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| General Information | Your Guide to Getting Started | Preparing to Take the Tests | | Phase 1 Testing | Phase 2 Testing | | Tips on Completing the Application for Employment (FD-140) | Desirable Weight Ranges Chart | | Closing | FBI Employment Homepage | How Phase I Testing Is Administered When you arrive for the Phase I testing process, you will be checked in and asked to provide your driver's license. The license will be held by the Test Administrator until testing is complete. A trained FBI employee will run the testing session. The Phase I tests measure critical skills and abilities which are essential for performing tasks of the Special Agent position. Three paper-and-pencil multiple choice tests comprise the Phase I testing process. These are:
When the testing process begins, you will be given one machine scannable answer sheet on which responses to all of the tests will be recorded. Different sections of the answer sheet are labeled for recording responses to each of the different tests. On the answer sheet, you will be asked to print your last name, first name, and middle initial and then sign the form in a signature block. You will also be asked to record your complete street address, city, state, and zip code on the answer sheet. The date and your Social Security Number will also be recorded on the answer sheet. All information on the machine scannable forms must be filled in accurately, using only a #2 pencil that will be provided. Scratch paper for the Cognitive Ability Test will also be provided by test administrators. The answer ovals on the form must be filled in completely with dark, black, #2 pencil marks. Any mistakes or stray marks must be completely erased. Failure to fill out the machine scannable forms properly may preclude the tests from being scored. Once the general information on the answer form has been completed, each test will be administered in turn. The Test Administrator will distribute numbered test booklets, read instructions for the test, and answer any questions. Each test will begin when the Test Administrator indicates that timing for the test has started. When the time limit for the test has been reached, the administrator will call time. All applicants must cease working on their tests at that time and close their test booklets. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the testing process and discontinuation from further consideration for the Special Agent position. On the following pages, more information is provided about each of the three Phase I tests. Not only will you find the actual directions of each test, you will also find a sample item for each test. A separate manual has been prepared by the FBI to help you prepare for the Cognitive Ability Test. It is called the Special Agent Exam Preparation Manual, FBI Special Agent Selection Process. It is free of charge and will be made available through the FBI Applicant Program Staff at the time you are scheduled for Phase I testing. See Special Agent Employment/Vacancies, Application Process for the location of the FBI Field Office nearest you. NOTE: There are different versions of each test, only one of which you will receive. The tests look similar on the surface but are not. Therefore, any information regarding the tests that you obtain from others may be misleading and could harm your performance. Tips for Taking Phase I Tests:
Scoring A passing score has been established that will be applied uniformly to all applicants taking the Phase I tests. There is one passing score for Phase I that is based on the combination of all three tests rather than individual passing scores for each test. The Biodata Inventory (40%) and Situational Judgment Test (40%) are both weighted twice as much as the Cognitive Ability Test (20%) in arriving at the final Phase I score. For security purposes, the FBI does not release the passing score. You will be notified about your pass or
fail status within 30 days of taking the tests. The
actual test scores will not be disseminated. If
you pass the Phase I tests, you will receive an Application for
Employment (FD-140) which must be completed within 10 days. You
will also be notified regarding the next step in the selection
process. Due to the thousands of applicants tested per year,
the FBI is unable to provide individual feedback regarding test
performance. Again, you will only receive a letter stating that
you passed or failed; no scores will be provided. This is FBI
policy and an inquiry will not result in additional information
on your performance. Retest Policy Applicants for the Special Agent position
who fail Phase I testing may be eligible for one retest at least
one year after their initial test date. Applicants who exceed
the age limit or who cannot be processed prior to their birthday
will not be retested. Due to the overwhelming volume of Special
Agent applications, the FBI is only able to offer retest opportunities
to those of you who are found to meet minimum qualifications
and be the most competitive (based upon review of a newly submitted
FD-646 and FD-843). This determination is based on your qualifications,
skills, experiences, and the FBI's investigative needs. If you
are interested in retesting for Phase I, contact the Applicant
Coordinator in the office nearest you. You will find on the next few pages the actual directions from each of the three Phase I tests: Biodata Inventory, Cognitive Ability Test (three parts), and the Situational Judgment Test. For your information, examples of the Cognitive Ability Test items can be found in the Special Agent Exam Preparation Manual, FBI Special Agent Selection Process. PHASE I: BIODATA INVENTORY Directions for the Biodata Inventory are as follows:
The Biodata Inventory measures the following critical skills and abilities:
PHASE I: COGNITIVE ABILITY TEST General directions for the Cognitive Ability
Test and Specific Directions for Parts 1, 2,
This test measures the following critical skills and abilities:
Example Cognitive Ability Test
items can be found in the Special Agent Exam Preparation Manual
available from the Applicant Coordinators. PHASE I: SITUATIONAL JUDGMENT TEST This booklet contains 33 descriptions of problem situations. Each problem situation has between three and five alternative actions that might be taken to deal with the problem. You are to make two judgments for each problem. First, decide which alternative you would
MOST LIKELY choose in response to the Second, decide which alternative you would
be LEAST LIKELY to choose in that As you are taking the test, please do not write in the test booklet. All of your responses will be recorded on the separate answer sheet in the section marked Situational Judgment Test. Be sure to fill in the ovals you select completely with dark black marks. You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete this test. Here is an example item:
As shown in the example below, the respondent thought alternative B was the action that she would most likely take in the situation and thus, blackened the "B" for item 1 in the MOST LIKELY column. The respondent thought alternative D was the least likely thing she would do. Thus, the "D" was filled in for item 1 in the LEAST LIKELY column. Situational Judgment Test measures the following critical skills and abilities:
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