FBI Phase 1 Practice Test: Get a Taste of the Real Exam [2022]
Arbel FBI Special Agent Exam Expert

Arbel, FBI Special Agent Exam expert at JobTestPrep.

Have a question? Contact me at: ask_arbel@jobtestprep.com

 

What Is the FBI Phase 1 Test?

The FBI Phase 1 test is a computerized exam that is performed in a proctored onsite setting and involves five assessments: Logic-Based Reasoning, Figural Reasoning, Personality Assessment, Preferences and Interests, and Situational Judgment.

  • Start with the free sample test to get a taste of the real thing and to know where you stand (simulates the real FBI entrance exam).

These entrance exams evaluate your logical and figural reasoning abilities, as well as your critical thinking skills and personality traits.

Take a deeper look into the FBI Special Agent Entrance Exam with the following video:

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💡 One of the most challenging aspects of this test is its duration: It’s three hours long (without any breaks), in which you must stay sharp and focused.


The following is an example of a question type you might encounter on the Logic-Based Reasoning section:

FBI Logical Reasoning Sample Question

A percipient witness a.k.a. an eyewitness, is one who testifies about his or her knowledge of a crime as perceived through his/her senses (e.g., seeing, hearing, smelling, touching). Although juries and decision-makers place great reliance on eyewitness identification, they are often unaware of the danger of false memories. When an eyewitness identifies a person in a line-up, he is likely to identify that same person in later line-ups, even when the person identified is not the perpetrator. In a recent and particularly complex murder case still under investigation, Alice Wonder acted as an eyewitness in several line-ups. However, due to the false memory effect, most of her identification attempts thus far have turned out to be wrong.

From the information given above, it can be validly concluded that-

1. When an eyewitness identifies a person in a line-up, he is more likely than not to be correct.

2. At least one of Alice Wonder's identification attempts is not likely to turn out to be false.

3. If a witness' testimony is not based on his senses (e.g. seeing, hearing, smelling, touching), he is not an eyewitness.

4. Whenever an eyewitness fails to identify the perpetrator, it can be assumed that, most probably, he/she has partaken in more than one line-up.

5. There are at least some witnesses, other than eyewitnesses, who do not rely on their senses (e.g. seeing, hearing, smelling, touching).

Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is 3.

According to the passage, an eyewitness is one who testifies about his/her knowledge of a crime as perceived through his or her senses. (In logical formulation: eyewitness ➞ knowledge perceived through senses).

Answer (3) is a transposed negative equivalent of this sentence, stating that if someone is not testifying based on knowledge from his senses then he is not an eyewitness. (In logical formulation: if knowledge is not perceived through senses ➞ not an eyewitness). This is logically equivalent to what the passage states, and is therefore the correct answer.

Answer (1): There is no support in the passage for the probability claimed in answer (A), according to which eyewitnesses are more likely than not to identify the perpetrator correctly.

Furthermore, no information is given about the chances of successful recognition. The only probability given is that of identifying the same person in subsequent line-ups.

Answer (2): According to the passage, most of Alice Wonder's identification attempts were false as of now. This does not support the claim in answer (B), that there is at least one identification attempt not likely to be false. Thus, answer (B) is incorrect.

Note that this statement should be read as: "At least most of Alice's identification attempts have been false as of now." This supports the principle understanding that we do not necessarily have information about all of Alice's identification attempts.

Answer (4): Nothing is known about what happens when an eyewitness fails to identify the perpetrator. Thus, the claim in answer (D) is unsupported by the text and is incorrect.

Answer (5): Nothing is known about witnesses who are not eyewitnesses, and thus answer (E) cannot be inferred from the text.

How much time did it take you to answer?

On this test, you’ll get 90 minutes for 40-50 questions, meaning you have in some cases less than 2 minutes to answer each question. And as you can see from this example, some questions require deep thinking and may take considerable time to answer correctly.

 

💡 By practicing beforehand, you can sharpen your skills and learn to solve questions much faster. This will also help you stay calm during the test and improve your score significantly.


Here’s another example from the Logical Reasoning test section. This time, it’s a logical deduction question. Give it a try:

 

FBI Logical Deduction Sample Question

Choose whether the conclusion follows the text below or not.

All Real Estate assets are either very large or located in central areas but not both. While no apartment is without air-conditioning, all air-conditioned RE assets are very large.

Conclusion: RE Assets that are located in central areas are not apartments.

 Does the conclusion follow from the text?

1. Conclusion Follows
2. Conclusion does not follow
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

Conclusion follows.

Real-estate assets = A, very large = B, located in a central area = C, apartment = D, air conditioning = E.

"All Real Estate assets are either very large or located in central areas but not both". (A -> B/C)

"No apartment is without air-conditioning" is equivalent to "Every apartment is with air conditioning" which means (D -> E).

"all air-conditioned RE assets are very large." (A+E -> B).

In addition, we know that all apartments are Real-estate assets. (D -> A).

