How the practice tool works
Pick a section, choose the force you're applying to, and the AI writes a fresh set for you.
- 1
Choose a section
Five sections cover the skills Australian police aptitude tests measure: numeracy, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, spelling and grammar, and situational judgement.
- 2
Choose your force and difficulty
The force sets the context of the questions (an applicant to that force), and you can switch between moderate and challenging. The questions are never copies of a real exam.
- 3
Answer, then read the explanation
Each question has four options. Pick one and you see straight away whether it's right, with a two-to-four-sentence explanation of the working.
- 4
Review your score and go again
When you finish a set you see your score and how long it took. Score 80% or more and the tool suggests moving up to challenging; under that, re-read the explanations and do a fresh set on the same section.
Free users get one set of five questions a day. With full access you get sets of ten, up to 40 sets a day, across every section. Daily limits reset at midnight UTC, which is 10am in Sydney during standard time and 11am in daylight saving time.
Practice, not the real thing
The questions are original and generated by AI. They are not real exam content, and we're not affiliated with ACER, TAFE SA, Talogy, SHL or any police force. AI can occasionally get an answer wrong. If an explanation doesn't add up, trust your working and check it with a second method.
Practise the written exercise
Most forces that test you also test your writing. Here you can write a response under time and get it marked.
Written exercise marker
Free: 1 marked piece a dayWrite a letter to your local council explaining why a dangerous intersection near a school needs a pedestrian crossing. Include the problem, its effects and what you recommend.
Aim for 250–400 words in about 25–30 minutes, unless your force's guide says otherwise.
The marker gives you six original prompts in the style of police entrance writing tasks: a letter to council, a personal reflection, a discussion essay, an objective incident summary, an advantages-and-disadvantages piece and a polite email. Write at least 80 words (250 to 400 is the target) and the AI marks it against task response, structure, clarity, spelling and grammar in Australian English, tone and relevance.
Free marking gives you a score out of 10, a band, a short summary and two corrections, once a day. Full marking, included in Entrance Exam Prep, adds a score and comment for every criterion, up to eight corrections with the reason for each, and a stronger rewrite of your opening paragraph, up to 20 pieces a day.
What each force's entrance assessment covers
There is no national police exam. Each force picks its own test, provider and pass rules.
- Test
- No separate written police entrance exam
- What it covers
- Psychometric testing (application Stage 4); Academic suitability for the ADAP, assessed by Western Sydney University
- Cost
- No exam fee listed. Out-of-pocket costs: medical $555.50 initial exam plus any specialist fees; Aquatic Rescue Sequence $10; first aid and pocket mask from $79.
- Test
- Victoria Police Entrance Exam
- Run by
- ACER (examination authority for Victoria Police)
- What it covers
- Numeracy; Abstract reasoning; Literacy; Report writing
- Cost
- $284
- Test
- QPS Entrance Assessment (QPSea)
- Run by
- ACER
- What it covers
- Literacy (30 questions, 35 min); Abstract reasoning (30 questions, 35 min); Writing (1 task, 35 min)
- Cost
- $0 if QPS sponsors your sitting, $279 if not; $107 late reschedule fee
- Test
- No written entrance exam
- What it covers
- Psychological evaluation (Stage 1; personality and psychological state)
- Test
- SAPOL Recruitment Test
- Run by
- TAFE SA
- What it covers
- Reading comprehension (pass mark 60%); Written expression (pass mark 60%)
- Cost
- No fee published
- Test
- Online suitability (psychometric) testing
- Run by
- Talogy; PAR Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)
- What it covers
- Cognitive reasoning; Reading comprehension; Personality questionnaire; PAR Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)
- Cost
- No fee published
- Test
- Cognitive assessment
- Run by
- Not published
- What it covers
- Computer-based cognitive testing; Computer-based psychological testing
- Cost
- No fee published
- Test
- AFP online testing (SHL)
- Run by
- SHL
- What it covers
- Deductive reasoning; Inductive reasoning; Personality; Calculation
- Cost
- No fee published
