OACP GMAA Test Online Preparation & Tips – 2024

What Is the OACP?

The OACP has replaced the police assessment tests previously provided by ATS by the Ontario Police Department, and others that previously used their tests. Not all departments are utilizing the OACP General Mental Ability Assessment and ESQ2 personality assessment. You will be informed of which certifications and assessments are utilized by the police department you are applying for.

What Is the GMAA?

The General Mental Abilities Assessment is used as a guide by the Ontario Police Department, among others, to determine if an individual has the combination of reasoning ability and personality attributes that would make them a good candidate for the police department. This psychometric test is given prior to the formal application process beginning. You will start by reading through an online information package, before moving to the testing portion of the GMAA. The GMAA is broken into two parts:

• Verbal Reasoning Subset – This section is made up of 36 questions and tests your general understanding of English. It is based on knowledge you have acquired over time and covers general topics, the number of words you know and understand, and your language comprehension. You will have 7 minutes to complete this section of the test.
• Quantitative Subset – This numerical section contains 21 questions. This portion of the tests measures your problem-solving abilities and reasoning skills. This section is heavily numbers-based, and you will have to solve word problems, number sequences, and be able to identify the correct way to use numbers to solve the problems. You will have 7 minutes to complete this portion of the test.

ESQ2 Personality Assessment

The ESQ2 is a personaliy test that was designed by Sigma to help identify attributes in a potential employee that indicates they have the potential to be a good fit for that position. In this case, it is screening for attributes that are necessary for a police officer. It measures factors such as productivity, punctuality, ethics, accuracy, high-risk behaviors, and more.

How to Prepare for the GMAA?

Without a satisfactory score on the GMAA, you will not be able to apply for a position with the Ontario police department. If you are serious about a career in law enforcement, take time to study for the exam. Departments that utilize this test often offer study guides or can direct you to online resources that will help you study. Since the reasoning portion of the test focuses entirely on numbers, make sure you practice working with numbers so you feel comfortable working with sequences and word problems. This test is not designed to be pass or fail, but is a guide to if an individual has the necessary skills to perform well as a police officer. If you are truly committed to a job in law enforcement, this test will not pose much of a challenge and you will be on your way to being hired as a police officer.