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114+ Free FBI Phase I Test Practice Questions

Prepare for the FBI Special Agent Phase I Test (SAET, formerly SABT) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: FBI Phase I Test Exam

3 hrs

Phase I Duration

FBI SASS testing overview

5

Phase I Sections

FBI SASS testing overview

Pass/Fail

Scoring Model

fbijobs.gov

~30%

Reported Pass Rate

Third-party prep providers

2.5 hrs

Phase II Length

FBI SASS testing overview

$0

Candidate Fee

fbijobs.gov

Phase I is a 3-hour, pass/fail computer-based test with five sections: logic-based reasoning, figural reasoning, personality assessment, preferences and interests, and situational judgment. The FBI does not charge a fee and does not publish a numerical cutoff. Phase II is a separate evaluation (writing assessment plus structured interview, about 2.5 hours) given only to candidates who pass Phase I. Third-party prep providers report roughly 30% of candidates pass Phase I on first attempt.

Sample FBI Phase I Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FBI Phase I Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 114+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1All special agents have completed firearms qualification. No one without firearms qualification can carry a service weapon. Which conclusion follows necessarily?
A.Anyone who carries a service weapon is a special agent
B.All special agents can carry a service weapon
C.Some firearms-qualified personnel are not special agents
D.Special agents who are not firearms-qualified cannot carry a service weapon
Explanation: Because every special agent is firearms-qualified and firearms qualification is required to carry a service weapon, every special agent can carry a service weapon. The other choices either reverse the conditional or add unsupported groups.
2If a witness is cooperative, the agent files a short report. The agent did not file a short report. Which conclusion follows?
A.The witness was hostile
B.The witness was cooperative
C.The witness was not cooperative
D.The witness was unavailable
Explanation: This is modus tollens: if P then Q, not Q, therefore not P. We can only conclude the witness was not cooperative; we cannot infer hostility or unavailability without more facts.
3All evidence logged in Room A is sealed. Some sealed evidence is from Case 12. Which statement must be true?
A.All Case 12 evidence is in Room A
B.Some evidence in Room A may be from Case 12
C.All evidence in Room A is from Case 12
D.No Case 12 evidence is sealed
Explanation: We know Room A evidence is sealed and some sealed evidence is from Case 12. The overlap is possible but not required, so the only safe conclusion is that some Room A evidence may be from Case 12.
4No undercover assignments are public. Every public statement is reviewed by the press office. Which conclusion is supported?
A.Some undercover assignments are reviewed by the press office
B.Press office reviews are undercover
C.No undercover assignment is reviewed by the press office
D.Undercover assignments are not public statements
Explanation: If no undercover assignments are public and only public statements are reviewed by the press office, undercover assignments are not public statements. The other options confuse categories.
5Every agent on the surveillance team carries a radio. Agent Diaz is on the surveillance team. What must be true?
A.Agent Diaz may carry a radio
B.Agent Diaz carries a radio
C.Agent Diaz also carries a sidearm
D.All radio carriers are on the surveillance team
Explanation: This is a direct universal-instantiation: if every member carries a radio and Diaz is a member, Diaz carries a radio. The other options either weaken the conclusion or reverse the statement.
6If a tip is corroborated, it is added to the case file. A tip was not added to the case file. Which conclusion is valid?
A.The tip was anonymous
B.The tip was corroborated
C.The tip was not corroborated
D.The tip was credible
Explanation: Modus tollens: not added implies not corroborated. Anonymity and credibility were not the conditional's premise, so they cannot be concluded.
7Some informants are paid. All paid sources are vetted. Which conclusion is supported?
A.All informants are vetted
B.Some informants are vetted
C.No informants are paid
D.All vetted sources are informants
Explanation: Some informants are paid and all paid sources are vetted, so those paid informants are vetted, meaning some informants are vetted. We cannot conclude all informants are vetted.
8The dispatcher said: 'Agent Lee was at the scene by 9:00.' The log shows Agent Lee signed in at the scene at 9:08. Which statement most directly contradicts the dispatcher?
A.Agent Lee was at the scene before 9:00
B.Agent Lee was at the scene at 9:00
C.Agent Lee did not arrive at the scene until after 9:00
D.Agent Lee left the scene at 9:30
Explanation: Signing in at 9:08 means Lee did not arrive until after 9:00, which contradicts being at the scene by 9:00. Departure time and pre-9:00 arrival are unrelated to the contradiction.
9If an agent files an FD-302 on time, the supervisor signs off the same day. The supervisor did not sign off the same day. Which conclusion is valid?
A.The supervisor was unavailable
B.The FD-302 was filed on time
C.The FD-302 was not filed on time
D.Another agent filed the FD-302
Explanation: Modus tollens on 'if on time then signed same day': not signed same day means the form was not filed on time. Availability and authorship are not in the conditional.
10All members of the joint task force have federal clearance. Officer Park has federal clearance. Which conclusion follows?
A.Officer Park is on the joint task force
B.Officer Park may or may not be on the joint task force
C.Officer Park does not have a state badge
D.All federal clearance holders are on the task force
Explanation: Clearance is necessary but not sufficient: every member has clearance, but not every clearance holder is a member. So Park may or may not be on the task force.

