IPAT Practice Test

IPAT Exam at a Glance

What changed for IPAT in 2026

• Oct 19, 2026: Other (update 2026-08-24) changed to Stage 2 online interviews in the 2026 Garda Trainee competition were expected to begin on 24 August 2026 for the candidates ranked highest after Stage 1, which concluded on 21 July 2026; Stage 1 results were released on 11 August. (previously Stage 2 online interviews in the 2026 Garda Trainee competition were scheduled to begin on 24 August 2026 for the candidates ranked highest after Stage 1, which ended on 21 July 2026.).^[2]
• Oct 19, 2026: Eligibility (2026 Garda Trainee — entry to training) changed to Must pass the Physical Competence Test before entering the Garda College (previously Physical Competence Test must be passed before entering the Garda College).^[3]
• Aug 24, 2026: Stage 2 online interviews in the 2026 Garda Trainee competition were expected to begin on 24 August 2026 for the candidates ranked highest after Stage 1, which concluded on 21 July 2026; Stage 1 results were released on 11 August.^[2]
• Jun 3, 2026: The May 2026 Garda Trainee competition closed on 3 June 2026 with 4,115 applications, and some successful candidates are expected to start training in the Garda College before the end of 2026.^[1]

IPAT Study Tips

• Create a structured study schedule at least 4-6 weeks before your IPAT exam date.
• Focus on understanding core concepts rather than memorising answers for the Irish Police Aptitude Test for Garda Recruitment.
• Use our free practice tests to identify weak areas and track your progress over time.
• Review the official IPAT exam syllabus to ensure complete topic coverage.
• Take timed practice sessions to build your exam pace and reduce test-day anxiety.

Free IPAT Study Tools

Interactive IPAT resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• IPAT flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• IPAT study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• IPAT cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

According to publicjobs.ie (Public Appointments Service) for An Garda Síochána, “Stage 1 is comprised of online verbal and numerical reasoning tests, an assessment questionnaire and written exercise.”^[1]

Worked examples: how to reason through IPAT questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: A Garda report states: 'The suspect was acting suspiciously.' What is wrong with this statement?

1. It is vague and subjective — it should describe the specific behaviours observed
2. Nothing is wrong — it is perfectly acceptable
3. It should say 'very suspiciously' for emphasis
4. It should use the suspect's name instead of 'the suspect'

Answer: A. It is vague and subjective — it should describe the specific behaviours observed

Explanation:

The correct answer is that the statement is vague and subjective. 'Acting suspiciously' is an opinion. It does not tell a reader what the officer actually saw, so another person cannot check it or act on it. A better report describes the specific behaviours, such as looking into car windows or trying door handles.

Saying nothing is wrong ignores that problem. Adding 'very' only makes the opinion stronger, not clearer. Swapping 'the suspect' for a name does not help either, because the issue is the lack of observable detail, not how the person is referred to.

Rule to remember: write what you saw and heard, not your conclusion about it.

Example 2

Question: Four people sit around a square table. A is opposite C. B is to A's right. Who is to C's left?

1. B
2. A
3. D
4. Cannot be determined

Answer: A. B

Explanation:

The correct answer is B. Put A at the top, so C is opposite at the bottom. B is to A's right, so going clockwise you reach A, then B, then C, then D. Seen from C's seat, facing the table, C's left is B.

A is wrong because A is directly opposite C, not beside C. D is wrong because D sits on C's right. 'Cannot be determined' is wrong because the clues fix every seat once you place A and C.

Rule to remember: draw the table, fix the seats you are sure of, then read left and right from the viewpoint of the person named, not your own.

Example 3

Question: A member of the public complains that a Garda was rude to them. How should you respond?

1. Listen respectfully, take their details, and explain how they can make a formal complaint
2. Tell them all Gardaí are professional and dismiss the complaint
3. Defend your colleague immediately
4. Ignore the complaint as it is not your role

Answer: A. Listen respectfully, take their details, and explain how they can make a formal complaint

Explanation:

The correct answer is to listen respectfully, take the person's details and explain how they can make a formal complaint. That treats the complaint seriously and sends it to the proper process, such as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

Telling them all Gardaí are professional dismisses the concern before it has been looked at. Defending your colleague immediately takes a side without knowing the facts. Ignoring it because it is not your role leaves the person with nowhere to go.

Rule to remember: do not judge the complaint on the spot. Be courteous, record it accurately and point the person to the formal route.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the free general set at /ipat-irish-police-aptitude/ to see where you stand. Then split your time between the areas the official Stage 1 description names, verbal and numerical reasoning, and the other skills a Garda role draws on.

• Verbal reasoning and reading: work through IPAT Verbal Reasoning and IPAT Reading Comprehension. Check each statement against the text only, not against what you already know.
• Numerical reasoning: use IPAT Numerical Reasoning and IPAT Data Interpretation. Write out your working so you can find where a slip happened.
• Written exercise: try IPAT Report Writing and write your own short reports from the facts given.
• Judgement and observation: add IPAT Situational Judgement, IPAT Attention to Detail and IPAT Memory and Observation.

After every set, read the explanation for each question you got wrong and note the rule behind it. Before test day, read the current campaign information on publicjobs.ie so you know the real format, and practise on the device and connection you will use.

Ready to Pass the IPAT?

Join thousands of candidates who have used our free practice tests to prepare for the Irish Police Aptitude Test for Garda Recruitment. Start practising today and build the confidence you need to succeed. Practice with the free IPAT practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).

Sample IPAT Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free IPAT practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. What is the antonym of 'verbose'?

   • A. Concise
   • B. Talkative
   • C. Lengthy
   • D. Elaborate

Answer: A. Concise

Verbose means using more words than necessary. The antonym is concise, meaning brief and to the point.

Answer: A. The nature of the suspected offence

The passage states powers depend 'on the nature of the suspected offence', meaning the type of crime determines which legal power applies.

Answer: A. 12kg

Total weight needed = 9 × 4 = 36 kg. Current total = 5+8+11 = 24 kg. Fourth box = 36 − 24 = 12 kg.

Answer: A. Explain it in simpler language and ensure they genuinely understand before proceeding

The caution must be genuinely understood for it to be legally meaningful. You must ensure the suspect comprehends their rights, using simpler language or an interpreter if needed.

Take the full IPAT practice test

Sources & last verified

1. garda.ie — number of questions, delivery, other (official source). “Stage 1 is comprised of online verbal and numerical reasoning tests, an assessment questionnaire and written exercise.” Verified Oct 19, 2026.
2. publicjobs.ie (Public Appointments Service) for An Garda Síochána — delivery, other (official source). “will be invited to complete an interview and roleplay, carried out remotely via Zoom” Verified Oct 19, 2026.
3. garda.ie — eligibility (official source). “You must have attained the age of 18 and be no more than the age of 49 by the closing date for receipt of applications…” Verified Oct 19, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.