Anyone familiar with B-Pad

[gman157]

I'm scheduled to take the B-Pad test. Is anyone familiar with the different scenarios that they have, and how should one get through them?

[K9Cop]

I'm familiar with the B-Pad test. In all, I believe there are 50 or so scenario's for the Law Enforcement Field. So, the 8 scenario's that I went through, might not be the same scenario's that you get to view. I will say that a couple of scenario's I viewed were "normal" (heh, if there is such a thing) complaints and calls that most officers deal with on a weekly if not daily basis. Such things as a driver that is not to happy about receiving a citation from you, a citizen who is not to happy with your response time to his location. As I remember there were also a few scenario's that dealt with a fellow officers misconduct and a death where a family member of the deceased is on scene and distraught. There was also a sexual assault scenario where you are dealing with the victim. Unlike the shoot/don't shoot scenario's most of us are familiar with, the test your taking really tests your ability to deal with people/communication skills and how well your able to control/handle your emotions and those emotions displayed by the people in the scenarios.

The only difference I saw in taking that test compared to an oral board is you view the scenario instead of having it explained to you (although there was a short explanation by the person in charge before each scenario) you have to think alot quicker on your feet so that you answer within the required time frame and I was not given the opportunity to expand on why I chose to respond to the scenario the way I did. No different from the oral board; I had no idea where I stood in the graders eyes when I finished the test.



Best of Luck!

[crazy fan]

I took it as well. You will be videotaped, so be aware of your facial expressions and body language. I'm an introvert, and I still passed it. Just say what seems logical in response to the scenarios. I think they'll give you some credit even if you come off weird simply because you're talking to a TV.

[Toeknee112]

Damn! I'm glad I didn't have to do this! How long has this test been around? Never heard of it.

[K9Cop]

I believe the company (founded by several members with Phd's) first started research around 1991 - the tests became available in 1994. They are not just limited to the Law Enforcement Field, they have tests/scenario's for many other professions as well. PD's/Company's can either rent or purchase their products.

If you ever appeared before an oral board - it really is not all that different except the B-PAD only gives you 45 seconds to respond to the situation. As crazy fan stated...some PD's videotape you, while others just tape your responses on a cassette. Then they usually have anywhere from 2 to 5 people review/grade each person. Some PD's use it because they feel it is a better way to assess your judgment, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills in dealing with different types of people in different situations. They say that no matter what your prior experience in law enforcement is - you go into this test an equal to someone without any prior experience because of what they are assessing. I personally feel that a candidate who has spent some time on the streets as an officer, who has had to deal/communicate with the public on a daily basis, definitely has an advantage.

[italian1]

I took one to get on with Norfolk, and they video taped us. The camera was so close I was fogging up the lense! It too had 8 "events" and they lasted about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Then the word RESPOND flashed at the bottom of the screen and that was your 45 second window to respond. Keep an open mind, and what ever you do dont act nervous or surprised at what you see. Remember to show authority in your voice when it calls for it and compassion and empathy when it calls for it. You need to know the differance!! Good luck I think the whole test took about 22 minutes.