NSW Police Force Officer (Student Police Officer to Probationary Constable): free practice test
NSW police officers start as students in the Associate Degree in Applied Policing (ADAP), delivered by Western Sydney University with the NSW Police Force: 16 weeks of online study, then 16 paid weeks at the Goulburn Academy, attestation as a Probationary Constable and a 12-month probation in the field. Recruitment runs in seven stages: eligibility, pre-application documents, the Aquatic Rescue Sequence, the online Professional Suitability Application with background checks, the Physical Capacity Test, psychometric testing and a medical, an interview if needed, final checking and an ADAP offer. There is no entrance exam; academic entry is an ATAR of 50 or an equivalent qualification.
Watch the free 4:31 video lesson: the key NSW Police Officer concepts →
Premium: 3,000 practice questions, 6 full mock exams, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes, topic by topic. See the study path ·
- Lesson 2: Eligibility rules and the online eligibility quizAge, residency, licence and driving rules, and what disqualifies you before you apply.
- Lesson 3: Body Art and Modification Policy explainedWhich tattoos and modifications are reviewed, conditional passes and how to request review.
- Lesson 4: ADAP academic entry and the UPPAP routeATAR fifty, equivalent qualifications, English language rules and the guaranteed bridging pathway.
- Lesson 5: Building your certified document packEvery required document, JP certification, address evidence and overseas penal clearances.
- Lesson 6: Aquatic Rescue Sequence: passing the swim certificateWhat the assessor checks, how to book it and its five-year validity.
- Lesson 7: Completing the Professional Suitability ApplicationSection by section, with the disclosure questions that most often cause rejection.
- Lesson 8: Background checks, references and fingerprintingWhat your case manager verifies and how to keep your history consistent.
- Lesson 9: Disclosing traffic and criminal historyHow to describe past matters factually, accept responsibility and show change.
- Lesson 10: Beep test to level 7.1 and beyondAn eight-week shuttle-run plan with pacing for a single-attempt test.
- Lesson 11: Push-ups, prone bridge and handgrip standardsTechnique faults that void reps and a strength plan to clear each standard.
- Lesson 12: Illinois agility and vertical jump techniqueCourse lines, cone traps, starting from prone and jump measurement explained.
- Lesson 13: Psychometric assessment: what it measuresPsychological suitability, consistency of answers and the psychologist follow-up interview.
- Lesson 14: The section 7 Statement of ValuesAll eight values from the Police Act 1990 applied to real scenarios.
- Lesson 15: Situational judgement and the Code of ConductChoosing lawful, honest, properly reported actions in ethical dilemmas.
- Lesson 16: Reading comprehension for police studyEvidence-based answers, detail checking and common distractor patterns.
- Lesson 17: Report writing: facts, sequence and plain EnglishTurning an incident into an objective, time-ordered report without opinion words.
- Lesson 18: Numeracy for policing: rates and percentagesSpeed, time, percentage change and roster calculations with worked examples.
- Lesson 19: The medical assessment and specialist reportsHow the external medical works, costs and preparing relevant health records.
- Lesson 20: The recruitment interview: STAR model answersBehavioural questions on integrity, conflict and past mistakes with model answers.
- Lesson 21: Final checking, class dates and your ADAP offerWorking back from fixed class dates and avoiding last-minute delays.
- Lesson 22: Session 1 and the Goulburn AcademyOnline study, residentials, station placement and full-time Academy life.
- Lesson 23: Attestation and your probationary yearProbationary Constable duties, remaining ADAP subjects and confirmation as Constable.
Keep going after the free lesson. Every topic gets its own lesson, plus the full question bank, timed simulations and study tools.
About the NSW Police Officer exam
NSW police officers start as students in the Associate Degree in Applied Policing (ADAP), delivered by Western Sydney University with the NSW Police Force: 16 weeks of online study, then 16 paid weeks at the Goulburn Academy, attestation as a Probationary Constable and a 12-month probation in the field. Recruitment runs in seven stages: eligibility, pre-application documents, the Aquatic Rescue Sequence, the online Professional Suitability Application with background checks, the Physical Capacity Test, psychometric testing and a medical, an interview if needed, final checking and an ADAP offer. There is no entrance exam; academic entry is an ATAR of 50 or an equivalent qualification.
