Hiring & Promotional Exams

The VACP has partnered with Stanard & Associates for more than 10 years to provide quality pre­‐employment and promotional exams. Currently, more than 80 local, state, campus and federal public safety agencies and training academies in Virginia and D.C. use Stanard’s exams. From Abingdon to Fairfax County to Virginia Tech, agencies small and large have trusted Stanard and the VACP with their hiring and promotions.

Products Available Through the VACP

National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)
The National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) is an entry-level basic skills test that helps law enforcement agencies select the most qualified applicants by ensuring that candidates possess the basic cognitive skills necessary to successfully perform the job. The POST is a valid, job-related test designed specifically for law enforcement use, which measures these basic skills: Arithmetic, Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Incident Report Writing. Increase your department’s hiring efficiency by using the POST to ensure candidates possess the fundamental skills to succeed in training and on the job.

Agency can select either the “Agency-Scored” test or “Stanard-Scored” test (results provided in 10 working days) and order as few or as many as you need, with discounts for larger quantities ordered. Any unused tests can be saved for the next round of hiring or returned for a refund.

** UPDATE (April 2020): Now Offering Online Exams for Remote Testing of Applicants! Simply indicate "Form E" on your POST order form. Exams will be scored by Stanard & Associates. (Contact Audrey@vachiefs.org for more information.) **
 

National First- & Second-Line Supervisors Tests (NFLST & NSLST)
Stanard’s off-the-shelf law enforcement promotional exams prove that smaller agencies can get a quality promotional process without breaking the budget. When a custom-written promotional exam is not an option, Stanard & Associates’ First- & Second-Line Supervisors Tests help agencies identify promotional candidates who possess the relevant job knowledge to be successful supervisors and managers. The exams assess candidates’ knowledge in areas such as management and supervision, major court cases affecting law enforcement, community policing, criminal investigation and patrol tactics. Both exams are the result of an extensive research and development effort undertaken to identify the knowledge required to competently perform supervisory duties in law enforcement. (For an additional cost, customizable versions of the NFLST & NSLST are also available, where 25 custom questions based on your agency’s policies and procedures, general orders, etc. are added to the base exams.) 
 

National Dispatcher Selection Test (NDST)
As the first point of contact in an emergency, dispatchers play a critical role in keeping the public safe, as well as responding law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Selecting the best person for such a demanding position requires more than an interview and background check. Stanard & Associates’ National Dispatcher Selection Test (NDST) gives call centers the ability to objectively assess a candidate’s skill level in five important areas: Reading Comprehension, Listening, Problem Solving, Prioritizing, and Multi-Tasking. And in keeping with Stanard & Associates’ commitment to rigorous standards in test development, the NDST is backed by an extensive research and development effort involving input from hundreds of incumbent dispatchers across the country. 
 

National Detective/Investigator Test
The National Detective/Investigator Test (NDIT) is similar to The National First & Second Line Supervisor Tests, but is intended for agencies that are looking to select/assign officers to the rank of Detective or Investigator. The NDIT is a 75-question, content-valid, written exam derived from three textbooks covering the topics of Criminal Investigations, Major Court Cases and Investigative Interviewing.  A study guide will be required for each candidate that will provide a detailed breakdown of the Areas of Measurement (i.e., a listing of the chapters or sections from each book that candidates should study for the exam).  Please note: candidates will still need to obtain the actual textbooks to prepare for the exam.  A study period of 30 days or more is suggested. All exams will be scored by Stanard & Associates, Inc. and results will be provided to the authorized point of contact overseeing the selection process for the agency.
 

ApplyToServe (Employment Application Management Services)
Stanard also offers a comprehensive application management program which will free staff from many of the preliminary, and timeconsuming, tasks associated with the entry-level application process. The costs for this service can be covered entirely, or in part, by a fee charged to the applicant, resulting in a tremendous cost savings to your agency versus the traditional application processes. Program includes job postings; distributing and collecting candidate applications; organizing, verifying and recording required documentation; answering applicant inquiries; and producing a complete listing of eligible applicants ready to move on to the next phase of the hiring process.
 

Ordering Testing Materials

To place an order for test materials, please contact the VACP at 804-285-8227 or Audrey@vachiefs.org.

For general information or questions on the exams, please contact Stanard & Associates, Inc. at 800-367-6919 or sales@stanard.com.

Full Catalog of Stanard & Associates' Products & Services (PDF)