FBI Special Agent Entrance (Phase 1) Exam Preparation + Sample Questions

Other applicants are preparing, so why shouldn't you? Get a competitive edge with our tailored PrepPack™ and pass the tests necessary for getting a job with the FBI. Start preparing with our 2020 edition of the FBI entrance exam PrepPack™ and take two full-length practice tests that simulate your upcoming FBI Phase 1 Test.

What Is the FBI Special Agent Exam?

The FBI Special Agent entrance exam is also referred to as the Phase I Test. It is a three-hour test consisting of cognitive, behavioral, and logical reasoning tests.

What Do Those Who Score High Receive?

By receiving a high score on the FBI entrance exam, you increase your chances of gaining employment with the FBI. The FBI is a federal government agency responsible for law enforcement and domestic intelligence that, among its many duties, defends the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats. The FBI also provides criminal justice services to municipal, state, federal, and international agencies. The starting salary for an FBI special agent is $47,630. 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.

What Are the Challenges to Passing?

The FBI employs approximately 14,000 special agents. The special agents of the FBI are the agency's primary investigators, responsible for enforcing federal statutes and conducting federal and national security investigations. The five major career paths for special agent employees include opportunities in intelligence, counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, criminal, and cyber. These main paths branch out to many other departments that consist of job-specific FBI special agents.

The FBI has very strict entry requirements designed to pick out the most appropriate candidates for the FBI agent job. Entry to all FBI special agent positions is conducted through FBI special agent exams.

FBI Special Agent Exam - Sample Question

Why You Need to Prepare for the 2020 FBI Special Agent Exam

You should prepare for the test before taking it in order to increase your chances of achieving a high score on the test. A high score not only ensures that you pass the exam, but it also gives you a better chance of gaining employment. Our PrepPack™ includes timed tests and study guides to help you get ready, and our practice tests include detailed answer explanations. 

More about the FBI Special Agent Exam

The FBI Special Agent Exam is also known as the Phase I Test. You have three hours to complete the FBI test questions, which, together, make up five multiple-choice exams:

Logic-Based Reasoning

This section of the FBI entrance exam online contains several passages that present a set of facts followed by a specific statement or question. Candidates must decide which of the five response choices best suits the statement. These questions measure each candidate's ability to notice details, evaluate information, and make valid judgments. There is a total of 90 minutes allotted for answering 40–50 questions. It is highly recommended to practice for the FBI logical reasoning test before taking the exam. This section contains 11 questions.

Figural Reasoning

This section assesses your ability to use problem-solving and reasoning to identify the shape or image that logically fits the pattern. The questions will contain a sequence of shapes and patterns. There will be 9 questions in this section.

Personality Assessment

This assessment measures aspects of your personality to identify those that possess traits necessary to be a successful agent. There will be 100 statements in this section.

Preferences and Interests

This test gathers information about your personal attitudes toward a variety of statements. It is similar to be successful as a Special Agent. This section contains 37 questions.

Situational Judgment Test

This section contains several descriptions of a certain "problem situation," followed by a list of actions that one might take in that situation. The candidate is required to rate the effectiveness of each of the actions (from most effective to ineffective) based on his or her personal judgment. These questions measure candidates' abilities to relate effectively with others, adapt to changing environments, organize and prioritize, and evaluate information in order to make a decision. There are 19 questions in this section of the FBI test.

FBI Special Agent Hiring Process

Application

The first step in the hiring process for FBI special agents is submitting your online application. When filling out the application, be prepared to answer questions about specialized skills, professional experiences, and your willingness to commit to the FBI and its mission. Additionally, you must complete a physical fitness evaluation, in accordance with the FBI's physical fitness requirements, as part of the initial application.

Phase I Test

Those who meet initial pre-screening and eligibility requirements are asked to take the Phase I Test. The FBI Phase I Test is a three-hour exam consisting of cognitive, behavioral, and logical reasoning tests. If you pass, you will be invited to a "Meet and Greet" interview. During the interview, you will learn more about the Special Agent Selection System and be evaluated by a recruitment team.

Internal Review

After passing Phase I testing and completing the "Meet and Greet," you will be reviewed by an internal FBI hiring board on your ability to meet the current needs of the FBI.

Phase II Test and Interview

After passing this review, you will be contacted to complete Phase II, which consists of two parts—a writing task and a structured interview. Phase II Writing is a 90-minute written exam meant to test your ability to analyze data and prepare a comprehensive report. At the beginning of the exercise, you will be given a set of background materials to use. The Phase II Structured Interview is a one-hour, structured oral panel interview. This interview is designed to measure critical skills and abilities.

Conditional Job Offer and Physical Fitness Test

Once you pass the Phase II tests, you are extended a conditional job offer (CJO). Upon accepting the CJO, you will be scheduled to take the official physical fitness Test (PFT)—a rigorous physical examination administered in accordance with strict FBI protocol. CJOs are contingent upon successfully passing the PFT, physical, and background investigation.

FBI Logical Reasoning Sample Question

Below is a sample question for the situational judgment test:

In order to ensure a fair trial for any defendant, there are certain rules that defense attorneys must obey. A defense attorney must advocate for his client to the best of his ability even if he knows that his client is guilty. A defense attorney must never share confidential, attorney-client information with the prosecuting attorney. A defense attorney must not give his client bad advice that would make the defense attorney's job easier. Failure to follow these rules can result in the defense attorney being sued for misrepresentation. Suppose Ken G. is a defense attorney who has been sued for misrepresentation.

Which of the following cannot be reasonably inferred about Ken G.?

1. Ken G. must have shared confidential attorney-client information with the prosecuting attorney.
2. Ken G. may not have advocated for a client of his to the best of his ability.
3. Ken G. may not have followed all of the rules that defense attorneys must obey.
4. Ken G. may have given a client bad advice in order to make his job easier.
5. Ken G. followed all of the rules that defense attorneys must obey, but his client sued him since the end result of the case was not to the client's liking.

The Benefits of Being Ready

Start preparing with our 2020 FBI Entrance Exam PrepPack™ and take full-length practice tests that simulate your upcoming exam. Get access to exclusive resources on logical deductions, situational judgment, and a biodata inventory study guide all geared towards preparing you for your upcoming FBI exam.