100+ Free Kenya Prisons Service Practice Questions

Pass your Kenya Prisons Service Cadet/Constable Aptitude Test — Kenya exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Kenya Prisons Service Exam

Free

Recruitment Fee (Entirely Free)

Kenya Prisons Service Official Statement

18–30

Age Eligibility for Cadet Officer Applicants

KPS Recruitment Guidelines

Cap 90

Laws of Kenya Governing Prisons

Laws of Kenya: Prisons Act

Patrick Aranduh

Current Commissioner General of Prisons

Kenya Prisons Service Leadership

9 Months

Duration of Mandatory Cadet Training Course

Prisons Staff Training College Ruiru

5'4" / 5'2"

Minimum Height for Male and Female Recruits

KPS Physical Standards

The Kenya Prisons Service Cadet/Constable Aptitude Test is a free selection assessment evaluating numerical, verbal, situational judgment, and general knowledge (including Prisons Act Cap 90). Recruitment is open to Kenyan citizens aged 18-30 with a clean record and physical fitness, held at designated centers.

Sample Kenya Prisons Service Practice Questions

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

1A prison warder earns a monthly basic salary of Kshs 30,000. If a 15% housing allowance and a Kshs 5,000 risk allowance are added, what is the warder's total monthly gross salary?

A.Kshs 39,500

B.Kshs 34,500

C.Kshs 35,000

D.Kshs 41,000

Explanation: To calculate the gross salary, find the housing allowance: 15% of Kshs 30,000 = (15/100) * 30,000 = Kshs 4,500. Then, add the basic salary, housing allowance, and risk allowance: 30,000 + 4,500 + 5,000 = Kshs 39,500. Therefore, the gross salary is Kshs 39,500.

2During a morning roll call at a correctional facility, 12 out of 80 prison officers are assigned to patrol the outer perimeter. What percentage of the officers is on outer perimeter patrol?

A.15%

B.12%

C.20%

D.18%

Explanation: To find the percentage, divide the number of officers on perimeter duty by the total number of officers and multiply by 100: (12 / 80) * 100 = 0.15 * 100 = 15%. This means 15% of the total staff is deployed to the perimeter.

3A prison workshop has 48 carpentry tools. The ratio of hammers to saws to chisels is 5:3:4. How many chisels are in the workshop?

A.16 chisels

B.20 chisels

C.12 chisels

D.15 chisels

Explanation: To find the number of chisels, add the ratio parts together: 5 + 3 + 4 = 12 total parts. Since chisels represent 4 parts out of 12, calculate the number as: (4 / 12) * 48 = (1 / 3) * 48 = 16 chisels. Therefore, there are 16 chisels.

4An officer logs the duration of four guard shifts as 8.5 hours, 7.25 hours, 6.75 hours, and 8.0 hours. What is the total duration of these four shifts combined?

A.30.5 hours

B.29.5 hours

C.31.0 hours

D.30.25 hours

Explanation: To find the total duration, add the decimal representations of the hours: 8.5 + 7.25 + 6.75 + 8.0 = 30.5 hours. Summing the fractional hours: 0.5 (30 mins) + 0.25 (15 mins) + 0.75 (45 mins) = 1.5 hours, which when added to 8 + 7 + 6 + 8 = 29 hours gives 30.5 hours.

5In a prison section, the ratio of warders to inmates is 1:25. If there are 600 inmates in this section, how many warders are deployed there?

A.24 warders

B.20 warders

C.30 warders

D.25 warders

Explanation: Since the ratio of warders to inmates is 1 to 25, the number of warders is calculated by dividing the total number of inmates by 25: 600 / 25 = 24 warders. This ensures that the supervisor-to-inmate ratio is maintained.

6A training squad of cadets has an average age of 24 years. If there are 15 cadets in the squad, what is the sum of all their ages?

A.360 years

B.340 years

C.375 years

D.350 years

Explanation: The sum of ages is calculated by multiplying the average age by the total number of individuals: Average = Sum / N, so Sum = Average * N = 24 * 15 = 360 years. Thus, the total sum of their ages is 360 years.

7A storage tank has a capacity of 1,200 liters of water. If it is currently 75% full, how many liters of water are missing from the tank?

A.300 liters

B.900 liters

C.250 liters

D.400 liters

Explanation: If the tank is 75% full, the percentage of missing water is 100% - 75% = 25%. To find the volume of missing water, calculate 25% of 1,200 liters: (25/100) * 1,200 = 0.25 * 1,200 = 300 liters. Alternatively, 1,200 - (0.75 * 1,200) = 1,200 - 900 = 300 liters.

8A prison food store receives a shipment of maize flour bags weighing 90 kg each. If the store's forklift has a maximum carrying capacity of 1.2 metric tonnes, what is the maximum number of full bags it can carry at once? (1 metric tonne = 1,000 kg)

A.13 bags

B.14 bags

C.12 bags

D.15 bags

Explanation: Convert the capacity to kilograms: 1.2 metric tonnes = 1.2 * 1,000 = 1,200 kg. Now divide the maximum weight capacity by the weight of one bag: 1,200 / 90 = 13.33. Since we can only carry whole bags, the maximum number of full bags is 13 (carrying 14 would exceed capacity: 14 * 90 = 1,260 kg).

