The NCJOSI-2 (National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory-Squared) is a standardized pre-employment written exam used by law enforcement agencies across the country to evaluate candidates for police officer and corrections officer positions. Published and administered by the National Testing Network (NTN), the NCJOSI-2 covers six distinct subtests that measure reading comprehension, writing ability, mathematics, situational judgment, clarity, and memorization.
This free printable PDF lets you study each subtest format offline before your test date. Because NTN scores are accepted by multiple agencies, a strong performance on the NCJOSI-2 can open doors at many departments from a single testing session — making thorough preparation especially worthwhile.
Understanding the format of each subtest is half the battle. The NCJOSI-2 does not test law enforcement knowledge — it tests cognitive abilities and judgment that predict job performance. Here is what to expect in each section.
You are given a policy, procedure, or informational passage — the kind of document officers encounter on the job — and then asked 4 questions about what the passage explicitly states. No outside knowledge is required; every answer is contained in the text. The key skill is reading carefully and not importing assumptions. Questions may ask you to identify the main point, locate a specific detail, or determine what action the policy requires in a described situation.
This subtest presents a passage written in the context of a law enforcement scenario and asks you to identify errors in grammar, word choice, punctuation, and sentence clarity. You are not writing anything yourself — you are editing. Common error types include subject-verb agreement, incorrect pronoun reference, misplaced modifiers, and the wrong word in context (affect vs. effect, their vs. there).
Math questions use law enforcement scenarios to test arithmetic involving percentages, ratios, basic algebra, and time-distance calculations. A typical question might ask you to calculate how long it takes a suspect traveling at a given speed to cover a given distance, or to determine what percentage of a shift has elapsed. No advanced math is required — the focus is on applying basic operations accurately under time pressure.
Each question describes a scenario a police or corrections officer might face, then presents four possible responses. You select the best course of action. These questions assess integrity, professionalism, de-escalation instincts, and adherence to chain of command. There are no trick answers — the best option is typically the one that follows procedure, respects all parties, and avoids unnecessary escalation.
You are shown four sentences that all convey the same fact, and you identify the sentence that most clearly and precisely expresses that fact. Clarity questions reward concise, unambiguous language — avoiding double negatives, vague pronouns, and unnecessarily complex sentence structures. Good police report writing depends on exactly this skill.
You are given a description of a scene, a person, or an incident — the kind of information officers must retain from a briefing or observation — and then answer recall questions after a delay. The memorization subtest directly simulates the cognitive demands of fieldwork. Practice by reading the scenario once, looking away, and testing yourself before checking answers.
The PDF is ideal for offline review and understanding each subtest format in depth. Pair it with our interactive NCJOSI-2 practice test to simulate timed test conditions and get instant scoring feedback. Because the NCJOSI-2 score follows you across multiple agency applications, investing time in preparation now can multiply your opportunities throughout an entire law enforcement job search.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Validates your knowledge and skills objectively | Study materials can be expensive |
| Increases job market competitiveness | Exam anxiety can affect performance |
| Provides structured learning goals | Requires dedicated preparation time |
| Networking opportunities with other certified professionals | Retake fees apply if you don't pass |
Try these questions from our free NCJOSI2 - National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory Squared practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Rule: Officers must activate their body-worn camera (BWC) prior to initiating any law enforcement-related encounter. The BWC may be deactivated once the encounter has concluded. Scenario: Officer Chen is dispatched to a noise complaint. He activates his BWC as he gets out of his patrol car and walks toward the house.
Answer: C. Officer Chen is following the rule correctly.
Responding to a dispatch call for a noise complaint is a law enforcement-related encounter. By activating his camera before he makes contact with any individuals at the house, Officer Chen is following the rule correctly. He is activating it prior to initiating the encounter.
What is the cornerstone of professionalism in law enforcement?
Answer: C. Adhering to ethical standards and codes of conduct
Adhering to ethical standards and codes of conduct is the cornerstone of professionalism in law enforcement. This ensures that officers act with integrity, fairness, and accountability, building public trust and upholding the law impartially. While physical fitness and authority are important, they must be guided by a strong ethical framework to maintain public confidence and legitimacy.
Place the following steps for processing a crime scene in the most logical order. (1) Photograph the scene in its original state. (2) Secure the perimeter and establish a single point of entry/exit. (3) Collect and package all items of evidentiary value. (4) Conduct a systematic search for evidence.
Answer: B. 2, 1, 4, 3
The first priority at any crime scene is to secure it to prevent contamination. Next, the scene must be documented (photographed) before anything is moved. Then, a search is conducted, and finally, evidence is collected.
Read the following report and identify the main problem: 'Officer Miller responded to 125 Maple Ave. The homeowner, Mr. Jones, stated that his neighbor's large dog has been getting into his yard and digging up his garden. Mr. Jones has spoken to the neighbor, who apologized but has not fixed the broken fence panel the dog is using to get through.'
Answer: B. An ongoing neighbor dispute over an unsecured animal and property damage.
The core issue is not just the dog's behavior but the neighbor's failure to correct the problem that allows it to happen (the broken fence). This makes it a recurring civil issue between neighbors over property damage and animal control. The officer's role would be to address this ongoing, unresolved dispute.
Take the full NCJOSI2 - National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory Squared practice test