There are three sections to the CBP Officer Entrance Examination test, and each one is designed to assess the different qualities that a successful Customs and Border Patrol Officer needs. There is a short introduction to each section in the assessment, so you will understand how to answer the questions. In between each section, there is a chance for a short break.
Logical Reasoning
Logical reasoning is considered to be a crucial tool, and in this section of the examination, you will have 81 minutes to answer questions based on different logical ways of thinking.
Candidates need to demonstrate that they are capable of complex decision-making, which identifies those that are able to handle the demanding academic workload of a student officer.
During this section of the examination, you will be presented with several passages of information related to the work of the CBP, followed by a question. You will need to find the right conclusion to answer the question from five possible answers.
You will need to be able to identify valid and invalid conclusions, as well as things like cause and effect, which is also known as an ‘if-then’ statement.
The best way to answer these questions is by carefully reading the questions and the paragraphs, as well as every single possible answer. You should make your best guess, even if you are not sure of the answers - you can eliminate answers to make the odds better that you will choose the correct one.
Although the time limit for this assessment is 81 minutes, you might finish earlier. After this section, there is a five-minute break before you start the next one.
Arithmetic Reasoning
This section is slightly longer, with a maximum time limit of 87 minutes.
This is essentially a math exam, asking questions to establish how comfortable you are making quick mental calculations using basic functions.
There is a calculator available in the assessment, but you can only use the one provided by the test center. You can choose to use one - or not.
In this assessment you will be asked to complete calculations based around:
- Fractions
- Percentages
- Decimals
- Equations and Unknown Values
- Word Problems
- Averages
- Time, Distance and Rate
- Ratios and Proportions
This is basic high-school level mathematical knowledge, but it is probably a good idea to brush up on your methods of solving these sorts of problems so that you have some techniques to rely on.
Once you have completed this section, you will have a ten-minute break before the next part.
Writing
The writing skills test is all about your knowledge and understanding of the English language, including things like grammar, syntax, sentence and paragraph construction and punctuation.
During this part of the examination, you will have 47 minutes to answer these questions. You will be presented with a series of questions with multiple choice answers.
Some of these questions might feature a sentence that you need to edit or make a correction to. One of the multiple-choice answers will include the option of making no corrections. There might be an ‘ordering’ question, where you need to select the right order of a sentence or a paragraph.
You might also have a series of sentences presented, and need to choose the one that is grammatically correct, with no spelling or punctuation mistakes.
Throughout each question, you will need to have confidence in recognising essential parts of the English language, like clauses, nouns and verbs as well as proper sentence organization, conjunctions, adjectives and adverbs.
Five tips on how to prepare for the CBP Officer examination tests
Being prepared for what you will face in the examination will help you to feel more confident at the test center.
Understanding what the test will look like, how you need to answer the questions, and the time pressure that you will be under when you face the real test takes some of the anxiety about taking the test away, which gives you breathing space to be able to complete the examination to the best of your abilities.
2. Practice tests
As well as helping you to understand the format of the examination, practice tests are a great way to see how much you already know, so that you can create a study plan.
It is perfectly normal to find certain types of questions more difficult, and by taking a practice test you will be able to see where you need the most revision. Through good studying, you can brush up on the knowledge and skills in the areas you need it - and then take more tests to see how you have improved.
3. Don’t skip, try to guess
Multiple choice answers can make it easier to have a good guess of which is correct. Using methods of elimination - discounting the answers that cannot be true - you can give yourself more of a chance to find the right one.
It is always worth making a guess - a one in five chance of getting it right is much better than a guaranteed zero score on a question if you decide to skip.
4. Use your time effectively
When you start the assessment, you will have a long time ahead of you in each section, but when you are working through the questions the time will soon pass.
Make sure that you use your time effectively - including the instructions and the information given at the beginning of each section.
Take enough time in each question to ensure that you completely understand what is being asked of you. If you rush through and don’t read properly, you might miss something and risk getting the answer wrong.
5. Don’t be afraid to fail
The pass mark for the CBP Officer Entrance Examination is only 70, so don’t be afraid to make some mistakes.
This test is not a ‘one and done’ option - you can retake it after six months, even if you don’t make the grade to begin with.
