NTN POLICE Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which component of the NTN PAT most directly tests an officer candidate's ability to subdue a non-compliant subject on the ground? → Controlled force/resistance simulation or body weight control exercises
2. What does 'writing in the third person' mean in the context of police reports? → Referring to yourself as 'the officer' or 'this officer' rather than 'I'
3. You are asked to recall a scene you observed 30 minutes ago. Which memory strategy is MOST effective for accurately recalling specific details of a crime scene? → Write down everything immediately after leaving the scene
4. A suspect who is handcuffed and secured complains of chest pain. You should: → Immediately request emergency medical services and monitor the suspect's condition
5. An officer drives 12 miles to a call at an average speed of 48 mph (with emergency lights). How many minutes does the response take? → 15 minutes
6. In a police report, which phrase best replaces the vague statement 'the item was large'? → the item measured approximately 4 feet by 2 feet
7. Which recovery strategy is most supported by exercise science for the 24 hours following a high-intensity PAT simulation workout? → Active recovery such as light walking, hydration, and adequate protein intake
8. A witness describes a getaway car as 'dark colored, maybe black or dark blue, four-door, with a loud exhaust.' An officer should record this description as: → A dark-colored four-door vehicle, possibly black or dark blue, with a loud exhaust
9. An officer on patrol notices a known gang member standing on a corner. This observation alone: → Does not justify a stop without additional articulable facts
10. A police officer earns a base salary of $52,000 per year with a 6.5% annual raise. What will be the officer's salary after the raise? → $55,380
11. What is impartiality? → Treat everyone fairly
12. During a shift briefing, you hear information from another unit that contradicts what you are about to do in the field. What is the appropriate action? → Bring the contradiction to your supervisor's attention before proceeding
13. Which of the following is NOT a recognized exception to the warrant requirement? → Officer curiosity or general investigation
14. A supervisor instructs you to stop documenting minor incidents to reduce paperwork. You should: → Seek clarification and, if the order is improper, report it through the chain of command
15. A department seized 3.5 pounds of marijuana during a search. There are 453.6 grams in one pound. Approximately how many grams of marijuana were seized? → 1,588 grams
16. The crime of 'burglary' traditionally requires which key element? → Unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a crime inside
17. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement? → The captain, along with the two lieutenants, is reviewing the case file.
18. A driver is stopped at a DUI checkpoint and refuses a preliminary breath test (PBT). Under implied consent laws, what is the most appropriate officer action? → Arrest the driver solely for the PBT refusal where permitted by state law
19. Which of the following is the primary reason for writing an incident report in chronological order? → To create a clear and logical sequence of events that is easy for others to understand.
20. During the NTN POWER test, what does the 'stair climb' component primarily assess? → Cardiovascular endurance and leg power under load
21. A teenager you encounter on patrol admits to running away from home but refuses to give you their address. The best action is to: → Detain the teen and attempt to locate parents or guardians through available resources
22. On the NTN test, the 'fence/wall climb' event typically ends when the candidate: → Clears the barrier and lands on the opposite side with both feet
23. Under the Fifth Amendment's Double Jeopardy Clause, a person cannot be: → Tried twice for the same offense by the same sovereign
24. When conducting a traffic stop on a high-speed roadway, the officer should position the patrol vehicle: → Approximately 15–20 feet behind and slightly offset to the traffic side
25. You stop a driver who becomes emotionally distressed and begins crying. The best approach is to: → Give the driver a brief moment to compose, speak calmly, and proceed with empathy
26. Under 'use of force' law, the reasonableness of an officer's force is judged from whose perspective? → A reasonable officer on the scene at the time of the incident
27. Which offense is typically classified as a felony rather than a misdemeanor? → Aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury
28. Which of the following is spelled correctly in the context of a criminal case? → Perpetrator
29. During a routine patrol, you observe a pedestrian jaywalking. Under which circumstance would a formal citation most likely be warranted over a warning? → The pedestrian darted into heavy traffic creating an immediate hazard
30. A officer responds to a noise complaint at 11:45 PM and clears the scene at 12:30 AM the next day. How long was the officer on scene? → 45 minutes