| Force | Test | Run by | What it covers | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | No separate written police entrance exam | – | Psychometric testing (application Stage 4); Academic suitability for the ADAP, assessed by Western Sydney University | No exam fee listed. Out-of-pocket costs: medical $555.50 initial exam plus any specialist fees; Aquatic Rescue Sequence $10; first aid and pocket mask from $79. |
| Victoria Police | Victoria Police Entrance Exam | ACER (examination authority for Victoria Police) | Numeracy; Abstract reasoning; Literacy; Report writing | $284 |
| QPS | QPS Entrance Assessment (QPSea) | ACER | Literacy (30 questions, 35 min); Abstract reasoning (30 questions, 35 min); Writing (1 task, 35 min) | $0 if QPS sponsors your sitting, $279 if not; $107 late reschedule fee |
| WA Police | No written entrance exam | – | Psychological evaluation (Stage 1; personality and psychological state) | – |
| SAPOL | SAPOL Recruitment Test | TAFE SA | Reading comprehension (pass mark 60%); Written expression (pass mark 60%) | No fee published |
| Tasmania Police | Online suitability (psychometric) testing | Talogy; PAR Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) | Cognitive reasoning; Reading comprehension; Personality questionnaire; PAR Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) | No fee published |
| NT Police | Cognitive assessment | Not published | Computer-based cognitive testing; Computer-based psychological testing | No fee published |
| AFP | AFP online testing (SHL) | SHL | Deductive reasoning; Inductive reasoning; Personality; Calculation | No fee published |
From each force's recruiting pages. Queensland and Victoria timings and fees were read on ACER's candidate sites on 9 October 2026. Tests change: confirm with the force before you book.
The forces with a full written exam
Victoria Police has the most demanding written exam. ACER runs it online: literacy (30 questions in 30 minutes), abstract reasoning (45 in 20), numeracy (30 in 35) and one report-writing task in 35 minutes, about two hours in total. You must pass all four, and you have three months to sit it once invited.
Exemptions are possible for degree holders, applicants with an ATAR of 65+ and English 25+, ADF members, paramedics and firefighters, VPS Grade 3+ staff, final-year criminology students and others. The same exam is used for Protective Services Officers.
Queensland's QPSea is also run by ACER and takes 1 hour 45 minutes: literacy, abstract reasoning and a writing task, each timed and scored separately. Older guides, including some still online, list numeracy and digital literacy too; ACER's own QPSea page now lists only the three components.
Shorter or different tests
SA Police uses the SAPOL Recruitment Test, run by TAFE SA. Since 14 Apr 2025 the test covers reading and writing only (spelling and numeracy were removed). Exemptions: a bachelor degree (Australia/NZ/UK), an Australian diploma (AQF5+), SACE with ATAR 65+, an IB diploma, a previous pass, another Australian/NZ police entrance exam, or 6+ months' experience in police, emergency services, the ADF or the SA public sector at ASO4+. Separate remote IQ and personality testing follows. Resit after 3 months.
The AFP uses online tests from SHL covering deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, personality, calculation. Online cognitive and fit tests: four components for police roles, three for PSO (per the factsheet; exact split by role not fully extracted). 14 days to complete; maximum 3 attempts, 12 months between attempts.
Tasmania Police uses online suitability testing (Talogy; PAR Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)): cognitive reasoning, reading comprehension, personality questionnaire, par personality assessment inventory (pai). Talogy tests are webcam-proctored with 7 days to complete. The PAI is reviewed by DPFEM psychologists (no pass/fail). NT Police lists computer-based cognitive testing and computer-based psychological testing, but doesn't publish the provider or format.
No written exam: NSW and WA
NSW lists no separate written police entrance exam. Academic entry for the Associate Degree in Applied Policing is an ATAR of 50 or more, or an equivalent, assessed by Western Sydney University, and you'll sit psychometric testing at Stage 4. WA dropped its old written assessment: the current process has a psychological evaluation but no aptitude test score. Practice still helps in both, because reasoning and judgement questions turn up in psychometric batteries.
