Tests are given to ensure selection of the most qualified persons into the Hampton Police Division while providing all candidates a chance to compete fairly. The Hampton Police Division will use several kinds of tests and screening methods to gauge your readiness to enter the Division. The Written Examination is one component of the overall selection process.
Reviewing a Sample of the Test
To help you prepare for the Police Officer Examination, study guides can be found at most major bookstores or at your public library.
Before the Exam
In the days and weeks before the exam, we suggest the following:
Review the Recruiting Section of the Hampton Police Division Make sure you understand the steps in the process.
Make sure you accurately complete any forms or requirements prior to the exam.
Try to take some time every day to improve your reading and writing skills. These skills are important for effective performance as a Police Recruit and will be assessed by the test.
Try to get some practice taking other tests. This can reduce testing anxiety and improve your test taking strategies.
Organize your schedule so you can perform your best on the day of the test.
The Day of the Test
When getting ready on the day of the test:
Stick to your normal routine as much as possible.
Get adequate sleep. Most adults do best with 7 to 8 hours sleep. Try to adopt this pattern at least several days before the exam.
Get up early enough to have plenty of time to have a light, balanced breakfast.
Minimize your use of outside influences (caffeine, nicotine, food, entertainment, etc.) which might over or under stimulate you.
Arrive at the testing center early enough to cope with traffic, weather, parking, etc.
Taking the Test Effectively
Listen carefully to all instructions and directions. Make sure you understand the instructions and ask any questions you may have at the designated time before the test begins.
Use your time carefully.
Read all questions and alternatives carefully. Do not jump to an answer before you have completely read all the alternatives.
Answer all of the questions. Use your informed judgment to make a choice between alternatives. This may feel like an "educated guess" but to the extent that it is informed, you are demonstrating a degree of knowledge and not just blindly guessing.
Don't worry about trick questions. None of the questions in this test is designed to be a trick question. Avoid reading too much into a question.
Take care of your answer sheet. Follow the instructions on filling in your name and other information. Make sure that you fill in your bubbles, not making too light or small a mark - or one that goes outside of the bubble. Make sure that the space on the answer sheet you are marking actually corresponds to the question you are answering. Do not make stray marks or smudges on the answer sheet. If you change a response, make sure that you completely erase your first choice.