SAASS Police Academy Exam exam-day guide
SAASS Police Academy Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID you used on your application. Confirm with the provider which specific forms (national ID, driver's licence, passport) are accepted and whether a photocopy is ever allowed.
Admission or confirmation document
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and venue. Some venues ask for the admission letter at the door; confirm with the provider whether a physical copy is required.
Know the exact venue and arrival time
Check the address and reporting time on your confirmation, not from memory. Plan to arrive well before the stated time; confirm with the provider how early doors open and what happens if you are late.
Travel and parking plan
Rehearse the route and identify parking or public transport options. Traffic and security screening can add time, so build a buffer.
Permitted and prohibited items list
Confirm with the provider what you may bring into the test room. Phones, smart watches, notes, and bags are commonly restricted, but the exact list is provider-specific.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Sleep well for several nights before, and plan a normal meal and water before reporting. Avoid trying new supplements or heavy caffeine on the day.
Comfortable clothing and layers
Wear what the provider's dress code allows and dress in layers, since test-room temperature varies. Confirm with the provider if any uniform or formal dress is expected.
Read the candidate handbook or rules
Review the provider's current handbook for scoring, conduct, and rescheduling rules. Policies change, so use the version issued for your test cycle.
Review logistics for any physical or practical components
If your exam includes a fitness, driving, or practical element, confirm with the provider the required attire, documentation, and order of events.
Plan for a long day
Testing can run several hours with screening and check-in. Clear your schedule and arrange transport home so you are not rushing afterward.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's contact number in case of delay or illness. Confirm with the provider how to report a problem on test day.
Leave valuables at home
Bring only what you need. Storage for bags and devices may be limited or unavailable, so confirm with the provider before relying on it.
Plan the day
Confirm your venue, reporting time, and ID requirements against your confirmation document, and call the provider if anything is unclear. Do a final review of high-yield topics using short practice sets rather than cramming new material. Protect sleep: aim for normal bedtimes on each of the last three nights. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and clothing the night before so the morning is calm.
Stop heavy study. Skim summaries, formulas, or definitions you already know, and avoid testing yourself on unfamiliar material that may raise anxiety. Check the weather and transport schedule, charge your phone, and set two alarms. Eat familiar food, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Re-read the provider's rules on prohibited items so nothing is confiscated at the door.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Leave earlier than your route suggests, carrying your ID and confirmation. Arrive at the venue with time to spare, use the restroom before check-in, and silence and stow your phone as instructed. Stay off last-minute discussion of questions with other candidates, which can undermine confidence.
Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions and read the directions for each section before starting. Pace yourself: note the time per question, answer easier items first if the format allows, and flag uncertain ones to revisit. Read each question fully, watching for words like 'except' or 'best'. If you must guess, eliminate clearly wrong options first. Use permitted breaks to stand and refocus, and report any equipment or environment problem to staff immediately rather than struggling silently.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired photo ID matching your registration. If your name or ID details have changed, contact the provider before test day; do not assume a correction can be made at the door.
Follow all invigilator instructions on seating, timing, and materials. Unauthorized items such as phones, smart watches, or notes are typically prohibited in the test room; confirm the exact list with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not attempt to copy, photograph, or share test content. Suspected misconduct can lead to invalidation of your result.
Confirm the scoring and pass-mark policy with the provider in advance. Ask whether wrong answers are penalized, since that changes whether guessing is advisable.
Ask the provider in advance about break policy, including whether breaks are scheduled, timed, or allowed only at fixed points, and whether you may leave the room.
If you are ill or delayed, contact the provider as soon as possible on test day. Rescheduling and refund rules are provider-specific, so confirm them before your test date.
Read the current candidate handbook for conduct, identification, and appeals procedures, since policies can change between test cycles.