Failed the written...

[junebughunter]

I received my letter today that I had failed the written with a score of "44.7". I have no idea what that means and I wish I did. It was one of those horrible moments with the entire family standing around assuming I had passed, myself included. Quite the depressing day, I try to explain that the score does not mean I got 44.7% but when I am asked "well what does it mean?" I don't know what to say.

However, I am determined and I will be at the next test date.

A question that comes to mind is, is there any possible way that I can take the test sooner in another division? I believe for the central division the next test date isn't until september. My father lives in the Los Angeles area if I could take it there sooner I would. Is it at all possible to do that.

[WannaBeaChippie]

I received my letter today that I had failed the written with a score of "44.7". I have no idea what that means and I wish I did. It was one of those horrible moments with the entire family standing around assuming I had passed, myself included. Quite the depressing day, I try to explain that the score does not mean I got 44.7% but when I am asked "well what does it mean?" I don't know what to say.

However, I am determined and I will be at the next test date.

A question that comes to mind is, is there any possible way that I can take the test sooner in another division? I believe for the central division the next test date isn't until september. My father lives in the Los Angeles area if I could take it there sooner I would. Is it at all possible to do that.

It's okay junebughunter...I failed my first time too, later on today I can give you some tips and pointers on how to be succesful with this test...I had to study for it.

[Dipmo]

I received my letter today that I had failed the written with a score of "44.7". I have no idea what that means and I wish I did. It was one of those horrible moments with the entire family standing around assuming I had passed, myself included. Quite the depressing day, I try to explain that the score does not mean I got 44.7% but when I am asked "well what does it mean?" I don't know what to say.

However, I am determined and I will be at the next test date.

A question that comes to mind is, is there any possible way that I can take the test sooner in another division? I believe for the central division the next test date isn't until september. My father lives in the Los Angeles area if I could take it there sooner I would. Is it at all possible to do that.



Bummer... On your next application bubble in Los Angeles County and your testing will be in southern division. I'm from central as well and I marked San Joaquin County to get my testing moved to Valley division. Once my testing was done my BI, medical and psych were all done from valley to central (Merced and Modesto areas) for completion.

Good luck, you'll get the next one.

[junebughunter]

Bummer... On your next application bubble in Los Angeles County and your testing will be in southern division. I'm from central as well and I marked San Joaquin County to get my testing moved to Valley division. Once my testing was done my BI, medical and psych were all done from valley to central (Merced and Modesto areas) for completion.

Good luck, you'll get the next one.


Any tips are welcome. I had studied for the test with the applicant study guide and I have the book, which I can't remember the name of, but everyone recommends.

I'll submit another app on Monday and use whatever division is the next to test

[stump1860]

Junebughunter,

I know it can let the air out of your sails when you don't hit the mark quite like you thought you would. Years ago, I tested with a few depts. and my score was always low. I had been out of school for awhile and was not in the test taking frame of mind. Even if I did pass the tests, it was usually with a lower score than I desired. I went through the entire thing in my mind of not being smart enough, etc..then came to the conclusion that it was in my best interest to go back to school, took some remedial classes, continued my education (this will look good, you need to be able to bring something to the table ) and my test scores improved. I usually scored in the low 40 range(t-score) and after taking some courses in college, my scores were in the high 60 range. Remember, you can pass the written, but that is only the beginning. If school is not an option, buy some english comprehension courses on cd, do it at your own pace, just know these skills will give you alot of mileage not only in the academy, but throughout life. I hope this helps. If you want to chat, pm me. Best of luck.

[WannaBeaChippie]

Okay...there is a book called "How to become a state police officer california ISBN No. 1-57685-005-6" if this wasnt the internet I would send it to your address for free because I have two books with two pratice tests, I would suggest a pocket dictionary and thesaurus I used merriam websters pocket dictionary everywhere I went ISBN 0-87779-524, and try "Barron's verbal Workbook for the New SAT", this one is good because it has vocabulary words most frequently used on the SAT which you will find on POST tests. You can got to...www.learnatest.com and what happens in that test you take is a practice exam online with an essay if you choose, and in each area you can see where you scored the lowest percentage, and that can be the area you practice in.

What I did was took the multiple choice test backwards from Reading Comp to clarity...why because at the end of the test your brain is fried and you need to be interested in the test--honestly who wants to read a paragraph about legal proceedings...well if you do the hard first and easy last...its simpler as you go...for the Essay: try to write about what you did everyday...or have someone you know ask you essay questions where you must be brief and explain a topic, like DESCRIBE a time where you felt you werent given a fair opportunity to contribute to something, what did you do...and how did you feel, and what did you learn from the event.
Before you write I swear take the time think about a real subject, think it through make and outline then go...thats all I can really say about the essay...40 minutes isnt enough time to be really detailed, but it is enough to be clear and consise meaning straight to the point..Oh and PLEASE PLEASE check your answers...this last time I went back and checked my answers and I had things wrong in spelling and clarity..simple words like (ellicit and illicit)...remember your brain is FRIED...take the 2 hours they give...go slow, all that matters is that you pass..

