Arbel, FBI Special Agent Exam expert at JobTestPrep.
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The FBI Phase 1 Test, also named the FBI Special Agent Exam, is a three-hour test consisting of cognitive, behavioral, and logical reasoning tests.
The following video will get you familiarized with the exam, step-by-step:
The question types on this 3-hour test are unconventional, and in some cases even tricky. They require you to stay on your toes throughout the entire exam and use sharp reasoning, fast-thinking, and strong attention to detail (just like a real FBI Special Agent).
The FBI Entrance Exam has a 30% passing rate. If you fail to pass the test for the first time, you'll have a second chance to retest 90 days after your final test session. If you fail it for the second time, your application for the Special Agent position will be permanently deactivated.
To give you a taste of the real thing, here are two sample questions that highly resemble the questions types you'll face on the actual test:
You are doing a performance evaluation for Janet, one of your team supervisors. Which of the following should you avoid doing during the review?
All the practice questions on our complete FBI Phase 1 PrepPack™ come with thorough explanations and solving tips, just like you've seen above. These will help you learn the most efficient solving techniques for each and every question.
The FBI Entrance Exam consists of 5 sections. Let's elaborate a little bit on each one of them:
This section of the FBI phase 1 test contains several passages that present a set of facts followed by a specific statement or question. Candidates must decide which of the five response choices best suits the statement.
These questions measure each candidate's ability to notice details, evaluate information, and make valid judgments. This section contains 11 questions. and there's a total of 90 minutes allotted for answering 40–50 questions. It is highly recommended to practice for the FBI logical reasoning test before taking the exam.
Here's an example for a logical reasoning question type you'll likely see on this test section:
In order to ensure a fair trial for any defendant, there are certain rules that defense attorneys must obey. A defense attorney must advocate for his client to the best of his ability even if he knows that his client is guilty. A defense attorney must never share confidential, attorney-client information with the prosecuting attorney. A defense attorney must not give his client bad advice that would make the defense attorney's job easier. Failure to follow these rules can result in the defense attorney being sued for misrepresentation. Suppose Ken G. is a defense attorney who has been sued for misrepresentation.
Which of the following cannot be reasonably inferred about Ken G.?
This section assesses your ability to use problem-solving and reasoning to identify the shape or image that logically fits the pattern. The questions will contain a sequence of shapes and patterns. There will be 9 questions in this section.
This assessment measures aspects of your personality to identify those that possess traits necessary to be a successful agent. There will be 100 statements in this section.
This test gathers information about your personal attitudes toward a variety of statements. It is similar to be successful as a Special Agent. This section contains 37 questions.
This section contains several descriptions of a specific"problem situation," followed by a list of actions that one might take in that situation. The candidate is required to rate the effectiveness of each action (from most effective to ineffective) based on his or her personal judgment. These questions measure candidates' abilities to relate effectively with others, adapt to changing environments, organize and prioritize, and evaluate information in order to make a decision. There are 19 questions in this section of the FBI test.
The hiring process for Special Agent roles is lengthy and may take from as little as several months to more than a year. Here's a breakdown of the process:
The first step in the hiring process for FBI special agents is submitting your online application. When filling out the form, be prepared to answer questions about specialized skills, professional experiences, and your willingness to commit to the FBI and its mission. Additionally, you must complete physical fitness evaluation, in accordance with the FBI's physical fitness requirements, as part of the initial application.
Those who meet initial pre-screening and eligibility requirements are asked to take the Phase I Test. The FBI Phase I Test is a three-hour exam consisting of cognitive, behavioral, and logical reasoning tests. If you pass, you will be invited to a "Meet and Greet" interview. During the meeting, you will learn more about the Special Agent Selection System and be evaluated by a recruitment team.
After passing Phase I testing and completing the "Meet and Greet," you will be reviewed by an internal FBI hiring board regarding your ability to meet the current needs of the FBI.
After passing this review, you will be contacted to complete Phase II, which consists of two parts—a writing task and a structured interview. Phase II Writing is a 90-minute written exam meant to test your ability to analyze data and prepare a comprehensive report. At the beginning of the exercise, you will be given a set of background materials to use. The Phase II Structured Interview is a one-hour, structured oral panel interview. This interview is designed to measure critical skills and abilities.
Once you pass the Phase II tests, you are extended a conditional job offer (CJO). Upon accepting the CJO, you will be scheduled to take the official physical fitness Test (PFT)—a rigorous physical examination administered in accordance with strict FBI protocol. CJOs are contingent upon successfully passing the PFT, physical, and background investigation.
Continue practicing with the complete FBI Entrance Exam PrepPack™ (updated for 2022) and become one of the 30% who pass the FBI phase 1 test.
Prep with full-length practice tests simulating the real testing experience. Get access to exclusive resources on logical deductions, situational judgment, and a biodata inventory study guide all geared towards prepping you for your upcoming FBI exam.
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Receiving a high score on the FBI entrance exam may increase your chances of gaining employment with the FBI. That's because your phase 1 test score will be kept in your candidate file, and will likely carry weight on the final hiring decision.
Once you get hired, the starting salary for an FBI special agent is $47,630. The FBI provides its employees with health benefits, a thrifts savings plan, life insurance, and time off for vacation and sick leave, with an additional 10 days off for federal holidays.
The best way to prepare for the FBI exam is by practicing solving the same question types that are found on the real test. Moreover, it's crucial to prepare using the actual time constraints.
In our complete FBI Test Prep, you can find hundreds of practice questions similar to the ones you'll face on the real FBI Phase 1 Test. These questions are equipped with full explanations and tips, to provide you with the best preparation process.
If you don't pass the FBI Phase 1 Test on your first try, you'll be eligible to retake after 90 days. Note that not all candidates will be invited for a retest. If you fail the test twice, your application will be terminated and you'll be ineligible for future consideration for the Special Agent position.
The FBI Phase 1 Test, also named the FBI Test, is a tough exam, and only around 30% of test-takers manage to pass it. It lasts for 3 hours and includes various challenging questions, ranging from logic-based to behavioral questions.
It's estimated that around 70% of the FBI Phase 1 test-takers fail the exam every year. Some get a second chance to retake it in 90 days, but there are candidates who are ineligible for a retest and their application terminates once they fail the exam.
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