Suffolk County Police Exam: Free Tips & Practice Test [2026]
The Suffolk Police Exam or SCPD Exam for would-be police officers in the Suffolk County Department of Law Enforcement (SCPD) assesses a diverse range of each aplicants competencies.
You'll have 2.5 hours (2 minutes per question) to answer 64 cognitive ability questions ranging from Visualization, Spatial Orientation, Written Expression, Written Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, and Information Ordering.
This page contains a Free SCPD EXAM Practice Test which includes the following:
All the questions in this free practice study guide are a true representation of the questions you'll face on the actual Suffolk Police Exam.
If you want to know more about position requirements, and salary benefits visit our SCDP Exam FAQs section.
For additional information and practice for different popular police exams, you can visit our Free Police Exam Practice Page and our Police Psychological Exam Page.
The cognitive test includes 64 multiple-choice questions that test your Written Comprehension, Written Expression, Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Information Ordering, Visualization, and Spatial Orientation skills.
Let’s start with 2 Written Comprehension questions.
Read the text and answer the following question.
A new law ensures that trafficked people are treated as victims of crime, not as illegal immigrants. They must be properly assessed and provided with safe accommodation, benefits, and healthcare. There are also requirements for breathing space for recovery and, if appropriate, witness protection in criminal proceedings. It is better to use public money for investment in victim support than for payment of compensation for official incompetence and mistreatment. This law also strengthens police cooperation to align offences and penalties so as to enhance the prospects of putting behind bars the criminals who run modern-day slave trade.
Question: Which of the following is provided to trafficking victims under the new law?
A. Protection in case of a threat.
B. Money donations.
C. Reduced payments for accommodation costs.
D. Payment of compensations.
The correct answer is A - Protection in case of a threat.
Options B "Money donations", C "Reduced payments for accommodation costs", and D "Payment of compensations" are not explicitly mentioned in the details provided about the law.
The concept of "witness protection in criminal proceedings" suggests that these individuals are provided some form of protection, likely including protection from threats that could arise from their participation in these proceedings. Hence, option A "Protection in case of a threat" is correct.
Read the text and answer the following question.
Whether you are experienced campers from childhood or first-time campers looking to save money, it would be wise to be prepared for this important adventure.
You should first make sure you have a place to camp. can find campgrounds just about anywhere, in cities or in national parks. You can also find cabin resorts that have spots set aside for campers; these are ideal for families who want a more socially active environment.
It is also important to bring with you proper supplies. You will need at least a good tent and some sleeping gear. When buying a tent, choose one that is easy to assemble. If the weather's warm, you can manage with standard sleeping bags or air mattresses with sheets and blankets. If you're heading to higher elevations it's worth investing in bags that keep you extra warm and dry out quickly when they get wet.
Safety is very important as well. Most ready-to-go first-aid kits are useful and affordable. In addition, know where the closest clinic or hospital is in case of a more serious injury.
Question: Which one of the following is an assumption made by the author in the third paragraph?
A. The weather is rainy in high altitudes.
B. Tents are typically easy to assemble.
C. Tents cost more than air matresses.
D. Camping is more enjoyable in warm weather.
The correct answer is A - The weather is rainy in high altitudes.
The third paragraph presents the following logic: If you are heading to higher elevations then invest in warm bags that dry out quickly when they get wet. The missing assumption here is that in higher altitudes there is rain (and colder weather) and that is why you need a sleeping bag that dries out quickly. If that is not the case, there would be no reason to buy a sleeping bag that dries out quickly. Therefore answer A is correct.
Now that you've seen two Written Comprehension questions with explanations, let's move on to the SCDP Written Expression Sample Questions!
Read the text and answer the following question.
1. OFFICER NOTES: Responded to a shooting in the Alley behind Silver Supermarket. Saw one woman lying on the floor, not moving.
Which one of the following choices most clearly and accurately expresses the facts presented in the notes?