For the sentence usage I suggest reading alot more and familiarizing yourself with word usage--there is no way to prepare for this section its weird to see 11 blank dashes and know the word to fit in it..but read it aloud yourself, the first 5 words are usually dead giveaways like; it, and, and how, but try to go over the first few lines and get and idea of what the paragraph is about so you will know what kind of words you might have to use..its important--why because this is the ONLY AGENCY IVE EVER SEEN THAT DOESNT MAKE YOU TAKE YOUR TEST OVER AND OVER AGAIN ONCE YOU PASS THATS IT.

Honestly that describes the caliber of the department...try to enroll in college class, a class where you are learning about criminal justice, it makes easier to understand some of the test, and concentrate. I know its alot--Im being generous I hope it helps...send me and IM if you want me to possibly send you my study books for FREE as I have NO USE FOR THEM anymore. Okay..hope this helps...I like to help people.

[junebughunter]

I don't think a lack of studying or actual knowledge was the result of my failure. I bought the book you are talking about back in March-April and went through it. As well as the applicant study guide

I took 3 example tests and wrote 2 essay's. I passed all of them with a score of 75-85% although one was only the shortened example test in the ASG

Even in college I did well with english. One thing that threw me off mentally was I had to work the night before and I didn't get off until 2am...and I made a mistake of not utilizing all of my time and going back over all of the answers that I could have.

I was also not expecting so many of the "Read a paragraph and pick a sentence that best describes it question" in my example tests there were never quite as many as in the real test.

No excuses though, I am fully capable of passing this test with ease, and I am sorry to myself that I didn't.



One last question about testing outside of my division. Will there be any problem giving them an address outside of the division I am testing in or do I need to supply an address in that division in order to test there?

Thanks

[junebughunter]

Not sure if this is completely relevant but I found this on the POST website about what a T-Score actually means

"2. Is there a set or recommended cut score (passing score) for the test?
No, POST has established neither a mandated nor recommended cut score for the exam. It is the responsibility of the user agency to set the cut score. POST has established, however, a recommended range of scores within which the cut score should be set. This range is from 40 to 50 based on total test score (Overall T score)."

If it was 50 I was still fairly close

[Dipmo]

One last question about testing outside of my division. Will there be any problem giving them an address outside of the division I am testing in or do I need to supply an address in that division in order to test there?

Thanks

On you application you can use you regular address, but mark the county nearest where you would like to test; that should get you testing in the division you seek.

Outlines are a good idea for the essay portion of the written as it ensures that you have a proper beginning, middle, and end. What's the old saying? Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em, tell 'em, then tell 'em what you told 'em. I did mine in very tiny, light writing at the top of my essay page and then erased it when I was through.

[WannaBeaChippie]

I don't think a lack of studying or actual knowledge was the result of my failure. I bought the book you are talking about back in March-April and went through it. As well as the applicant study guide

I took 3 example tests and wrote 2 essay's. I passed all of them with a score of 75-85% although one was only the shortened example test in the ASG

Even in college I did well with english. One thing that threw me off mentally was I had to work the night before and I didn't get off until 2am...and I made a mistake of not utilizing all of my time and going back over all of the answers that I could have.

I was also not expecting so many of the "Read a paragraph and pick a sentence that best describes it question" in my example tests there were never quite as many as in the real test.

No excuses though, I am fully capable of passing this test with ease, and I am sorry to myself that I didn't.




One last question about testing outside of my division. Will there be any problem giving them an address outside of the division I am testing in or do I need to supply an address in that division in order to test there?

ThanksI Understand what youre saying...when I bought the book, I read it so much the pages started fall out and I had to buy a new one...I hope you pass next time, good luck.

[UNICRON82]

I received my letter today that I had failed the written with a score of "44.7". I have no idea what that means and I wish I did. It was one of those horrible moments with the entire family standing around assuming I had passed, myself included. Quite the depressing day, I try to explain that the score does not mean I got 44.7% but when I am asked "well what does it mean?" I don't know what to say.

However, I am determined and I will be at the next test date.



This is just a small hurdle to get over for your ultimate goal. You still sound very positive and you should be. Don't worry about "what to say" about this test, just focus on your next task. I failed the QAP the first time (Well not failed, I got a 90) but I knew they were taking 95's at the time so I sent in another ap. Well, 2 years in the making and I am finally in. Don't give up, study hard and you'll do fine.

[pupdog]

Different agencies require different T scores. I have no idea what CHP requires. I first took the written test (before I got my CHP tunnel vision) at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose. They hand out a list of what T scores various local agencies were requiring. For practice, you might want to consider taking the written at whichever local CC academy does it (Evergreen does it for the Gavilan & San Mateo College academies as well). They'll give you a certificate with your T score that you can use to apply to various agencies, but some (like CHP) do the same written on their turf (I took that same test twice in one week because of this), then some agenices (like San Jose or Roseville) do their very own written test.

I liked the fill in the blanks thing. It's like playing Wheel of Fortune.