Australian Custodial/Correctional Aptitude study guide
Australian Custodial/Correctional Aptitude · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Australian Custodial/Correctional Aptitude assessment is a pre-employment screening tool used by correctional and custodial employers to judge whether a candidate has the reasoning, judgement and behavioural attributes needed to work safely in a prison or detention environment. It is aimed at people applying for entry-level custodial officer, prison officer and detention officer roles, and it typically sits alongside background checks, medical and fitness testing, and an interview. The Australian Custodial/Correctional Aptitude study guide has 7 sections and about 1,804 words.
01Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension
Verbal reasoning in custodial aptitude tests checks whether you can extract the precise meaning of a short passage and judge what it does and does not support. The core concepts are main idea versus supporting detail , inference versus assumption , scope of a claim (all/some/none), and word precision (does the passage say may , must , or should ?).
292 words, about 1 min02Numerical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
Numerical reasoning tests your ability to pull the right number from tables, rosters, and reports and apply it correctly under time pressure. The concepts you must control are percentages and percentage change , ratios and rates , averages (mean) versus totals , unit conversion (hours to shifts, days to weeks), and reading row/column headers carefully .
256 words, about 1 min03Abstract, Spatial and Pattern Reasoning
Abstract and spatial items measure fluid reasoning: spotting the rule that governs a sequence or relationship without relying on language. Concepts include rotation and reflection , number of elements or sides , alternating or paired sequences , positional movement (a shape moving one step clockwise each time), and analogy relationships (A is to B as C is to ?).
257 words, about 1 min04Situational Judgement and Decision-Making
Situational judgement tests present realistic correctional scenarios and ask you to rank or select responses. They assess whether you prioritise safety and security , procedural correctness , duty of care , and appropriate escalation over convenience or popularity.
266 words, about 1 min05Integrity, Ethics and Professional Conduct
Integrity items test whether you will act honestly and consistently when no one is watching and when honesty carries a cost. Core concepts: conflicts of interest , confidentiality , appropriate use of authority , gifts and favours , truthfulness in reporting , and refusing to cover up misconduct - including misconduct by colleagues or superiors.
253 words, about 1 min06Interpersonal Skills, Communication and Teamwork
These items assess how you work with colleagues, supervisors, and people in custody. Concepts include active listening , clear and respectful communication , giving and receiving feedback , de-escalation , team roles , and handover communication (accuracy and completeness when passing information between shifts).
230 words, about 1 min07Attention to Detail and Work Reliability
Attention-to-detail items test whether you can spot discrepancies, follow exact procedures, and maintain consistency. Concepts include checking identifiers (names, dates, times, cell numbers), comparing records for mismatches , sequence and procedural order , transcription accuracy , and reliability - turning up, completing tasks, and following through.
250 words, about 1 min