About the FBI Phase I Test Exam

The FBI Special Agent Phase I Test, also called the SAET (legacy SABT), is the first hurdle in the FBI Special Agent Selection System. It is a three-hour computer-based exam covering logic-based reasoning, figural reasoning, personality assessment, preferences and interests, and situational judgment. Candidates who pass Phase I advance to Phase II, which is a separate writing assessment and structured interview lasting about 2.5 hours.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Pass/Fail (FBI does not publish a cutoff)

Exam Fee

$0 (FBI Special Agent Selection System (SASS) via FBI partners and field offices)

FBI Phase I Test Exam Content Outline

11 items

Logic-Based Reasoning

Deductive reasoning, syllogisms, conditional rules, and contradiction detection from short factual passages

9 items

Figural Reasoning

Pattern completion, matrix reasoning, and spatial relationships across shape sequences

19 items

Situational Judgment

Federal law enforcement scenarios testing ethics, teamwork, integrity, and judgment under pressure

100 statements

Personality Assessment

Non-scored self-report biodata section: forced-choice trait statements profiling integrity, conscientiousness, and emotional control (no right or wrong answers)

37 items

Preferences And Interests

Non-scored self-report biodata section: agreement-scale statements on federal law enforcement values and mission fit (no right or wrong answers)

How to Pass the FBI Phase I Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/Fail (FBI does not publish a cutoff)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: $0

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 114 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

FBI Phase I Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treat Phase I and Phase II as distinct hurdles: Phase I is the 3-hour cognitive and behavioral test; Phase II is a separate writing assessment plus structured interview.
2Drill logic-based reasoning daily; the section rewards careful reading of 'all', 'no', 'some', and 'if-then' statements without bringing in outside facts.
3Practice figural matrix and pattern problems by naming the transformation rule out loud (rotation, reflection, addition, count change) before picking an answer.
4On personality and preferences items, answer consistently with FBI work demands: integrity, conscientiousness, emotional control, mission focus, and team orientation.
5For situational judgment, prefer actions that protect mission integrity and chain of command, document facts, and escalate ethics concerns through proper channels.
6Use only information given in each item; FBI items are designed so outside legal or operational knowledge is unnecessary and can mislead.
7Build endurance with timed full-length sets so 3 continuous hours of testing feels routine before test day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FBI Phase I Test?

The FBI Phase I Test, also called the SAET (legacy SABT), is a 3-hour computer-based exam used in the FBI Special Agent Selection System. It has five sections: logic-based reasoning, figural reasoning, personality assessment, preferences and interests, and situational judgment.

How long is the FBI Phase I Test?

The Phase I Test is 3 hours long. It is a single sitting that combines all five assessments and is administered through FBI partners and field offices.

What is the difference between Phase I and Phase II?

Phase I is the 3-hour computer-based test of reasoning, personality, and judgment. Phase II is a separate evaluation, roughly 2.5 hours, that consists of a writing assessment and a structured interview, given only to candidates who pass Phase I.

What score do I need to pass the FBI Phase I Test?

Phase I is pass/fail. The FBI does not publish a numerical cutoff score. Candidates either advance to Phase II or are notified that they did not pass.

Does the FBI charge a fee for the Phase I Test?

No. The FBI does not charge a candidate fee for Phase I; the test is part of the federal hiring process administered by the FBI.

How often can I retake the FBI Phase I Test?

Re-test eligibility is controlled by the FBI on a case-by-case basis within an active application cycle. Failing candidates may be barred from reapplying for a defined period before being eligible again.

Who can apply to become an FBI Special Agent?

Applicants must be US citizens, generally aged 23 to 36 at appointment, hold a four-year degree from an accredited US institution, have at least two years of full-time professional work experience (or one year with an advanced degree), hold a valid driver license, and pass a Top Secret SCI background investigation.

How many candidates pass FBI Phase I?

The FBI does not publish an official pass rate. Third-party prep providers commonly report that roughly 30% of candidates pass Phase I on their first attempt, making preparation critical.