ED ESPOSITO
When to begin preparing for a promotional exam
There are many reasons why officers take promotional examinations, but it’ s the ability to earn a higher salary that seems to be the one universal reason common to all officers seeking a promotion. This was the reason why I initially decided to prepare for the sergeant’ s exam. After all, we have limited opportunities to improve our long-term financial situation during our law enforcement careers. The reason I say“ limited opportunities” is because you may have only a few shots in a 25-year career at scoring high enough on the exam to be promoted.
The factors that determine when the exams are administered and how many officers are ultimately promoted are beyond your control. Therefore, when you decide to take a promotional exam, you must be committed to the preparation process. This entails an all-out effort from the time you make the decision to take the exam.
I was a few months short of the required seniority for the first sergeant’ s exam in my agency, but this did not stop me from beginning to prepare for my first exam. I remained positive and looked forward to taking the next test. I also took the time to begin reviewing materials, even though I knew I would not be taking the exam for at least three years. This turned out to be an excellent choice because I was initially overwhelmed by the volume of material I had to study for a 70- or 80-question exam.
I have been asked many times,“ When should I start preparing for my promotional exam?” I usually respond to this question with
TEST PREP
another question. I ask,“ Are you serious about taking the next exam?” The answer I often hear is,“ Yes!” I then recommend that they begin preparing now.
If you have decided that you will be taking the next promotional exam in your agency, the first step is taking a genuine interest in the preparation process. This includes taking an interest in how to study, like breaking down books and organizing the sources that are cited in the orientation guide. If you initially feel overwhelmed by the amount of material like I did, do not let it deter you from attaining something you’ re perfectly capable of achieving. You must remain positive about the entire process.
It is important that you understand what you are reading because its much more difficult to remember material you do not understand. When reading, if you do not understand a word or concept, take the time to look it up. Once the meaning is clear, your review of that section will be more effective. I always found it beneficial to imagine real-world applications to the principles, which will also aid in your retention of the material.
Exam prep begins and ends with establishing good study habits. Sound study habits are an essential part of the preparation process. Without effective habits, your efforts will be haphazard. This was the approach I took, and it paid off. d
Lieutenant Edward Esposito of the Essex County Sheriff’ s Office owns and operates ESPOS Test Prep in New Jersey. 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. www. njcopsmagazine. com ■ FEBRUARY 2017 67