Arbel, SAEE exam expert at JobTestPrep.
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What Is the SAEE Test?
The Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE) is taken to become a Secret Service agent. It can be administered in either computerized or paper-and-pencil format.
The Special Agent Entrance Exam is your first crucial hurdle on the long road to becoming a secret service special agent.
The secret service exam pass rate is quite low, and if you fail the SAEE, you’ll have to wait 6 months before you can retake it. But even then, you must first reapply for an open vacancy- and who knows when it will open again in these crazy times.
But there's no need to be nervous- using an SAEE practice test, you can dramatically increase your chances of passing the Special Agent Entrance Exam, and joining the ranks of secret service special agents. And the preparation pack on this page has the best SAEE practice test material out there!
The test consists of multiple-choice questions and is made up of five separately timed sections: Logic-based reasoning, experience inventory (parts 1 and 2), language usage, and detail observation.
These are all skills necessary for secret service special agents, and you will have to prove you have them to secure a special agent position.
Let’s expand on each of these sections:
The Secret Service Test Sections
- Section 1: Logic-Based Reasoning –The logic test section is one of the sections that frustrates secret service candidates the most. It contains 12 passages, each of which describes a set of facts. Each passage is followed by one to four questions that are conclusion based on the set of facts presented in the passage. There are 30 questions that need to be answered in 40 minutes.
Here’s a few sample questions (taken from our complete practice) to give you a feel for the real logical questions you’ll face:
1. All field agents hired in the last three years received advanced anti-terrorism training.
Only field agents can receive advanced anti-terrorism training.
Some field agents have not received advanced anti-terrorism training.
Bob was hired last year as a field agent.
Patricia has received advanced anti-terrorism training.
Indicate whether the statement is True, False, or if there is Insufficient Information to draw a conclusion:
Patricia was hired as a field agent within the last three years.
2. All Secret Service Special Agents hired in the last 4 years spent some time training in overseas Secret Service training facilities.
Most Secret Service Special Agents hired in the last 7 years spent some time training in overseas Secret Service training facilities.
Only Secret Service Special Agents can receive training in Secret Service training facilities.
Not all Secret Service training facilities are overseas.
Daniel was hired as a Secret Service Special Agent 3 years ago.
Adam has spent time training in at least one overseas Secret Service training facility.
Indicate whether the statement is True, False, or if there is Insufficient Information to draw a conclusion.
- Section 2: Experience Inventory, Part 1 – This section contains statements describing situations that applicants may or may not have encountered before. There are 64 questions that need to be answered in 20 minutes.
The SAEE preparation pack includes a full Special Agent Biodata Inventory Guide, Full personality practice test, guide, and single trait practices- to help you showcase your personal traits in the best manner possible.
- Section 3: Language Usage – This section includes two types of documents: memoranda and summary reports riddled with errors. Your task is to identify the errors in grammar, syntax, punctuation, usage, and/or structure. You have 40 minutes to answer 25 questions.
Here’s a few sample questions (taken from our complete practice) to give you a feel for the real logical questions you’ll face. Try to read the text and answer the question, in 1.5 minutes:
1. Investigation Report
(1) The incident began on Wednesday, October 3, 1990, at approximately 2:18 p.m., at the vehicle checkpoint to the White House. (2) Members of the United States Secret Service, Uniformed Division (USSS–UD), encountered a vehicle that was operated by a black female whose unfamiliar to them (hereinafter, “Jane”). (3) Officers described that Jane refused to stop at the vehicle checkpoint, make a U-turn, and began to flee in the vehicle towords the main road. (4) A vehicle pursuit began, and the officers chased Jane while she was operating the vehicle erratically, violating several traffic regulations. (5) Jane enter a traffic circle against the flow of traffic and drove onto a curb in front of Maryland Avenue. (6) His vehicle was immidiately surrounded by police forces, but she did not show any hesitation and started driving in reverse, which resulted in her hitting an officers’ car. (7) Officers from the USSS–UD than started shooting at the vehicle in order to stop it but did not succeed. (8) While the officers we’re shooting towards her car, she preceded to drive and got off the curb, going up to Constitution avenue where she abruptly stopped the vehicle. (9) The vehicle changed it’s direction to reverse, and Jane refused to stop again. (10) At this point, the officers fired several rounds into the vehicle, striking Jane. (11) The vehicle came to rest directly behind the guard’s booth on the United States Capitol Grounds. (12) Jane, along with an uninjured child, was removed from the vehicle. (13) She have been transported to the Washington Hospital Center where she was pronounced dead by Dr. Taylor Christine of the Medical staff. (14) The involved vehicle are currently in the custody of the Secret Service. (15) Based on the above facts and circumstences, the Secret Service officers will examine the vehicle and collect physical evidence to help investigate the defendant’s motives.
Which of the following sentences contains an error in subject-verb agreement?
