200+ Free MD Correctional Officer Practice Questions
Pass your Maryland Correctional Officer I Entrance Exam (DPSCS) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Choose the word that most nearly means the same as 'credible.'
Explore More Corrections Officer Certifications
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
More From This Family
Videos and articles for deeper review.
Key Facts: MD Correctional Officer Exam
5 areas
Written Assessment Sections
DPSCS / correctional officer study guides
$0
Application / Exam Fee
DPSCS employment portal
21 yrs
Minimum Age (20.5 to apply)
DPSCS qualifications
~$51,563
Correctional Officer I Starting Salary
State of Maryland job announcement
~2 years
Eligible List Validity
State of Maryland correctional officer job posting
Virtual
Interview & Written Assessment Format
DPSCS hiring process
The Maryland Correctional Officer I Entrance Exam is DPSCS's multiple-choice written assessment, paired with a virtual interview, covering reading and applying rules, vocabulary and writing, basic math, memory and observation, and situational judgment. There is no application or exam fee. Applicants must be at least 21 (20.5 to apply), hold a diploma or GED, and be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. Starting pay is about $51,563.
Sample MD Correctional Officer Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your MD Correctional Officer exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Read the rule, then answer the question. Facility Rule 4.2: 'An inmate may receive no more than three visitors during a single visiting session, and all visitors must be on the inmate's approved list.' During one session, an inmate has four people on the approved list arrive at once. According to the rule, the officer should:
2Read the passage: 'Correctional officers must conduct a formal count of all inmates at the start and end of each shift. Any discrepancy in the count must be reported to the shift supervisor immediately, and movement within the facility is suspended until the count is reconciled.' Based on the passage, what happens first when a count does not match?
3Choose the word that most nearly means the same as 'detain.'
4An officer must distribute 96 meal trays equally among 8 housing units. How many trays does each unit receive?
5Memory item. Study this information: 'Inmate Carter, ID #4471, assigned to Cell B-12, work detail: kitchen, visitor day: Tuesday.' Based on the information, what is Inmate Carter's cell assignment?
6You witness an inmate hand a small unidentified object to another inmate during recreation. Following standard correctional practice, you should:
7Which sentence is written correctly?
8A shift begins at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. How many hours long is the shift?
9Read the rule: 'Inmates must wear their identification wristband at all times. An inmate without a wristband may not leave the housing unit.' An officer sees an inmate at the housing-unit door who is not wearing a wristband. The officer should:
10Choose the word that most nearly means the OPPOSITE of 'comply.'
About the MD Correctional Officer Exam
The Maryland Correctional Officer I Entrance Exam is the written assessment that the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) uses to screen applicants for entry-level correctional officer positions. After meeting minimum qualifications, candidates are scheduled for a virtual interview and a multiple-choice written assessment that measures reading comprehension and applying rules, vocabulary and written communication, basic math, observation and memory, and situational judgment. Passing the assessment and interview moves a candidate into background screening, which includes fingerprinting, a polygraph, a psychological evaluation, a physical examination, and a drug screen. Successful candidates are placed on an eligible list (generally valid about two years) and complete entry-level training certified by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC). The Correctional Officer I starting salary is approximately $51,563, with hiring incentives available.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Timed written assessment (correctional written tests typically allow up to about 2.5 hours)
Passing Score
Set by DPSCS per recruitment cycle (a qualifying score; not publicly fixed)
Exam Fee
No application or exam fee (Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), Human Resources Services Division)
MD Correctional Officer Exam Content Outline
Reading Comprehension & Applying Rules
Reading correctional passages, regulations, directives, and narratives and applying rules and procedures to facility situations
Vocabulary & Written Communication
Word meaning, synonyms and antonyms, spelling, grammar, and clear, concise report-style sentence construction
Basic Math
Arithmetic, percentages, fractions, time and unit conversions, and correctional word problems such as counts, ratios, and budgets
Situational Judgment
Scenario items on inmate supervision, ethics and integrity, de-escalation, use-of-force judgment, emergencies, and reporting
Observation & Memory
Memorizing prison scenes, descriptions, rosters, and logs, then recalling specific details such as cell assignments and times
How to Pass the MD Correctional Officer Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Set by DPSCS per recruitment cycle (a qualifying score; not publicly fixed)
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Timed written assessment (correctional written tests typically allow up to about 2.5 hours)
- Exam fee: No application or exam 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
MD Correctional Officer Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maryland Correctional Officer Entrance Exam?
It is the written assessment the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) uses to screen entry-level correctional officer applicants. It is a multiple-choice test covering reading and applying rules, vocabulary and writing, basic math, memory and observation, and situational judgment, given alongside a virtual interview.
Who administers the exam?
The exam is administered by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), Human Resources Services Division. Applicants apply through the State of Maryland job portal at jobapscloud.com/MD and through the DPSCS employment site.
How much does the exam cost?
There is no application or exam fee for the Maryland correctional officer written assessment. The current DPSCS hiring process schedules candidates for a virtual interview and written assessment that can be completed remotely.
What score do I need to pass?
DPSCS sets a qualifying score per recruitment cycle and does not publish a single fixed passing percentage. Candidates who pass the assessment and interview advance to background screening and are ranked on an eligible list.
What subjects are on the exam?
The assessment covers reading comprehension and applying rules and procedures, vocabulary and written communication, basic math, observation and memory, and situational judgment. All items are multiple-choice and based on situations typical of correctional work.
What are the basic requirements to apply?
Applicants must be at least 21 (you can apply at 20.5, or at 18 with an honorable military discharge), have a high-school diploma or GED acceptable to the Maryland State Board of Education, be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, and not be on parole or probation.
What happens after I pass the exam?
Passing the written assessment and interview leads to background investigation, fingerprinting, a polygraph, a psychological evaluation, a physical examination, and a drug screen. Successful candidates are placed on an eligible list (generally valid about two years) and attend entry-level training certified by the MPCTC.
How much do Maryland correctional officers earn?
The Correctional Officer I starting salary is approximately $51,563 per year. DPSCS has offered hiring incentives, including a sign-on incentive paid after training and probation and a regional bonus for certain facilities.