What to Expect on the RPAB Test

April 14, 2014

If you have decided that you would like to begin a new career in the field of law enforcement, then you most likely have many questions about how the initiation process will work and what it takes to be successfully inducted. There are thousands of applications received from Canadians each and every year for jobs in the RCMP, provincial police and municipal police forces, but many are ultimately denied due to failure in one area or another. Being prepared for the process can make the difference between success and failure, so it’s vital to know what to expect. The RPAB test (RCMP Police Aptitude Battery) is a major element of this process, and we will discuss the basic dynamics of this test below so you can be informed and prepared.

The SFPQ Questionnaire

The first part of the RPAB test assesses applicants’ awareness of their psychology and daily habits through a variety of questions. Test takers will be asked approximately 110 questions in which they are prompted to agree or disagree with the statements provided. The primary reason for this test is to weed out those who may have substantial personality issues that would preclude them from performing in a satisfactory fashion while on the job. This test will take around thirty minutes to complete and is given in a written format.

The Aptitude Test

The second part of the RPAB test focuses on crucial skills that are needed in the field and behind a desk. The RPAT is given to individuals who apply to become police officers, as well as those who are responsible for emergency dispatch calls. In this test, individuals will be graded on areas such as grammar, memory, verbal and reading comprehension, observation skills, logic and the ability to make judgment calls.  In this test, there are 114 different questions and all of them are multiple choice. Once applicants have taken the RPAT portion of the test, the RPAB assessment is complete and they will wait for their scores to see if they pass.

Did I Pass?

You will be notified formally via mail if you have passed the RPAB test. In order to pass the test, applicants must score a 3.2 out of 5.0 combined score on both tests. In the event that an applicant fails the test, they will also be notified via certified mail and their score will be displayed. Those who fail the RPAB will not be eligible to retake the RPAB test for another year, which gives applicants plenty of time to prepare further in the vital areas that the test covers. Those who have passed will then be placed on an eligibility list in the order of highest to lowest scores, with those doing the best almost always being selected first to continue with the selection process.

Now that you know what to expect when taking the RPAB, you can clear your mind of doubt and focus more on the topics that it will cover. You will find a variety of other helpful tidbits on our blog and website, so please browse around to find out more!