2. Investigation Report
(1) On May 8, 2010, agents from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) received information from Sgt. Douglas Schmidt of the Richmond Heights, Missouri Police Department. (2) The information provided was about a 20-year-old female who were performing acts of prostitution. (3) The suspect is believed to be executing identity theft crimes, in which she steals the identity and credit card details of previous clients'. (4) She then use it to book hotel rooms and make other purchase. (5) Sgt. Schmidt provided the SIU with documentation for farther investigation, consisting of a record check on his name (Elizabeth Bane), a photo, and numeros “backpage.com” advertisements listed in St. Louis Adult Entertainment. (6) On June 5, 2010, agents located the most recent online posting regarding Elizabeth Bane. (7) The advertisement depicted photographs that we're, according to the agents, one and the same person as the female suspect. (8) The posting reflected an Alias name of “Sarah,” a telephone number, and extra informations regarding her services. (9) An undercover agent calls the advertised telephone number and made an appointment with “Sarah.” (10) “Sarah” did not give directions at this time and requested to call her upon “getting close to the Highland intersection,” at which time she would provide directions to her residance. (11) On there meeting day, the agent started his journey to the intersection, equipped with a monitoring device. (12) He then contacted “Sarah” to get his exact location. (13) Soon after his arrival, he signaled the Surveillance and arrest team to enter. (14) Upon completing the arrest, agents found evidence consisting of names and credit card details of previous clients, along with the purchases she made with them. (15) This case is another example of the Secret Services excellent work, aiming to reduce the rates of identity theft crimes as its principle priority.
Which of the following sentences contains an error in subject-verb agreement?
- Section 4: Experience Inventory, Part 2 – This section contains statements that describe different situations and opinions. You must choose the response option that best reflects the extent to which your past supervisors and/or teachers would agree that the statement describes you. You have 30 minutes to answer 96 questions.
- Section 5: Detail Observation – In this section, you are presented with a series of photographs. These photographs depict images that may be seen when working as a special agent, such as this scenario:
After viewing the photographs, you must answer a series of questions unrelated to the photographs. Only after, you will be asked a series of questions about what appeared in the photographs. You’re not allowed to view the photographs while answering these questions.
This section contains three photographs and three sets of accompanying questions, taking approximately 40 minutes to complete.
Is the SAEE Exam hard?
The SAEE can be difficult because it requires you to stay on your toes for an extended period of time (it takes more than 3 hours to complete the exam). The Secret Service does the same with its Uniformed Division Entrance Exam, the UDEE.
Additionally, the test includes unusual question types, such as Logical Reasoning and Detail Observation, which you usually don’t encounter on high school or college exams.
What to Wear to the Secret Service Test?
Have you wondered what you should wear to the SAEE test? The best advice is to wear a business appropriate outfit. For men – wear a suit, neutral color shirt, and a tie. For women – the equivalent of the men’s outfit. And if your hair is long, make sure to put it up.How Many Applicants Pass the Special Agent Entrance Exam?
Unfortunately, the secret service doesn’t disclose how many applicants pass the SAEE every year. Furthermore, they neither reveal the SAEE pass rate or the passing score whatsoever.
So, to make sure you pass the exam and advance to the next hiring step, it’s vital to practice as much as you can. And here’s how you can do it.
How to Pass the SAEE and Come One Step Closer to Your Desired SA Job
Each of the SAEE test sections has a different passing score. The problem is no one knows what it is! And that’s why it’s important not to neglect preparation for any of the sections.
To ensure you get a good grasp of each of the topics, we created a thorough SAEE test prep for you. This is by far the most comprehensive, accurate SAEE online practice and it includes everything you need to pass the test. You get:
- Realistic SAEE practice questions closely matching the actual test sections.
- Step-by-step explanations for every question allowing you to quickly learn from your mistakes.
- Dedicated study guides to brush up on your grammar skills and sharpen your memory and recall skills.
Get the Complete Special Agent Entrance Exam Prep
The 2023 Secret Service Hiring Process
To become a Secret Service Special Agent, you must go through a two-phased hiring process:
Phase I: Competency phase, and phase II: Security phase.
In 2020, the secret service hiring timeline lasted for 6 to 7 months. Here’s a breakdown of the two phases:
- Job Opportunity Announcements Posted on USAJobs
- Qualifications/Resume Review
- Written Exam (SAEE)
- Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT)
- Interview
- Conditional Job Offer
- Security Interview/Credit Checks
- Polygraph Exam
- Medical Exam/Psychological Exam
- Background Investigation
- Hiring Panel
Special Agent Entrance Exam FAQs
The study guide given by the Secret Service is a nice start, but it will only get you so far.
First, its practice questions are untimed (as it’s a study guide), meaning you’re unable to prepare with real time constraints.
Second, there are only several sample questions for each section, and there are two sections that don’t have sample questions at all (Experience Inventory).
And lastly, test specific solving tips are not provided, but rather just generic test-taking tips.
On the other hand, JobTestPrep’s complete SAEE practice includes dozens of timed practice tests, allowing you to improve your test-taking abilities under real-time pressure. It also has numerous practice questions with full explanations covering each and every SAEE test section. Moreover, you’ll get unique study guides and SAEE-related solving tips to give you an extra push.
The Secret Service remains secret also when it comes to revealing your SAEE score. The only result you’ll get after you finish the exam is Pass or Fail. If you take the computerized version, this result will be shown instantly, and if it’s paper-and-pencil, it might take several days to weeks.
After you pass the SAEE test, you’ll get an email from the Secret Service Talent and Employee Acquisition Management Division inviting you to the next hiring stage. This stage is called the Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT).
If you fail the SAEE test, you’ll be able to retake the test after a period of 6 months from your most recent fail date. But here’s the thing: before retaking it, you must first reapply for the position (when there’s an open vacancy announcement) and submit a new application packet.
Although it’s recommended to take more than 2 days to practice, passing it is still achievable! After you take our first SAEE practice test, you’ll get an instant score report showing you exactly which areas to focus on. Then, you’ll get focused practice drills that retarget these weaker areas, allowing you to quickly improve your performance and boost your exam score.
Additionally, every practice question is coupled with a thorough explanation, teaching you the most efficient solving strategies. So, even if you don’t have time to practice all the questions, you’ll still be able to use these solving methods on the real exam.
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