The conclusion states (A + C -/> D).

If (A+E -> B), and (D -> E), then (D -> B) (because D is a subgroup of A). And since (A -> B/C), every A that is C cannot be D- Which is the conclusion.

In other words:

If all air-conditioned real-estate assets are very large, and all apartments are air conditioned, then all apartments are very large (because apartments are a subgroup of real-estate assets). And since no real-estate asset can be both very large and located in a central area, then this RE asset cannot be very large, as it is in a central area and it cannot be both. As you have concluded that all apartments are very large and this RE asset cannot be very large, then it is not an apartment.

Why Is It Important to Score High on the FBI Phase 1 Test (and Not Just to Pass It)?

The score you’ll get on the FBI Test will be kept in your candidate file and will carry weight on the final hiring decision. Thus, a high score does not only ensure that you pass the exam, but it also gives you a better chance of gaining employment.

And that's why it's so important to practice beforehand.

Here’s a practice question that resembles an FBI Figural Reasoning question you may encounter on the actual test:

FBI Figural Reasoning Sample Question

Please select the answer that completes the matrix

FBI Phase 1 Test
Click Here to View Answer and Explanation

The correct answer is 3.

Take a look at the top row, going from left to right. The frames change in the following way:

All the shapes from the left frame are rearranged as follows in the center frame: the bottom shape is placed within the (slightly enlarged) middle shape, which in turn is placed within the (enlarged) top shape. Therefore, in the center frame we have a small L shape (from the bottom of the left frame), within a larger down arrow (from the middle of the left frame), within an even larger square (from the top of the left frame).

The right frame is similar to the center frame, with the following two differences:

The center shape (in this case the L-shape) is elongated.

The middle shape has been replaced by the middle shape from the left frame of the previous row (in this case the bottom row).

This pattern is repeated in each row.

We can eliminate choice 5 because the pentagon in the background has been flipped and is not the same as in the center frame. We can eliminate choice 1 because the center shape (the pie-shape) is not elongated. Finally, we can eliminate choices 2 and 4 as they should have a middle shape that is similar to the middle shape of the left frame of the previous row, but they do not. (In choice 4 the middle shape has not changed at all but remains a triangle, and in choice 2 the middle shape has changed to that of the following [or in this case the top] row).

Therefore, we are left with answer choice 3 as the only correct answer.

  

Did you manage to solve this one?

For untrained test takers, these Figural Reasoning questions may seem intimidating. However, the more you practice these question types, the more you become familiar with their patterns and learn to solve them quickly and correctly.

 

💡 In our full FBI PrepPack™, you’ll find dozens of Figural Reasoning practice questions that will help you prepare for any question type you’ll encounter on the actual test.

 

The next sample question is one that some would say you can’t prepare for. But from our extensive experience in preparing thousands of FBI candidates for their entrance exams, we argue that the opposite is true:

FBI Situational Judgment Sample Question

After reviewing a report that one of your employees has prepared, you think that some changes are required. When discussing this issue with the employee she disagrees with most of your comments, saying that she believes the report is better the way it is at the moment.

What should you do?

1. Explain to her that you have given the subject much thought and the changes are essential.

2. Let her know that your decisions are final, but show empathy toward her frustration over changing her work.

3. Say that the report is her work and you respect her opinion. Your input is meant to assist her and she is free to accept or decline it.

4. Ask her to present her objections to your comments in order for you to discuss them together.

Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

Best response: 4

Primary competency: decision-making

Secondary competencies: resilience, flexibility and adaptability, persistence

Explanation: In this question, you are facing a professional disagreement with an employee. Notice that the question asks about your first response - in other words, you are asked what your initial reaction would be, not what would eventually be the best solution. This implies that the question aims to assess your approach to this situation (your supervisory style), more than your actual problem-solving strategy.

Responses 1 and 2 present a polite decline of the employee’s stand. This approach emphasizes your authority as a supervisor – you respect your employees, yet your opinion is the final decision. Both responses emphasize hierarchy, but response 2 emphasizes it more. In response 1 you explain yourself to the employee (saying that you gave the matter serious thought) and the rationale for going with your comments is that you find it important. In response 2 the rationale for going with your comments is that you are the supervisor and that it is you make the final decision(persistence). Response 1 creates a more flexible impression (by explaining yourself you seem open to discussion) while response 2 shows more respect for the employee’s feelings. However, in both responses there is no actual discussion and the approach is hierarchical.

Response 3 presents an opposite approach. In this response you take no authoritative stand; your approach is that of a guide. You are flexible, yet in most workplaces and positions this approach could seem to lack resilience.

Response 4 is the only one in which there is an actual discussion. Instead of a simple exchange of opinions, this response enables you to get more information, hear another opinion and think together with your employee (decision making - taking staff input). This response shows that you have respect for your employee’s opinions while maintaining respect for your own opinion and keeping your authority. This is the best way to start handling the situation (the best first response) as it allows you and your employee further deliberation, while your final decision is yet to be determined and is still in your hands. This response demonstrates an approach that is more thorough (decision making) and open-minded (flexibility).