What's on the exam
Each branch is a topic in the official outline. Members see every key fact on the full mind map. Read the free study guide →
How to pass the NSW Police Officer exam
- Get your paperwork right first. Every document (birth certificate, citizenship, licence, proof of two addresses in the last 5 years, the declaration and consent form) must be certified by a Justice of the Peace before you scan and upload it with the PSA.
- Book the Aquatic Rescue Sequence early with a licensed swim instructor at a council pool. It is a required qualification for the application and the certificate stays valid for 5 years.
- Train for all six Physical Capacity Tests, not just the beep test: 30 kg handgrip each hand, 90-second prone bridge, 30 cm vertical jump, 25 push-ups, Illinois agility in 20 seconds and beep test level 7.1. Push-ups, prone bridge and beep test allow one attempt only, and you get only two testing days.
- Disclose everything. NSW Police says failing to disclose important information can lead to your application being rejected, so declare traffic matters, police contact and associations in full and tell your case manager about anything new.
Save your results and get your Readiness Score
Create a free account after the test: your score by topic, a mistakes bank, the complete study notes for the first topic, flashcards and the Hiring Process Cheat Sheet.
What's in the premium NSW Police Officer prep
Premium NSW Police Officer prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.
Your step-by-step study path
- 1The Job and Eligibility8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Notes free with an account
- 2Academic Suitability and the ADAP8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 3Reading, Writing and Numeracy for Police Study8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 4Psychometric Assessment and the Statement of Values8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 5Physical Capacity Test, Aquatic Rescue and Medical7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 6Professional Suitability, Vetting and Interview7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 7Application Strategy and Timeline7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 8Academy Training and Probation7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- Final step: 6 full mock exams50 questions each, timed like test day. Pass them, then book your exam.Premium
Read the complete NSW Police Officer study notes for “The Job and Eligibility”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 12 minutes of reading: What the job involves · Minimum eligibility · Academic and English requirements · Professional suitability · Other pathways into NSW policing, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.
Study tools included
3,000 practice questions
3,000 exam-style questions per exam, organized topic by topic in sets of 25. Every answer explained, with the rule it comes from.
6 full mock exams
6 full-length timed mock exams per exam, with real question counts and time limits, so test day feels like practice day.
Exam Readiness Score
One 0 to 100 number that tells you when you're ready to book. Reach 80 and you're covered by our Pass Guarantee.
800 flashcards + spaced repetition
800 flashcards per exam, in a deck for each topic, that come back right before you'd forget them. Five minutes a day keeps every number fresh.
60 comprehensive key notes
60 key notes per exam, split across its topics and each explained in full: the concepts, worked exam examples, the traps examiners use and a quick recap. Your first set is free with an account.
Mind maps
See the whole exam on one screen: every topic and the facts under it.
Sample questions with answers
These are the questions in the free test above, with answers. Try the test first. You'll learn more by getting some wrong.
1. Read the notice: "Riverside car park will close from 6 pm Friday to 6 am Monday for resurfacing. Vehicles left there after 6 pm Friday will be moved to Level 2 of the Station Street car park at no cost to owners. During the closure, permit holders may park free in Station Street; all other drivers pay normal rates." Which statement is supported by the notice?
2. NSW Police's salary page says a Student Police Officer in Session 2 of the ADAP is paid $1,360 a week for the 16 weeks at the Academy, plus superannuation and allowances. What is the total base pay for Session 2?
3. A police district recorded 240 break-and-enter reports last year and 204 this year. What is the percentage decrease?
4. Which sentence is the most suitable for a police report?
5. A patrol car travels 54 km in 40 minutes. What is its average speed?
6. All officers on the night roster attended the 9 pm briefing. Constable Lee did not attend the 9 pm briefing. Which statement must be true?
7. What number comes next in the series 3, 7, 15, 31, ...?
8. Which sentence uses Australian spelling throughout?
9. Which applicant meets the academic eligibility rules for the Associate Degree in Applied Policing?
10. You are a Probationary Constable. At a barbecue a friend offers to sell you a new television for a quarter of the shop price and says not to ask where it came from. What should you do?