Not sure which force to apply to?
Answer seven questions about location, pay, super, remote service and fitness to see which forces fit you best.
Numeracy: how to pick up marks fast
Police numeracy is everyday maths under time pressure: percentages, ratios, rates, speed-distance-time, reading data tables and unit conversions. It is not algebra-heavy. Whether you get a calculator depends on the test: ACER's Victoria Police exam provides an on-screen calculator in the numeracy section, so check your own force's candidate information and practise both with and without one. Victoria's numeracy section also uses numeric entry rather than multiple choice, so you can't work backwards from the options.
Percentages
- What to drill
- 10%, 5% and 1% chunks; percentage change
- Worked example (original)
- A station's call-outs rose from 240 to 276. Rise = 36; 36 ÷ 240 = 15%.
Speed, distance, time
- What to drill
- D = S × T and converting minutes to hours
- Worked example (original)
- At 90 km/h, 24 km takes 24 ÷ 90 h = 16 minutes.
Ratios
- What to drill
- Splitting totals; scaling
- Worked example (original)
- Shifts split 3:2 between two teams over 40 shifts: 24 and 16.
Rates
- What to drill
- Per hour, per 100, per person
- Worked example (original)
- 6 thefts per 1,000 residents in a town of 8,500 = 51 thefts.
Tables and charts
- What to drill
- Reading the right row, then one calculation
- Worked example (original)
- Find the month with the biggest rise, not the biggest number.
| Topic | What to drill | Worked example (original) |
|---|---|---|
| Percentages | 10%, 5% and 1% chunks; percentage change | A station's call-outs rose from 240 to 276. Rise = 36; 36 ÷ 240 = 15%. |
| Speed, distance, time | D = S × T and converting minutes to hours | At 90 km/h, 24 km takes 24 ÷ 90 h = 16 minutes. |
| Ratios | Splitting totals; scaling | Shifts split 3:2 between two teams over 40 shifts: 24 and 16. |
| Rates | Per hour, per 100, per person | 6 thefts per 1,000 residents in a town of 8,500 = 51 thefts. |
| Tables and charts | Reading the right row, then one calculation | Find the month with the biggest rise, not the biggest number. |
Numeracy habits that save marks
- ✓ Estimate first, so you can spot an answer that's ten times too big
- ✓ Write units at every step (km, minutes, hours)
- ✓ Learn fraction-percentage pairs: 1/8 = 12.5%, 3/8 = 37.5%
- ✓ Convert minutes to hours by dividing by 60, never 100
- ✓ Skip a question that's taking twice your target time, and come back
- ✓ Re-read the question for 'not', 'except' and 'per'
Verbal reasoning and literacy: read like an investigator
Literacy sections give you short texts (ACER's Victoria exam uses about six different types) and ask what they say, what they imply and what can't be concluded. Verbal reasoning adds true, false or cannot-say judgements. Both reward the same skill: separating what the text states from what you assume.
Do
- ✓Read the question first, then the passage, so you know what to look for
- ✓Mark 'cannot say' when the text doesn't give enough to decide
- ✓Watch qualifiers: some, most, all, never, usually
- ✓Find the sentence that proves your answer before you click
Don't
- ✕Bring in your own knowledge of the law or policing
- ✕Pick an answer because it sounds sensible
- ✕Treat 'most' as 'all'
- ✕Re-read the whole passage for every question
In practice sets, keep a tally of which mistake you make: misreading a qualifier, using outside knowledge, or running short of time. Most people have one dominant error, and fixing it is worth more than another hundred questions.
Abstract, inductive and deductive reasoning
Victoria and Queensland both test abstract reasoning: spotting the rule in a sequence of shapes and applying it to find the next one. The AFP's SHL tests split this into inductive reasoning (find the rule from examples) and deductive reasoning (apply given rules to reach a conclusion that must be true).
- 1
Name the elements
Count shapes, sides, shading, size, position and rotation. Most patterns change one or two of these at a time.
