AFP Entrance Exam
Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, the AFP in conjunction with ACER are making alternative arrangements to enable eligible applicants to undertake the AFP Entrance Exam in a home based setting. If you have registered your interest, please monitor your nominated email address for updates as they become available.
Upon registering your interest, you will be invited to complete the AFP Entrance Exam. This forms part of Step One of the process, successful completion of this assessment is required to progress through to Step Two.
The AFP Entrance Exam is conducted four times per year at different locations across Australia. Typically in March, May, August and October. It is administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and is one component in a series of recruitment gateways that will determine applicant suitability for a policing or protection role.
You will be invited to register through the ACER website on set dates and locations across Australia. Keep an eye on your nominated email address for your invite.
The AFP Entrance Exam is comprised of five online tests (as outlined below) that are designed to assess your level of cognitive ability and emotional intelligence. The majority of questions asked are either multiple choice or short answer format, with the exception being the Online Writing Assessment.
The AFP Entrance Exam is completed in a supervised environment, over a 4-5 hour period.
| Test | Assessment Type | Number of Questions | Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literacy Skills | Online Text Entry and Multiple Choice | 30 | 35 mins |
| Numeracy Skills | Online Text Entry and Multiple Choice | 30 | 35 mins |
| Abstract Reasoning | Online Multiple Choice | 30 | 35 mins |
| Written Assessment | Online Extended Writing | 1 | 35 mins |
| Emotional Intelligence Test | Online Multiple Choice | 141 | Untimed |
You must successfully complete all test components in the AFP Entrance Exam and meet the minimum score for each assessment in order to be deemed suitable to progress in the recruitment process. Upon receiving your outcome, a statement of attainment will be accessible to you outlining your entrance exam results.
There is one opportunity for you to re-sit some of the tests components if you do not pass after your first sitting. Unfortunately this is not the case for the Emotional Intelligence test and if you do not attain the minimum score on your first sitting, you will have to wait 12 months before you can sit the test again.
Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, AFP in conjunction with ACER are cancelling the AFP Entrance Exam until further notice. If you are booked in to attend a session, please check your nominated email address. Updates on future testing dates will be provided as they become available.
AFP Entrance Exam dates and locations
| City | May 2020 | August 2020 | October 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | Dates TBC | Saturday 15 August | Saturday 10 October |
| Alice Springs | Dates TBC | TBC | N/A |
| Brisbane | Dates TBC | Saturday 15 August | Saturday 10 October |
| Canberra | Dates TBC | Saturday 15 August | Saturday 10 October |
| Darwin | Dates TBC | N/A | Saturday 10 October |
| Exmouth | Dates TBC | N/A | N/A |
| Melbourne | Dates TBC | Saturday 15 August | Saturday 10 October |
| Perth | Dates TBC | Saturday 15 August | Saturday 10 October |
| Sydney | Dates TBC | Saturday 15 August | Saturday 10 October |
| Townsville | Dates TBC | Saturday 15 August | N/A |
| Cairns | Dates TBC | N/A | Saturday 10 October |
| Geraldton | Dates TBC | N/A | Saturday 10 October |
Please note: Details for upcoming Entrance Exam dates/locations are subject to change.