The SJT question types measure how you relate to others, make decisions, and maintain a positive attitude. There are questions in the SJT that need careful thought and are designed to catch you out.

However, with careful preparation and our expert guidance, you will gain the skills needed to show the FBI that you are the right person for the job.

 

💡 Being able to quickly identify and come up with solutions to issues in the workplace is a highly sought-after skill in the FBI. When you prepare for the SJT section you are actually preparing yourself for the job at the FBI!

Finished Practicing the FBI Sample Questions? Here’s What You Can Do Next

First, kudos on finishing these challenging sample questions. You may already feel more prepared for the FBI Phase 1 Test than you did 15 minutes ago.

The example questions we’ve introduced to you today are a good starting point, as they resemble the difficulty and style of some of the actual questions you will encounter.

However, they still don’t cover the majority of the question types you’ll face on the test. Thus, relying solely on sample questions for practicing is usually insufficient and may lead to poor performance and low scores.

Therefore, to teach you how to pass the FBI Phase 1 Test with the highest possible score, we’ve created the Full 2021 FBI Test PrepPack™.

In this preparation pack, you’ll get:

  • FBI-style practice tests that cover the five test sections and simulate the same question types you’ll likely face on the real test (verified by our test experts)
  • Advanced methods and techniques that will skyrocket your problem-solving abilities
  • Specific drills that target your weakest areas in which you feel you need reinforcement
  • Study guides and video tutorials with exclusive FBI test tips found nowhere else on the web (including Biodata inventory guide)

From a survey we conducted, we found that our preparation pack has improved chances for success on test day by 73%. That’s quite amazing, right?

The more you practice, the more you will feel confident before the test, since you know you have the knowledge, tools and skills to solve every question you encounter.

 

⚠️ The test is tomorrow? No problem!
Even practicing for as little as 3 hours the day before the test can help you increase your score significantly.

 

To gain these valuable skills and to continue practicing for your FBI Phase 1 Test right away (with practice materials starting at only $79!), click the button below:

 

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Here's what one of our recent customers, who had only one day to prepare for his test, had to say about our PrepPack™:

 

Gregory T. | Verified Reviewer

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“I'm really glad I purchased the FBI Test preparation pack. I studied this review pack for about 6 hours on the day before my test. The practice questions were the same format as the real test. I've taken a lot of Police Officer exams, but they don't compare to the FBI phase 1 test. FBI test is way harder and having studied this practice pack gave me the confidence I needed for the test. I passed 1st try.”

FBI Phase 1 Test FAQ

How Hard Is It to Become an FBI Special Agent?

The route to become an FBI Special Agent is highly competitive, truly difficult, and may take a year or longer. The FBI uses various assessments and interviews, such as the FBI Phase 1 Test, to screen the most capable candidates amongst thousands of talented and impressive applicants.

So, if you dream to become an FBI Special Agent, make sure you have the necessary knowledge, skills, and a lot of patience before you enter this challenging process.
What Is the Starting Salary and Benefits of an FBI Special Agent?

Recruits who make it to the academy receive a modest salary for the 16 weeks of training. Upon receiving their badge, they start at salaries ranging from $53,743 to $58,335 a year. Agents who stay with the force can earn up to $113,000 a year and managers can make even more.

The FBI provides its employees with health benefits, a thrifts savings plan, life insurance, and time off for vacation and sick leave, with an additional 10 days off for federal holidays.
How Can I Prepare for the FBI Test?

You can easily prepare for the online FBI test to achieve a high score by practicing with our customized PrepPack™. Not only will you gain a better understanding of the tools you need to pass, you will also receive timed tests, practice resources, and a biodata inventory study guide to make sure you land your dream career with the FBI.
I Work Full-Time and Don’t Have Time to Practice for the FBI Test. Is One Day of Practice Enough to Pass?

Of course! From our experience and our customer testimonials, we know that even practicing for as little as three hours the day before the test can be beneficial for you. In these three hours, you’ll familiarize yourself with the question types and test format, learn solving techniques and get useful tips and insights that will help you succeed.
How Long is the Phase 1 Test?

The FBI Phase 1 Test is a three-hour test consisting of cognitive, behavioral, and logical reasoning tests.
What Should I Wear to the FBI Phase 1 Test?

The FBI official site recommends to “wear casual, comfortable clothing that is suitable for an office environment.”

 

Continue Practicing With the Full FBI Test PrepPack™

 

 

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About the Author:

 

author
Arbel is JobTestPrep's FBI Test specialist. He has over 15 years' experience working as a psychometric test instructor and has led JobTestPrep's efforts to provide thousands of FBI Phase 1 test-takers with the most accurate online prep possible since 2017. You can contact him at
ask_arbel@jobtestprep.com

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