- 2
Find each element's rule
Is it rotating 90° each step? Is shading alternating? Is a shape added each time? Write the rules down in a few words.
- 3
Predict before you look
Picture the answer first, then find the option that matches. Looking at options first invites you to rationalise a wrong one.
- 4
Eliminate
If you can't see the whole rule, use the ones you have to rule out options. Two rules usually leave one answer.
A limit of our tool
Our logical reasoning section uses sequences, analogies and odd-one-out questions written in words and numbers. Real abstract reasoning tests use visual patterns, which a text-based AI tool can't draw. Use our sets to train rule-finding and speed, and use ACER's official practice tests (available once you've booked) for the visual format.
Spelling and grammar in Australian English
Stand-alone spelling sections are disappearing (SA removed spelling in April 2025), but spelling and grammar are still marked in every writing task, and police reports go to court. Australian spelling matters: organisation, licence (noun), offence, defence, centre, judgement or judgment, and "practise" as the verb.
licence / license
- Correct use
- Driver licence (noun); licensed to drive (verb)
practice / practise
- Correct use
- Firearms practice (noun); practise your answers (verb)
affect / effect
- Correct use
- Alcohol affected his judgement; the effect was immediate
their / there / they're
- Correct use
- Their car; over there; they're leaving
lose / loose
- Correct use
- Lose your notebook; a loose railing
who / whom
- Correct use
- The witness who called; the witness to whom we spoke
| Often confused | Correct use |
|---|---|
| licence / license | Driver licence (noun); licensed to drive (verb) |
| practice / practise | Firearms practice (noun); practise your answers (verb) |
| affect / effect | Alcohol affected his judgement; the effect was immediate |
| their / there / they're | Their car; over there; they're leaving |
| lose / loose | Lose your notebook; a loose railing |
| who / whom | The witness who called; the witness to whom we spoke |
Writing tasks: how they're marked and how to plan
Victoria's report-writing task is assessed on selecting relevant information, writing clearly, objectively and in a logical order, forming paragraphs, building complex sentences, and spelling and grammar. Queensland has a 35-minute writing component and SA's test has written expression with a 60% pass mark. The same plan works for all of them.
- 1
Plan (about 5 minutes)
PlanUnderline exactly what the task asks. Jot three to five points and the order they'll go in. For a report, that's usually chronological.
- 2
Write (about 25 minutes)
WriteOne idea per paragraph, opening with a clear topic sentence. In reports, stick to facts: who, what, when, where, how. Leave opinions out unless asked.
- 3
Check (about 5 minutes)
CheckRead it once for meaning and once for spelling and punctuation. Fix run-on sentences and any missing times or names.
An objective report says what was seen and heard, in order, with times. It never says what someone 'obviously' meant.
Situational judgement: what 'most appropriate' really means
Situational judgement questions describe a workplace or community scenario and ask for the most or least appropriate response. They appear in psychometric batteries and mirror the scenario questions panels ask. Forces publish their values, and the right answers line up with them: integrity, respect, safety, fairness and using the proper channel.
The best option usually
- ✓ Deals with immediate safety first
- ✓ Is honest, even when that's awkward
- ✓ Uses the proper reporting channel rather than a private fix
- ✓ Treats everyone with respect, including the person in the wrong
- ✓ Is proportionate: not ignoring it, not overreacting
- ✓ Involves a supervisor when it's beyond your authority
The "least appropriate" option is usually the one that hides a problem, breaks a rule to help a friend, or escalates without need. If two options look good, pick the one that acts now and keeps a record.
Timing and pacing for the timed sections
Knowing your seconds per question changes how you sit the test. Abstract reasoning in Victoria allows less than half a minute per question, so you can't afford to stare at one pattern.
