Sitting the Test

The Victoria Police Education Entrance Examination is comprised of 5 components, each of which must be passed:

Spelling and comprehension test

Time allowed: 45 minutes for test

Marks: 1 mark for the correct spelling of the word and 1 mark for its correct use in a sentence.

Pass marks:

  • Spelling: 20/30
  • Comprehension: 20/30.

Both the Spelling and Comprehension Tests must be passed during one sitting. If a candidate fails either of the tests in one sitting, then the candidate must re-sit both tests.

View or download complete list of spelling and comprehension words (Word - 329 Kb).

  • Part A - Spelling test
    30 words presented on CD, at 20 second intervals, with each word repeated once. Candidates are required to correctly write down each spelling word.
  • Part B - Comprehension test
    Starts when the spelling CD finishes. Candidates are required to write each spelling word in a simple sentence to indicate the correct meaning of the word.

Mathematics test

10 questions involving basic calculations. Candidates should show all working in the answer spaces provided. Calculators cannot be used and are not allowed in the examination room.

Time allowed: 15 minutes for test.

Pass mark: 5/10

Reasoning ability test

This test involves solving problems, for example

  • working out the number that comes next in a series of numbers
  • working out how different bits of information are alike
  • drawing the correct conclusion using information provided.

4 alternative answers are provided for each question. Candidates are required to choose the answer that they think is the best answer. There are 54 items to be completed.

Time allowed: 35 minutes for test.

Pass mark: 34/54.

English skills

This test is divided into six sections:

  • Section A:
    Candidates are given 4 short passages of text. Each passage is followed by a set of 3 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are required to choose the best answer to each question from the alternatives provided.
  • Section B:
    Read a sentence and find which element, or "bit", in the sentence is incorrect. There is no more than one error in each sentence. There are 18 different sentences.
  • Section C:
    Read a sentence containing a blank space for a missing word. They are required to choose the word that best fits each sentence from the alternatives provided.
  • Section D:
    Read a sentence, part of which is underlined. They are required to select the best version of that part of the sentence from the alternatives provided.
  • Section E:
    Candidates are shown 5 incomplete sentences. They are required to select the word or phrase that best completes the meaning of each of the sentences from the alternatives provided.
  • Section F:
    Candidates are shown pairs of sentences. These are followed by a question and 4 possible answers. Candidates should choose the best answer to the question from the alternatives provided. There are 5 different pairs of sentences.

Time allowed: 40 minutes for test.

Pass mark: 42/70.

Writing task

This task requires candidates to produce a clear, fluent piece of writing. There is a choice from 2 different tasks.

Candidates should:

  • choose only 1 task from the 2 tasks provided
  • pay attention to spelling, punctuation and grammar as English skills will be marked
  • write enough for the assessor to mark (approximately 2 pages - no word limit)
  • structure the piece of writing according to the type of communication - e.g.:
    • include a beginning, a body and a conclusion
    • make up facts to suit the task being covered (if appropriate).

Time allowed: 40 minutes for test. Candidates should allow time to plan their response so that ideas are expressed logically.

Pass mark: 35/50.