FBI Practice Test: Prep & Pass the Phase 1 Test

What Is on the FBI Phase 1 Test?

The FBI Phase 1 Test, also named the FBI Special Agent Exam, is a three-hour test consisting of cognitive, behavioral, and logical reasoning tests.

The following video will get you familiarized with the exam, step-by-step:

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What Are the Challenges to Passing the FBI Entrance Exam?

The question types on this 3-hour test are unconventional, and in some cases even tricky. They require you to stay on your toes throughout the entire exam and use sharp reasoning, fast-thinking, and strong attention to detail (just like a real FBI Special Agent).

The FBI Phase 1 Test Pass Rate

The FBI Entrance Exam has a 30% passing rate. If you fail to pass the test for the first time, you'll have a second chance to retest 90 days after your final test session. If you fail it for the second time, your application for the Special Agent position will be permanently deactivated.

To give you a taste of the real thing, here are two sample questions that highly resemble the questions types you'll face on the actual test:

FBI Special Agent Exam Sample Questions

Question 1 - SJT

You are doing a performance evaluation for Janet, one of your team supervisors. Which of the following should you avoid doing during the review?

A - Examining her ability to manage time and resources

B - Keeping your negative feedback as general as possible

C - Asking her about her own career goals

D - Talking about how she responds to your authority as a manager
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is B.

  • Core competency: encouraging employees’ development
  • Secondary competencies: supervising performance, effective communication

This is a question about employees’ training and development, as well as your need to supervise their performance. More specifically, the question discusses appropriate and effective ways to provide feedback. The question asks what you should avoid.

Employees’ ability to manage time and resources (response A) is relevant to their work effectiveness. Hence, it is relevant and beneficial to address this aspect of their work in their review.

Providing feedback and suggesting strategies could help them improve their work and become more efficient.

Response B implies that since receiving negative feedback could feel uncomfortable, it’s better to keep it general and thus avoid hurting the employee. However, general feedback is less effective – it’s vague, might be less coherent, and can be misunderstood easily.

Moreover, the more general the feedback is, the more room for the employee to guess what you really mean or feel your discomfort in providing this feedback. Your avoidance could make a big deal out of something that could be simpler. In short, providing clear and specific feedback is more effective.

This response is the one that should be avoided. That being said, providing negative feedback should indeed be done with sensitivity, focusing on improvements rather than pointing out errors.

This response lacks effective communication skills and could also make you seem to lack confidence.

Responses C and D could seem very personal – addressing your employee’s personal goals or discussing her relationship with you. However, before you cross out one of these options based on a hunch, try to approach each one calmly and consider it analytically. Are there any situations in which these topics could be relevant?

An employee’s career goals (response C) are a relevant topic for discussion. One of your goals as a manager is to help employees develop professionally, for both the benefit of the organization and the employee. Discussing your supervisor’s goals enables you to both establish shared goals and direct your supervisor’s development (tasks she would be assigned to, professional courses she may take, etc.) accordingly.

Your supervisor’s acceptance of authority (response D) is relevant to your ability to work together. Employees’ acceptance of authority is essential for their ability to work under management. While differences of opinion and disagreements will happen and – if discussed appropriately – could contribute additional views and ideas; however, when your supervisor refuses authority, or the relationship is rocky, work can be much more difficult.

 


Question 2 - Logical Deductions

All Poverty-stricken people suffer from multiple physical illnesses. All people with multiple physical illnesses are displeased with their life.
People pleased with their life are not poverty-stricken.

 

Conclusion follows

Conclusion does not follow
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

Conclusion follows.

A = poverty-stricken people

B = people who suffer from multiple physical illnesses

~C = people displeased with their life (~ means "not").

According to the premises: all A -> B and all B -> ~C. This also means all A -> ~C.

The conclusion states all C (people pleased with their life) -> ~A, which equals A -> ~C. Remember the NOT Triangle: A generalizing statement (all A -> are B) is logically equivalent to the transposed negative formulation of the same statement (all not B -> not A).


All the practice questions on our complete FBI Phase 1 PrepPack™ come with thorough explanations and solving tips, just like you've seen above. These will help you learn the most efficient solving techniques for each and every question.

Additional Info About the FBI Entrance Exam

The FBI Entrance Exam consists of 5 sections. Let's elaborate a little bit on each one of them:

Logic-Based Reasoning

This section of the FBI phase 1 test 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. This section contains 11 questions. and there's 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.

Here's an example for a logical reasoning question type you'll likely see on this test section:

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.

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 specific"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 action (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

The hiring process for Special Agent roles is lengthy and may take from as little as several months to more than a year. Here's a breakdown of the process:

Application

The first step in the hiring process for FBI special agents is submitting your online application. When filling out the form, 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 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 meeting, 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 regarding 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.

 

JobTestPrep's FBI Practice Tests - Your Proven Prep to Ace the Phase 1 Test

Continue practicing with the complete FBI Entrance Exam PrepPack™ (updated for 2022) and become one of the 30% who pass the FBI phase 1 test.

Prep with full-length practice tests simulating the real testing experience. Get access to exclusive resources on logical deductions, situational judgment, and a biodata inventory study guide all geared towards prepping you for your upcoming FBI exam.

The Complete 2022 FBI Test Prep Is Just One Click Away

 

 

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FBI Test FAQ

What Do Those Who Score High on the FBI Test Receive?

Receiving a high score on the FBI entrance exam may increase your chances of gaining employment with the FBI. That's because your phase 1 test score will be kept in your candidate file, and will likely carry weight on the final hiring decision.

Once you get hired, 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.
How Do I Prepare for the FBI Exam?

The best way to prepare for the FBI exam is by practicing solving the same question types that are found on the real test. Moreover, it's crucial to prepare using the actual time constraints.

In our complete FBI Test Prep, you can find hundreds of practice questions similar to the ones you'll face on the real FBI Phase 1 Test. These questions are equipped with full explanations and tips, to provide you with the best preparation process.
How Many Times Can You Take the FBI Exam?

If you don't pass the FBI Phase 1 Test on your first try, you'll be eligible to retake after 90 days. Note that not all candidates will be invited for a retest. If you fail the test twice, your application will be terminated and you'll be ineligible for future consideration for the Special Agent position.
How Hard is the FBI Phase 1 Test?

The FBI Phase 1 Test, also named the FBI Test, is a tough exam, and only around 30% of test-takers manage to pass it. It lasts for 3 hours and includes various challenging questions, ranging from logic-based to behavioral questions.
How Many Candidates Fail Phase 1 FBI Test

It's estimated that around 70% of the FBI Phase 1 test-takers fail the exam every year. Some get a second chance to retake it in 90 days, but there are candidates who are ineligible for a retest and their application terminates once they fail the exam.

 

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