NCCPD Police

Officer
Written Examination Prep

Law Enforcement Aptitude

Battery (LEAB)
Ability Test - includes written comprehension,
problem sensitivity and reasoning
Work Styles Questionnaire assesses
motivation, value-related and attitudinal
characteristics
Life Experience Survey assesses past history
and experience as it relates to successful
performance of an entry-level law enforcement
officer.

Cognitive Ability Test

Written Expression, Written Comprehension,
Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning and
Information Ordering
48 Multiple Choice Questions 4 alternatives

Cognitive Ability Test

(sample question)
As a law enforcement officer arrived at the scene of a
disturbance in an abandoned warehouse, the officer
noticed a van leaving the scene. Since the
investigation revealed that the warehouse had been
vandalized, the officer felt that the van leaving the
scene should be included in the report. The most
effective way for the officer to report this fact is to say:
A. "As I arrived at the warehouse, I saw a van driving
away from the scene."
B. "A van which should not have been there, was at the
warehouse."
C. "The vandals escaped in a van."
D. "I don't know if it's important but as I got there, I saw
a vehicle leaving the scene.

Cognitive Ability Test

Strategies
If you are 100% sure of an answer, simply
select the correct answer.
Read the question carefully and identify key
words to help you determine the correct
answer.
Eliminate answer choices that you know are
wrong.
Select the answer choice that best answers the
question.
Answer all questions even if you have to guess .

Work Styles Questionnaire

102 short statements
Rate yourself on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree)
to 5 (strongly agree)
No Preparation required
Work quickly, provide honest responses and avoid
spending too much time thinking about how to
respond
Choose the best answer even if no one answer
perfectly describes you or the way you feel. Use
unsure only when you are truly not sure how to
rate yourself

Work Styles Questionnaire

(sample question)
Strongly
Strongly
Disagree
1

Disagree

Unsure Agree
Agree
4
5

1. I set goals and try to achieve them

2. I prefer to work alone
3. I find myself taking control in group
situations.

Life Experience Survey

Respond honestly when asked to describe
your past experiences, behaviors or feelings.
Contain internal mechanisms that make it
possible to identify candidates who are not
responding honestly.
Background investigations are conducted
and could uncover inconsistencies with your
responses
Respond to every question.

Life Experience Survey

(sample question)
1. Your previous supervisor would describe you as
someone who usually does:
A.

More than your fair share of the work that must be

done.
B. More work than most of your coworkers.
C. About as much work as most of your coworkers.
D. Almost as much work as most of your coworkers.
E. Less work than most of your coworkers.

Test Scoring
The written test score is based on a combination of scores from the
Cognitive Ability Test, Work Styles Questionnaire, and Life Experience
Survey.
While scores are considered in combination, very low performance on one
of the three test components could result in low performance or failure on
the entire LEAB examination even if you performed at a moderate level or
higher on the other test components.
Although you may have taken previous entry law enforcement tests,
more than likely they did not include the same tests or the same TYPES of
tests as the LEAB. Therefore, you cannot necessarily compare your
performance on this test to other law enforcement tests you may have
taken in this agency or other agencies.
Scores on this exam should be viewed a little differently than traditional
tests you may have taken in school or in the past in this or other agencies
because of the various types of questions. Instead of viewing final scores
as the percentage of questions you answered correctly, you need to view
your score as reflecting the degree of overlap between your responses
and a profile of individuals who have demonstrated success on the job as
law enforcement officers. The higher your score on the LEAB, the closer
the MATCH between your results and those of individuals who tend to be
successful in this type of job. The lower your score on the LEAB, the less
the MATCH between your results and those of individuals who tend to be

Tips
Follow all directions carefully.
Keep track of time and try to stay within the
recommended times given in the test
instructions.
Take advantage of the LEAB Preparation
Guide. A link will be provided to applicants
who apply for the Police Officer position and
appear to meet the minimum qualifications.

Questions???