Any tips on 1st test

[2_B_A_Public_Icon]

[/quote]
I don't want to start any trouble so if I may ask...why did the Essay portion get eliminated? [/quote]

Hmmm.... Crafty question! Can't wait to hear this answer. I smell...Officer shortage?.... Not enough qualified candidates for the job and lowering standards to compensate? Hmmm...... Just guesses.

I am curious to the reasons as well. Lets hear it.

[mit520]

Dose any one have any tips on passing the wrighten test.... I test on the 30th of this month..

[uoplax13]

Dose any one have any tips on passing the wrighten test.... I test on the 30th of this month..

Brush up on your spelling and basic writing skills. The written test shouldn't be too difficult. Others on here might have some more suggestions for you (eg. study guides, etc...).

[mit520]

Yea, this will be my 2nd time taking the test.. Not to good in the english depertment.. I have bought books and books on tape sence then.. thank you

[unixadm]

I'm assuming you'll be testing this weekend in Sacramento. If so, I'll be there as well. Don't second guess yourself after you make a choice as you tend to lose confidence during future questions. Just try your best and utilize the time you have available. Try not to rush unless you have to. Read the questions a few times each to make sure you completely understand them as assuming can you get into trouble. Lastly the essay portion has been eliminated. For me that's not a good thing since I'm a fairly good writer. Good luck to all of us.

[Observer]

READ READ READ READ the blue piece of paper that comes with your application. I believe it is the "job posting".

[billyredline]

The CHP Applicant Study Guide mentions The Reference Handbook for Writers, also from what I have been informed there is actually a book that is published specifically prep. for the CHP written test also. I do not know the name of that book but I am sure you can find it on Google?s website. The cheapest and easiest way though is it to just start reading books.

[unixadm]

There is a book by Learning Express. It's called: STATE POLICE EXAM, California.

It's a guide specific to becoming a State Traffic Officer and you can purchase it from Amazon.com.

It contains various sample tests, sample forms and information about most steps in the process. It's a little out of date, but the information is still valid. If I pass the written test this weekend I will gladly send it to anyone on the forum who could make use of it.

[mit520]

Thank you for all the tips. For us that test in 8 hours, The best of luck !
:smile:

[unixadm]

I just got home from taking the written here in Valley. I'm not sure how well I did, but I tried my best. It's been over 10 years since I did a Scantron test and man it brought back memories. Anyhow, there were a BUNCH of people there today. I met a few of them, let a couple know about this forum so maybe we'll get a couple of new members. I have to schedule my ride along on Monday in the South Sacramento office. Hopefully I pass, but if not I'll be back during the next testing cycle. Good luck to all of those who were there today. It seemed like a pretty diverse crowd of people.

[Observer]

Thank you for all the tips. For us that test in 8 hours, The best of luck !
:smile:

Update us as to just how that test went for you?

How do you think you did?

[WannaBeaChippie]

Relax and just take the test, I took the test from the back of the book all the way to the front, because reading comp is boring..and time consuming, I think once you pass the RC...the rest of the test is a breeze AND there is no essay...lucky you.

[zen_out]

there is no essay...lucky you.

You call that lucky?

[WannaBeaChippie]

Well yeah because for some people the written test was alot harder before when they had the 40 minute essay. Now without the essay more people will pass on the first try. I myself took the test twice I had trouble with the essay, I finally got it back in May. I hadn't been to college in a while, I needed and English Comp course:biggrin: . The multiple choice wasn't a problem, I just had a hard time writing a descriptive essay in 40-minutes.

Do I think they should have gotten rid of the essay...well...it doesn't matter what I think. All I understand is that the Department and Academy can continue to run without it.;)

[zen_out]

Well yeah because for some people the written test was alot harder before when they had the 40 minute essay. Now without the essay more people will pass on the first try. I myself took the test twice I had trouble with the essay, I finally got it back in May. I hadn't been to college in a while, I needed and English Comp course:biggrin: . The multiple choice wasn't a problem, I just had a hard time writing a descriptive essay in 40-minutes.

Do I think they should have gotten rid of the essay...well...it doesn't matter what I think. All I understand is that the Department and Academy can continue to run without it.;)

Who knows what will happen when those people make it to the academy and can't write worth a dime! Every single officer I have spoken to says it's a big mistake to have dropped the essay portion. I agree 100% considering all of the writing required of an officer. But, you are right, what does our opinion matter anyways? ;)

Quick question, your profile says you work for the Sheriff's Office. Are you a Deputy?

[WannaBeaChippie]

No I'm not a deputy...I'm a Sheriff Aide...it's a new job.:biggrin: It's my foot in the door to law enforcement, I direct traffic, and write parking tickets. I can be assigned other duties so I've heard but I haven't done them yet.

I don't really want to be a deputy...I know they start off in the jail and court the first couple of years, I know the job they do is AWESOME once they stop working in the jail and courthouses. I know the S.O. has unlimited overtime...but I don't want to do that. The CHP is my true ambition...I'll just keep trying until I get in...

[zen_out]

No I'm not a deputy...I'm a Sheriff Aide...it's a new job.:biggrin: It's my foot in the door to law enforcement, I direct traffic, and write parking tickets. I can be assigned other duties so I've heard but I haven't done them yet.

