Overview
The National Police Officer Selection Test (NPOST) is a written test used in hiring and training for police work. It is published by Stanard and Associates, Inc., which scores it. It is not one national exam: each police department, academy or testing centre decides whether to require it. The sources read here are Utah pages, one from a police department and one from a university testing centre, not the test publisher, so the details below describe the Utah version. Confirm everything with the agency or centre you are applying through.
Who can apply
No prior knowledge of law or law enforcement is needed to answer the questions, according to Utah Tech. Test centres ask for a current government photo ID. Salt Lake City Police says out-of-state candidates must come to Utah to take it, as it does not allow the test to be proctored in another state.
Exam pattern
The test has four timed sections.
| Section | Questions | Time | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 minutes | General and financial maths; no algebra or geometry |
| Reading comprehension | 25 | 25 minutes | Short passages followed by questions |
| Grammar | 20 | 15 minutes | Finding misspelled words and wrong punctuation in sentences and paragraphs |
| Incident report writing | 10 | 15 minutes | Writing a clear, concise report from given facts, with grammar and punctuation also marked |
Marking and results
Utah Tech states that the test must be passed with at least 70 percent in every area. The incident report section is scored by hand. Each centre sends the test to Stanard and Associates for scoring, and results come back through the centre. Salt Lake City Police says results take about three to four weeks. Utah Tech says about two weeks from the test date. Ask your centre for its own timing.
Fees
As listed by Utah Tech in 2026, the exam costs $55.00 at its Hurricane testing centre. Other centres may charge different fees.
How to apply
Book an appointment with a testing centre. Utah Tech tests Monday to Friday by appointment only. Salt Lake City Police lists several Utah testing sites and says to call ahead to confirm test dates and times, since the test is not offered every day.
After the exam
Salt Lake City Police says there are three alternate versions of the test, A, B and C. You cannot retake the same version until sixty days have passed, and you may take the same version only twice in a 12-month period. You can take a different version at any time. You may submit your best score, not necessarily your latest. Salt Lake City Police says NPOST results never expire. Utah Tech states in 2026 that the NPOST is no longer a requirement for admission to its POST Academy, but a hiring department may still require it.
Preparation tips
Practise the four areas: everyday and financial arithmetic, reading short passages, spelling and punctuation, and writing a factual incident report. Utah Tech and Salt Lake City Police both point to an online practice test and study guide sold through a third-party site. This page has not reviewed those materials.
FAQs
Is the NPOST a national exam?
No. It is a test product used by many agencies, and each one sets its own rules, as the Utah pages show.
What score do I need?
Utah Tech states at least 70 percent in each of the four areas.