100+ Free AFP Entrance Practice Questions

Pass your Australian Federal Police (AFP) Recruit Online Cognitive Testing exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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What number comes next in the sequence: 3, 6, 12, 24, ?

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Australian Public Service (APS) Graduate Recruitment Online Cognitive Assessment

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AFP Entrance Exam

3 sections

Cognitive Reasoning Areas (Recruit)

AFP / SHL

~46 min

Total Timed Cognitive Sections

AFP online testing breakdown

14 days

Window to Complete Testing

AFP Application Process

Testing Fee

Australian Federal Police

2-4 weeks

Time to Receive Outcome

AFP Application Process

3 attempts

Maximum Allowed (12 months apart)

Australian Federal Police

The AFP Recruit Online Cognitive Testing is the Australian Federal Police's free, timed online assessment delivered by SHL. Police recruits complete three reasoning sections — inductive, deductive, and numerical calculation — plus a personality questionnaire; the PSO stream takes only deductive reasoning and numerical calculation. There is no fee, candidates have 14 days to finish, and outcomes arrive within 2-4 weeks.

Sample AFP Entrance Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AFP Entrance exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Calculate: 7 + 6 × 3

A.39

B.25

C.21

D.13

Explanation: Order of operations (BODMAS/BIDMAS) requires multiplication before addition: 6 × 3 = 18, then 7 + 18 = 25. The AFP Numerical Calculation section specifically tests correct use of the order of operations.

2Calculate: (12 - 4) × 5

A.56

B.40

C.32

D.8

Explanation: Brackets are resolved first: 12 - 4 = 8, then 8 × 5 = 40. The AFP numerical section rewards working brackets before any other operation.

3What is 15% of 240?

A.24

B.36

C.40

D.48

Explanation: 15% = 0.15, so 0.15 × 240 = 36. A quick mental method is 10% of 240 = 24 plus 5% (half of 10%) = 12, giving 24 + 12 = 36.

4Round 47.68 to one decimal place.

A.47.6

B.47.7

C.47.8

D.48.0

Explanation: The digit after the first decimal place is 8, which is 5 or more, so the first decimal digit rounds up from 6 to 7, giving 47.7. The AFP numerical section explicitly tests correct rounding.

5Calculate: 144 ÷ 12 + 3 × 2

A.30

B.18

C.16

D.12

Explanation: Division and multiplication are done before addition and from left to right: 144 ÷ 12 = 12 and 3 × 2 = 6, then 12 + 6 = 18.

6A patrol vehicle travels 180 km in 3 hours. What is its average speed?

A.45 km/h

B.54 km/h

C.60 km/h

D.90 km/h

Explanation: Average speed = distance ÷ time = 180 ÷ 3 = 60 km/h. This applies the standard speed formula tested in numerical reasoning.

7Calculate: 3² + 4²

A.14

B.25

C.49

D.7

Explanation: Powers are evaluated before addition: 3² = 9 and 4² = 16, then 9 + 16 = 25. The numerical section includes powers and square roots.

8What is √81 + √16?

A.13

B.15

C.11

D.97

Explanation: √81 = 9 and √16 = 4, so 9 + 4 = 13. Square roots are common in the AFP numerical calculation section.

9Calculate: 5 × (8 + 2) - 6

A.44

B.52

C.36

D.48

Explanation: Resolve the bracket first: 8 + 2 = 10, then 5 × 10 = 50, then 50 - 6 = 44. Brackets, then multiplication, then subtraction.

10A roster requires 24 officers split equally across 3 shifts, but one shift needs double the others. How many officers are on the busiest shift?

A.8

B.12

C.10

D.16

Explanation: Let a normal shift have x officers; the busy shift has 2x. So x + x + 2x = 24, giving 4x = 24, x = 6, and the busiest shift = 2x = 12.

About the AFP Entrance Exam

The Australian Federal Police Recruit Online Cognitive Testing is the timed online assessment stage of AFP recruitment, delivered by SHL. Police Officer (Recruit) applicants complete three cognitive reasoning sections — deductive (verbal) reasoning, inductive (abstract) reasoning, and numerical calculation — alongside a personality questionnaire that measures fit for a policing role. The Protective Service Officer (PSO) stream completes a reduced battery of deductive reasoning and numerical calculation. Candidates have 14 days from their invitation to complete the testing in a quiet location with reliable internet, and results are reported using standardised T-scores and percentiles. The cognitive testing is one stage of a multi-step process that also includes physical, medical, psychological, security, and integrity assessments.