I don't really want to be a deputy...I know they start off in the jail and court the first couple of years, I know the job they do is AWESOME once they stop working in the jail and courthouses. I know the S.O. has unlimited overtime...but I don't want to do that. The CHP is my true ambition...I'll just keep trying until I get in...

Hey, something is better than nothing! That sounds like fun for the time being. A few of my friends work for the SC Sheriff's Department. I agree with you, it doesn't sound like fun working in the jails.

If you don't mind me asking, how many times have you been through the CHP's hiring process?

[JMuZz87]

No I'm not a deputy...I'm a Sheriff Aide...it's a new job.:biggrin: It's my foot in the door to law enforcement, I direct traffic, and write parking tickets. I can be assigned other duties so I've heard but I haven't done them yet.

I don't really want to be a deputy...I know they start off in the jail and court the first couple of years, I know the job they do is AWESOME once they stop working in the jail and courthouses. I know the S.O. has unlimited overtime...but I don't want to do that. The CHP is my true ambition...I'll just keep trying until I get in...

I went and saw a man about Orange County Sherrif Depart.

Yeah...I came, I saw, I left...it didn't impress me. That's why CHP is my number one.

[zen_out]

No I'm not a deputy...I'm a Sheriff Aide...it's a new job.:biggrin: It's my foot in the door to law enforcement, I direct traffic, and write parking tickets. I can be assigned other duties so I've heard but I haven't done them yet.

I don't really want to be a deputy...I know they start off in the jail and court the first couple of years, I know the job they do is AWESOME once they stop working in the jail and courthouses. I know the S.O. has unlimited overtime...but I don't want to do that. The CHP is my true ambition...I'll just keep trying until I get in...

I went and saw a man about Orange County Sherrif Depart.

Yeah...I came, I saw, I left...it didn't impress me. That's why CHP is my number one.

I wouldn't forget about the Sheriff's Office just yet. You would be wise to keep your options open. ;)

[brewdog21]

As long as you passed the 8th grade, you should be able to pass that test

[JMuZz87]

As long as you passed the 8th grade, you should be able to pass that test

What the Sheriff's Test? or the CHP test?

[JMuZz87]

I wouldn't forget about the Sheriff's Office just yet. You would be wise to keep your options open. ;)

Yeah...I guess you're right.

[WannaBeaChippie]

No I'm not a deputy...I'm a Sheriff Aide...it's a new job.:biggrin: It's my foot in the door to law enforcement, I direct traffic, and write parking tickets. I can be assigned other duties so I've heard but I haven't done them yet.

I don't really want to be a deputy...I know they start off in the jail and court the first couple of years, I know the job they do is AWESOME once they stop working in the jail and courthouses. I know the S.O. has unlimited overtime...but I don't want to do that. The CHP is my true ambition...I'll just keep trying until I get in...

Hey, something is better than nothing! That sounds like fun for the time being. A few of my friends work for the SC Sheriff's Department. I agree with you, it doesn't sound like fun working in the jails.

If you don't mind me asking, how many times have you been through the CHP's hiring process?Well, I tried once last year right before I left the Air Force, then I hopped back in the game this year, so twice..but the second time I made it to backgrounds.

[dw]

Now without the essay more people will pass on the first try.
What are you basing that on?

[WannaBeaChippie]

Now without the essay more people will pass on the first try.
What are you basing that on?Well I already know I probably put my foot in my mouth...so I'm assuming that more people will pass the written test because the essay portion has been eliminated. I took the essay portion....but from what I've seen alot more people are passing the written test.

I don't want to start any trouble so if I may ask...why did the Essay portion get eliminated?

[WannaBeaChippie]

I don't want to start any trouble so if I may ask...why did the Essay portion get eliminated? [/quote]

Hmmm.... Crafty question! Can't wait to hear this answer. I smell...Officer shortage?.... Not enough qualified candidates for the job and lowering standards to compensate? Hmmm...... Just guesses.

I am curious to the reasons as well. Lets hear it.

[/quote]Well my assumption is based on the Departments, and not just the CHP losing officers due to retirements...but I don't really know..*shrug*

[uoplax13]

My completely uninformed opinion here......I'm guessing the essay was eliminated in an attempt to streamline the process and save money. It's probably cheaper to run things through a scantron machine only, and not have to have people reading/grading essays too. At first glance, if one of the goals was streamlining, then I think it might just move the choke point further down in the process (i.e. someone who can't write well enough flunks out of the academy rather than being weeded out during the written....). Anyway, just my thoughts....wasn't there another thread on this already?

[WannaBeaChippie]

Yeah, I believe there was...but that sounds reasonable also.

[dw]

The essay was not removed to lower hiring standards. As mentioned, the essay was eliminated to streamline the process and eliminate the overhead of all those essays being read. (Side note: Can you imagine reading all those!???) With the elimination of the essay, the "t-score" required on the multiple choice section was raised. In theory, it should be a wash - although writing skills (very important in this line of work) are not tested directly. I have not compared any numbers pre/post essay (don't think there's enough data for anything of statistical value right now), but anecdotally there does not seem to be much of a change. If anything, there may be more failures -- but again, nothing is significant at this point. We'd need several test cycles of data to say anything conclusive.