Queensland Police Officer Exam Study Guide (2026)
Everything the Queensland Police Service Officer (Recruit to First Year Constable) tests, topic by topic: what each section covers, the facts that come up most, and how to study it. Pair it with the free 15-question practice test.
The exam at a glance
| Questions | QPSea, three components: Literacy 30 questions, Abstract reasoning 30 questions and Writing (one typed task) |
|---|---|
| Time | 1 hour 45 minutes: Literacy 35 min, Abstract reasoning 35 min, Writing 35 min, each timed and scored separately |
| Passing score | You must reach the minimum scaled score ('Standard Met') on all three components; the benchmark is shown on your results certificate (scores are mapped to the Australian Core Skills Framework). One re-sit of failed components is allowed. A pass stays valid for 3 years |
| Format | Computer-based, under live supervision via webcam at home or in person in Brisbane. Points are not deducted for wrong answers. ACER and QPS say only their own preparation material is official; our questions are original practice items, not real QPSea questions |
| Certifying body | Queensland Police Service (QPS) Recruiting (policerecruit.qld.gov.au) |
| Test provider | Expression of Interest and online application with QPS Recruiting; QPS Entrance Assessment (QPSea) run by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), mostly online with live remote supervision, or at limited in-person sessions in Brisbane; online panel interview; medical by a QPS-approved provider; psychological testing by the QPS Psychological Assessment Unit |
Mind map: the whole exam on one screen
Read the complete Queensland 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 · Age, education and work experience · Licence, citizenship and conduct · Other entry pathways, 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.
1. The Job and Eligibility
What a Queensland police officer does and who can apply through the General Entry pathway: age, education or work experience, licence, citizenship, conduct, fitness and appearance.
Key facts
- New officers serve as General Duties officers, the frontline of the QPS: protecting life and property, keeping the peace, preventing crime and upholding the law. You must be prepared to serve anywhere in Queensland.
- Age: at least 17.5 years old to apply and 18 to start recruit training, and able to finish the 12-month First Year Constable Program before the compulsory retirement age of 60.
- Education or work: currently completing Year 12 (with a QCE and a pass in English and Maths before the Academy), completed Year 12 or the Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (11240NAT), the IPROWD program, or three or more years of full-time (or equivalent) paid or recognised volunteer work.
- Licence: by graduation you need an open licence, or a provisional licence held for at least 12 months; you can apply once you have moved off your learner licence.
- Citizenship: Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen on a special category visa (experienced foreign police have a separate pathway).
- You must also show a high standard of past behaviour (traffic and criminal history), reasonable aerobic fitness and strength, and be physically and mentally fit for the duties of a constable.
- Tattoos are assessed on nature, location and prominence (for example face or above the uniform collar); offensive, hateful or illegal-group imagery is not acceptable. QPS says each case is considered on its merits.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Use the QPS online eligibility test before your Expression of Interest. If you are relying on work experience, list every job with dates now; it will be checked.
2. QPSea Literacy
The Literacy component of the QPS Entrance Assessment tests reading comprehension: 30 questions in 35 minutes. You must reach the minimum scaled score to progress.
Key facts
- ACER describes the literacy section as a test of reading comprehension. ACER does not publish the text types on its summary page; practise with everyday notices, articles and simple charts so nothing is unfamiliar.
- 35 minutes for 30 questions gives a little over a minute each. Read the question first, then find the evidence in the text.
- The right answer is the one the text supports. Distractors often go further than the text, reverse a detail or rely on general knowledge.
- Watch signal words: yet, although, however (contrast); therefore, so (conclusion); only, must, every, not simply (limits).
- Vocabulary-in-context: replace the word with each option and keep the one that keeps the meaning (corroborated = confirmed).
- Scores are reported as scaled scores mapped to the Australian Core Skills Framework, not percentages; the benchmark is shown on your results certificate.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Read one opinion piece a day and write a one-sentence summary of the writer's main point and one piece of evidence. That is exactly the skill main-idea questions test.
3. QPSea Abstract Reasoning
The Abstract reasoning component measures how quickly you find logical rules in visual patterns: 30 questions in 35 minutes.
Key facts
- Items show sequences or sets of figures. You find the rule (or rules) and pick the next figure, the missing figure or the one that breaks the pattern.
- Common rules: rotation (90 or 45 degrees, clockwise or anticlockwise), movement of an element around positions, counting sides, dots or lines, shading changes, size changes, and elements added or removed.
- Check how the change itself changes: +2, +3, +4 gives triangular numbers (1, 3, 6, 10, 15).
- For odd-one-out items, compare two features in each figure (for example sides and dots) to find the relationship three of them share.
- Name the rule before reading the options, then eliminate options that break it.
- You have just over a minute per item; move on from a hard item and come back if time allows.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Keep a list of every rule you meet in practice. After a few sessions you will recognise most items within seconds.
Test yourself on these topics
Take the free 15-question Queensland Police Officer test, then save your results to unlock your Readiness Score and the mistakes bank.
4. QPSea Writing
The Writing component is one typed task in 35 minutes, testing written communication. It is scored separately from Literacy and Abstract reasoning.
Key facts
- ACER describes it as a typed assessment of your writing skills. Practise typing a structured piece of a few hundred words in 35 minutes.
- Plan briefly: decide your main point, three supporting points and a conclusion before you type.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Practise with spell check off. Write, then spend the last 5 minutes reading your work aloud in your head; you will catch missing words and wrong apostrophes.