Questions

38 scored questions

Time Limit

Approx. 46 minutes of timed cognitive sections; up to 14 days to complete all online testing

Passing Score

Standardised T-score/percentile benchmark (not publicly published)

Exam Fee

No fee (free online testing) (Australian Federal Police (AFP), with testing delivered by SHL)

AFP Entrance Exam Content Outline

~35%

Numerical Calculation

Timed arithmetic using correct order of operations, rounding, percentages, fractions, ratios, and unit conversions (about 11 questions in 10 minutes)

~30%

Inductive (Abstract) Reasoning

Pattern recognition across number series, letter series, abstract figures, and odd-one-out items (about 15 questions in 18 minutes)

~20%

Deductive (Verbal) Reasoning

Logical conclusions from given information, including sorting, ranking, scheduling, and calendar/resource constraints (about 12 questions in 18 minutes)

~15%

Personality Questionnaire & Test Awareness

Behavioural questionnaire on fit for a policing role, plus awareness of the AFP testing format, scoring, and pacing strategy

How to Pass the AFP Entrance Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Standardised T-score/percentile benchmark (not publicly published)
Exam length: 38 questions
Time limit: Approx. 46 minutes of timed cognitive sections; up to 14 days to complete all online testing
Exam fee: No fee (free online testing)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AFP Entrance Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master order of operations, rounding, and percentages first — numerical calculation is the most time-pressured AFP section at roughly 11 questions in 10 minutes.

2For deductive items, translate each clue into a simple order (A > B) and chain them before reading the options to solve ranking and scheduling fast.

3Build inductive speed by drilling number series, letter series, and abstract figure patterns until you spot the rule within seconds.

4Practise converting minutes to decimal hours and units (g to kg) so your working matches the answer format under time pressure.

5Use the free official AFP and SHL practice tests — they match the live format, and the AFP warns against paying third-party prep sites.

6Sit your timed practice in a quiet place with reliable internet, exactly as the AFP requires for the real online testing.

7Answer the personality questionnaire honestly and consistently; it measures fit for a policing role, not right-or-wrong reasoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AFP entrance exam?

The AFP entrance exam is the Australian Federal Police's online cognitive testing stage, delivered by SHL. Police recruits complete deductive (verbal) reasoning, inductive (abstract) reasoning, and numerical calculation sections, plus a personality questionnaire, all completed online within 14 days of the invitation.

What sections are on the AFP cognitive test?

Police Officer (Recruit) applicants take three timed reasoning sections — inductive (abstract) reasoning, deductive (verbal) reasoning, and numerical calculation — plus a personality questionnaire. The Protective Service Officer (PSO) stream takes only deductive reasoning and numerical calculation.

How many questions and how long is each section?

Reported breakdowns show about 15 inductive (abstract) questions in 18 minutes, about 12 deductive (verbal) questions in 18 minutes, and about 11 numerical calculation questions in 10 minutes. The personality questionnaire is untimed in the same way as the reasoning sections.

How much does the AFP entrance exam cost?

There is no fee. The AFP provides the online testing and official practice tests free of charge and advises candidates not to pay third parties for practice material.

What score do I need to pass?

The AFP does not publish a fixed passing percentage. Results are reported using standardised scores such as T-scores and percentiles, benchmarked against a comparison group, and the AFP determines who progresses to later stages.

Can I retake the AFP cognitive test?

Yes. Unsuccessful candidates may reapply 12 months after their attempt, with a maximum of three attempts before becoming permanently ineligible for the role.

Is the AFP test taken online or at a centre?

It is taken online and self-administered. The AFP recommends completing it in a quiet location with reliable internet access, and candidates have 14 days from the invitation to finish, with extensions available on request.

When do I get my AFP test results?

Candidates generally receive their online testing outcome within 2 to 4 weeks of completing the assessment, after which successful applicants progress to the next stage of recruitment.