Written

[MKDW]

I'm still early in the App process and I've read a lot of prep materials, is there anything I should focus on before test day?

Thanks for all your help!

[Dipmo]

The book that has been discussed here, http://www.chpforums.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=104 would be good.

Of course I like the applicant study guide mainly because it's free and has a lot of good information.

The ASG is available here, http://www.chp.ca.gov/recruiting/html/studyguide.html.

Good luck,

[dw]

It's obvious, but make sure you know where the test site is. The proctors will NOT let you in late.

[CHPwannaBE]

MKDW, I see you are from Cape Cod. What has brought you out to be part of the CHP? Also when you take the different parts of the test do they let you complete a few steps in a short period becuase you are from out of state? Just wondering becasue I am also out of state and want to know how applicants do it.

[MKDW]

I am originally from SoCal and was just recently transferred up here to Cape Cod. I bought plane tickets to the area where the testing area is. How soon do you find out the exact location of the test site?

[redhead]

I am originally from SoCal and was just recently transferred up here to Cape Cod. I bought plane tickets to the area where the testing area is. How soon do you find out the exact location of the test site?
It varies, but about 1-2 weeks before you will get another letter explaining where the test site is.

[MKDW]

I picked up that learning express book, and was amazed to see some of the Stats (granted they were from 1995) about how many people apply for the cadet position. It was also very humbling to see that only about 600 applicants were hired that year. Have those numbers changed at all in the last 10 years?

[dw]

I think the stats on applicants are about the same. It is still a extremely competitive process. Remember, though, that a lot of the people who submit applications do not take the process (or the job) seriously. Many think applying to the CHP is like getting a job in at McDonalds. If you are motivated and do your homework, you should do well.

[Your Mentor]

MKDW,
Welcome to the process. I was one of the few USCG vets to enter the Academy years ago. We get one or two per class vs 10 or more Marines. You're brain should already be hardwired for the process and the job. Safety is the number one concern with the Department as it is in the CG. Listen to dw about taking the process seriously. I doubt that's an issue with you if you bought airline tickets just to test. I spent most of my service time on lifeboat units on the west coast; mostly in Oregon and Washington. My last year, however, was in Humboldt Bay, so I tested in Redding (a three hour drive). There were two Coasties in my class and the other one is a sergeant in a nearby resident post. One of my references was an LTJG in the CG reserve in San Diego and concurrently a Chippy in the San Diego Area office. He is now a Commander in the CG reserve in LA and drives an MRE pickup out of the West LA office. He actually quit the CHP for a couple of years to teach with his wife (who is a USCG Captain now) at the USCG Academy. I taught him when he reinstated in 1999. I guess I'm relating this story because the USCG is a small military service and the CHP is a small law enforcement service (compaired to many California police departments; LAPD is almost bigger than the USCG!). Everything is relative.

Good luck with the process and keep us up on your progress. We'll advise if you ask.

[MKDW]

Being in the military sets people up for sucess, if they use their training and experience the way they should. I recieved my testing location letter in the mail today. Would you recommend wearing a suit?

[Nellie]

I don't believe you need to wear a suit for the test. I didn't wear one. I saw maybe 2 people wearing one out of the 50 or so taking the test. I wore a suit during the QAP, BI final interview, CVSA, and the psych interview.

Question to current CHP: Can (or should) he wear his military dress uniform instead of a suit?

[Dipmo]

I would agree with Nellie for dress at the written. I wouldn't wear my spiked hair and Misfits t-shirt though. Look neat and don't stand out. When I took my written the officer there said that sans the PAT, a suit should be worn for every other part of the process.

One thing I would recommend is to bring two pencils. I kept thinking it would suck to have my pencil break in the middle of the essay portion and not have a spare.

Good luck

[Your Mentor]

You can wear anything you want at the written. It's proxied by SPB personnel and no one is taking notes. All the Department will see is the paperwork you produce out the test. Just dress comfortably. When I tested there were 250 others at the college where it took place. Only three of us made it into my class.

[uoplax13]

Aside from the essay portion, is the CHP written much different than a standard POST multiple choice test? I took one a while back while planning on putting myself through an academy and trying to get hired at an SO, and was wondering if it was that much different.

