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In the months and weeks before the New Jersey Department of Personnel entrance exam is administered, there is always the question of whether to take a test preparation course.
Our advice is a very big, ABSOLUTELY!
We say this for several reasons.
First, with this new testing cycle, you marry the score you achieve for two years. Applicants testing now will not be able to test again until 2006. This is good for those who receive a high score but not so good for those with marginal scores. And since this is by far the largest and most important entrance exam in the State of New Jersey, you cannot afford to be stuck with a marginal score for an entire two years.
Second, as you know, the competition for law enforcement jobs in New Jersey is immense. These positions offer excellent benefits, job security that cannot be found in the private sector and annual salaries that continue to increase to the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
Also, some mistakenly set out to just pass the exam. Passing doesn’t meaning anything in New Jersey with the amount of people testing. It all comes down to how high you score. Half of a test point could bump you up over dozens (or even hundreds for the larger agencies) of applicants testing against you.
Finally, much of your competition will be preparing with a prep course. While there are no official estimates, before this upcoming test is administered we expect that thousands will have taken one of the offered test preparation courses.
When one applicant is going in on exam day blind while his or her competition already knows the format of the exam, has practiced with sample tests, and has learned strategies for each section, it is quite clear which one will achieve a higher score.
As far as which course to take, you need to do your research. Forget about “convenient location” or other enticing offerings. You need to take a course that will give you results.
By now you have seen Key Testing and Review advertised on our website. This company was started by former New Jersey Department of Personnel administrators. Since then, it has merged with and or acquired Salerno Consultants, Law Enforcement Associates and the Center for Law Enforcement Studies (also known as “Sisto,”) giving you the best of several worlds. (Key Testing & Review)
There are other good courses as well, but, again, do you homework.
As far as the test preparation books you can purchase in the book store, most are a waste of money. The test you will take has a specific format. There is no use brushing up on how to add fractions if you will not be tested on it.
Testing is a skill. Without even knowing what to expect, there are numerous techniques you can employ that will help you. Combine that with instruction on what to expect, strategies for each section, practice exercises, speed drills, and sample tests, and you will be on the right path to achieving an excellent score.
In closing, it doesn’t matter which course you take as long as it is a reputable, time-tested, results-oriented program.
Good luck to all of you!
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