Video Tests

[howardw]

I have now taken two video tests for two depts,
and managed to flunk them both.
These weren't BPADs, but they show a video
sequence and you choose a course of action
out of four or five choices. Naturally, everyone
says they are common sense, but I don't think
so. Also, I guess being newer, I can't find any
books and websites to help with these tests. I
understand the forum rules are such that we can't
ask specifics, so I'll try to avoid that. My
gripe is that whatever my strategy was (again,
not being specific), it wasn't what they were
looking for, yet it is the one I thought was
common sense. What exactly can be discussed
here anyway? Is strategy talk ok without
referring to particular scenes, or is that out
as well? Any vendor choices that offer help
on these things is certainly appreciated, but
I haven't seen any. Thanks...

Howard

[WILawman]

howardw, I think that in order for the posters on this site to help you, you need to be specific on the scenerio. The B-PAD and videos are used to determine the applicants decision making judgements.

However, I feel that common sense does come into play when doing these scenerios. The departments that use this as part of the hiring process know that the applicant is not qualified to handle officer-specific tasks. These scenerios determine your ability to make quick and decisive decisions. Give details and posters can help. Good Luck!

[howardw]

Well, I'm not going to give exact scenarios since
I'm pretty sure I shouldn't do that. But my general strategy was to use the least force possible and still enforce the law. This didn't seem to work and I'm wondering if I should have
been more aggressive. Some things were common sense of course, but those are the easy ones...
you are obviously not going to pepper spray the citizen that calls you a pig but otherwise doesn't threaten you (I just made that example
up). So, I'm not sure what I'm
missing. It would be nice if the police exam
books would update with the newer testing methodologies (BPAD and video) so I could learn
from my mistakes and prepare for next time.

Howard

[DelC]

The management of this board is still out on the issue of posting scenario/interview/oral board questions and soliciting opinions on how to answer them. What definitely won’t be allowed, is for someone to give details of a specific B-pad or video scenarios that would compromise the test for a dept. The thinking is; the dept’s shouldn't be forced into spending big bucks to up-date their B-pad or Videos because they have been sliced and diced in detail on this board. (Dept’s pay to announce their openings on the other half of this board) Plus, you need to remember you’re in competition for a position, do you want the next person in your group, that is testing tomorrow, to have all the answers when they test??

So, if you want to ask about general scenarios, you should be ok. Instead of posting the question/scenario verbatim (or anything close to it) you can still find out what you want to know by asking a general question related to the scenario, i.e., "How should you deal with somebody that won't respond to your commands, but isn't threatening you, etc". Just don’t give up any company secrets.

[WILawman]

I apologize for my unclear post. I didn't mean for you to post the exact scenerio you attempted during the hiring process, but rather post "What If" or "What would you do " type of questions.

Here is some info that could help you. This was taken from the B-PAD official site. This might let you know a little more of what departments look for.


The B-PAD video tests assess people skills and common sense judgment. B-PAD does not test job knowledge or personality; rather it tests interpersonal competence. B-PAD measures behavioral skills and abilities not readily measured by conventional methods. The B-PAD attempts to measure your people skills and your ability to manage your own emotions as well as the emotions of others.

The ability to do well on B-PAD has more to do with how one communicates (voice tone, language skills, body mannerisms, etc.) than one's knowledge of the "right answer." People skills, such as empathy, for example, are learned early and are difficult to fake.

Good Luck! :)

[howardw]

Thanks for the information on the BPAD. The two tests I took, however, were a little different. They would play a video situation, then ask a multiple choice question as to what to do next. I'll make up a video scenario:

You man is pulled over for speeding and when you get to the window his wife is clearly in labor in the passenger seat. You also notice that his tabs have expired, what do you do:

a. give him an escort to the hospital and let the speeding and tabs pass.
b. write him the ticket for both immediately.
c. give him an escort to the hospital and then write him the ticket.
d. give him an escort to the hospital then verbally warn him about the speeding and remind him to renew his car tabs.

There are very many of these type things. Usually a couple of the answers seem ridiculus (like b above), but usually a couple seem plausible (like both c and d ... and maybe even a). I would likely have chosen d given the emergency situation. I get the feeling that I failed because I was being to 'soft' and should choose a harder approach, like c. But I'm not sure of course...

Howard

To re-iterate, that was a totally made up scenario.

[sundodger]

Howard,

I've taken the video test for two different depts in our area (they use the same exact video) and I'm going to guess that you probably took the exact same test as I did (since I did notice you lived in WA).

I passed both video tests but with one dept I don't know my score and am still in the process and the other dept, I failed the oral board and they sent me my test results. I'm not sure how the questions are scored but for the dept that I failed the oral board for, I noticed I barely passed the video section of the written test. If I had missed just 3 or 4 more video scenarios, I probably would have failed the written portion of the process. So anyhow, what I say take with a grain of salt because obviously I did not ace the video section of the test and by no means am I an expert.

The one advice I tried to follow when I tried answering these video scenarios was given to me by a recruiter at a test preparation workshop. She said "Think PR! Act in a way that projects a positive image of the department."

So with that in mind, I would choose A in your above scenario. I guess in my mind, some things can just wait. I think the last thing the driver wants to hear, and will probably just end up going into one ear and out the other, is that he needs to watch his speed and update his tabs. His wife is in labor! Is it the best answer, I don't know but it's what I would pick.

