ICE HSI Special Agent Test: Free Practice and Hiring Guide [2026]
Last Updated: June 2026
The ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent assessment is designed to evaluate how effectively you analyze information, solve problems, and make decisions in realistic workplace situations. Through Logical Reasoning and Situational Judgment questions, you must demonstrate the critical thinking and judgment skills required of federal investigators.
With strict time limits and a competitive selection process, even qualified applicants can struggle if they are unfamiliar with the exam format. Thorough preparation can help you improve your reasoning skills, manage your time effectively, and maximize your chances of advancing in the ICE HSI hiring process.
The JobTestPrep HSI Special Agent test prep includes the following:
Phase I and Phase II Assessments Practice Tests
Phase III - Interview Prep
The JobTestPrep Law Enforcement Profile guide will help prepare for your Phase III interview. It includes:
Bonus: A Full Personality test + 30 Single Trait drills and a detailed Personality theory guide.
JobTesPrep preparation is mostly purchased by candidates applying for criminal investigator/special agent positions.
1-Month Access
Here you’ll find free HSI Test example questions along with detailed explanations about the content, score, hiring process, and job requirements.
HSI special agent tests are multi-phase assessments for criminal investigator candidates. Phase I includes two non-proctored tests (AWA & SJT). Phase II includes three tests (WST, LRA, & CER) under supervision. The tests evaluate writing, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities, among others.
Take a look at the following HSI sample questions and see if you can answer them.
The Logic Based reasoning test measures your ability to utilize effectively critical thinking, judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making. The test will assess your ability to comprehend information successfully within the time limit and draw correct conclusions from the given facts.
The Writing Skills Test measures your ability to apply the rules of written English accurately and effectively. The test evaluates your grammar, sentence construction, word usage, and paragraph organization, assessing your ability to recognize correct writing and communicate clearly.
JobTestPrep Employes a team of psychologists and cognitive specialists whose expertise allows us to provide the most perfect recruitment preparation around.
Each HSI practice test is thoroughly researched and frequently updated to ensure that you get the most comprehensive and accurate practice available.
The ICE HSI Special Agent hiring process is highly competitive and designed to identify candidates with the skills, judgment, and professionalism required for federal law enforcement careers.
Your journey begins with an application through USAJOBS, where HSI reviews your qualifications to determine whether you meet the position's eligibility requirements. You will also complete an occupational questionnaire that evaluates your education, training, and work experience.
If you meet the required qualifications, you will be invited to take the HSI Special Agent assessments. These assessments are completed in two phases and are designed to measure the critical skills needed for success on the job. Phase I consists of online assessments that can be completed remotely, while Phase II includes proctored assessments at an ICE-designated testing center.
Candidates who pass both assessment phases may advance to a structured interview, where HSI evaluates key competencies such as judgment, communication, and suitability for the role. This is an important step in the selection process and requires a passing score to continue.
The final stages typically include a background investigation, medical examination, drug screening, and security clearance review. Candidates who successfully complete all requirements may receive a final offer to join ICE Homeland Security Investigations as a Special Agent.
Because each stage serves as a screening point, thorough preparation is essential. Understanding the hiring process and familiarizing yourself with the assessment format can help you approach every stage with confidence and improve your chances of success.
Two non-proctored HSI entrance exams are required as part of the criminal investigator application process.
The initial criminal investigator entrance exam is the Automated Writing Assessment (AWA), a crucial component of the criminal investigator's role.
As part of the AWA, applicants must write a short essay of at least 100 words in response to a non-job-related writing prompt and are evaluated on their:
The applicant has 25 minutes to complete the AWA.
The second assessment is the Situational Judgment Test (SJT), which tests the applicant's ability to make rapid and effective decisions and adapt behavior accordingly.
During the SJT, the applicant is presented with 14 realistic, job-related scenarios, each with a potential course of action.
Each suggested course of action must be evaluated in 75 minutes, and the applicant must indicate its effectiveness.
If you passed the Phase I assessments of the ICE Special Agent Test, you'll get an invitation to complete the Phase II assessments.
The Phase II assessments are taken together with a test proctor at an ICE-designated testing center in most U.S. cities.
You'll need to schedule your own appointment for the proctored assessments.
The Phase II assessments include the
To move on to Phase III, you'll need to pass all the Phase II assessments within a specific timeframe.
The entire proctored assessment process will take you around 3 to 3.5 hours.
The following are the basic requirement for entering the homeland security hiring process.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens under 37 years of age.
Depending on the grade level, minimum qualifications may include:
Pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT-P) consists of four timed events, The exercises should be performed correctly, in the order listed below, and should be separated by no more than five minutes.
For each, a minimum score is required:
1. 32 sit-ups within one minute.
2. 220-yard sprint within 47.73 seconds.
3. 22 push-ups within one minute.
4. 1.5-mile run in less than 14 minutes and 25 seconds.
The HSI Academy is responsible for providing HSI Special Agents with comprehensive training in the most effective and current methods for conducting transnational criminal investigations.
The basic training is provided through the HSI Special Agent Training (HSISAT) program, which includes legal principles and investigative techniques, and is mandatory for all HSI Special Agents.
The advanced training curriculum offered by the HSI Academy enables HSI Special Agents to continually hone their skills through specialized courses across a wide range of programmatic areas.
A special agent officer never knows what to expect from one day to the next. Their morning may start with "Early morning trash pulls" before moving on to tasks such as "Surveillance" and "Signing up confidential informants."
In addition, they attend "Meetings and case presentations at the U.S. Attorney’s Office," draft "Affidavits for search or seizure warrants," and interview "Victims, witnesses, and targets."
The officer is also involved in "Analyzing database results, bank records," and documenting their findings in "Reports of investigations."
When a trial is about to begin, the agent is "Preparing to testify" and engaged in "Trial preparation."
As part of their enforcement duties, they are responsible for "Conducting enforcement actions including executing search warrants, making arrests, indictments, and convictions," and are always with an eye on "Preparing for media attention."
The HSI SRT is a Special Response Team (SRT) within Homeland Security Investigations. It’s main duty is Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent salaries typically range from $48,000 to over $167,600, depending on rank, location, and experience. Pay is based on federal GS/GL pay scales and includes locality and overtime compensation.
