Get Prepared With a Chicago Police Officer Practice Test

The recruitment process for the Chicago Police is considered one of the most difficult in the US. Even if you have previous experience with another Police department, you may still find it quite difficult to make your way onto Chicago’s payroll.

This is thanks to their extremely difficult pre-employment exam, the Chicago Police Officer Exam (CPOE), along with their strict hiring requirements.

Chicago Police Department Hiring Outline

The hiring process for the Chicago PD starts by waiting for the department to open applications to their recruitment process. Once the application portal opens, it can be accessed on the department’s website, ChicagoPolice.org.

To be considered for a position with the Chicago Police Department, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 21 years of age but no older than 40 years of age
• Have completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours from an accredited university. Alternatively, you may have 3 years of active duty or one year of active duty in addition to 30 semester hours of college.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Must possess a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID)
• Must be a citizen of the City of Chicago
• Must be a permanent resident of the United States though citizenship is not required. 

If you meet the minimal requirements and have applied during a hiring period, the process of hiring comes down to passing a written exam, physical exam, background checks, and a final interview.

The step that takes the most preparation is the written exam, which is called the Chicago Police Officer Exam (CPOE).

What is the Chicago Police Officer Exam (CPOE)?

The CPOE is the written intelligence exam the Chicago PD issues to potential recruits. The test is derived from the Nation Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI) which tests three cognitive skills and five non-cognitive skills.

Cognitive Testing Points:

• Arithmetic and mathematical reasoning
• Reading comprehension
• Grammar and writing competency

There are 45 total questions in the cognitive section of testing, all of which are multiple-choice. You will be given scratch paper and a writing utensil for the math questions, but you may not use a calculator or any digital aid (cellphone, tablet, etc.).

Non-Cognitive Testing Points:

• Interpersonal skills
• Team orientation
• Assertiveness
• Stress tolerance
• Ethics

There are 42 items covering non-cognitive testing points. All the questions are multiple choice.

The entire test (87 questions) must be completed in 2.5 hours. There will also be 15 minutes allocated toward instructions, so you will need to sit a few hours aside for your testing experience.

Other Tests You Will Have to Take

In addition to the written CPOE, you will also be required to pass a physical exam known as the POWER (Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report) exam before acceptance into the Chicago PD workforce. This physical exam is so challenging that the Chicago PD even hosts training classes to help you get in shape and practice the obstacles you will find on the test.

There are four test sections on the POWER exam:

• Sit and Reach – The test requires you to sit with your feet stretched in front of you. With arms outstretched, you will reach toward your toes. The score is the number of inches you reach.
• 1-Minute Sit Up – This is a speed measurement of bent-knee sit ups. The score is how many you can complete in 1 minute (60 seconds).
• Max Bench Press Ratio – You will test the maximum weight you can bench press. The score calculates the highest weight you can bench with your body weight.
• 1.5-Mile Run – You will run 1.5 miles on a set track and see how quickly you complete the track.

To pass the POWER test you must pass each section to a certain standard determined by your age bracket and gender. Here are the passing scores for male and female testers aged between 20 and 39:

How to Prepare for the Chicago Police Officer Exam?

The Chicago PD offers classes to help prep you for the POWER physical, but how do you prepare for the written test?

Our Chicago PD Exam practice bundle has everything you need to improve your knowledge of all the assets tested on the CPOE. Whether you need extra help in math or want to know more about the personality-driven assets, JobAssessmentHelp is here for you! Check out the CPOE test prep materials on JobAssessmentHelp.com, today!

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