In today's unpredictable economy the police force represents a form of employment that is highly sought after. It's almost recession proof. As the economy gets worse, the crime rate goes up and the more police officers are needed. Plus, you are given a good, competitive salary that comes complete with job security and many benefits that few other jobs are able to offer you.

There are many other reasons for wanting a career in law enforcement, some of the main ones being that few other jobs offer you the excitement and satisfaction that is received from being involved in the police force. On top of this you also gain the satisfaction of helping people, arresting felons and wearing your badge with honor.

It is due to these factors that there is now overwhelming competition for police officer jobs so in order to find the best candidates you need to pass the Police Officer Entrance Exam. It is because of this exam that many extremely qualified police candidates don't get through. The force doesn't want ordinary candidates they want the best, the toughest, the most intelligent and the most able to pass the test. Police departments can now be more selective. The screening process has become more difficult.

Basically it comes down to this, people who get better test scores will be chosen over people who are deemed to be the most qualified for the job. Some of the best candidates for the police force don't get hired simply because they don't prepare enough or they simple don't take tests well. It doesn't matter how many facts you know or how physically fit you are, if you don't learn strategies about how to approach exams you will find it very difficult to pass.

If you fail or you don't do very well in your entrance exam but you are the most qualified candidate you could find that people with less college or on job experience than you are being hired over you simply based on their better test results. Unfortunately, the most qualified person doesn't always get hired or promoted. The candidates, who have the best test scores, usually do.

You only have to look at the statistics that surround the entrance exam to join the police force to gain an idea of just how difficult it can be. Statistics indicate that only 35% of people pass and out of those that sit the exam only an estimated 10% are hired. This is down to the high standard of training that a police officer needs as well as the high quality of the person that the force is seeking.

If you don't pass the exam you won't be hired. However passing the exam doesn't mean that you are guaranteed to be hired but the higher your test score the more likely you are to be hired.

If you asked someone which one out of toughness, intelligence or test ability is the most important when it comes to gaining a job within the police force no one would generally opt for the test ability answer. In reality however test ability is ranked higher than toughness and intelligence due to the fact that if you don't know how to take exams your toughness and intelligence are no use to them.

There are a few things that you can do however if you are one of the many people who are often let down by your test taking ability such as the following:

- Memorize strategies for police officer oral interviews

- Learn strategies for reading comprehension

- Gain memory aids that help you recall tests, key concepts and facts

- Learn from the pitfalls that others have fallen into and the mistakes they made, and how to avoid them

- Understand how to go about handling the police officer essay exam

- Learn strategies for police situation questions

You need to study and prepare for your police entry exams if you want to stand any chance of getting into the police force. So look into study aids such as books and manuals like The Police Written Exam Digital Manual and start your revision now to guarantee your place in the police academy.

Copyright (c) 2009 Don Cirillo