Don't read too much into the scenario either. All the info you need to answer the question is provided for you in the video. If you let your mind wander and start asking questions "Gee, how would I answer this question if he was doing 60mph over the limit and his tabs were 12 months overdue?" Or "I wonder if he speeds all the time and just now got caught." Then most likely you will have difficulties with the test. If the info is not in the video, everything else is irrelevant.

Think PR cause it's helped me answer a few of the tougher questions.

Good luck!

[howardw]

Thanks for the reply...yeah we likely took one or more of the same test. I wasn't thinking PR per se but I was thinking minimal force, and may have chosen the no-ticket option in the above as well
(in fact there was a question similar to that and that is the kind of thing I picked). I have no idea of I got it right or not. I wish they would give the results and tell you what 'trends' you had that they didn't like. Gripe, gripe, gripe...

Howard

[PJM]

Let me guess,

Was it the evil ERGO test?
Ergo police exam (http://ergometrics.org/law.htm)

I took that thing last year, I passed, but barely. Apparently I have no common sense as well...
I have no idea how to prepare that thing, and I really need to better my score next time.

My preparation next time will be to call the recruiter and pick their brain
Good luck,
PJM

[howardw]

Hmm...I didn't recognize the two frame shots, but there could be multiple/newer/older versions, so who knows. I just can't remember. But, yeah, I'm thinking there is more than common sense at work. Also, several people said that real cops sometimes do badly at these things because they are thinking what actually happens on the street. WTF?? If real cops are having trouble and I'm having trouble, perhaps that means I would be a great cop... :-)
But, alas, I must get hired first.

Howard

[dano]

Think PR and PC.

Alternative testing methods like video scenarios have been instituted to level the playing field. I have a bone to pick with them so forgive my digression.

1) The aptitude code has been cracked. There is a wealth of information that will help anyone score well on a typical aptitude test if they have the will. Therefore, it begs the question, 'Should candidate quality and suitibility be based on test preparation?'

2) Aptitude tests are viewed by some as biasing white males. The theory, in short, is that systemic racism/sexism gives white males access to superior education and test preparation during their formative years which gives them a distinct advantage.

While I can give creedence to these points, my humble opinion is that these alternative tests are what happens when political forces subvert science. For all their virtues, Political Correctness and 'Leveling the playing field' equals 'Dumbing Down.'

There is no evidence to suggest that these tests can measure 'common sense' or 'suitibility' anymore than the Psychic Friends Network! Hard data will not be availale until those tested under these new methods have had time on the job (like ten years). Besides, time proven methods like the MMPI and the Oral psych are supposed to determine these factors later in the process (and even these remain controversial).

The only advantage is that these tests really cannot be prepared for (for the time being). Hence, if you have the benefit of a good education or have the audacity to actually study for a test, this will be of no advantage to you.

I say that if you have a high school diploma and you cannot score well on aptitude tests that are typically written at a 5th grade education level, you are a moron and shouldn't be a cop. Aptitude measures general problem solving skills. You need this in LE. Video scenarios and B-Pads measure 'common sense'. The latter is far more subjective and difficult to quantify.

Aptitude alone does not a good cop make for sure. This is why you have a BI, psych, PAT, etc. I say let each phase of the hiring process do its job and quit screwing with the primary (and already the most porous) candidate filter.

Anyway, to help with you problem, I agree with sundodger. Think PR! While you're at it, think PC! Always do the thing that gives the dept a good image (the most polite response) or that cannot be construed as unethical in any way (accepting a free cup of cofee at the diner) or offending anyone (heavy-handedness with roudy youth at the bus stop).

Do not read into the scenario. Remeber, intellect and introspection are your enemies here. Instinct is the key.

If you remain confused, here is a great trick. After each video ask yourself, 'What would Mike Brady do in this situation?' I am certain that no matter how corny or unrealistic that response would be, it will be the correct one! LOL

Good Luck!

[howardw]

I think I agree...

I just hope before long that someone puts out a study guide for these things. My opinion on test preparation is that someone who is motivated to purchase test prep material and study is likely the kind of motivated person that will make a good cop anyway, so the advantage is irrelevant.

I thought I was following the p.c. method (or as one king co friend of mine would say...the mocha-drinker method) to no avail. I should have worn my birks, that might have put me in the right frame of mind...

Howard

[PJM]

Very interesting Dano, thanks for the advice.

Stay safe,
~PJM

[Piper]

I just took the B-PAD back in February, the main thing that everyone told me was to stay calm and try to use common sense. I won't go into what the scenes were either, but I can tell you this, you just have to use your gut.

I find out my results the first week of April - I'll let ya know how I did.

Cheers,
Piper

[army_recon]

Howard,

Hey bud, I think I took that test with you....King county a couple of weeks ago in the bingo hall? Yeah, it was kinda fishy....I passed, but when I went to the oral the next week the personnel folks said that about half of the 65 who took the written failed. I didn't really use any method of answering, just made a judgement call from observing the scenario.....were the subjects turning violent, were there kids around, was there a more pressing issue, etc.

Try not to read into the situation and just go with your gut feeling. Remember, your first instinct is probably the correct one.