APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Problem Analysis and Resolution Flashcards

An officer has limited time and five tasks of differing urgency and importance. Which task should be done first?

Answer: Urgent and important

Tasks that are both urgent and important carry the highest priority.

A map shows a suspect last seen heading north on Main Street, which splits into two roads after 1 km. What should be done first?

Answer: Position units to cover both roads

Covering both options avoids relying on an unsupported assumption.

Which of these would be a reliable basis for a decision?

Answer: A verified record and corroborating witnesses

Verified and corroborated evidence is most reliable.

A sequence of incident counts per week is 4, 7, 10, 13. If the trend continues, what is next week's count?

Answer: 16

The sequence rises by 3 each week, so the next value is 16.

A plan fails because one step was impossible to carry out. What should be done during problem resolution?

Answer: Revise the plan to find an alternate step toward the same goal

Adapting the plan keeps progress toward the objective.

If 40% of 250 reports are incomplete, how many are complete?

Answer: 150

40% of 250 is 100 incomplete, leaving 150 complete.

When explaining a solution to a colleague, what makes it most effective?

Answer: Presenting the reasoning in a clear, logical order

A clear logical sequence lets others follow and verify the reasoning.