POST Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the POST exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 POST Exam Format at a Glance

105

Questions

135 min

Time Limit

70.00%

Passing Score

Take a Full POST Exam Simulation →

📚 POST Topics to Study (69)

Reading and Reasoning Ability · 11 cards Writing Ability · 11 cards Arrest and Control Techniques · 7 cards Arrest and Control Techniques · 7 cards Arrest and Control Techniques · 7 cards Arrest and Control Techniques · 7 cards Basic Math and Reasoning · 7 cards Basic Math and Reasoning · 7 cards Basic Math and Reasoning · 7 cards Basic Math and Reasoning · 7 cards Community Policing Principles · 7 cards Community Policing Principles · 7 cards Community Policing Principles · 7 cards Community Policing Principles · 7 cards Criminal Law and Procedure · 7 cards Criminal Law and Procedure · 7 cards Criminal Law and Procedure · 7 cards Criminal Law and Procedure · 7 cards Emergency Vehicle Operations · 7 cards Emergency Vehicle Operations · 7 cards Emergency Vehicle Operations · 7 cards Emergency Vehicle Operations · 7 cards First Aid and Emergency Medical Response · 7 cards First Aid and Emergency Medical Response · 7 cards First Aid and Emergency Medical Response · 7 cards Incident Report Writing · 7 cards Incident Report Writing · 7 cards Incident Report Writing · 7 cards Incident Report Writing · 7 cards Patrol Procedures and Operations · 7 cards

See all 69 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample POST Questions & Answers

1. When a community policing officer develops a neighborhood watch program, what role should residents ideally play?

✓ Observe and report suspicious activity to law enforcement

Neighborhood watch members serve as the eyes and ears of the community, reporting observations to trained officers rather than intervening directly.

2. When using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), what should be done immediately before delivering a shock?

✓ Ensure no one is touching the patient

All rescuers must stand clear and avoid contact with the patient before the AED delivers a shock to prevent injury.

3. Which of the following is an example of an objective statement in a police report?

✓ The suspect's eyes were red and bloodshot, and he smelled of alcohol.

Objective statements describe observable facts rather than conclusions or opinions.

4. An officer is dispatched to a "person with a gun" call. Upon arrival, witnesses point to a man walking quickly down the street with his hand in his waistband. The officer should:

✓ Maintain a position of tactical advantage, issue clear verbal commands, and be prepared for escalation

Tactical positioning combined with clear verbal commands allows the officer to manage the threat while minimizing unnecessary escalation.

5. An officer writes: 'I seen the vehicle flee northbound on Main Street.' What should be corrected?

✓ 'seen' should be 'saw'

'Seen' requires a helping verb; the correct simple past tense is 'saw.'

6. A community policing officer discovers that a spike in auto thefts correlates with unlocked vehicles in a specific lot. Under SARA, the officer's BEST response is to:

✓ Notify the lot owner, post crime prevention tips, and target the lot with increased patrols and community outreach

The Response phase of SARA involves implementing multi-faceted solutions, including environmental changes and community education.

🎯 Free POST Practice Tests

Reading and Reasoning Ability · 11 questions Writing Ability · 11 questions Reading and Reasoning Ability · 7 questions Criminal Law and Procedure · 7 questions Criminal Law and Procedure · 7 questions Criminal Law and Procedure · 7 questions Criminal Law and Procedure · 7 questions First Aid and Emergency Medical Response · 7 questions First Aid and Emergency Medical Response · 7 questions Reading and Reasoning Ability · 7 questions

📖 POST Guides & Articles

Your POST Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 POST Flashcards (475)🏆 POST Exam Simulation

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