100+ Free APCAT Practice Questions
Pass your Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test (APCAT) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
A patrol shift starts at 1430 hours and lasts 10 hours and 45 minutes. At what time does the shift end?
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Key Facts: APCAT Exam
120
Multiple-Choice Questions
Calgary Police Service APCAT brochure
84 / 120
Passing Score (70%)
Calgary Police Service
5 areas
Cognitive Sections
APCAT Candidate Brochure
30 min
Pretest Booklet Review
Calgary Police Service
2 hr 15 min
Testing Time
APCAT Candidate Brochure
No penalty
For Wrong Answers
APCAT Candidate Brochure
The APCAT is Alberta's standardized police entrance exam: 120 multiple-choice questions completed in 2 hours and 15 minutes, preceded by a 30-minute Pretest Study Booklet review. It measures five areas — judgment, observation skills, learning and memory recall, written communication, and problem analysis. Candidates need 70 per cent (84 out of 120) to pass. The APCAT is the first written gate before physical, background, polygraph, psychological, and medical stages.
Sample APCAT Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your APCAT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1You and your partner arrive at the scene of a domestic dispute between two residents. In what order should you carry out the following actions? I. Determine the marital status of the persons II. Check for available weapons III. Separate the two persons IV. Check for injuries
2You are parked at the corner of a busy intersection. You observe a toddler walking toward the intersection with no adult in sight. A sports car approaches rapidly and runs a red light. What should you do FIRST?
3You respond to a report of a person threatening others with a knife in a crowded shopping mall. Upon arrival, the suspect is shouting but standing alone in an open area away from the public. What is the most appropriate first action?
4While on patrol you observe a fellow officer accept cash from a driver during a traffic stop and then let the driver go without a ticket. What is the most appropriate action?
5You arrive at a two-vehicle collision. One driver is unconscious and not breathing normally, another person has a minor cut, traffic is backing up dangerously, and a witness wants to give a statement. What should you address FIRST?
6A member of the public approaches you at a community event and angrily complains that a previous officer was rude to them. The best response is to:
7You stop a vehicle for a broken tail light. The driver is cooperative, the documents are valid, and no other violations exist. Given the goal of community-oriented policing, the most appropriate response is usually to:
8You are dispatched to several simultaneous calls. Which call should receive the HIGHEST priority?
9During an arrest, a suspect stops resisting and complies with your commands. The level of force you use should:
10A confidential informant gives you tips that have proven accurate in the past. The informant now asks you to overlook their minor drug possession in exchange for continued cooperation. You should:
About the APCAT Exam
The Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test (APCAT) is the standardized written screening exam used by municipal police services across Alberta to assess a candidate's potential to complete police recruit training and perform as a police officer. It consists of 120 multiple-choice questions completed in 2 hours and 15 minutes, preceded by a 30-minute review of a Pretest Study Booklet that is then collected. The test measures five cognitive areas: judgment, observation skills, learning and memory recall, written communication, and problem analysis. A minimum score of 70 per cent (84 out of 120) is required to pass. The APCAT is typically the first written gate in a multi-stage hiring process that later includes physical abilities testing, a background investigation, a polygraph, and psychological and medical evaluations.
Questions
120 scored questions
Time Limit
Approximately 3 hours (30-minute booklet review plus 2 hours 15 minutes testing)
Passing Score
70% (84 out of 120)
Exam Fee
Varies by police service; some waive the fee (Individual Alberta police services (such as Calgary Police Service and Edmonton Police Service), proctored at approved testing sites)
APCAT Exam Content Outline
Judgment
Policing-scenario decision-making: prioritizing actions, assessing appropriate responses, ethics, de-escalation, and public safety
Problem Analysis
Inductive and deductive reasoning, numerical problems, logical sequences, pattern recognition, and analogies
Observation Skills
Recognizing details, spotting inconsistencies, and interpreting diagrams, maps, and visual information
Written Communication
Grammar, spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, punctuation, and clear report-style writing
Learning & Memory Recall
Questions drawn from a 30-minute Pretest Study Booklet covering wanted-person details, numbers, procedures, and forms
How to Pass the APCAT Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70% (84 out of 120)
- Exam length: 120 questions
- Time limit: Approximately 3 hours (30-minute booklet review plus 2 hours 15 minutes testing)
- Exam fee: Varies by police service; some waive the fee
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
APCAT Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the APCAT?
The Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test (APCAT) is the standardized written exam used by Alberta municipal police services to screen candidates. It has 120 multiple-choice questions measuring judgment, observation skills, learning and memory recall, written communication, and problem analysis.
How long is the APCAT and how many questions does it have?
The APCAT has 120 multiple-choice questions. Candidates first review a Pretest Study Booklet for 30 minutes, then have 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the test, for an overall session of roughly three hours.
What score do I need to pass the APCAT?
A minimum of 70 per cent is required to pass, which is 84 out of 120 questions answered correctly. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so candidates should answer every question.
What is the Pretest Study Booklet?
Before the test begins, candidates are given a Pretest Study Booklet with information such as wanted-person details, codes, numbers, and procedures, and have 30 minutes to memorize it. The booklet is then collected, and several questions throughout the exam test what was retained.
Who administers the APCAT and how much does it cost?
The APCAT is administered by individual Alberta police services, such as the Calgary Police Service and Edmonton Police Service. Any registration fee varies by agency; some services charge a fee while others waive it. Confirm cost with your target service.
Can I retake the APCAT if I fail?
Yes, but escalating waiting periods apply: typically one month before the second attempt, three months before the third, and six months for each subsequent attempt. Confirm the exact intervals with your target police service.
Do I need to study for the APCAT?
The APCAT measures reasoning and thinking ability rather than memorized subject knowledge, but practising the question types and the memory-booklet format improves speed and accuracy. Familiarity with the five areas helps candidates manage time and avoid common traps.
What happens after I pass the APCAT?
The APCAT is usually the first written gate. Candidates who pass move on to later stages, which typically include a physical abilities test, a background investigation, a polygraph, and psychological and medical evaluations before academy training.