NCJOSI-National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory Exam

Before joining the police force, there’s one last obstacle to overcome: the National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory or NCJOSI.

This test covers the ability of each candidate to take on the unique challenges of the job both in a mental and emotional capacity. Before embarking on this test, there are a few things to know and a few ways you can prepare.

Test Sections

There are two key sections to the NCJOSI: the cognitive section and the behavioral attributes section. Each tests key parts of what it means to work in law enforcement.

Cognitive Section

The first part of the cognitive test goes over several different areas including problem solving skills, reading comprehension, math, and writing skills. Each part is a vital component of what a law enforcement official needs to be successful in the field.

There are 45 multiple choice questions in this section covering the topics above. These questions are standard for any assessment or test in a job or school field.

In the second part of the cognitive test there are 80 questions that go over verbal comprehension and expression, problem sensitivity, deductive and inductive reasoning, spatial orientation, visualization, selective attention, and flexibility of closure.

These questions are more focused on the specific skills that make a good law enforcement officer. By mastering these skills and being able to apply them to situations you might encounter while in the field, employers can accurately determine if you’re the right fit for the job.

Behavioral Attributes Section

Being part of law enforcement is about much more than just being able to pass a few situational questions on an assessment. A key component of the job is your behavior and attitude while going out into the community and interacting with the public.

To test your ability to handle these types of situations, the NCJOSI tests for behvaioral attributes like attitude, choices, and judgement. Within the test these are determined by your agreement or disagreement to several statements that are given to you during the test. Your answers are then compared against the norm to determine if you fit the standard for the department or field.

How to Pass the NCJOSI Test

There are some key things you can do to help pass the NCJOSI test and hit the ground running in your career field.

Prep Early

Start taking practice tests and study the materials thoroughly far in advance. Cramming the  night before the test won’t help you make those decisions and attitude adjustments necessary to score well on the test itself. You’ll also be able to skip past all the nerves and stress when you’re well-prepared far in advance for this test.

Care for your Body and Mind

Don’t neglect your body when you’re busy filling your brain with information. Eat a good diet and drink plenty of water both as you study and on the eve of the test itself. Get plenty of sleep in the weeks leading up to the test so you’re completely prepared when the day actually arrives.

Be Diligent with your Time

During the test, you’ll only be allotted a certain amount of time. Don’t spin your wheels over one answer that just won’t come to you. Instead, skip over answers that you don’t know and come back to them at the end when you know you’ll have time to think them through.

Be Confident

Working through prep tests can build up your confidence and make it easy to react and answer well on the day of the actual test. This confidence will help you choose answers right the first time you read through them and will keep your mind on task as you work your way through each section.

Takeaway

Getting into a law enforcement field is hard. Each department or area might have a different standard or want you to show off different skills. To help standardize the process, many departments have adopted the NCJOSI as a way to screen candidates. The cognitive and behavioral attributes sections of the test, assess your skills as a candidate for employment and also as a potential officer in the field.

Start prepping now to take the NCJOSI and you’ll breeze through it with confidence.