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| The Police Officer Exam Tips for Success |
| by George M. Godoy |
You are about to find out the major reason why some people are very good test takers and why their test
scores consistently exceed their actual knowledge of the test subject -- superior test takers reason out the
answers to difficult questions.
Good test takers don't give up on questions when they don't know the answers. They look for clues in the
questions that lead them to probable answers. They use a systematic technique called educated guessing.
That's right educated guessing.
They don't throw mud on the wall to see what sticks. There is no shot in the dark guessing. I'm talking about a
systematic technique for guessing -- a formula for weeding out the bad answersand coming up with the
probable right answer.
Let me set one thing straight, good test takers do study the material as hard orharder than everyone else.
However, what makes them excel is their ability to reason out correct answers when they don't know the
answers to the questions.
When confronted with difficult questions, search for test taker clues, then use these educated guessing
techniques.
1. Ask yourself:
What exactly is the question asking?
What are the key words and phrases that will lead me to the correct answer?
What problems need to be solved?
Can I break the questions down into segments and make it easier to answer?
2. Reword the question to make it easier to understand.
Paint a picture in your mind. Exchange abstract words with concrete words. For instance, you may want to
substitute the concrete word, powder, for the abstract word, talc. Why powder? Concrete words like powder can
be easily visualized. Abstract words like talc are harder to paint in a mental picture and therefore more difficult
to deal with. This technique makes the information easier to picture in your mind and helps to jog your memory.
3. Think about each question and answer.
Don't rely on impulse. If you see a question or an answer that instantly looks correct, be careful. Don't react to
your first impression. Read and think through each question and answer. Many times test makers will set traps
by putting in familiar sounding answers that are incorrect. This will catch people off guard who are in a hurry
and jump to conclusions.
Evaluate your answer by asking yourself if the answer completely addresses the question. Don't let the
examiner trick you into choosing the right answer to a wrong question.
4. Don't panic because the right answer doesn't jump out at you.
The right answer is probably camouflaged by words that are different than the ones you have in mind. They
also may be different than the ones in the study material. You expect certain words and phrases in the correct
answer but the examiner throws you a curve by rewording the answer -- a situation that often causes test panic.
Look for the correct answer by:
Rearranging the words in the answers, or
Putting the answers into your own words.
5. Use common sense and general knowledge.
Use common sense by keeping an open mind when attacking the questions. Look at the question from different
angles. Rely on your problem solving ability. Treat each question as a new problem that you must solve.
6. Don't search for hidden meanings.
Searching for hidden meanings by trying to read between the lines will get you into trouble. In most cases test
makers don't intend to play cat and mouse games with you. Their intent is to see if you know your stuff.
Making an educated guess.
When you don't know an answer, always guess. Never leave questions unanswered unless you are penalized
for wrong answers. If there's no penalty, always guess. On a multiple choice question that provides four
possible answers, you have a 25 percent chance of guessing the correct answer even with a completely wild
guess. This beats zero percent when you don't answer at all.
scores consistently exceed their actual knowledge of the test subject -- superior test takers reason out the
answers to difficult questions.
Good test takers don't give up on questions when they don't know the answers. They look for clues in the
questions that lead them to probable answers. They use a systematic technique called educated guessing.
That's right educated guessing.
They don't throw mud on the wall to see what sticks. There is no shot in the dark guessing. I'm talking about a
systematic technique for guessing -- a formula for weeding out the bad answersand coming up with the
probable right answer.
Let me set one thing straight, good test takers do study the material as hard orharder than everyone else.
However, what makes them excel is their ability to reason out correct answers when they don't know the
answers to the questions.
When confronted with difficult questions, search for test taker clues, then use these educated guessing
techniques.
1. Ask yourself:
What exactly is the question asking?
What are the key words and phrases that will lead me to the correct answer?
What problems need to be solved?
Can I break the questions down into segments and make it easier to answer?
2. Reword the question to make it easier to understand.
Paint a picture in your mind. Exchange abstract words with concrete words. For instance, you may want to
substitute the concrete word, powder, for the abstract word, talc. Why powder? Concrete words like powder can
be easily visualized. Abstract words like talc are harder to paint in a mental picture and therefore more difficult
to deal with. This technique makes the information easier to picture in your mind and helps to jog your memory.
3. Think about each question and answer.
Don't rely on impulse. If you see a question or an answer that instantly looks correct, be careful. Don't react to
your first impression. Read and think through each question and answer. Many times test makers will set traps
by putting in familiar sounding answers that are incorrect. This will catch people off guard who are in a hurry
and jump to conclusions.
Evaluate your answer by asking yourself if the answer completely addresses the question. Don't let the
examiner trick you into choosing the right answer to a wrong question.
4. Don't panic because the right answer doesn't jump out at you.
The right answer is probably camouflaged by words that are different than the ones you have in mind. They
also may be different than the ones in the study material. You expect certain words and phrases in the correct
answer but the examiner throws you a curve by rewording the answer -- a situation that often causes test panic.
Look for the correct answer by:
Rearranging the words in the answers, or
Putting the answers into your own words.
5. Use common sense and general knowledge.
Use common sense by keeping an open mind when attacking the questions. Look at the question from different
angles. Rely on your problem solving ability. Treat each question as a new problem that you must solve.
6. Don't search for hidden meanings.
Searching for hidden meanings by trying to read between the lines will get you into trouble. In most cases test
makers don't intend to play cat and mouse games with you. Their intent is to see if you know your stuff.
Making an educated guess.
When you don't know an answer, always guess. Never leave questions unanswered unless you are penalized
for wrong answers. If there's no penalty, always guess. On a multiple choice question that provides four
possible answers, you have a 25 percent chance of guessing the correct answer even with a completely wild
guess. This beats zero percent when you don't answer at all.
| Online Video Learning Systems: Police Exam - U.S. Border Patrol Exam |
| Police Exam 911™ A step-by-step system YOU can use to secure a top score on ANY Police Exam |
| U.S. Border Patrol Exam |
A step-by-step
system designed
specifically
for the
U.S. Border Patrol Exam
| George Godoy - Police Recruitment Specialist |
Sergeant George Godoy (Ret.) is a 22 year police
veteran. During his police career, Sergeant Godoy served
for 5 years as a police recruitment specialist where he
veteran. During his police career, Sergeant Godoy served
for 5 years as a police recruitment specialist where he
personally tested over 1,000 potential police recruits.
Sergeant Godoy has produced unique video presentations where he takes you step
by step through the Police Examination Process and the U.S. Border
Patrol Exam. Follow these links to check out his ONLINE VIDEO Police Exam
and U.S. Border Patrol Exam learning systems.
Sergeant Godoy has produced unique video presentations where he takes you step
by step through the Police Examination Process and the U.S. Border
Patrol Exam. Follow these links to check out his ONLINE VIDEO Police Exam
and U.S. Border Patrol Exam learning systems.
| Police Exam Preparation |
| The Police Officer Exam - Tips for Success |
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