California POST Test Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield California POST Test facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. The evidence presented was **ambiguous**, leaving the jury uncertain about the defendant's guilt. → unclear
2. Which sentence demonstrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement? → Each of the witnesses was asked to describe what he or she saw.
3. You are the first to respond to a car accident with injuries. What is your FIRST priority? → Secure the scene and call for medical assistance
4. Identify the error in the following sentence: 'Each of the vehicles were searched by the officers.' → Subject-verb agreement error
5. Try to figure out: 18 - 3 + (- 5) = → 10
6. A crime scene is rectangular, measuring 15 feet by 22 feet. What is its area in square feet? → 330 sq ft
7. Which of the following sentences contains a comma splice? → The suspect was read his rights, he refused to speak without a lawyer.
8. An officer is writing a report about a traffic collision. Which sentence BEST demonstrates clarity and proper grammar? → The speeding blue car hit the red truck.
9. To tell a crime from an accident or mistake of fact, there must be criminal intent. → Presence of a designated state of mind (intent)
10. Choose the right way to write the sentence. → Officer Sander and I drove to the scene of the crime
11. All civilians entering the police station must sign in at the front desk. A civilian walks past the front desk without signing in. Which conclusion follows? → The civilian has not followed the required procedure.
12. If 3 officers can search a building in 12 minutes, how long would it take 6 officers working at the same rate? → 6 minutes
13. Which of the following sentences is the MOST clearly written for a police report? → The officer saw the suspect running towards the alley.
14. Identify the primary error in the following sentence: 'The witness described the getaway car to the officer that was silver.' → Misplaced modifier
15. Which of the following sentences contains a punctuation error commonly found in police reports? → The suspects car, a 2018 Honda Civic, was located a block away.
16. A citizen hands you what appears to be a large amount of cash and says 'I just want to make this right.' How should you respond? → Refuse the money, explain that you cannot accept it, and document the incident
17. Evidence bags weigh 2.5 pounds each. If an officer must transport 16 bags, what is the total weight? → 40 lbs
18. Some patrol officers are K-9 handlers. All K-9 handlers receive specialized training. Officer Tran is a K-9 handler. Which conclusion must be true? → Officer Tran has received specialized training.
19. The witness provided a **corroborating** statement that aligned perfectly with the physical evidence found at the scene. → confirming
20. His lawyer talked at the _____. → Arraignment
21. An officer writes in a report: 'The victim could not identify the suspect, they were wearing a mask.' What is the BEST way to correct this sentence? → Because the suspect was wearing a mask, the victim could not provide an identification.
22. A jail has 4 wings, each holding 32 inmates. If 15 inmates are transferred out, how many remain? → 113
23. An officer has $180 in a petty cash fund and spends $47.50 on supplies. How much money remains? → $132.50
24. Despite the suspect's initial denials, the officer's **assiduous** investigation uncovered the truth. → diligent
25. You are patrolling alone and observe a violent felony in progress. Your FIRST action should be to: → Radio for backup and provide continuous updates while monitoring the situation
26. He got ___ for being late too often. → Disciplined
27. While on patrol, you witness a fellow officer using excessive force on a restrained suspect. What should you do? → Intervene to stop the excessive force and report the incident
28. Which of the following sentences from a police report has a dangling modifier? → Running after the suspect, the officer's radio fell from its holster.
29. The witness provided a detailed description of the alleged _________ to the responding officer. → perpetrator
30. He pleaded not _____. → Guilty