WA Police Officer Exam Study Guide (2026)
Everything the WA Police Force Officer (Entry-Level Recruit to Probationary 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 | Psychometric/entrance evaluation covering cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, personality, behaviour and psychological wellbeing. WA Police does not publish the number of questions or the types of cognitive item |
|---|---|
| Time | Not published by WA Police |
| Passing score | No published pass mark. The evaluation includes measures that identify inconsistent or overly favourable responding, which can affect the validity of your results. Results feed a holistic review panel with your interview, integrity, fitness and work history |
| Format | Answer every assessment openly and honestly. Because WA does not publish its cognitive item types, our practice covers the verbal, numerical, abstract and logical reasoning that cognitive ability tests usually contain. These are original practice items, not real WA Police questions |
| Certifying body | Western Australia Police Force, Police Recruiting (letsjoinforces.wa.gov.au; East Perth Recruitment Centre) |
| Test provider | Online application on Let's Join Forces; psychometric/entrance evaluation arranged by Police Recruiting; Physical Performance Evaluation (PPE) at the WA Police Academy, Joondalup; panel interview; final medical and vision assessment |
Mind map: the whole exam on one screen
Read the complete WA Police Officer study notes for “The Job and Eligibility”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 11 minutes of reading: What the job involves · Basic eligibility · Integrity and history · Tattoos and appearance, 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 WA police officer does and the basic eligibility rules: age, citizenship, licence and first aid, plus integrity and tattoo standards. No formal qualifications are needed.
Key facts
- The WA Police Force has about 9,000 employees, 200 police facilities and 15 policing districts across 2.5 million square kilometres, so regional service is a real part of the job.
- Eligibility: at least 17 years and 6 months old; an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident; a current manual C or automatic C-A licence (provisional accepted); a current first aid certificate (HLTAID003 or HLTAID011), which can be completed within 90 days of applying.
- No qualifications are required; WA Police says each application is assessed on individual merit.
- You complete an Integrity Declaration. Criminal offences and traffic infringements are assessed by nature, frequency, recency and your age at the time; some convictions mean you will not progress.
- Tattoos visible in a short-sleeve shirt are reviewed against the Commissioner's Uniform and Appearance Manual. Face tattoos are not permitted; neck and hand tattoos are considered case by case; images of drugs, death or violence are likely unsuitable.
- If you have lived in the ACT, NT, SA or Victoria for more than three months, you must provide your full licence history from that state.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Photograph any visible tattoos in a collared short-sleeve shirt before you start the application, and gather licence histories from other states early.
2. Cognitive Ability: Verbal and Numerical Reasoning
The psychometric/entrance evaluation assesses cognitive ability. WA does not publish the question types, so this topic practises the verbal and numerical reasoning that cognitive tests usually include.
Key facts
- Verbal analogies: say the relationship in a sentence ("evidence is what a verdict is built from") and apply the same sentence to each option.
- Vocabulary: picture the word in a familiar phrase; candid means frank, corroborate means confirm, mitigate means lessen.
- Comprehension: choose the statement the passage supports, not one that sounds reasonable. Watch "most", "less common", "more likely".
- Rates and totals: annual to weekly is divide by 52; weekly to a period is multiply by the number of weeks.
- Per-100 rates: fuel = distance / 100 x litres per 100 km.
- Percentage change = change / original value x 100. Estimate first (10% of the original) to sense-check.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Because WA does not publish the test format, practise mixed sets of verbal and numerical items against the clock rather than one type at a time.
3. Cognitive Ability: Abstract and Logical Reasoning
Pattern and logic items are a staple of cognitive ability testing. This topic covers letter and number series, rotating figures and syllogisms (statements that must be true).
Key facts
- Series: check the gaps between terms; if the gaps change, check how the gaps change (+2, +3, +4, +5).
- Convert letters to alphabet positions (A = 1) to turn a letter series into a number series.
- Rotating figures: name the angle and direction (45 degrees clockwise) and count steps carefully to the figure asked for.
- Syllogisms: "some A are B" and "all B are C" means some A are C, but not that all A are C or that all C are A.
- "Must be true" items reject anything that only might be true.
- Work quickly but check the final step; many errors come from answering for the wrong figure number.
Flashcards
Exam tip: For every logic item, ask "could this option be false given the statements?" If yes, it is not a "must be true" answer.
Test yourself on these topics
Take the free 15-question WA Police Officer test, then save your results to unlock your Readiness Score and the mistakes bank.
4. Personality, Emotional Intelligence and Wellbeing Measures
The same evaluation assesses emotional intelligence, personality, behaviour and psychological wellbeing, with built-in checks for inconsistent or overly favourable answers.
Key facts
- WA Police says the psychometric/entrance evaluation assesses cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, personality, behaviour and psychological wellbeing.