A. When I responded to a call from Silver Supermarket, on the floor, I saw, pulling
into the alley a woman on the floor.
B. Responding to a call from Silver Supermarket, and pulling into the alley, I saw
the dead women lying on the floor.
C. I responded to a call from behind Silver Supermarket. When I pulled into the
alley, | saw a woman on floor, not moving.
D. Responding to a call, | saw a woman on the floor of the alley.
The correct answer is C.
Answer A: This answer is incorrect because “…on the floor, I saw, pulling into the alley" is not phrased and punctuated correctly. It would be better phrased: "When I responded to a call from Silver Supermarket, while I was pulling into the alley, I saw on the floor a woman not moving."
Answer B: This answer is incorrect because “I saw the dead women lying on the floor” suggests that the officer knew that the woman was dead. The note said she was lying on the floor not moving, we do not know if she is dead.
Answer C: Correct. The answer provided all the information in the notes in the correct sequence. The officer responded to the call from the supermarket, pulled into the alley, and then saw the women on the floor.
Answer D: This answer is incorrect because it did not tell you who called. It is missing information. It is also missing information of where the alley is located, which alley? When you are writing your reports remember that the most important information is who, what and where. Who was involved? What happened (stabbing, burglary, fire)? Where is the event taking place?
Read the text and answer the following question.
This part consists of several sentences, each followed by four possible ways of restating the main idea of that sentence in different words. For each question, choose the one restatement which best expresses the meaning of the original sentence:
Craig Glenday, the editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, spent his student days in Edinburgh.
A. Craig Glenday felt that every editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records should spend time in Edinburgh.
B. Craig Glenday always wished that he had studied editing in Edinburgh.
C. As a student, Craig Glenday often traveled to Edinburgh.
D. Craig Glenday lived in Edinburgh when he was a student.
The correct answer is D.
Answer A refers to Glenday's feelings regarding others spending time in Edinburgh, instead of him actually being there.
Answer B says Glenday wished he studied in Edinburgh, and not that he did study in Edinburgh.
Answer C says Glenday often traveled to Edinburgh, not that he studied there.
Written Expression is a Verbal Reasoning test designed to assess your ability to choose the sentences that best expresses the ideas in the sentences provided.
Read the text and answer the following question.
3. RULE Raccoons
A person may take raccoons only in accordance with the following regulations:
Note: a person may pursue and tree raccoons with dogs during the closed season and without a license.
Tom and his daughter ran after a raccoon until it climbed up a tree. While shining a flashlight on it, Tom used a .17 caliber centerfire handgun to take it.
How did Tom and his daughter violate the RULE?
A. They should not have shined a flashlight on it.
B. Tom should not have shot the raccoon.
C. Tom shot the raccoon with the wrong type of gun.
D. They should have been on foot.
The correct answer is C.
According to the RULE Racoons, “Handguns used must be .17 or .22 caliber rimfire (including .22 magnum).” – Tom used a centerfire handgun to take the raccoon, and therefore violated the RULE.
Answer choice A is incorrect. Since the raccoon climbed up a tree the use of artificial lights is permitted.
Answer choice B is incorrect. Shooting a raccoon is permitted as long as it is with an accepted type of gun.
Answer choice D is incorrect. We are told that Tom and his daughter ran after the raccoon; they, therefore, were on foot in compliance with the RULE.
Problem sensitivity questions are designed to assess an individual's ability to recognize and respond to problems or issues in a given context.
Read the text and answer the following question.
4. Child Abuse – The crime of child abuse is committed when:
Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in the death of, serious physical or emotional harm to, sexual abuse of, or exploitation of their child; or an act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which presents an imminent risk of serious harm to his or her child.
Which of The Following Best Constitutes a Case of Child Abuse?
A. Rachel's babysitter enjoys making Rachel cry by convincing her that her
parents hate her.
B. Melissa spanked Donny, her 8-year-old son, for watching TV after hours.
C. Andrew did not try to forbid his child from trekking through the dangerous
jungles of South America.