5. Fitness, Swim, Medical and Psychological Assessment
QPS checks your health and readiness through a pre-employment medical, a psychological assessment, a fitness test, a 100 m swim and Hepatitis B documentation.
Key facts
- Fitness: hold a prone bridge for at least 90 seconds; at least 10 standard push-ups on your toes at one every two seconds; beep test (20 m) to at least level 5.7.
- Swimming: 100 m continuously in any recognised stroke or combination, verified by an approved instructor or registered swimming organisation such as a council pool. You pay the assessment fee and bring photo ID and the form.
Flashcards
Exam tip: The push-up test is paced at one every two seconds, which is harder than fast reps. Train to a metronome so the cadence feels normal on the day.
6. Panel Interview, Integrity Vetting and QPS Values
Stage 4 is an online panel interview; after it come integrity vetting and the Recruit Screening Integrity Form. Both judge whether you share QPS values and have the attributes of a good officer.
Key facts
- QPS says it looks for people who share its values of integrity, respect and courage, with strong communication and problem-solving skills, a sense of responsibility, compassion and effective time management.
- The panel interview is held online with a panel of QPS members. Prepare STAR answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result) on teamwork, conflict, ethical choices, handling pressure and helping others.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Test your camera, microphone and lighting before the online interview and use a quiet room. Look at the camera when you answer; it reads as eye contact.
7. Application Strategy and Timeline
The ten QPS stages in order, how long they take and the deadlines that catch applicants out.
Key facts
- Stages: (1) Expression of Interest, (2) QPSea, (3) application submission, (4) panel interview, (5) pre-employment medical screening, (6) integrity vetting, (7) psychological assessment, (8) fitness and additional documents, (9) allocation and offer, (10) pre-appointment integrity vetting.
- QPS says applications take about 16 weeks on average from submission to letter of offer; longer if you have lived interstate or overseas, served in police, government or defence, have a complex medical history or integrity matters.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Order your full traffic histories, overseas clearances and Defence records (if relevant) as soon as you lodge your EOI. External agency delays are the most common cause of slow applications.
8. Recruit Training and the First Year Constable Program
Life at the QPS Academy, the First Year Constable Program, general duties tenure and pay.
Key facts
- The Recruit Training Program (RTP) runs about 32 weeks at the QPS Academy in Brisbane (Oxley) or Townsville; PACE, for experienced police, runs about 20 weeks.
- Training moves from theory and legislation to a skills block (physical skills, driver training, firearms, field craft) and ends with scenario-based training.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Nominate allocation preferences realistically. Regional postings are common for new constables, and QPS's Regional Guarantee and locality allowances can make them attractive.
How to pass
- Be ready before you lodge your Expression of Interest: once QPS sends your QPSea voucher you must redeem it within 72 hours and book a test date within 7 days, and the voucher can be used only once.
- Check the exemptions: an ATAR of 80 or more (or OP 1 to 10) with a C in Year 12 English and Maths, a bachelor's degree, an Australian diploma plus Australian Year 12 English and Maths, a Certificate IV in Justice Studies, or a QPSea pass in the last 3 years.
- Train past the fitness minimums: a 90-second prone bridge, 10 push-ups at one every two seconds and beep test level 5.7, plus a 100 m continuous swim verified by an approved swimming instructor or registered swimming organisation.
- Prepare STAR examples that show QPS's values of integrity, respect and courage, plus communication, problem-solving, responsibility, compassion and time management, which QPS lists as attributes of a good officer.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the Queensland Police Officer exam?
Most working candidates need 4 to 8 weeks at 45 to 60 minutes a day. Book your exam once your Readiness Score has stayed at 80 or higher for about a week.
Can I take the Queensland Police Officer exam online?
It depends on the agency. Expression of Interest and online application with QPS Recruiting; QPS Entrance Assessment (QPSea) run by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), mostly online with live remote supervision, or at limited in-person sessions in Brisbane; online panel interview; medical by a QPS-approved provider; psychological testing by the QPS Psychological Assessment Unit. Written and aptitude tests are often online now, but fitness tests, medicals and most assessment days are in person, and interviews may be in person or by video. Check the agency's recruiting website for the current arrangements.
What score do I need to pass the Queensland Police Officer exam?
You must reach the minimum scaled score ('Standard Met') on all three components; the benchmark is shown on your results certificate (scores are mapped to the Australian Core Skills Framework). One re-sit of failed components is allowed. A pass stays valid for 3 years. The exam has qpsea, three components: literacy 30 questions, abstract reasoning 30 questions and writing (one typed task) and a time limit of 1 hour 45 minutes: literacy 35 min, abstract reasoning 35 min, writing 35 min, each timed and scored separately.
What are the most tested topics?
The outline covers the job and eligibility, qpsea literacy, qpsea abstract reasoning, qpsea writing, fitness, swim, medical and psychological assessment, panel interview, integrity vetting and qps values, application strategy and timeline, recruit training and the first year constable program. Use the free practice test to see which ones you need most.
The premium Queensland Police Officer study path
Premium Queensland 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
- 2QPSea Literacy8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 3QPSea Abstract Reasoning8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 4QPSea Writing8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 5Fitness, Swim, Medical and Psychological Assessment7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 6Panel Interview, Integrity Vetting and QPS Values7 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
- 8Recruit Training and the First Year Constable Program7 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
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- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
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Summarized from the recruiting agency's official candidate information and the rules cited, checked November 2026. Confirm current requirements with Queensland Police Service (QPS) Recruiting (policerecruit.qld.gov.au).