- Respond openly and honestly. The assessments contain measures that identify inconsistent or overly favourable responding, which may affect the validity of your results and your progression.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Before the test, write down three genuine weaknesses and how you manage them. Knowing yourself makes honest, consistent answers much easier.
5. Physical Performance Evaluation, Medical and Vision
The PPE at the WA Police Academy in Joondalup, then the final health, medical and vision assessment in Stage 3.
Key facts
- PPE minimums: modified Illinois agility in 20 seconds or less (men) or 22 seconds or less (women); 1 sit-up; 10 push-ups on toes; 30 kg grip strength; 35 kg bag lift and carry; beep test level 7.01 (men) or 6.01 (women).
- The tests reflect policing tasks such as pursuing offenders, handling and arresting resisting offenders, manual handling and long foot patrols.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Train to exceed the beep test standard by at least one level and practise the bag lift and carry with a weighted bag. Fitness may be checked again before you start at the Academy.
6. Panel Interview, Selection Criteria and Core Values
Stage 2: a panel interview assessing your suitability, followed by a review panel that looks at your whole application.
Key facts
- Five selection criteria: teamwork; personal drive and integrity; analytical, comprehension and problem-solving skills; adaptability and judgement; excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Four core values: Duty, Teamwork, Integrity and Care.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Map one STAR story to each selection criterion and one to each core value. Overlap is fine, but make sure no criterion is left without an example.
7. Application Strategy and Timeline
How the three stages fit together, what to upload, what is reimbursed and how the selection pool works.
Key facts
- Stage 1: integrity check, tattoo review, psychometric/entrance evaluation and Physical Performance Evaluation. Stage 2: panel interview and review panel. Stage 3: final health and medical, full background and integrity check, fingerprints and DNA, bankruptcy check.
- WA Police says the assessments take place over 3 to 4 months.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Keep every receipt from the start of your application. Reimbursement needs proof of payment, and it is easy to lose a first aid receipt from months earlier.
8. WA Police Academy and Probation
The 28-week recruit course at the WA Police Academy, probation, and pay under the WA Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024.
Key facts
- Recruits train for 28 weeks at the WA Police Academy in Joondalup, delivered by police trainers.
- Academy training salary: $74,309 a year (base, gross).
Flashcards
Exam tip: Look at regional postings seriously. WA is the largest state, and country service can bring housing support and allowances on top of base pay.
How to pass
- Answer the psychometric evaluation honestly and consistently. WA Police says it contains measures that detect inconsistent or overly favourable responding, so trying to look perfect can invalidate your results.
- Train above the PPE minimums: beep test 7.01 (men) or 6.01 (women), modified Illinois agility in 20 seconds (men) or 22 seconds (women), 10 push-ups on toes, 1 sit-up, 30 kg grip and a 35 kg bag lift and carry.
- Build interview examples around the five selection criteria (teamwork; personal drive and integrity; analytical, comprehension and problem-solving skills; adaptability and judgement; communication and interpersonal skills) and the four core values: Duty, Teamwork, Integrity and Care.
- Get your first aid certificate (HLTAID003 or HLTAID011) within 90 days of applying and take colour photos of any visible tattoos in a collared short-sleeve shirt to upload with your application.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the WA 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 WA Police Officer exam online?
It depends on the agency. Online application on Let's Join Forces; psychometric/entrance evaluation arranged by Police Recruiting; Physical Performance Evaluation (PPE) at the WA Police Academy, Joondalup; panel interview; final medical and vision assessment. 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 WA Police Officer exam?
No published pass mark. The evaluation includes measures that identify inconsistent or overly favourable responding, which can affect the validity of your results. Results feed a holistic review panel with your interview, integrity, fitness and work history. The exam has psychometric/entrance evaluation covering cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, personality, behaviour and psychological wellbeing. wa police does not publish the number of questions or the types of cognitive item and a time limit of not published by wa police.
What are the most tested topics?
The outline covers the job and eligibility, cognitive ability: verbal and numerical reasoning, cognitive ability: abstract and logical reasoning, personality, emotional intelligence and wellbeing measures, physical performance evaluation, medical and vision, panel interview, selection criteria and core values, application strategy and timeline, wa police academy and probation. Use the free practice test to see which ones you need most.
The premium WA Police Officer study path
Premium WA 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
- 2Cognitive Ability: Verbal and Numerical Reasoning8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 3Cognitive Ability: Abstract and Logical Reasoning8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 4Personality, Emotional Intelligence and Wellbeing Measures8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 5Physical Performance Evaluation, Medical and Vision7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 6Panel Interview, Selection Criteria and Core 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
- 8WA Police Academy 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
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Summarized from the recruiting agency's official candidate information and the rules cited, checked November 2026. Confirm current requirements with Western Australia Police Force, Police Recruiting (letsjoinforces.wa.gov.au; East Perth Recruitment Centre).