Preparing for the Police Memory Skills Test
Many police departments and police tests use this type of question. This page offers sample questions that can be found on the police exam (both for image and text memory questions), and useful links to related prep content.
Become a police officer by passing the memory section of any police test!
Visit our Free Practice Test for any Police Exam, with info on police officer exams in the US.
More Police Exam Practice Tests:
Police Dispatchers | Police Psychological Exam | Police Test All-Inclusive | Police Exam Prep
Memory skills are an important section of police candidate tests. They form a part of police hiring evaluations throughout the United States. For example, candidates in the State of Florida are required to pass the CJBAT test, and NYPD candidates are required to pass the NYPD Entrance Exam, both of which contain a memory skills section.
This article includes an explanation of how police memory skills questions work, how to prepare and answer them, as well as examples of memory skills questions from real-world tests.
Police Memory Test Section
The memory test section of police tests is also known as the memorization test section or observation and memory section.
Memory questions on police tests are divided into two types:
- Image Memory Questions
- Text Memory Questions
Each of these questions presents you with a text or a photo. After you study them for a set amount of time, you will have to wait an additional few minutes before answering questions based on them.
Both stories and photos will be related to a situation that may occur while doing police work. All questions will be in a multiple-choice format. The number of memory questions on each test will vary.
Let's try some police memory questions, similar to what you may find on the actual assessment.
Police Test Image Memory Sample Questions
Memory is akin to a muscle in that it can be strengthened over time if the right techniques are applied. Answer the following questions, based on an image, to see how strong your memory muscle is, and ascertain how it can be made leaner. Simply reveal the image, observe it for as long as you see fit, then close the tab and proceed to questions.
Image Memory Sample Question #1
To which city do the police car and jacket belong?
Image Memory Sample Question #2
Which of the following is not a part of the young woman’s apparel?
Image Memory Sample Question #3
How many hats in total are worn by people in the image?
Want more sample questions for other sections of the police written test? Check out our free sample police test.
Police Test Text Memory Questions
Within the hidden tab, is a realistic accident investigation report. Peruse the content of the report, and try to pay heightened attention to the details of the report you think might come in handy in the questions section. When you're done, hide the text tab and answer as many questions as you can!
Police Accident Investigation Report:
On 4/27/04 at approximately 10:40 pm, I arrived at Thomas Dr. and Quarts St. to assist with a crash that had occurred there. When I arrived, I saw a black motorcycle lying in the roadway with damage to the front of the vehicle. I then drove to 3614 Hill Top Dr. Panama City Beach Florida, which was north of the crash scene, where I met with Sgt. Rafael Stewart. While there, I advised Sgt. Stewart that I would handle the crash from that point on due to the fact that he had been on duty since 10 am. Due to the severity of the injuries in the crash, it would have required him to stay on duty for a longer period of time. Sgt. Stewart advised me that he had placed John Jacob Christo Jr. (ID by his Florida driver's license 4C623-254-59-481-0) under arrest for leaving the scene of the crash with injuries. I then walked over to the Toyota Camery parked in the driveway at 3614 Hill Top Dr. When I walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle, I saw extensive damage to the vehicle which was consistent with the damage to the motorcycle. Sgt. Stewart also showed me where a small amount of marijuana and a marijuana pipe was located in the front driver’s floorboard on the right corner closest to the driver's
seat. I then took possession of the marijuana and marijuana pipe. Sgt. Stewart explained that the motorcycle was traveling west in the right lane of Thomas Dr. and that the Camery was traveling east on Thomas Dr., turning left onto Quarts St. As the Camery made the left turn, it was driven into the path of the motorcycle resulting in the crash. I then took Mr. Christo out of Sgt. Stewart's car and placed him in my patrol car. An ambulance with Bay Medical arrived at the scene upon Cpl. Baker's request to get blood due to the severity of the injuries of the motorcycle rider. At approximately 11:00 pm while in the back of the ambulance, I asked Mr. Christo if he would provide two samples of his blood and he said that he would. At approximately 11: At approximately 11:10 pm, paramedic Connie drew blood from Mr. Christo's inner left arm. I then transported Mr. Christo back to the scene of the crash prior to transporting him to the FHP station on CR 3321. While at the scene of the crash, I saw where the collision occurred. I saw where the motorcycle came to rest and that the motorcycle rider came to rest west of the collision which was consistent with what Sgt. Stewart had told me about the directions of travel. Once at the station, I weighed the marijuana which weighed one gram. I then transported Mr. Christo to the Bay County Jail where he was booked. While Mr. Christo was in my company, I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him and stronger as he spoke. After leaving the jail, I went back to the FHP station where I spoke to Cpl. Baker. Cpl. Baker advised me that Lt. Bob Harris with the Bay County Sheriff's office located the vehicle with Mr. Christo still sitting in the driver's seat behind the steering wheel. Cpl. Baker also told me that Mr. Christo admitted to driving the vehicle when the crash occurred after reading him his Miranda Rights. This all took place in Bay County Florida.
Text Memory Sample Question 1
Why did the reporting officer tell Sgt Stewart he will take over the investigation?
Police Text Memory Sample Question 2
What happened at 11:10 PM?
Text Memory Sample Question 3
How was Mr. Christo identified?
Want more sample questions for other sections of the police written test? Check out our free sample police test.
Tips for Solving Police Memory Questions
- In image memory questions - Focus on details pertaining to clothes, written information, actions of individuals, and other things an officer would focus on.
- For text-based questions, keeping it simple is the most important tip. This means memorizing and understanding the sequence of events by telling them to yourself simply and in your own words.
Different police tests have slight differences in the images and/or questions they present to candidates, so it is important to know exactly which police test you will be taking and to prepare accordingly.
Find your exact police test and prepare for it, with all its specific details and pitfalls. Or prepare for ANY police test with the All-in-One Police Test PrepPack.
How to Prepare for the Police Memory Test?
Memory skills can only be developed by practicing. This means that you should answer questions and answer mock exams in conditions that replicate, as much as possible, those of the real examination. Placing you under time limits similar to the ones in the real exam helps you prepare for the stress of real-time limits.
Start practicing today with tailored material for your police written exam, including the memory section:
Covers both text and image memory questions.
Police-related topics.
Detailed solutions and solving tricks for all questions.
Or read more about the preparation.
