TEST PREP
New components and a proper
mindset for promotional exams
This is not the year to blindly en-
ter into the promotional examina-
tion process only to find that you are
wholly unprepared. The Civil Service
Commission has added new com-
ponents to the exam and, by all ac-
counts, this year’s promotional exam
for the ranks of police sergeant, lieu-
LARRY E.
ED
HOLTZ
ESPOSITO tenant and captain should prove to
be the most difficult, to date.
New guidelines will form a unique and challenging compo-
nent for testing. For example, promotional candidates will need
to develop a good working knowledge of the all-new Attorney
General Directive Establishing Interim Policies, Practices, and
Procedures to Implement Criminal Justice Reform Act. In addi-
tion, the all-new Body Worn Camera Directive, along with the
Directive Regarding Automated Deconfliction of Planned Law
Enforcement Operations and Investigations, will be front and
center for potential new exam items.
Given the changes that are anticipated, you must set time
aside to prepare and be sure to program your mind for peak
performance. Clearly, one of the most powerful resources you
have at your disposal is your “subconscious mind.” It consists,
in part, of a mechanism that seeks to accomplish the goals and
suggestions created by your imagination. The subconscious is
impersonal and nonjudgmental. It cannot tell the difference
between what is real and what is imagined. The subconscious
mind will do its best to accomplish whatever clear-cut goal you
put in front of it. It cannot tell the difference between a suc-
cessful goal or a goal of failure. In fact, it can’t tell the difference
between success and failure.
In other words, you can use your mental functions to pro-
duce positive benefits for yourself. This can be accomplished
by continually saying to yourself, “I will do outstanding on this
upcoming exam!” and “I will be number one!” It is important to
understand that this component of preparation is done by you,
and you alone. This will result in creating a positive foundation
that will program your subconscious mind to win.
Your body will react in a way that helps you achieve whatever
goal the mind thinks you desire. For example, if you repeatedly
walk around saying to yourself, “I’m going to fail,” “I don’t know
anything,” “I can’t do this” and “I can’t picture myself getting
promoted,” then, guess what – your subconscious mind will
think that your goal is to fail – to not move up in rank. Then
you will find it extremely difficult to properly prepare because
your subconscious mind has already decided that you will not
be able to succeed. If such an undesirable thought process is
established, your subconscious mind will inadvertently prevent
your ability learn.
On the other hand, if you can imagine yourself not only scor-
ing very high on this exam but also getting promoted and plac-
ing your new rank insignia on your uniform, then your mind
will “subconsciously” enable you to turn what you imagine into
reality.
The power of your subconscious mind cannot be ignored or
underestimated throughout the promotional preparation pro-
cess. Therefore, you have to imagine your goals as being a re-
ality between now and test time. This includes acting as if you
already have all the knowledge, skills, abilities and traits of one
in the rank for which you are testing.
Think positive, work hard, be persistent and stay committed.
These are the ingredients to your success. Remember, the most
critical part of the effort of moving up in rank is setting a goal
and meeting that goal. That is why the Holtz-Esposito collab-
oration was formed, and is dedicated to helping our students
achieve their career goals and aspirations. d
Larry E. Holtz is a promotional examination subject-matter
expert with 30-plus years of experience in the fields of law en-
forcement, police training and the successful preparation of pro-
motional candidates. Ed Esposito 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.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ MARCH 2017 83