MCOLES Test [Reading & Writing]: Free Practice & Expert Prep



The MCOLES Reading and Writing test, also known as the MCOLES test, have been developed by the test provider PSB, to test the critical skills required of law enforcement officers in Michigan.

The Mcoles test is designed to measure writing and reading comprehension skills. This is an online test, that consists of 120 multiple-choice items with a time cape of 2H - that means you've got an average of 1 min per question.

Preparing for law enforcement exams can be challenging, and getting a passing score will be difficult without access to the proper preparation tools. 

To help you pass the test, we've gathered crucial details you must know and relevant sample questions that will help you fulfill the mission and succeed in the test!

MCOLES Police Test Practice

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Reading Comprehension Prep:
- 5 Reading Comprehension Basics practice
- 10 Reading Comprehension practice tests
Writing Skills Prep:
 - 22 Writing Skills improvement practice tests 
 - 3 Extra Police Forms drills
Original study guides & more extra preparation

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What Is the MCOLES Test?

The MCOLES test is the pre-employment test for law enforcement positions in Michigan. It is a Reading and Writing test, which measures Verbal and Reading Comprehension skills.

According to official information, the test dates for 2025 are spread all over the year. The test is conducted approximately five times per month at various educational centres throughout Michigan.


What Are the MCOLES Test Sections?

The writing skills section includes five different subjects:

· Details: You'll be asked to read two statements and choose which one has more valuable and detailed information.

· Spelling: You'll be presented with a sentence with words missing and choose the correct spelling of the missing word from three options.

· Word Usage: Here, you will be tasked with choosing the word that best completes a broken sentence.

· Clarity: A complete sentence will be presented with a phrase or section italicized. Your task will be to review three alternatives, the first identical to the italicized phrase, and choose the most clearly stated one.

· Grammar: You'll be presented with a given sentence and asked to decide whether it is or is not grammatically correct.

The reading comprehension section includes several texts, each followed by questions. You'll be asked to read and answer questions on various passages, including the context of words and choosing the best sentence for summation.


MCOLES Free Practice Test

Here, you can find our free practice test, developed by JobTestPrep's experts, where you'll be able to practice all the different types of questions you'll face at the MCOLES test. 

MCOLES Details Question:

Which of the following statements is the most detailed and informative?

Wrong

Correct!

View Explanation

The correct answer is B. as you can see, oth options contain substantial detail, but B provides the more specific and useful information.

· Location: A only lists “589 Westbrook Avenue,” while B specifies “Dallas, Texas,” making the address complete.

· Victim Identification: A gives only the name “Martin Ellis.” B adds his age (42), making the identification fuller.

· Point of Entry: A mentions “a window” was broken. B clarifies that it was the kitchen window, a detail that strengthens the report.

· Stolen Property: A says “several electronic items.” B specifies the Samsung television and two Apple iPads, making the report actionable.

· Balance of Length: Both A and B are comparable in detail and length, so the challenge is in noticing the subtle but important additional facts in B.

MCOLES Spelling Question:

Choose the combination of words that are spelled correctly to fill in the blanks.

The officer explained the ____ for placing the suspect under arrest.

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is B. The officer explained the reason for placing the suspect under arrest

MCOLES Word Usage Question:

Choose the word which is the most reasonable to fill in the blank.

The officer reminded the jury of the legal _____ that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is A. The officer reminded the jury of the legal principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

principle = a fundamental rule → fits.

principal = head of a school or main person/thing → wrong here.

Want to Practice More?

Our MCOLE test prep includes more than 900 practice questions that will help you study while practicing skills you must acquire to succeed in the test! 

MCOLES Clarity Question:

Select the clearest statement to complete the sentence.

The witness described the car as being of a red color..

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is B.

A is wordy and less direct.

B is the clearest and most concise.

C is grammatically fine but awkward.

MCOLES Grammar Question:

Determine whether the sentence is Grammarly correct-

Where did you went last weekend?

Wrong

Correct!

View Explanation

The correct answer is B.

The auxiliary verb “did” already marks the past tense. Therefore, the main verb should be in the base form (“go”), not in the past form (“went”).

· Incorrect: Where did you went last weekend?

· Correct: Where did you go last weekend?

MCOLES Reading Comprehension Question:

Read the following passage and answer the question below:

Community policing has become an essential approach in many cities. Instead of only responding to emergencies or crimes after they occur, officers actively build relationships with residents. By doing so, they gain trust, learn about concerns before they become serious problems, and often prevent crime through visibility and cooperation. This strategy also helps officers understand cultural differences within neighborhoods, making their responses more effective.

Technology also plays a growing role in modern policing. Body cameras, for example, increase accountability and provide evidence during investigations. Data analysis tools help departments track crime patterns and assign resources where they are needed most. These advances make law enforcement more efficient, but they also require officers to develop new technical skills in addition to traditional ones.

Which of the following best describes community policing?

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The Correct Answer is B.

The passage explains that community policing emphasizes relationships, trust, and prevention. Option (a) is too narrow, and option (c) is incorrect because technology is mentioned separately, not as part of community policing.

Practice free questions for any police written exam with our Police Practice Test, or check out our NTN and New York Police Exam pages for more information.


If you are interested in additional resources make sure to visit our Free Police Exam Practice Questions or our Police Psychological Exam Preparation

FAQs

MCOLES stands for The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.


The fee you'll have to pay to take the MCOLES test is 68$.


The length of the MCOLES Test is 2 Hours.


Test scores for the MCOLES Test do not expire. For those who pass the MCOLES Reading and Writing Test, a letter grade is reported (i.e., A, B, or C). This letter grade indicates to the employer whether you are in the top (A), middle (B), or lower (C) group. You may access your test results 24 hours after completing the test.


If you would like to try to improve your results, you may elect to retake the test at any time.