OSP Trooper Exam cheat sheet

Main idea = the claim the whole passage supports; a detail supports it but does not cover it.

Inference is valid only when the passage's stated facts make it necessarily or highly likely true.

Words that shift logic: however, although, unless, except, not, only, must, may - flag them before choosing.

Tone words (critical, neutral, cautious) are signaled by adjectives and qualifiers, not by topic alone.

'Except' and 'NOT' questions: three choices are supported by the passage; the odd one out is the answer.

Scope trap: an answer that is true in real life but not stated in the passage is wrong.

Written communication: active voice, one idea per sentence, subject and verb close together.

Pronoun reference errors occur when 'it/they/this' could point to more than one prior noun.

Incident report order: who, what, when, where, how, evidence, actions taken, disposition.

Use past tense and third person; write 'Officer Smith observed', not 'I seen'.

Report facts, not conclusions: 'subject smelled of alcohol, slurred speech' beats 'subject was drunk'.

Quote speech verbatim in quotation marks; paraphrase without quotation marks.

Subject-verb agreement: ignore prepositional phrases between subject and verb ('list of names is').

Its = possessive; it's = it is. Their/there/they're and your/you're are high-frequency distractors.

Avoid passive evasion ('a decision was made') when the actor is known - name the actor.

Numbers: spell out one through nine, use numerals for 10 and above and for all measurements and times.

Encoding improves with distinct features: unusual gait, scars, tattoos, clothing logos, vehicle damage.

Weapon focus effect: attention narrows to the threat, reducing recall of faces and bystanders.

Cross-race identification is weaker on average; confidence does not equal accuracy.

Estimating height: compare to a known reference (door frame ~80 in, patrol vehicle roofline).

Change blindness: two similar images differ by one added, removed, or moved element - scan in a grid.

Memory decay: record observations immediately; details fade fastest in the first minutes to hours.

Sequential detail questions: verify each stated item against the source before accepting the option.

Stress narrows attention; write notes before discussing the event with others to avoid contamination.

Valid form: All A are B; X is A; therefore X is B. Invalid: All A are B; X is B; therefore X is A.

Contrapositive is equivalent: 'If P then Q' equals 'If not Q then not P'.

Converse ('if Q then P') and inverse ('if not P then not Q') are NOT equivalent to the original.

Necessary vs sufficient: 'only if' marks a necessary condition; 'if' marks a sufficient condition.

Correlation is not causation; look for a third variable or reversed direction.

Scheduling/ordering puzzles: draw a line or grid, place the most constrained item first.

Percent traps: a 20% decrease then 20% increase returns to 96% of the original, not 100%.

Eliminate answer choices that require an unstated assumption before comparing the remainder.

Priority order: life safety, then containment/public protection, then evidence preservation, then documentation.

Use the least force that reasonably controls the situation; reassess as circumstances change.

When policy and urgency conflict, act to prevent imminent harm, then notify a supervisor and document.

Report use-of-force and injuries up the chain promptly per policy; do not self-investigate.

De-escalation: time, distance, cover, calm verbal tone, and a single communicating officer.

If a decision may be reviewed later, choose the option that is lawful, policy-compliant, and documented.

Never alter or omit facts to protect a colleague or yourself; accuracy protects the case and the agency.

Request clarification from a supervisor when an order is ambiguous, before acting on a guess.

Active listening: paraphrase the speaker's content and reflect the emotion before responding.

Use 'I' statements for concerns; avoid 'you always' accusations that trigger defensiveness.

Lower voice volume and slow speech to reduce escalation; match calm, not hostility.

Separate the person from the problem: address the behavior or issue, not the person's character.

Offer limited, real choices to restore a sense of control and reduce resistance.

Acknowledge emotion first ('I understand this is frustrating'), then state the requirement.

In mediation, identify each party's underlying interest, not just their stated position.

Document complaints and refer to the correct process rather than promising outcomes you cannot deliver.

Ethical test: is it lawful, policy-compliant, and would I defend it publicly and to my supervisor?

Accepting gratuities that could influence or appear to influence official action is prohibited.

Truthfulness in reports and testimony is non-negotiable; a false statement ends credibility.

Conflict of interest: disclose personal relationships with involved parties and request reassignment.

Confidential information stays within authorized channels; do not discuss cases with media or friends.

Duty to intervene: report known misconduct by colleagues through the chain of command.

Bias-free policing: decisions rest on behavior and facts, not on protected characteristics.

Off-duty conduct can affect employment when it undermines public trust or violates policy.

Percent change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100; a rise from 40 to 50 is +25%.

Distance = rate × time; time = distance ÷ rate; keep units consistent (mph with hours).

Average (mean) = sum ÷ count; median is the middle value when sorted; mode is most frequent.

Ratio scaling: if 3 officers cover 12 blocks, 5 officers cover 20 blocks at the same rate.

Rate conversions: 60 mph = 88 feet per second (multiply mph by 1.467).

Proportions: cross-multiply a/b = c/d to solve for an unknown.

Read tables by row and column labels first; check units and totals before computing.

Round only at the end of a multi-step calculation to avoid compounding error.

Map scale: distance on map × scale factor = real distance (e.g., 1 inch = 1 mile).

Contour lines close together mean steep terrain; widely spaced lines mean gentle slope.

Compass bearings: north 000/360, east 090, south 180, west 270; clockwise from north.

A back bearing is the reciprocal: add 180 if under 180, subtract 180 if 180 or more.

Turn sequences are relative to the traveler's facing; track heading after each turn.

Legend and north arrow establish orientation; grid references read easting then northing.

Elevation gain = destination contour minus starting contour along the route.

A route drawn on a street grid: count blocks by direction, not by line crossings.

Oregon has 36 counties; Salem is the capital; Portland is the largest city.

Major rivers: Willamette (north to the Columbia), Columbia (state's northern border), Snake (eastern border).

Cascade Range divides wet western Oregon from dry eastern Oregon; Crater Lake is the state's only national park.

Oregon legislature is bicameral: 30-member Senate and 60-member House; sessions are limited in odd years.

The Governor heads the executive branch; the Oregon State Police is a statewide law enforcement agency.

Oregon adopted the initiative and referendum, allowing citizens to propose and vote on laws.

State police roles include highway patrol, criminal investigations, and assisting local agencies.

Oregon borders Washington (north), Idaho (east), Nevada and California (south), and the Pacific Ocean (west).