Victoria: literacy
- Questions
- 30
- Time
- 30 min
- Target per question
- 60 s
Victoria: abstract reasoning
- Questions
- 45
- Time
- 20 min
- Target per question
- 27 s
Victoria: numeracy
- Questions
- 30
- Time
- 35 min
- Target per question
- 70 s
Victoria: report writing
- Questions
- 1 task
- Time
- 35 min
- Target per question
- Plan 5, write 25, check 5
Queensland: literacy
- Questions
- 30
- Time
- 35 min
- Target per question
- 70 s
Queensland: abstract reasoning
- Questions
- 30
- Time
- 35 min
- Target per question
- 70 s
Queensland: writing
- Questions
- 1 task
- Time
- 35 min
- Target per question
- Plan 5, write 25, check 5
| Section | Questions | Time | Target per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria: literacy | 30 | 30 min | 60 s |
| Victoria: abstract reasoning | 45 | 20 min | 27 s |
| Victoria: numeracy | 30 | 35 min | 70 s |
| Victoria: report writing | 1 task | 35 min | Plan 5, write 25, check 5 |
| Queensland: literacy | 30 | 35 min | 70 s |
| Queensland: abstract reasoning | 30 | 35 min | 70 s |
| Queensland: writing | 1 task | 35 min | Plan 5, write 25, check 5 |
Calculated by us from the question counts and times ACER publishes. Other forces don't publish section timings.
Victoria abstract reasoning
27 s
per question
Victoria numeracy
70 s
per question, numeric entry
QPSea literacy
70 s
per question
In practice, time every set. The tool shows how many minutes you took; divide by the number of questions and compare it with the targets above. If you're accurate but slow, practise at challenging difficulty with a strict timer. If you're fast but making errors, slow down and use the checklists.
A 4-week entrance exam study plan
- 1
Week 1: diagnose
30 min a dayOne set in every section (five sets), untimed. Record your scores and the type of each mistake. Write one practice piece in the writing marker. Pick your two weakest areas.
- 2
Week 2: fix the weakest
40 min a dayTwo sets a day in your weakest section and one in the second weakest. Re-read every explanation, including for questions you got right. Write two marked pieces this week.
- 3
Week 3: speed
45 min a daySwitch to timed sets at challenging difficulty. Aim for the per-question targets. Add one situational judgement set every other day. Write two timed pieces in 35 minutes.
- 4
Week 4: simulate
45–60 min a dayRun your force's sections back to back with the real timings. If you're sitting an ACER exam, do the official practice tests now. Rest the day before the exam.
Combine it with the rest of your application
The entrance test is usually only one stage. While you study, keep training for the fitness test with the beep test audio and check your numbers in the fitness test checker. Start interview practice early with the AI mock interview.
Free vs full access
The free tier is genuinely useful for a daily habit: one set of five questions and one marked written piece every day. Full access is for the final weeks, when you want volume, the challenging level in every section and full written feedback.
Entrance Exam Prep (AI)
Up to 40 AI practice sets a day with worked explanations, plus AI-marked writing
A$39.99one-off, no subscription
- ✓Up to 40 practice sets of 10 a day, for 180 days
- ✓Numeracy, verbal, logical reasoning, spelling and situational judgement
- ✓Moderate and challenging difficulty
- ✓A worked explanation for every answer
- ✓Full written-exercise marking, up to 20 a day
Secure payment by Stripe · 180 days' access · Price includes GST
Complete Recruit Prep Bundle
Mock interview, entrance exam prep and fitness plan for 6 months
A$79.99one-off, no subscription
- ✓Everything in Entrance Exam Prep
- ✓AI mock interview: up to 60 scored answers a day
- ✓Personalised fitness test pass plan
- ✓All for 180 days, one-off
Secure payment by Stripe · 180 days' access · Price includes GST
Before you pay, check whether you need a written exam at all. If you're applying to NSW or WA, or you're exempt in Victoria or SA (for example with a degree), the bundle or the interview tool may be the better use of your money.
Free email alerts
Know the day your force's entrance test changes
Exams change without much warning: SA dropped numeracy in 2025 and Queensland cut its QPSea to three parts. We track every force's test and email you when yours changes, plus new practice sets as we add them.
- ✓Entrance test and fee changes for your force
- ✓New practice question types as we add them
Frequently asked questions
Are these real police entrance exam questions?
