TEST PREP
Video-based sergeant’s
exam scheduled
for February
The wait is over! The New Jersey Civil Service
Commission (NJ CSC) has announced that the
2018/2019 Police Sergeant’s examination will be
administered on Saturday, Feb. 23. This exam will
consist of multiple-choice questions based on
written and video-based scenarios. According to
the orientation guide for this exam, the “potential
source material” includes: NJ Title 2C (Criminal
ED
ESPOSITO Code), NJ Title 39 (Motor Vehicle Law), Case Law
(Arrest, Search and Seizure) and the NJ Attorney
General Guidelines and Directives. The orientation guide for
this test also indicates that “candidates may also be assessed
in other areas.” For example, the exam may include simulated
reports and mock policies that candidates will review and then
answer questions as if they were the sergeant reviewing the ma-
terial.
How is the exam developed?
The NJ CSC always strives to ensure that its exams are de-
veloped using content that is specific to the title being tested
and focus on the tasks required to be performed by a person
currently serving in that capacity. The multiphase process used
by the NJ CSC is known as a job analysis study. This process is
widely used by examination specialists as a fundamental part
of any exam’s development to confirm that the content is valid.
In short, a job analysis study focuses on what primary tasks are
performed, what tasks are performed most frequently and what
tasks are the most critical.
The end result of the process provides the test developers
with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) that an incum-
bent police sergeant would possess. Collectively, the KSAs are
known as core competencies, which the test is designed to eval-
uate. This process is also used to guide the test development
experts as they select the best format for the exam.
How do you prepare for a video-based exam?
Not by watching more TV! The video-based portion of the
exam is unique, but it is something that you can adequately
prepare for. Video-based exams are not new to law enforcement
testing. This delivery method has a history that dates back to
at least the VCR era and has been used on both entry-level and
promotional exams. For a sergeant’s test, a video-based scenar-
io typically depicts a situation that a first-line supervisor would
face during a shift. The list of potential scenarios that can be
used is long. They can be as simple as taking a citizen complaint
or as complex as a critical incident response. This is where the
tasks, both frequent and critical, are tied in from the job anal-
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■ JANUARY 2019
ysis study.
To prepare, anyone taking a video-based exam must start by
having an excellent working knowledge of the potential source
material. Each video scenario usually contains a series of short
videos that are referred to as segments. After each segment ap-
pears, candidates are asked questions based on what they ob-
served to determine what is “required” or “not required” and to
determine what is “essential” or “not essential.” The questions
are often multidimensional and require the application of stat-
utes, case law, policies and even common sense based on the
situation. This is where the core competencies come into play.
Knowing this, anyone who is taking a video-based exam
should first prepare by studying the listed source material. The
current list is extensive and can quickly become overwhelming.
Start early and begin with topics you feel are the most difficult.
Study these areas in manageable portions so that you feel a
sense of accomplishment after each session. However, every-
one is different, so you must be careful and recognize when you
have consumed “enough” of the difficult material for the day.
Do not overwhelm yourself, or you run the risk of burning out
or becoming frustrated. If this occurs, you can easily become
distracted and make excuses for why studying can wait. Start by
just trying to gain an overall idea or concept. This is not the time
to try and learn every detail — just get a basic understanding.
Once you have done this, reward yourself by studying a familiar
topic or a topic that interests you. At your next session, begin
with the difficult topic again, but now add in the highlighting of
key words and phrases. Finally, review the topic again, but also
make additional notes as you build on your past success.
The best way to prepare for this type of exam is to not limit
your focus. You must have an open mind and solid knowledge of
all the potential source material. Let’s use the example of a citi-
zen alleging that your officers improperly stopped, impounded
and searched a vehicle. How many areas could be tested? Title
39, case law, attorney general guidelines and Title 2C. In other
words, all the sources!
Captain Edward Esposito of the Essex County Sheriff ’s Office
owns and operates ESPOS Test Prep. He has earned the highest
final average in the state and received the highest written score
in the state on all three of his promotional exams.