D. Sean forces his younger brother to steal candy for him from the store
near their home.
The correct answer is (A).
Rachel's babysitter is "a […] caretaker" of Rachel's, and what she is doing clearly "results in [serious] emotional harm." Therefore, the scenario satisfies clause (a) of the definition of the crime. Since satisfying one clause suffices (notice the "or" between the clauses), Rachel's babysitter is committing child abuse.
Answer (B) is incorrect because Melissa is not causing "serious physical harm."
Answer (C) is incorrect because there is no "imminent risk" to Andrews's child.
Answer (D) is incorrect because Sean is neither a parent nor a caretaker of his younger brother.
Deductive reasoning is a form of logical thinking that involves drawing conclusions based on established premises or principles. It is a process of reasoning that moves from general statements or principles to specific conclusions.
Read the text and answer the following question.
Officer Rose received a series of reports from witnesses who saw a woman selling drugs on the corner of Main and Crawford. The description of each suspect is as follows:
Report 1: female, White, late thirties, brown hair, 5’5”, 160 pounds, pink sweatpants, red shirt, gold earrings, jean jacket.
Report 2: female, White, 35, black hair, 5’4”, 150 pounds, sweatpants, blue shirt, jean jacket, sandals.
Report 3: female, White, mid-thirties, blonde hair, 5’6”, 155 pounds, blue jeans, red jacket, gold earrings, scarf.
On December 11, a fourth report is received regarding a woman selling drugs on Main Street. The description of the suspect is as follows:
Report 4: female, White, brown hair, 5’5”, 35 years old, 150 pounds, red sweatpants, blue jacket, running shoes.
Based on the description given above of the suspects in the first three reports, the suspect in report 4 should also be considered a suspect in report(s):
A. 1 only.
B. 1 and 3 only.
C. 1 and 2 only.
D. 1,2, and 3.
The correct answer is D.
Let’s first examine the relevant features of the suspect from Report 4. The suspect is female, White, around 5’5”, 35 years old, and 150 pounds. Reports 1, 2, and 3 all match the description of Report 4 closely.
Note that the discrepancies between “late - thirties,” and “mid – thirties,” between 5’4”, 5”5, and 5’6”, and between 150 pounds, 155 pounds, and 160 pounds are all relatively minor.
The hair color of the suspect and the clothing she is wearing are not relevant facts, as these features can easily be changed.
Inductive Reasoning questions are designed to assess an individual's ability to identify patterns, make generalizations, and draw conclusions based on limited information or a set of specific examples.
Read the text and answer the following question.
Officer Allen was involved in a physical altercation with an elderly citizen this afternoon. Officer Allen’s account of the incident consists of the six statements below, which are out of order:
What happened immediately BEFORE the officer met the resident who called the emergency service?
A. He arrived at a residential building.
B. He broke into the apartment.
C. He apologized for the incident.
D. He was told about the 92-years old man who lives alone.
The correct answer is A.
Before the officer met with the resident in the hallway of the 5th floor, he first arrived at the residential building.
We already know the right order, so we just need to look up the sentence that describes the meeting of the officer and the caller, and that is step No.6.
According to the right order, sentence No.5 is placed right before sentence No. 6, thus the officer arrived at the building right before he met the man who made the emergency call.
Information ordering questions are designed to assess an individual's ability to organize and arrange a set of information or elements in a logical and coherent sequence. These questions evaluate skills related to understanding hierarchy, prioritization, sequencing, and overall organization of information.
Read the text and answer the following question.
You are at the east entrance of the apartment building on Cole Street. What is the most direct route to the west entrance of the police station on High street - While obeying traffic signs?
A. Go north on Cole Street, turn west on Third Street, and turn south on High
Street.
B. Go north on Cole Street, then turn west on First Street, and then turn north on
High street.
C. Go north on Cole Street, then turn west on Third Street, and then turn north on
High street.
D. Go south on Cole Street, then turn west on Second Street, and then turn north
on High street.
