact there was a problem with the license (response B).

C- is incorrect, because the original guidelines did not mention that it was necessary to have someone
witness the field tests.

D- is incorrect, because (according to guideline 4) even if a driver passes the blood alcohol test, "the
driver can still be charged with driving under the influence, if the officer can justify the charge through
the use of field tests." Officer Kelley did base the charge on the results of the field tests.

6. A is the correct answer, because the only inconsistency between the various descriptions was
provided by witness 1. Specifically, witnesses 2, 3 and 4 stated that the second robber’s face was
hidden by a ski mask/stocking cap. Witness 1 not only failed to mention the mask, but also was the
only witness who claimed that this suspect had blonde hair. All other details were confirmed by at
least two of the four witnesses.

Deductive Reasoning questions - 7 and 8.

7. C is the correct answer. According to the fourth example listed under offenses, any situation involving
hostages would require backup.

A- does not require backup because the crime was not reported within 30 minutes as indicated by the
second example listed under offenses.

B- does not require backup because the motorist traveled 30 mph under the speed limit. Backup
would be required if the motorist traveled 30 mph over the speed limit as indicated by the first example
listed under offenses.

D- does not require backup because the accident was not fatal as indicated by the third example listed
under offenses.

8. A is the correct answer. Based on the six guidelines, the Captain's work assignment, the date and
temperature, Captain Cross may wear either the Eisenhower Jacket or the Double Breasted Blouse, a
white, long sleeve shirt, and regulation trousers with either the black trouser braid or stripe.

B- is incorrect, because according to guideline 3, a Captain "will substitute a white shirt" for the navy
blue, long sleeve shirt.

C- is incorrect, because according to guideline 1, it is too early in the year (September) and too warm
(60 degrees) to wear the Antron Jacket.

D- is incorrect, because according to guidelines 4 and 5, the Captain cannot wear the short sleeve
shirt because the temperature is too cold (60 degrees) and the Captain is serving outside duty.

38
Inductive Reasoning questions - 9 and 10.

9. When examining the alternatives, they include the section of the city and time of day. There is no
indication of the day of the week. Thus, the information provided in paragraph 3 is irrelevant in
responding to this question. According to the first two paragraphs, assaults occur "in the eastern and
northern sections" and "between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. OR between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m."

D is the correct answer. It includes both an appropriate section of the city and time of day.

C- is incorrect, because it includes the wrong section of the city for assaults.

A and B- are incorrect, because they do not include any hours of the day when assaults typically
occur.

10. A is the correct answer. To answer this question it is helpful to compare the physical characteristics of
the suspects in incidents 1, 2, 3 and 5 (4 is not one of the alternatives provided) and for the suspect in
incident 6. Using this method, the other three answers can be eliminated.

B- is incorrect, because the suspect’s only tattoo is on the left hand, not on the bicep. Since this
suspect was wearing a tank top, a cobra tattoo on the arm would be hard to miss.

C- is incorrect, because the suspect's tattoos are on the forearms, not on the bicep.

D- is incorrect, because the suspect is too tall and heavy (6'7" and 230 pounds).

Information Ordering questions - 11 and 12.

11. The correct answer is A. The key phrase in this question is "notices a pattern emerging." Step 5
reads "If a light pattern shows up,... the next step is to...brush more powder into the pattern lightly with
the flow of the ridges."

B, C and D- are incorrect because they correspond to procedures 4, 3 and 7, respectively.

12. The correct answer is B. To determine the correct answer, the steps must be listed in the correct time
sequence. Steps 2, 3 and 5 deal with the preparation for the search and steps 1, 4 and 6 deal with
conducting the search. In terms of the last three steps, 6 must be first, because it instructs the officer
to "start at the forehead." Step 1 must be next because it states "Lower both of your hands to the
base of the prisoner's neck and proceed..." Step 4 is a continuation of step 1, since you finish 1 at the
mid-section and begin 4 at the waistline. Answer B is the only one ending with the sequence 6, 1, 4
AND the order for the initial three steps (3, 2, 5) is appropriate.

FINAL WORDS

This Preparation Guide represents an attempt to familiarize you with all

aspects of the LEAB, including the items and logistics, as well as to provide
some suggestions for preparation. The suggestions provided here are not
exhaustive — we encourage you to engage in whatever additional preparation
strategies you believe will enhance your chances of performing effectively on
the LEAB and on the job.

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