9A correctional department's annual maintenance budget was increased from Kshs 4.5 million to Kshs 5.13 million. What was the percentage increase in the budget?

A.14%

B.12%

C.15%

D.10%

Explanation: First, calculate the absolute increase in the budget: Kshs 5.13 million - Kshs 4.5 million = Kshs 0.63 million. Next, divide this increase by the original budget and multiply by 100: (0.63 / 4.5) * 100 = 0.14 * 100 = 14%. The percentage increase is 14%.

10An officer obtains a personal development loan of Kshs 150,000 from the Magereza Sacco at a simple interest rate of 8% per annum. What is the total interest accrued if the loan is paid back in full after 3 years?

A.Kshs 36,000

B.Kshs 12,000

C.Kshs 45,000

D.Kshs 186,000

Explanation: Simple interest is calculated using the formula: Interest (I) = Principal (P) * Rate (R) * Time (T). Here, P = 150,000, R = 8% (0.08), and T = 3 years. Calculate: I = 150,000 * 0.08 * 3 = 12,000 * 3 = Kshs 36,000. The interest accrued is Kshs 36,000.

About the Kenya Prisons Service Exam

The Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) Cadet/Constable Aptitude Test is a key selection tool used during recruitment. It evaluates candidates on verbal reasoning, numerical ability, situational judgment, and general knowledge of Kenya's history, constitution, and correctional systems. This multiple-choice practice bank contains 100 realistic items designed to prepare applicants for the written and oral evaluation components.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Varies by recruitment center

Passing Score

Based on competitive ranking

Exam Fee

Free (Kenya Prisons Service & Public Service Commission of Kenya)

Kenya Prisons Service Exam Content Outline

~25%

Numerical Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude

Arithmetic calculations, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, averages, interest, and quantitative reasoning

~25%

Verbal Reasoning & English Comprehension

English grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, spelling, and reading comprehension

~30%

General Knowledge & KPS Mandate

Kenya history, geography, Constitution of Kenya 2010, Prisons Act Cap 90, KPS ranks, and current affairs

~20%

Situational Judgment & Logical Reasoning

Ethical scenarios, de-escalation, conflict resolution, prison service integrity, and logical reasoning patterns

How to Pass the Kenya Prisons Service Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Based on competitive ranking
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Varies by recruitment center
Exam fee: Free

Keys to Passing

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

Kenya Prisons Service Study Tips from Top Performers

1Familiarize yourself with the Prisons Act (Cap 90) of the Laws of Kenya, particularly the sections on the powers of prison officers and custody of prisoners.

2Memorize the key leadership structure of the Kenya Prisons Service, including the current Commissioner General Patrick M. Aranduh.

3Understand the key provisions of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, specifically the Bill of Rights (Chapter Four) and Chapter Fourteen on National Security.

4Review basic mathematical concepts, such as percentages, ratio conversions, simple interest, and work-time problems, as numerical reasoning is a standard component.

5Build your vocabulary and revise English grammar rules, focusing on sentence structure, spelling corrections, and reading comprehension.

6Train physically to meet the running and endurance requirements, as physical fitness is assessed alongside cognitive skills.

7Practice situational judgment questions to understand how to handle ethical dilemmas, command authority, and de-escalate conflicts in a correctional setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kenya Prisons Service Cadet/Constable Aptitude Test?

It is an assessment used during the recruitment of constables and cadet officers to evaluate cognitive abilities, situational judgment, and general knowledge relevant to a career in correctional services.

Is there a fee to sit for the Kenya Prisons recruitment exam?

No. The recruitment process for the Kenya Prisons Service is entirely free of charge. Candidates should beware of scammers requesting money for 'calling letters' or exam entry.

Who is eligible to participate in the recruitment?

Kenyan citizens with a valid National ID, aged 18-28 for constables (with KCSE D+ or above) and 18-30 for cadets (with a relevant degree), who have no criminal record and meet physical height and fitness requirements.

What topics are covered on the written assessment?

The written evaluation typically tests English language skills, numerical reasoning, situational judgment (handling ethical dilemmas and authority), and general knowledge (Kenyan history, Constitution, and the role of the Kenya Prisons Service).

Where does the recruitment and testing take place?

Recruitment exercises are held at designated public grounds in counties across Kenya. Shortlisted cadet candidates are typically invited for final interviews and assessments at the Prisons Staff Training College (PSTC) in Ruiru.

What is the role of a Cadet Officer in the Kenya Prisons Service?

Cadet Officers are recruited at the graduate level and trained for managerial and leadership roles within correctional facilities, overseeing security, administration, rehabilitation, and staff welfare.