Exam Recommendation

[SSA1811]

I'm certain that this topic has been discussed before, however, EndlessEcko's question in the "ATF SA Announcement" thread prompted me to post this reminder/recommendation.

Anyone who has applied for, or is considering applying for, a Law Enforcement postion which requires a written examination should check online, at their library, and/or their local bookstore for the availability of Study Guides for their Agency or Department of interest.

These Study Guides, or the ones that are highly rated, provide sample tests as well as other valuable information which should help minimize the anxiety and concern that comes with having to take a test in the first place. One of the most popular publishers of several of these Study Guides is Arco. For example:

"Master the Treasury Enforcement Agent Exam":
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Treasur..._sim_b_title_1

"Special Agent/Deputy U.S. Marshal":
http://www.amazon.com/Special-Agent-.../dp/0764561049

"Master the Police Officer Exam":
http://astore.amazon.com/petersonsbo...188370-4133564

These Study Guides cost approximately $15 to $20, or about the cost of a case of beer. A small investment to make which may assist you in getting into a well-paying, rewarding career in Law Enforcement.

P.S. If you are the type who gets nervous or anxious before a test or interview, someone suggested to me that taking an antacid tablet (Rolaids or Tums) 15 - 20 minutes before the test or interview will calm your stomach and eliminate one other thing to worry about that might affect your performance. Couldn't hurt. FWIW.


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[Kimble]

Also, some experience for others (so they don't have to go through it): if you buy one of these guides, dedicate a good quantity of time to doing your studying. I bought this one:

"Special Agent/Deputy U.S. Marshal":
http://www.amazon.com/Special-Agent-.../dp/0764561049

... for the ICE test and didn't pass. Why? Well I foolishly waited until the evening before the exam to begin studying. I felt confident about my abilities to pass, but honestly I didn't go through the questions and answers as thoroughly as I should have. Live and learn.

[BP348]

There is also a studyguide for the Border Patrol exam that I recommend.

The hardest part of joining USBP is the written test. I think the last number I heard was that we have something like a 35% pass rate :eek:

[Maverick24]

The ARCO book is the best bar none!! I passed USSS TEA, ICE SA exam, and (hopefully) will pass the ATF TEA with it. Study that thing for a few weeks and the exam is cake.

[Kyn]

Well earlier this afternoon I dropped off my entire USSS Application packet to the local office and I'm looking towards obtaining study guides for the TEA exam. I actually found one by LearningExpress that has practice exams enclosed within the book.

Maverick24 I saw your post in regards to the ARCO series and was wondering why you thought that this particular brand is a good one. I read several of the Amazon reviews that slammed the series, could you give me your thoughts and opinions on it?

To the general community of RealPolice who have taken the TEA Exam, any recommendations on which section's you found to be most difficult? Any general suggestions on prep'ing for the TEA Exam?

Thanks!

[Maverick24]

Do NOT I repeat DO NOT get the learning express book. It is MUCH easier than the actual exam itself. It will not properly prepare you for the exam. Do a search on the web and you will see the ratings for the book. I like the arco book because it is identical to the test itself. In fact I thought the problems in the book were actually a bit harder then the actual exam. Master the book and the exam will be a pleasent surprise. Good luck!

[smcc360]

The hardest part of joining USBP is the written test. I think the last number I heard was that we have something like a 35% pass rate :eek:

Is that because of the language portion? From when I took it, I remember an artificial language primer which you could look at, and then a series of questions about sentence construction using that language. I read that it was designed to measure your ability to learn Spanish.

I liked it. It was fun, like a puzzle or a word-game. It's the only civil service test I ever actually enjoyed taking, and I was disappointed when there were no more questions.

The TEA exam, on the other hand, touched me inappropriately where the baseball cap covers. I walked out with my brain smoldering, convinced I'd failed it. My only consolation was that there was no filing fee.

What actually helped me pass the TEA was an Arco study guide for the ASVAB (I was considering the Marine Corps at the time). There's a lot of math on both tests, and the Arco book really focused on it. My girlfriend at the time was very good at math, and she helped me, too.

My understanding is that the USMS written test is much easier now. Much easier than the TEA Exam, at any rate, which might not be saying much.

[jvale00]

The ARCO book is the best bar none!! I passed USSS TEA, ICE SA exam, and (hopefully) will pass the ATF TEA with it. Study that thing for a few weeks and the exam is cake.

DAYUM! Thats a lot of agency's you got some skills! Those damn fractions kill me everytime!

:eek:

[SSA1811]

Maverick24 is right on the money about the Learning Express book based on the 22 Customer Reviews halfway down this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Treasury-Enfor.../dp/1576851397

When it appeared to me based on numerous posts in different threads that some folks were going into their exams "blind", I asked some of the newer Agents in my office what they did to prepare. Almost all of them used some sort of Study Guide, with the majority using the ARCO one ROS used, "Special Agent/Deputy U.S. Marshal" (of course, they spent a little more time with their Study Guide than ROS did! Therefore, listen to what ROS said about investing the time if you are going to invest the dime, better yet, as Maverick24 said, "Master the book ...."). A very, very close second choice was the ARCO "Master the Treasury Enforcement Agent Exam".

BTW, this is one area I can only pass on information from others. They waived the TEA Exam for me because I had specialized experience and skills they wanted and needed at the time (timing is everything), so I fortunately never had to go through what most of you are going through. Otherwise, I probably would have gone into the test cocky, brash, and overconfident, and "bombed"! Almost all my Agents said the math portion was the most difficult part of the test, and the Study Guides really, really helped them.

Best of luck to all of you!


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