200+ Free WA Corrections Officer Practice Questions
Pass your Washington Correctional Officer Written Exam (Guardian Selection Inventory) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
A supply room has 500 rolls of toilet paper. If a unit uses 35 rolls per day, how many full days will the supply last?
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Key Facts: WA Corrections Officer Exam
207 items
Total GSI Questions
Public Safety Testing
4 sections
GSI Exam Structure
Public Safety Testing
~3 hr 15 min
Total Test Time
Public Safety Testing
70%
Passing Score
Public Safety Testing
$46
Base Written-Test Fee
Public Safety Testing pricing
Mar 1, 2025
GSI Replaced Prior Exam
Public Safety Testing
The Washington correctional officer written exam is the Guardian Selection Inventory (GSI), given by Public Safety Testing since March 1, 2025. Its four sections total 207 items — 85 and 48 behavioral, 50 cognitive-ability, and 24 situational-judgment — completed in about 3 hours 15 minutes. A passing score is generally 70%, the base fee is $46, and no prior corrections knowledge is required.
Sample WA Corrections Officer Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your WA Corrections 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 passage: "All visitors entering the facility must pass through the metal detector and present valid photo identification. Any visitor who refuses screening will be denied entry and escorted from the property." Based only on this passage, what happens to a visitor who refuses to walk through the metal detector?
2Read the passage: "Officers must complete an incident report before the end of their shift whenever force is used. The report is reviewed by a sergeant within 24 hours." When must the incident report be completed?
3Read the passage: "Inmates may keep up to three personal books in their cell. Religious texts do not count toward this limit." An inmate has two novels and one religious text. How many more personal (non-religious) books may the inmate keep?
4Read the passage: "A controlled movement means inmates move only when directed by an officer and only along approved routes. Free movement is never permitted in restricted housing." What can be concluded about restricted housing?
5Read the passage: "Keys issued at the start of shift must be returned to the control center at the end of shift. A lost key must be reported immediately, and the affected locks are changed." What is the consequence of a lost key?
6Read the passage: "Medication is dispensed at pill call. Inmates must swallow medication in the presence of the nurse and open their mouth for inspection afterward." Why does the inmate open their mouth after taking medication?
7Read the passage: "Count is conducted at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. During count, all inmates must be standing and visible. Movement stops until count clears." How many scheduled counts occur each day according to the passage?
8Read the passage: "Contraband is any item an inmate is not authorized to possess. Authorized items may become contraband if altered or used for an unintended purpose." A bedsheet torn into strips and tied into a rope is best described as:
9Read the passage: "Officers should document observations objectively, recording only what was seen or heard. Opinions and conclusions belong in a separate analysis section, not in the factual narrative." Which sentence belongs in the factual narrative?
10Read the passage: "Tool control requires a shadow board where each tool has a marked outline. At the end of each shift, every tool must be accounted for on the board before staff and inmates leave the work area." What is the main purpose of the shadow board?
About the WA Corrections Officer Exam
The Washington correctional officer written exam screens candidates for entry-level corrections jobs and requires no prior corrections experience. Since March 1, 2025, Public Safety Testing administers the Guardian Selection Inventory (GSI) for all Washington corrections positions, replacing the previous written exam. The GSI has four sections — two behavioral-characteristics-and-attitudes sections (85 and 48 items), a cognitive ability section (50 items covering reading comprehension, grammar/spelling, vocabulary, deductive and inductive reasoning, pattern recognition, selective attention, and information ordering), and a situational judgment section (24 items) — completed in about 3 hours and 15 minutes. A passing score is generally 70%. Note that Washington State DOC state-prison (CO1) hires often use a panel-interview process rather than a standalone written test, while county and city jails use the Public Safety Testing written exam.
Questions
207 scored questions
Time Limit
Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$46 base (1-2 agencies) through Public Safety Testing (Public Safety Testing (county/city corrections written exam); Washington State Department of Corrections (state CO1 hiring))
WA Corrections Officer Exam Content Outline
Reading Comprehension
Corrections passages, policies, and rules with fact-extraction, inference, and rule-application questions
Situational Judgment
Scenarios on de-escalation, ethics, professional boundaries, safety, and corrections decision-making
Information Ordering & Reasoning
Sequencing procedures, applying written rules, deductive and inductive reasoning, and pattern recognition
Basic Math
Arithmetic word problems with counts, percentages, averages, time, and supply calculations
Grammar, Spelling & Vocabulary
Word usage, spelling, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, and clear report writing
Memory & Observation
Recalling details from a briefly shown passage, image, log, or scene
Map Reading & Spatial Orientation
Compass directions, orientation, route planning, map legends, scale, and coordinates
How to Pass the WA Corrections Officer Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 207 questions
- Time limit: Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes
- Exam fee: $46 base (1-2 agencies) through Public Safety Testing
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
WA Corrections Officer Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Washington correctional officer written exam?
It is a multiple-choice written test used to screen entry-level corrections candidates. Since March 1, 2025, Public Safety Testing administers the Guardian Selection Inventory (GSI) for Washington corrections positions, measuring cognitive ability, situational judgment, and behavioral characteristics.
Who administers the exam?
County and city corrections applicants test through Public Safety Testing, which delivers the GSI. Washington State DOC state-prison (CO1) hiring often uses a panel-interview process rather than a standalone written exam, so confirm the requirements for your specific position.
What is on the GSI written test?
The GSI has four sections: two behavioral-characteristics-and-attitudes sections (85 and 48 items), a 50-item cognitive ability section (reading, grammar/spelling, vocabulary, reasoning, pattern recognition, and information ordering), and a 24-item situational judgment section.
How long is the exam and what score do I need?
The GSI takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete. A passing score on the corrections written exam is generally 70%, though ranking and later hiring stages also affect selection.
How much does the exam cost?
Through Public Safety Testing, the corrections written-test fee starts at $46 for 1-2 agencies and increases with more agencies selected. A separate Physical Ability Test fee (about $35) and a $15 remote-testing processing fee may apply. Fee waivers are available for verifiable financial hardship.
Do I need corrections experience to take the exam?
No. The exam assesses transferable abilities such as reading, math, grammar, memory, and judgment, and explicitly requires no prior law enforcement or corrections knowledge. Questions are written in a corrections context but test general skills.
Can I retake the exam?
Yes. Candidates can re-register and retest through Public Safety Testing per its current schedule and any agency-specific waiting period. Bring valid ID and review the Test Introductory Guide provided with your registration.
What comes after passing the written exam?
Passing the written exam typically leads to the Physical Ability Test, interviews, background investigation, drug screen, psychological evaluation, and medical screening. Washington DOC state hires then complete the Correctional Worker Core Academy, about a six-week program.