The correct answer is C.
From the east entrance of the apartment building to the west entrance of the police station, the most direct route would be to turn left (north) on Cole street, then left (west) on Third street, and then right (north) on High street - all of which are 1-way streets.
Spatial orientation questions assess an individual's ability to understand and manipulate objects and their positions in space. These questions evaluate a person's spatial perception, mental rotation skills, and spatial awareness.
Please examine the following sketches to answer this question. The sketch on the left depicts an individual believed to be the suspect based on eyewitness descriptions at the crime scene.
On the right, you will find four lettered sketches representing the suspect's potentially altered appearance. It is important to note that no surgical procedures have been performed on the suspect. Carefully select the lettered face that is most likely to resemble the suspect after their change in appearance.
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
The correct answer is B.
This type of question can be slightly confusing. We recommend that you begin by eliminating the choices least likely to be the answer and then focus on the portraits more similar to that of the suspect. In this question we can see that A has the wrong eyes, C has the wrong nose and D has a different mouth from the portrait we need, therefore B is the answer.
Visualization is the ability to form mental images of what objects look like after they have been changed.
Note: Our dedicated team of test experts is actively working on including Visualization practice questions in the preparation to provide an even more comprehensive and effective preparation.
A Work Styles Questionnaire is a tool used to assess an individual's preferred work behaviors, preferences, and styles in a professional setting.
These questions require you to rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 5 on 155 short statements using the following scale:
Here are the types of statements you’ll likely encounter on the exam:
The Work Style questionnaire is a self-report assessment that helps individuals gain insights into their work-related tendencies and provides information for employers or organizations to understand how individuals may fit within a particular work environment or role.
The purpose of the Life Experience Survey is to evaluate attributes connected to the historical background and prior experiences of each participant. Within this survey, you will encounter approximately 108 questions that specifically relate to your personal journey and encompass a wide range of topics.
Here is an example of a question you might encounter on the real exam.
Your last boss would say you're someone who typically does:
A. More than your part of the needed work.
B. More tasks than most of your colleagues.
C. Just as much work as your colleagues.
D. Almost as much work as your colleagues.
E. Less work than your colleagues.
It is highly recommended that you review your past school and work-related documents, such as school transcripts and evaluations from previous supervisors or instructors. This will help ensure that you can provide the most accurate answers to the Life Experience Survey.
The physical fitness test is a screening exam that measures an individual's physical abilities, overall fitness level, and specific components of physical fitness. To be considered as having successfully completed the test, a candidate must achieve the minimum score for each of the test elements as specified.
Source: Official Suffolk County PDF study guide.
The Suffolk County Police Exam is a Talogy-based assessment designed for entry-level police officers. It includes a Cognitive Ability Test (64 questions, 2.5 hours), a Work Styles Questionnaire (155 short statements, 30 minutes), and a Life Experience Survey (208 questions, 45 minutes).
The county administers the test once a year usually in the summer months (June or July).
Becoming a police officer in NYS requires passing the Suffolk County Police Exam.
To apply for the position, you must meet the following minimum requirements
The starting salary for this position is $43,000 per year, and over a period of 11.5 years of service, it will incrementally increase to $158,828.
Here are the main benefits associated with this position:
To find out more about Civil Service jobs in Suffolk County, including job descriptions, titles, and test results, please refer to the official website of Suffolk County Government.
The website provides valuable information about the available job opportunities within the county.
You can find additional information about the Nassau County Police Exam on the Nassau County Government website.
Now that you have completed your practice test and learned about the types of questions and the elements of the test that make it so challenging, it's time to take the next step of your prep. Although using our free practice test is an excellent start, it is vital to practice with accurate prep materials that simulate the time pressure and growing question difficulty of the real test.
With our specialized exam PrepPack, available for only 79$, you will gain access to our full assessment practice materials which include:
With these practice test materials you will be able to take the actual test with the confidence you need to get a high score, and begin the next step of your career.
