Georgia Police Officer Written Exam Online Preparation and Tips – 2025

Job seekers residing in the state of Georgia (GA) may consider applying for a position within a Georgia Police Department. Police officer positions offer people job stability and ample benefits, which is why they are a coveted position. However, to become a Georgia police officer, you may need to take a written exam. This article will guide you through the police officer hiring process in the state of Georgia and will teach you about the best test preparation methods.

What Is the Georgia Police Officer Hiring Process?

The first step in becoming a Georgia police officer is to familiarize yourself with the state’s minimum requirements, following by applying. Please keep in mind that each individual police department may have additional requirements, and it is your responsibility to verify those requirements beforehand. After you’ve applied, you will be required to complete a written test. You will likely need to take one of two different exams: either the ASSET test or the COMPASS test. Your test results will determine your eligibility for further background investigations and potential job offers.

What Is the Georgia Police Officer Written Exam?

Future Georgia police officers will need to complete a series of exams before joining a police department’s ranks. In Georgia, applicants will need to complete and pass an exam approved by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training, or GA POST. The two approved tests by the GA POST are the ASSET test and the COMPASS test. Both of these tests are designed to gauge each candidate’s basic knowledge. Exam topics typically include arithmetic, writing, and reading questions. However, some police departments also accept other standardized tests, including the ACT, SAT, ACCUPLACER, and CPE.

ASSET Police Officer Written Exam

The ASSET Police Officer Written Exam includes a Basic Skills section and an Advanced Mathematics section. It is important to note that the ASSET exam is not administered on a computer. Instead, it is administered in person on a piece of paper.

The first part of the exam covers the basic skills required of a Georgia police officer. In total, this section will have three subsections. Candidates will only have 25 minutes to complete each section, so answering questions quickly and consistently is essential. The Basic Skills section includes the following three subsections:

• Numerical Reasoning: Numerical reasoning requires candidates to answer questions involving basic mathematical operations. These questions may include the use of decimals, fractions, and whole numbers. This section could also include pre-algebra topics, such as prime numbers, scientific notation, square roots, and absolute values. The minimum passing score for the Numerical Reasoning section is 35.
• Writing Comprehension: Writing comprehension requires candidates to answer questions involving grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, writing style, and writing strategy knowledge. The minimum passing score for the Writing Comprehension section is 35.
• Reading Comprehension: Reading comprehension requires candidates to read through several small passages and make logical inferences about the text. The minimum passing score for the Reading Comprehension section is 38.

The second part of the exam covers advanced mathematics and is commonly called the College Algebra section. This section includes questions involving factoring, inequalities, trigonometry, complex numbers, polynomial graphs, logarithms, and exponential functions.

COMPASS Police Officer Written Exam

The COMPASS Police Officer Written Exam is a computerized test that includes a Reading Section, a Writing Section, and a Numerical Reasoning Section. Unlike the ASSET exam, the COMPASS exam does not have a time limit. The COMPASS exam includes the following three sections:

• Reading Section: The reading section is divided into two subsections. The first subsection is called referring. Candidates will be required to read through a paragraph and answer relevant questions based on the paragraph. The second subsection is called reasoning. Candidates will be required to draw conclusions about the reading passages and develop an understanding based on the context. You may be asked to identify the meaning of a specific word according to the context. The minimum passing score for the Reading Section is 70.
• Writing Section: The writing section requires candidates to look through a written text and identify any grammatical or spelling errors. Every time you notice an error, you will first need to use your mouse to select the error and choose the correct replacement option. The minimum passing score for the Writing Section is 32.
• Numerical Reasoning Section: The numerical reasoning section requires candidates to use basic and advanced mathematical skills to solve pre-algebra, college algebra, trigonometry, and geometry problems. The minimum passing score for the Numerical Reasoning Section is 26.

Georgia Association of Chiefs Police Officer Written Exam

The Morris and McDaniel Entry-Level Police Test, or ELP, is a type of exam used by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. The ELP is unlike the other Georgia police exams, as it is mainly used to shortlist specific candidates for specific police departments. This test covers eight exam topics: inductive reasoning, spatial orientation, problem sensitivity, flexibility of closure, memorization, visualization, semantic ordering, and verbal comprehension.

Other Georgia Police Officer Written Exams by City or Position

Each Georgia police department will have its own testing requirements and will choose between administering the ASSET police exam or the COMPASS police exam. Depending on the city or position, you may not be notified of which test you will be taking. However, both tests are relatively similar to each other, excluding the test format. Each of the police departments listed below will likely use the ASSET or COMPASS exams:

• Athens-Clarke County Police Department
• Atlanta Police Department
• Atlanta State Trooper
• August-Richmond Police Department
• Columbus Police Department
• Gwinnett County Police Department
• Savannah Police Department

How to Prepare for the Georgia Police Officer Written Exam?

The Georgia Police Officer Written Exam is administered through the COMPASS test or the ASSET test. These tests require candidates to answer general education questions that a future police officer should know. The exam topics may seem fairly basic, but in reality, the questions can be tough. The only way to gauge how well you will do on the actual exam is to use practice exams and example questions. There are many free resources available online that will teach you about the questions you will be expected to answer. However, it’s also important to choose quality studying material that will be worth your time. Practice exams are made up of sample questions that will prepare you for the actual police exam. You will also be provided with explanations that explain why a question was answered right or wrong. As you continue to prepare with practice exams, you will notice yourself becoming more and more familiar with the testing material. The most straightforward way to prepare for the Georgia Police Officer Written Exam is through practice exams, example questions, and other solid preparation materials.