Illinois Correctional Officer Trainee Screening Exam (IDOC)

On the IDOC Correctional Officer Trainee screening, the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is described as a written examination measuring which two abilities?

• AReading comprehension and vocabulary
• BSpeed typing and data entry
• CPhysical strength and endurance
• DForeign-language fluency and translation

Read this IDOC procedure excerpt: 'No screening points are awarded for successful completion of the TABE. The TABE is used to establish a baseline for reading comprehension.' What does this passage tell you about the TABE's role in scoring?

• APassing the TABE adds zero points but is still required to advance
• BThe TABE is worth the most points of any exam
• CPassing the TABE automatically places you on the eligibility list
• DThe TABE is optional for all applicants

In a correctional report, an officer writes that an inmate was 'compliant' with a direct order. Which word is closest in meaning to 'compliant'?

• ACooperative
• BDefiant
• CConfused
• DInjured

An incident report describes an inmate's behavior as 'erratic.' What does 'erratic' most nearly mean?

• AUnpredictable and irregular
• BCalm and steady
• CPolite and respectful
• DSlow and deliberate

Read this passage: 'During count, all inmates must remain in their assigned cells and be visible to staff. An officer cannot clear a count until every inmate is accounted for.' According to the passage, when may an officer clear a count?

• AOnly after every inmate is accounted for
• BAs soon as the count begins
• CWhen most inmates are visible
• DWhen the shift supervisor leaves

A policy states: 'Contraband is any item an inmate is not authorized to possess.' Based on this definition, which of the following is contraband?

• AA cell phone an inmate hid in a mattress
• BA state-issued uniform worn by the inmate
• CA library book checked out properly
• DA meal tray issued at chow

An officer documents that two inmates had an 'altercation' in the dayroom. What does 'altercation' most nearly mean?

• AA noisy or angry dispute
• BA friendly conversation
• CA scheduled meeting
• DA shared meal

Read this rule: 'Visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID and be on the inmate's approved visiting list. Visitors who arrive after 1:00 p.m. will not be admitted.' A visitor arrives at 1:15 p.m. with valid ID and is on the approved list. What is the correct action?

• ADeny admission because the visitor arrived after 1:00 p.m.
• BAdmit the visitor because the ID is valid
• CAdmit the visitor because they are on the list
• DAdmit the visitor but limit the visit to 15 minutes

A passage notes that an officer must remain 'vigilant' throughout the shift. What does 'vigilant' most nearly mean?

• AWatchful and alert
• BRelaxed and casual
• CForgetful and distracted
• DLoud and forceful

Read this excerpt: 'An officer who observes a rule violation should document the facts objectively, recording only what was seen and heard, not opinions or conclusions.' Which sentence best follows this guidance?

• AThe inmate raised his voice and refused to return to his cell when ordered.
• BThe inmate was clearly trying to start a riot.
• CThe inmate is a troublemaker who always causes problems.
• DThe inmate probably wanted attention from the other officers.

An inmate handbook states that movement to the chow hall is conducted 'in an orderly and supervised manner.' What does the word 'orderly' most nearly mean here?

• AWell-controlled and organized
• BOptional and informal
• CRapid and unsupervised
• DRandom and scattered

Read this passage: 'Any officer who uses force must report it in writing before the end of the shift. The report must describe the level of force used and the reason it was necessary.' What must the report include?

• AThe level of force used and why it was necessary
• BOnly the inmate's name
• CA personal opinion about the inmate
• DThe officer's plans for the next shift

An officer describes a situation as 'volatile.' What does 'volatile' most nearly mean in this context?

• ALikely to change suddenly and become dangerous
• BCalm and unlikely to change
• CPermanent and unchanging
• DQuiet and peaceful

Read this rule: 'An inmate found in an area without an authorized pass is out of place and must be returned to his assigned location.' An officer finds an inmate in the law library with a valid, signed pass for that location. What is correct?

• AThe inmate is properly authorized and is not out of place
• BThe inmate must be disciplined for being out of place
• CThe inmate must be returned to his cell immediately
• DThe inmate's pass should be ignored

Which word means the opposite of 'authorized'?

• AProhibited
• BPermitted
• CApproved
• DAllowed

Read this passage: 'Keys are accountable items. At the start and end of each shift, an officer must count all keys, log them, and report any that are missing or broken immediately.' What should an officer do upon finding a key missing at shift's end?

• AReport it immediately
• BWait until the next shift to mention it
• CReplace it quietly without telling anyone
• DAssume another officer took it and do nothing

An officer notes that an inmate's account of an event was 'consistent' with video evidence. What does 'consistent' most nearly mean?

• AIn agreement with
• BIn conflict with
• CUnrelated to
• DMore detailed than

Read this excerpt: 'When two procedures appear to conflict, an officer should follow the procedure that gives greater priority to the safety and security of staff and inmates.' Two posted rules conflict. Which should the officer follow?

• AThe rule that better protects safety and security
• BWhichever rule was posted first
• CThe rule that is easier to follow
• DNeither rule until a supervisor decides next week

Which word best completes the sentence? 'The officer remained ____ during the disturbance, giving clear commands without losing control.'

• Acomposed
• Bfrantic
• Cindifferent
• Dabsent

Read this passage: 'All medication must be administered by medical staff. Officers may not store, handle, or distribute inmate medication.' An inmate asks an officer to hold his pills until later. What should the officer do?

• ARefuse and direct the request to medical staff
• BHold the pills as a favor
• CDistribute the pills at the inmate's request
• DStore the pills in the officer's pocket

An incident report uses the word 'apprehend.' What does 'apprehend' most nearly mean?

• ATo capture or take into custody
• BTo release from custody
• CTo question politely
• DTo ignore a violation

Read this passage: 'Searches of inmate property must be thorough but professional. Officers should leave the cell in the same general condition as they found it and document any contraband recovered.' Which action follows the passage?

• ASearch carefully, restore the cell, and document any contraband found
• BSearch quickly and skip documentation
• CLeave the cell in disarray to send a message
• DRemove authorized property as punishment

Which word is closest in meaning to 'restrict'?

• ALimit
• BExpand
• CEncourage
• DIncrease

Read this passage: 'An officer's first duty during any emergency is to ensure personal safety and the safety of others. Only after the scene is secure should the officer render aid or begin documentation.' What is the officer's first priority in an emergency?

• AEnsuring safety of self and others
• BWriting the incident report
• CRendering first aid before securing the scene
• DNotifying the inmate's family

An officer writes that an inmate became 'agitated' before the incident. What does 'agitated' most nearly mean?

• AUpset and restless
• BCalm and content
• CTired and sleepy
• DCooperative and helpful