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Exam Review

Key Facts: VA POST Exam

~75%

Pass Rate

Estimated

70%

Passing Score

DCJS

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

2 hrs

Exam Duration

DCJS

The VA POST exam has 100 questions in 2 hours, requiring 70% to pass. Covers Virginia criminal law under Code of Virginia Title 18.2, constitutional law, patrol operations, use of force, and professional policing standards.

Sample VA POST Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the VA POST exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Code of Virginia Title 18.2, what is the most serious classification of murder in Virginia?
A.Class 3 felony (5-20 years)
B.Class 1 felony (life or death)
C.Class 2 felony (20 years to life)
D.Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 12 months jail)
Explanation: Under VA Code 18.2-32, murder in the first degree carries the most serious classification in Virginia: Class 1 felony (life or death). This reflects the gravity of intentionally taking another person's life.
2Under Virginia law, what distinguishes aggravated assault from simple assault?
A.The victim's age
B.The use of a deadly weapon or intent to cause serious bodily injury
C.The time of day the assault occurred
D.Whether the victim was a stranger
Explanation: Under VA Code 18.2-51 (malicious wounding), aggravated assault in Virginia involves the use of a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, or intent to cause serious bodily injury. Simple assault involves lesser levels of force or harm.
3Under Virginia law, theft becomes a felony when the value of stolen property exceeds what threshold?
A.$100
B.$250
C.$1,000
D.$50
Explanation: Under VA Code 18.2-95 (grand larceny, $1,000+), theft in Virginia is elevated to a felony classification when the value of property stolen exceeds $1,000. Below this threshold, theft is generally classified as a misdemeanor.
4Which of the following is an inchoate offense under Virginia law?
A.Completed robbery
B.Criminal attempt
C.Aggravated assault
D.Vehicular homicide
Explanation: Criminal attempt under Code of Virginia is an inchoate offense, meaning the crime was not completed but substantial steps were taken toward its commission. Virginia recognizes attempt, solicitation, and conspiracy as inchoate offenses.
5Under Virginia law, the defense of duress requires:
A.Financial hardship
B.Threat of imminent death or serious bodily harm compelling the defendant to commit the crime
C.That the defendant was under 18 years old
D.A written agreement with law enforcement
Explanation: Under case law defense, the defense of duress in Virginia applies when a person is compelled to commit an offense by threat of imminent death or serious physical injury. The threat must be of such severity that a reasonable person would have been unable to resist.
6What are the elements of burglary in the first degree under Virginia law?
A.Trespassing on any property
B.Entering a building unlawfully with intent to commit a crime, with aggravating factors such as being armed or causing injury
C.Shoplifting from a retail store
D.Breaking a window of an unoccupied building
Explanation: Under VA Code 18.2-89, burglary in the first degree in Virginia requires unlawful entry into a building with intent to commit a crime, combined with aggravating factors such as being armed with a deadly weapon, causing physical injury, or the building being a dwelling.
7Under Virginia law, a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 12 months jail) carries a maximum sentence of:
A.30 days
B.6 months
C.Up to the maximum specified for that classification
D.5 years
Explanation: Under Code of Virginia, a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 12 months jail) carries a maximum penalty as specified by the classification. This is the most serious misdemeanor level in Virginia.
8Under Virginia law, sexual assault in the first degree involves:
A.Verbal harassment only
B.Sexual penetration without consent or by force
C.Inappropriate comments in the workplace
D.Consensual sexual contact between adults
Explanation: Under VA Code 18.2-61 (rape), sexual assault in the first degree in Virginia specifically involves sexual penetration without consent, by force, or against a person who is incapable of consent. This is among the most serious felony offenses.
9Criminal conspiracy in Virginia requires:
A.One person acting alone
B.Agreement between two or more people to commit a crime, plus an overt act in furtherance
C.Completing the intended crime
D.Written documentation of the agreement
Explanation: Under VA Code 18.2-22, criminal conspiracy in Virginia requires an agreement between at least two people to commit or assist in the commission of a crime, plus at least one overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
10Which of the following is NOT a recognized justification defense in Virginia?
A.Self-defense
B.Defense of a third person
C.Voluntary intoxication as a complete defense
D.Defense of property
Explanation: In Virginia, voluntary intoxication is generally not a complete defense to criminal charges. While it may be considered in determining whether the defendant had the required mental state, it cannot serve as a standalone justification defense.

About the VA POST Exam

The Virginia POST exam is required for all law enforcement officer candidates in Virginia. It covers Virginia criminal law under the Code of Virginia Title 18.2, constitutional procedures, patrol operations, use of force, and professional standards as mandated by DCJS.

Exam sponsor: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$50

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: ~75%. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Virginia Criminal Law

Code of Virginia Title 18.2 covering criminal offenses, classifications (felonies and misdemeanors), defenses, and sentencing

25%

Constitutional Law & Procedure

Search and seizure, Miranda, arrest procedures, warrants, and due process in Virginia courts

20%

Patrol & Traffic Operations

Traffic stops, DUI enforcement under VA Code 18.2-266, accident investigation, and patrol techniques

15%

Use of Force & Defensive Tactics

Force continuum, de-escalation, deadly force standards under Virginia law, and less-lethal options

15%

Professional Standards

Ethics, community policing, report writing, cultural awareness, and officer conduct per DCJS standards

Preparing for the VA POST Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $50 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VA POST: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the Code of Virginia Title 18.2 covering criminal offenses, felony vs. misdemeanor classifications, and penalties
2Study Fourth Amendment search and seizure exceptions as applied in Virginia courts
3Know Virginia use of force standards and deadly force justification under state law
4Review Virginia DUI laws under VA Code 18.2-266 including implied consent and mandatory minimums
5Practice with timed full-length tests to build exam stamina for the 2-hour time limit

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VA POST passing score?

The Virginia POST exam requires a minimum score of 70% to pass. Candidates must demonstrate competency across all tested subject areas including Virginia criminal law and patrol procedures.

How hard is the Virginia peace officer exam?

The VA POST exam is considered moderately difficult. It requires thorough knowledge of the Code of Virginia Title 18.2, constitutional law principles, and patrol operations. Most candidates who complete DCJS-approved academy training pass on their first attempt.

What are the prerequisites for the VA POST exam?

Candidates must complete a DCJS-certified basic law enforcement academy. Additional requirements include being at least 21 years old, having a high school diploma or GED, passing a background check, medical examination, psychological evaluation, and physical fitness test.

How many attempts do I get on the VA POST exam?

Virginia allows candidates to retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for specific retake policies and any required remedial training between attempts.