[dw]

I didn't take any other POST tests, but speaking to those who have, some say the multiple choice is exactly the same as other agencies. Others say it is completely different. I don't know if there are multiple POST-approved tests out there or what.

[MKDW]

I am taking the written tomorrow, I am looking foward to moving along in the process. How long does it take until the results are passed along? Thanks in adavance!

[dw]

Usually within three to four weeks. Be sure you look up the dates for the PAT/Written Psych tests and keep those days open. You may not receive an invitation until a few days prior.

[retchp]

Maybe Mentor can address this comment/question...getting a job on CHP is a real testament to the successful candidate. I think the numbers run something like this...out of 1000 applicants 500 won't pass or take the written...of the remaining 500, 250 will be cut during the post written process (psych, QAP, Agility, Physical). Out of that 250 another 50 or so won't get through the Academy...Out of 200 who hit the field another 30 won't finish Break in Training. Out of the 170 left only about half will make it to retirement (job changes, injuries, terminations, early deaths etc). So only about four percent of those that start out the journey will finish it twenty five or thirty years later and ony 15 to twenty percent who fill out the application will be around in one year. It is a tough process but well worth the struggle. Definitely not like geting or keeping any regular job. Any stats on this Mentor?

[SB 405]

Man those are some sad stats. The guys reporting Monday won't be happy to read that.

[Mac]

I've always been curious about the actual stats too...I know the percentages are pretty small. DW or Mentor?

[dw]

In my experience...

- start with 1000

- only 520-550 show up for the written, about 50% pass

- of the 260-275 into the PAT, only a handful will fail, not a significant amount

- of the 260-275 into the QAP, maybe 120-130 will get competitive scores to move into backgrounds (depends on the scores we're taking)

- after backgrounds, we're down to about 70...

- after psych, we're down to 63 or so...

- i'm not sure about medical, i'll just make-up about 10%, so we'll call it 57 left...

- we'll call Academy attrition 20% (being generous), and we have 46 left at graduation

These are very rough numbers numbers. I think what is important to take away, is that if you're serious about getting a job with us, it is entirely possible. Just showing up for the written test puts you above 50% of applicants. Preparing for your QAP interview will make a difference. Many people don't take this application process seriously and act as if they're applying for a job at a fast-food chain.

[MKDW]

Well, I finished the written this morning as I feel pretty good about the pending results. I was surprised that there were about 120 people (max) there taking the test. Assuming I passed, the PAT is in early December and QAP's begin that week also. What do you feel is the hardest part about the PAT? The run?

[dw]

The 500 yard run is what gets most people who fail.

[HwyChaser]

Well, I finished the written this morning as I feel pretty good about the pending results. I was surprised that there were about 120 people (max) there taking the test. Assuming I passed, the PAT is in early December and QAP's begin that week also. What do you feel is the hardest part about the PAT? The run?

As dw said, the 500 yard is the most difficult part of the PAT. That being said, unless you have bad knees, bad heart or are 100 pounds over weight you should not have a problem with it. I can't recall the amount of time they give you on the runs, but it is very forgiving. I entered the PAT portion along with about 150 applicants. Out of the 150 only about 5-6 failed. Most of them failed due to the eye sight exam, maybe 2 failed the run. You could have guessed they would not pass the run just by looking at them (extremely out of shape). Just keep in mind, the PAT does not reflect the Academy.

[Your Mentor]

Bob,
You're right about all of those stats. I couldn't quote the recruiting numbers but the attrition rate in the field (entire rookie year) is about 30%. The bulk, of course, go out during breakin. You really can't say if this job is for you until you get out on the road and actually do the job. That's what always killed me when cadets would resign saying, "This just isn't for me." Of course it isn't for you. If we had all remained cadets our entire careers, no one would do this job. Perspective is everything. One number I've always enjoyed, however, is that less than 85% of uniformed employees promote beyond officer. That really speaks volumes about the satisfaction of working the road.

[MKDW]

Mentor,
What do you think about bravos during the QAP? Is it too much, unprofessional or disrespectful? I am proud of the service I am doing but also at the same time I don't know if wearing the uniform would be considered "showing off".