Auxiliary Police Written exam-day guide
Auxiliary Police Written · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered under. A driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID is typical, but the exact list of accepted documents varies by jurisdiction and testing vendor, so confirm with the provider which forms are accepted and whether a photocopy or expired ID will be refused.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email or notice showing your test date, time, and location. Some sites ask for a registration or candidate number at check-in; confirm with the provider what identifier they require and whether a printed copy is needed.
Know the exact test location and arrival time
Verify the address, building, entrance, and parking or transit options the day before. Test sites are sometimes at training academies, community colleges, or vendor centers rather than a police headquarters. Arrive earlier than the stated check-in time; confirm with the provider how early to arrive and what happens if you are late.
Review the official candidate information bulletin
Read the provider's current bulletin for the test content outline, number of questions, time limit, passing standard, and retake policy. Do not rely on secondhand summaries of the format; confirm details with the provider because they can change between testing cycles.
Practice the test's actual question formats
Most auxiliary or entry-level police written tests mix reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and writing, basic math, observation or memory, and situational judgment. Practice each format under timed conditions so pacing is automatic on test day.
Confirm what is allowed at the workstation
Ask whether scratch paper, a calculator, a dictionary, or a formula sheet is provided or prohibited, and whether personal items must be stored. Phrase unclear points as questions to the provider rather than assuming.
Plan for breaks, water, and a light meal
Eat a normal breakfast and bring water if the site allows it. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled and whether you may leave the testing room during the exam.
Leave prohibited items at home or in the car
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are commonly banned from the testing room. Confirm the provider's electronics and personal-item policy in advance so nothing is confiscated at check-in.
Dress appropriately and comfortably
Wear neat, comfortable clothing in layers so you can adjust to room temperature. Confirm with the provider whether any dress code applies to written-test candidates.
Prepare for security screening
Expect ID verification and possibly a metal detector or bag check. Allow extra time and keep pockets empty. Confirm with the provider what screening is used at your site.
Sleep and a backup alarm
Protect the night before with a consistent sleep schedule and set two alarms. Fatigue hurts reading-comprehension accuracy more than most candidates expect.
Backup transportation and contact number
Have a second route and the testing center's phone number saved in case of transit delays or a flat tire. Confirm with the provider whom to call if an emergency prevents you from arriving on time.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating. Take one or two full-length timed practice tests that mirror the official format, then review every wrong answer to identify the pattern behind the error rather than just the correct letter. Re-read the official bulletin to lock in the number of questions, time limit, and passing score, confirming any uncertainty with the provider. Prepare your ID and confirmation documents and place them in one spot. Stop heavy studying the evening before the last day so your sleep schedule stabilizes.
Do a light review only: skim your error log, key vocabulary, math formulas, and the reading-comprehension strategy of finding the answer in the passage rather than in memory. Do not take a new full-length test. Confirm the location, arrival time, and parking or transit plan. Lay out clothing, ID, confirmation, water, and a snack. Set two alarms and go to bed at your normal time; cramming late trades a few points of knowledge for a large loss in attention.
Eat a normal breakfast, avoid excess caffeine if you are sensitive to it, and leave with buffer time so a delay does not become an emergency. Arrive at or before the stated check-in time. At the site, follow staff instructions for ID check and item storage, use the restroom before entering the room, and take a few slow breaths to settle before the timer starts.
Read the instructions and note the time limit and question count before starting. Work at a steady pace and answer every question, since most scored tests do not penalize guessing; confirm the guessing policy with the provider beforehand. On reading questions, return to the passage to verify the answer instead of relying on recall. On math, estimate first to eliminate implausible choices. On situational-judgment items, choose the response that is lawful, professional, and proportionate, and that defers serious decisions to a supervisor. Mark uncertain items, keep moving, and return to them only if time remains. If a memory or observation section is timed separately, follow that section's own instructions exactly.
Note which sections felt weak while the memory is fresh. Ask the provider when and how results are released and what the retake policy and waiting period are, since rules differ by jurisdiction. If you pass, keep your documents for the next hiring stage; if you do not, request the score breakdown if available and build your next study plan around the weakest section.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired government-issued photo ID in your registered name. The accepted document list and the rule for expired or photocopied ID vary by provider, so confirm with the provider in advance; candidates without acceptable ID are commonly turned away and may forfeit the fee.
Arrive at or before the stated check-in time. Late-arrival and rescheduling rules differ by site and vendor, so confirm with the provider what grace period applies and whether a late arrival can be rescheduled without a new fee.
Follow all instructions from test administrators and proctors. Do not talk, pass materials, or look at another candidate's screen or paper during the test; conduct that looks like cheating can lead to dismissal and a report to the hiring agency.
Keep phones, smartwatches, notes, and study materials out of the testing room. Confirm the provider's electronics and personal-item policy, including whether a secure storage area is available, before you arrive.
Ask the proctor or provider, not other candidates, about breaks, restroom access, and timing. If a break is permitted, note whether the clock keeps running; the answer depends on the test and must be confirmed with the provider.
Answer every question unless the provider states that wrong answers are penalized. Most entry-level written tests score the number correct, so an unanswered question is simply a lost opportunity, but confirm the scoring rule before relying on it.
Understand the scoring and retake rules before test day: the passing standard, whether sections are scored separately, when results are released, and any waiting period before a retake. These are set by the hiring agency and vendor, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Report any testing irregularity, such as a malfunctioning computer, disruptive noise, or a timer error, to the proctor immediately and ask how it will be documented. Raise it during the test, not afterward, so there is a record.