103+ Free NPOST Practice Questions
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Key Facts: NPOST Exam
Not published
Universal Item Count
Stanard current public POST overview
4 sections
Math, Reading, Grammar, Incident Report
Stanard & Associates
Agency-specific
Candidate Instructions
Stanard & Associates / hiring agency
70% in Iowa
State-Specific Minimum per Section
Iowa Administrative Code 501—2.2(80B)
Printed or online
Delivery Options
Stanard & Associates
The NPOST from Stanard & Associates is an entry-level law-enforcement selection test covering Arithmetic, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Incident Report Writing. Confirm item count, timing, score policy, fee, and test-day rules with the hiring agency.
Sample NPOST Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your NPOST exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 103+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Officer Garcia normally works the 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm shift, but her sergeant asked her to report at 1:15 pm for a special training program. If she works her entire shift, how much overtime can she report for that day?
2While preparing a burglary report, an officer listed these stolen items: laptop computer $1,200, printer/fax machine $450, decorative sculpture $850, and digital camera $725. What is the total value of all the stolen goods?
3Using the same stolen-items list (laptop $1,200, printer/fax $450, sculpture $850, digital camera $725), what is the value of all the stolen goods EXCEPT the decorative sculpture?
4During one 5-day period, Officer Leo drove 388 miles. If he drove 140 miles on one of those days, how many miles did he average on each of the other four days?
5Burglars stole six hunting rifles with a total retail value of $3,750. What is the average retail value of each rifle?
6Officer Milton visits three area businesses every week as part of a theft-prevention program, except during his three-week vacation. How many business visits does he make in one year (52 weeks)?
7A dentist's office burglary report lists: digital camera $810, laptop computer $650, printer $325, and paper shredder $125. What was the total value of all the stolen goods?
8Using the dentist-office list (camera $810, laptop $650, printer $325, shredder $125), what was the value of all the stolen goods EXCEPT the paper shredder?
9An officer responded to a call at 9:48 pm and cleared the scene at 11:23 pm. How long was the officer on the scene?
10A patrol car's odometer read 42,615 miles at the start of a shift and 42,748 miles at the end. How many miles were driven during the shift?
About the NPOST Exam
The National Police Officer Selection Test (POST), often called the NPOST, is an entry-level basic-skills test developed by Stanard & Associates, Inc., to help law enforcement agencies select qualified applicants. Stanard's current public overview names four measured skills: Arithmetic, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Incident Report Writing. It offers printed and online delivery, while hiring agencies control administration and selection standards. The current public overview does not publish a universal item count, time limit, fee, or passing cutoff; Iowa separately requires 70% on each section under its state rule.
Assessment
Question count not published by the exam provider
Time Limit
Not published on Stanard's current public POST overview; confirm current time limits with the administering agency
Passing Score
Set by the hiring agency; Iowa specifically requires 70% on each of the four sections
Exam Fee
Set by the administering agency or testing site; no single national candidate fee is published (Stanard & Associates, Inc., administered through hiring agencies, state Police Chiefs' Associations, and partner testing sites)
NPOST Exam Content Outline
Mathematics / Arithmetic
Basic arithmetic applied to job-related situations; confirm calculator and timing rules with the administering agency.
Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension using job-related passages and accurate retrieval of stated or supported information.
Grammar
Grammar and controlled written communication, including clear word choice, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction.
Incident Report Writing
Accurate retrieval and written communication of details from an incident report.
How to Pass the NPOST Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Set by the hiring agency; Iowa specifically requires 70% on each of the four sections
- Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
- Time limit: Not published on Stanard's current public POST overview; confirm current time limits with the administering agency
- Exam fee: Set by the administering agency or testing site; no single national candidate fee is published
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 103 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NPOST Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Police Officer Selection Test (NPOST)?
The NPOST, or POST, is an entry-level basic-skills test from Stanard & Associates used by law enforcement agencies to screen police applicants. It measures Arithmetic, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Incident Report Writing.
Who creates and administers the POST exam?
The POST is developed by Stanard & Associates, Inc., a Chicago-based firm of psychologists. It is administered through hiring agencies, state Police Chiefs' Associations, and partner testing sites. Agencies can score the test themselves or send it to Stanard & Associates for scoring.
What score do I need to pass the NPOST?
Stanard does not publish one national cutoff on its current public overview. The hiring agency controls its selection standard. Iowa's administrative code specifically requires at least 70% on each section and permits agencies to require more.
How long is the NPOST and how is it timed?
Stanard's current public overview does not publish a universal item count or time limit. Check the current candidate materials and your agency's instructions for section timing, total appointment time, and navigation rules.
Can I use a calculator on the NPOST?
Calculator policies depend on the version and administering agency. Some study guides note a calculator is allowed in the Mathematics section, while others provide scratch paper and prohibit calculators. Confirm with your testing site before exam day; scratch paper is typically provided for the math section.
Which states and agencies use the NPOST?
Stanard says municipal, county, state, and federal agencies use the POST and that Iowa mandates it statewide. Confirm the exact assessment named in your own hiring notice rather than assuming every agency or state uses NPOST.
Do I need prior law enforcement knowledge to pass?
The NPOST is an entry-level basic-skills test rather than a police academy knowledge exam. Prepare for its four published skills and follow any additional guidance in your agency's current candidate instructions.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the NPOST?
Stanard's current public overview does not state a universal guessing policy. Follow the instructions for your administration and ask the testing contact if the candidate materials do not explain scoring.
Can NPOST scores be transferred between agencies?
Score transfer and validity are agency-specific or controlled by an applicable state rule. Confirm acceptance, validity period, waiver requirements, and any fee with both the testing agency and the hiring agency.