11. On patrol, your senior partner speaks to a young Aboriginal man with insulting comments about his background, although he has done nothing wrong. What is the best response?
12. While your NSW Police application is being processed, you receive a speeding fine. What should you do?
13. Which applicant passes all six NSW Police Physical Capacity Tests?
14. Which person is NOT yet eligible to apply to the NSW Police Force?
15. Under the ADAP model, when does a NSW police recruit first become a paid NSW Police Force employee?
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- Readiness Score & detailed reports
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- One career of your choice: any police force, APS, Defence, border, corrections, fire or state public service career
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: hiring process cheat sheet, interview answer builder, fitness test table and more
- Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back
Renews once a year until you cancel. We email you before each renewal. Cancel any time from your account; you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.
Certification guide
Australian police entrance tests explained: Every Australian police force tests applicants before it invites them further, but no two forces use the same test. Victoria Police uses a four-part ACER exam, Queensland the QPS Entrance Assessment, South Australia a reading and writing test through TAFE SA, WA a psychometric and entrance evaluation, and the AFP online tests before its fitness assessment. Here is what each force publishes about its tests, fitness standards and process, with links to the [official recruiting sites](https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-recruitment-process).
NSW Police Officer exam FAQ
How many questions are on the NSW Police Officer exam?
No ACER-style entrance exam. Academic entry is through Western Sydney University's ADAP admission (Year 12 HSC with an ATAR of 50 or an equivalent qualification). The test sat during recruitment is a psychometric assessment of psychological suitability; NSW Police does not publish its format or number of questions, with a time limit of not published. nsw police says no preparation is required for the psychometric assessment and full instructions are given on the testing day. Format: psychometric assessment: follow the instructions given on the day and answer honestly. our practice questions cover the reading, writing, numeracy and judgement skills the adap and the suitability stages rely on. they are original practice items, not real nsw police test questions.
What is the passing score for NSW Police Officer?
No published pass mark. The psychometric results are reviewed for psychological suitability and you may be asked to attend an interview with a NSW Police Force psychologist. Academic entry needs an ATAR of 50 or an equivalent qualification; applicants who fall short may be offered the Undergraduate Preparation Program in Applied Policing (UPPAP).
How much does the NSW Police Officer exam cost?
No application fee is published. You pay for the Aquatic Rescue Sequence assessment, the medical assessment (including any specialist reports), certification of documents, any overseas penal clearance certificate and any interstate driving history report. Most government agencies charge no application fee, but some tests and checks cost money (for example Victoria Police's entrance exam, medicals, first aid certificates and police checks). Confirm current costs on the agency's recruiting website before you apply.
Which languages is the NSW Police Officer exam offered in?
English (Western Sydney University's English language proficiency rules apply; work experience is not accepted as proof).
Where do I take the NSW Police Officer exam?
Professional Suitability Application (PSA) lodged online through iworkfor.NSW; academic entry assessed by Western Sydney University; fitness, psychometric testing and fingerprinting arranged by your recruitment case manager; medical assessment by the external provider Cogent Thinking.
Is this NSW Police Officer practice test free?
Yes. The 15-question practice test on this page is free, with an explanation for every answer and no signup. A free account also unlocks the complete study notes for the first topic. The full NSW Police Officer prep is Premium at A$89 a month for this exam.
What's in the premium NSW Police Officer prep?
3,000 practice questions organized topic by topic (The Job and Eligibility: 375; Academic Suitability and the ADAP: 375; Reading, Writing and Numeracy for Police Study: 375; Psychometric Assessment and the Statement of Values: 375; Physical Capacity Test, Aquatic Rescue and Medical: 375; Professional Suitability, Vetting and Interview: 375; Application Strategy and Timeline: 375; Academy Training and Probation: 375), 6 full-length timed mock exams of 50 questions, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes split across all 8 topics, plus a mistakes bank and the Readiness Score.
Compare NSW Police Officer with other government careers
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Queensland Police Service Officer (Recruit to First Year Constable)
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Exam details are summarized from the official candidate information available in November 2026. The recruiting agency changes formats and fees, so confirm with NSW Police Force Recruitment Branch (police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment), with Western Sydney University delivering the Associate Degree in Applied Policing (ADAP) before you book. AusGovCareer is an independent career-prep service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.