No. Every question is original, written by AI in the style of Australian police aptitude tests. No force, ACER, TAFE SA, Talogy or SHL publishes its live questions, and we don't reproduce their practice material. Use our sets to build speed and accuracy, and use the official practice products for the exact on-screen format.
Which police forces have an entrance exam in Australia?
Victoria Police (ACER, four components), Queensland (the ACER-run QPSea), SA Police (TAFE SA reading and writing test), Tasmania Police (Talogy online suitability tests), NT Police (computer-based cognitive testing) and the AFP (SHL online tests). NSW and WA don't list a separate written entrance exam, though both use psychological testing.
How much does the Victoria Police entrance exam cost?
The Victoria Police Entrance Exam costs $284, and you pay it yourself. Re-sitting one component costs $135, two components $191, and three or more $284, according to ACER's Victoria Police site. You have three months to sit the exam once invited, and exemptions exist for degree holders and several other groups.
Is the Queensland police entrance test free?
It can be. ACER lists the QPSea at $0 when QPS sponsors your sitting and $279 when it doesn't, with a $107 late reschedule fee. QPS has paid for the assessment for eligible applicants since 2023, but conditions apply, so check with QPS Recruiting before you book.
Does WA Police have an entrance exam?
Not any more. The current WA Police Force process lists no written aptitude or cognitive entrance exam, and its FAQ says there's no standardised aptitude test score. You'll still sit a psychological evaluation in Stage 1, alongside the integrity check and the Physical Performance Evaluation.
What's the pass mark for the SAPOL recruitment test?
SA Police's TAFE SA test has a pass mark of 60% for reading comprehension and 60% for written expression. Since 14 April 2025 it has covered reading and writing only; spelling and numeracy were removed. You can resit after three months, and several groups are exempt, including degree holders.
Can I use AI to write my police application?
No, and Tasmania Police says so explicitly: AI tools such as ChatGPT may not be used for written answers, and random checks apply. Use this tool to practise and get feedback on your own writing, then write every application answer yourself. Assessors are looking for your voice and your examples.
How long should I study for the police entrance exam?
Most people benefit from four focused weeks of about 30 to 45 minutes a day, longer if maths or writing is a weak area. Start with a diagnostic set in every section, put most of your time into your two weakest, and finish with timed full-length practice in the final week.
What do I get if I pay?
For A$39.99 (one-off, 180 days) you get up to 40 practice sets of 10 questions a day in all five sections, at moderate or challenging difficulty, plus full written-exercise marking (up to 20 a day) with scores for each criterion, up to eight corrections and a rewritten opening. The A$79.99 Recruit Prep Bundle adds the AI mock interview and a fitness pass plan.
Evidence
Sources and how we checked them
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on 9 October 2026. Pay rates and rules change when new agreements are made, so check the source for the date you're reading this. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the page says so instead of guessing. Spotted an error? Read our corrections policy.
- ACER: Victoria Police Entrance Examination — components, timings and fees, read 9 Oct 2026
- Victoria Police: recruitment process — ACER as examination authority, $284 fee, exemptions
- ACER: QPS Entrance Assessment (QPSea) — three components, timings and fees, read 9 Oct 2026
- NSW Police Force recruitment: Application process — entrance or aptitude testing
- Victoria Police: Police recruitment process — entrance or aptitude testing
- Let's Join Forces (WA Police Force): Entry-level officer recruitment process — entrance or aptitude testing
- SAPOL: Recruitment process — entrance or aptitude testing
- Tasmania Police Recruitment: Online Suitability Testing — entrance or aptitude testing
- NTPFES: Constable recruitment page — entrance or aptitude testing
- AFP Online testing for new recruits (PDF) — entrance or aptitude testing
- TAFE SA: SAPOL Recruitment Tests practice set — official practice product
Related guides
Tools and calculators
More in this series
General information, not advice. This guide explains published rules and rates. It doesn't consider your personal circumstances and isn't financial, legal, tax or credit advice. Confirm anything you rely on with your force, your police association, the ATO or a licensed professional.