California POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)

The California POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery or (PELLETB) is an aptitude test that measures a person’s ability to become a California peace officer. The test is primarily language based; therefore, the test taker should have a strong command of the English language before taking it.

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There are resource materials on format and content of the California POST; however, success on this test is achieved mostly through gradual practice and learning over time. The California POST exam tests one’s ability to write, focusing on clarity of information, vocabulary, spelling, reading comprehension, and reasoning ability. There is a writing section on the PELLETB that is comprised of three subtests that consist of fifteen questions each. The clarity subtest will consist of two questions and will require the applicant to identify common writing errors, such as fragments, run-on sentences, and unclear references. The spelling subtest is multiple choice and requires the applicant to choose the correct spelling out of four words to complete a sentence. The vocabulary subtest measures an applicant’s understanding of common law enforcement words and requires a person to select a synonym for a word in a sentence.

The reading portion of the California POST consists of two subtests, which are reading comprehension and forty CLOZE items. The reading comprehension section could range from a single paragraph to one page, and the test taker has to answer multiple-choice questions about the passage. CLOZE questions are fill-in-the-blank types of question where contextual clues help the test taker determine the correct choices. The tricky part is that there may be more than one correct answer; however, the test taker receives credit as long as he or she fills in the blanks correctly. Test takers should be sure to read all the choices before answering a question.

The reasoning section of the exam is multiple choice and consists of sixteen items. Questions are based on patterns, relationships to questions, ordered series of facts, and numbers or words. The test taker answers the questions by having to draw conclusions based on the information or facts.

The POST exam is electronically scored and then examined based on a bell curve. An average score is considered a fifty; scores below forty are considered below average, and scores above sixty are considered above average. Every point above forty-two is an indicator for increased likelihood to complete the academy successfully. Some exams include research-type questions that do not contribute to the final score; however, a test taker does not know which questions these are. Although there are penalties for incorrect questions, test takers should skip a question if it takes too much time. It is therefore important to answer all questions to the best of one’s ability as the questions to be eliminated are not identified.

To help get acquainted with the exam, review practice tests to get familiar with the structure, format, and content. When taking the test, remember that responses are submitted on the answer sheet and not the test booklet. Number two pencils are required for all test answers, and answers must be properly erased in the event they need to be changed.

Online PELLETB Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online PELLETB Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The PELLETB Course includes:

• Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
• 900+ PELLETB Practice Questions
• Over 30 Instructional Videos
• Money-back Guarantee
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The PELLETB Prep Course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their PELLETB exam. Click below to check it out!

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