Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

hey guys, im currently finishing up a police academy in the next month and i have my final pt test coming up. During pt sessions at the academy i perform fine meeting the graduating requirements for the academy. When it comes to the actual pt test i get so nervous and stressed out that i perform poorly. The portion of the exam that jams me up is the situps. All year i bang out 45-49 in a minute (40 required to graduate). On actual test days i start out at a situp a second pace then when i get to around 34-35 i lock up. I have passed prior PT exams for entering into the academy and now i am 25-30 pounds lighter and have this happening. PLease guys give me some advice how to calm down and not pysch myself out before the exam even starts. Thanks for all the help guys..

We had a similar situation regarding one of our classmates at the Cincinnati Police Academy in 2004. It was finally realized that the individual was not breathing (much at all) during the course of the tests (we had several PT tests during the course of the six month academy...leading up to the final OPOTA PT test). Luckily one of the PT instructors figured out what was going on prior to the final OPOTA PT test and had the individual CONCENTRATE on breathing correctly. The individual passed with flying colors once the breathing (or lack of it) was corrected. Hope that helps! :)

Close your eyes... weird, I know... but it does help. Also, as mentioned, consciously breathe.

thanks, i will try that. i just think i need to find someway to control my nerves, or maybe on test days i should pace myself more on the situps. normally the few nights before an exam i cant sleep and my nerves are crazy. Any other day i think nothing of it. I know some butterflies are good but sometimes i feel like mine are to the extreme. I have a month before the exam and im just gonna keep testing myself like its a normal test day. Another good thing is a week before my final pt test i recieved an invite to a civil service agility exam so passing that should boost my confidence. Thanks again everyone, i really appreciate it.