Ontario Police Test Practice - OACP Exam Prep

How to Pass the OACP Exam (2026 Guide)

If you’re trying to learn how to pass the OACP exam in 2026, this guide explains everything you need to know

  • Understand every section of the 2026 OACP exam
  • Learn what the test measures and how it’s scored
  • Build confidence with realistic study strategies and examples
free OACP Practice Exam
OACP entrance exams

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Thinking about starting a policing career in Ontario?

The OACP Certificate is the first major step in the Ontario police hiring process, and the updated 2026 OACP exam measures your cognitive ability, written communication skills, judgment, and overall readiness for policing.

If you’re trying to learn how to pass the OACP exam, this OACP Exam Study Guide explains everything you need to know — how it works, what’s on it, how difficult it is, and how to prepare effectively.

You can use this as your complete educational resource before you begin preparing.

What Is the OACP Exam and What Does It Measure?

The exam is divided into four major competency areas. Each section is designed to show how you think, communicate, and make decisions in police-relevant situations.

1

Cognitive Assessment
(2026 Format)

The Cognitive Assessment evaluates the core reasoning skills required for modern policing.

In the 2026 OACP Certificate Test, this section measures how well you interpret information, recognize patterns, and make decisions under time pressure.

.

 Applicants may be tested on:

  • Deductive reasoning

  • Inductive reasoning

  • Basic math and numerical logic

  • Pattern recognition

  • Attention to detail

  • Quick decision-making

These skills form the foundation of the OACP exam and are essential for handling real policing tasks.

2

Written Communication (2026 Standard)

This part of the OACP exam assesses your ability to communicate clearly and professionally. The Written Communication component focuses on whether you can produce accurate, well-structured written work suitable for police reports and official documentation.

You will be evaluated on:

  • Grammar and sentence clarity

  • Vocabulary understanding

  • Punctuation and spelling

  • Professional writing tone

  • Ability to express information concisely

Strong writing is critical in policing, as officers must record details accurately and consistently.

3

Situational Judgement
(Policing Scenarios)

Situational Judgement questions measure your ability to respond to realistic police-related scenarios. 

The 2026 OACP exam includes updated situations designed to evaluate your judgment, professionalism, and ability to make balanced decisions.

 Scenarios assess areas such as

:

  • Ethics and integrity

  • Fairness and impartiality

  • Communication

  • Professional conduct

  • De-escalation

  • Conflict resolution

This section helps determine if you demonstrate the judgment expected of an Ontario police constable.

4

Competency-Focused Scoring (2026 Model)

The OACP exam now uses a competency-based scoring model. Rather than focusing only on correct answers, the assessment looks at how well you display the key competencies required for policing.

Candidates are evaluated on:

  • Logical thinking

  • Clear communication

  • Sound decision-making

  • Consistency under pressure

  • Accurate interpretation of information

  • Structured reasoning

Police services use these competencies to determine overall readiness for the Ontario police hiring process.

How Difficult Is the 2026 OACP Exam?

  • Most applicants find the OACP challenging because:

    The difficulty is not in content — it’s in speed, precision, and decision-making.

  • Understanding the structure and practicing under pressure significantly improve results.

  • Many applicants haven’t completed structured testing in years
  • Written communication standards are high
  • Questions require quick reasoning under pressure
  • The test is timed

The OACP Cognitive Test Breakdown

Cognitive Skills (SSPO Section B)

This section evaluates how well you can reason, interpret patterns, and analyze information.

  • You may encounter:
  • Pattern Recognition: identify trends, shapes, and logical sequences
  • Deductive Reasoning: determine the correct conclusion from given rules
  • Inductive Reasoning: draw general conclusions from specific examples
  • Spatial Awareness: manipulate shapes mentally
  • Basic Math: arithmetic, word problems, number logic
  • Decision-Making: choose the best response under time limits

What This Section Measures

These skills predict an applicant’s ability to process information quickly and accurately during policing tasks.

Written Communication Test

Expect to be evaluated on:

Spelling, Grammar, Sentence clarity, Punctuation, Vocabulary, Structure, Ability to write clearly, professionally, and concisely and You may also be asked to summarize paragraphs or correct errors.

Tips for Success

  • Write short, clear sentences
  • Avoid unnecessary words
  • Use proper capitalization and punctuation
  • Double-check spelling
  • Read the question carefully before writing

Sample OACP-Style Questions

Sample Cognitive Question

Which figure completes the pattern? (Describe a simple shape sequence)

Sample Logic Question

If all recruits are required to attend training and some training sessions occur on weekends, which statement must be true?

A) All recruits attend on weekends
B) Some training may happen on weekends

Correct answer: B

Sample Written Communication Question

Choose the correctly written sentence:
A) The officer, walked to the car.
B) The officer walked to the car.


Correct answer: B

Common Mistakes OACP Applicants Make

  • Not understanding the structure before writing the test

  • Writing long, unclear answers

  • Rushing pattern and logic questions

  • Poor grammar and spelling

  • Not practicing under time limits

  • Ignoring cognitive weaknesses instead of improving them

  • Understanding how to pass the OACP exam requires practice, familiarity with the test structure, and strong writing and reasoning skills.

Other significant steps in the OACP Hiring Process

Getting your OACP certificate is only the first step. To successfully navigate the OPP hiring process, candidates must perform well across three key areas:

⚠️ Important: the OACP no longer includes a polygraph test.

OACP Exams
OPP Interview
OPP Psychological Assessment

Start Your 2026 OACP Preparation Today

If you want realistic exam-style practice with timed simulations, you can explore full-length OACP practice tests here:

free OACP Practice exam
OACP entrance exams

anEDGE OACP OPP resource links

1. OACP Exam Prep: Full-Length 2026 Practice Tests
2. Police Interview Coaching (Ontario Services: OPP, Toronto, Peel, York, Durham, Ottawa): OPP Interview Coaching & Police Interview Coaching
3. Police Psychological Assessment Coaching (OPP / Municipal Services): OPP Psychological Assessment Prep
4. Police Entrance Exams in Canada — What’s Changing for 2026?: Police Exams
5. How to Prepare for Behaviour-Based Interview Questions (2026 Guide): OPP Interview Prep: How to Get Ready for the Ontario Provincial Police Interview
6. OACP vs Other Canadian Police Exams — What Applicants Should Know: police exams landing page

Frequently Asked Questions

The OACP exam is the standardized testing requirement for police applicants in Ontario. It evaluates cognitive skills, written communication, judgment, and behavioral traits to determine readiness for police work.

Most applicants find the exam moderately difficult, mainly because:

  • It is strictly timed.

  • Many questions are unfamiliar (patterns, reasoning, number logic).

  • The writing test requires precision.

With structured practice, the difficulty drops significantly.

Most — but not all — Ontario police services require a valid OACP Certificate before you can apply. Always check the recruitment requirements of the specific police service you intend to apply for

The OACP exam comprises:

  • A Cognitive Assessment (reasoning, pattern recognition, basic math/number logic, decision-making under time pressure). anEDGE

  • A Written Communication Test (testing grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure). anEDGE

  • A Situational / Judgement (Personality / Scenario-based) Assessment — to gauge behavioural traits, judgment, professionalism, and how candidates respond to policing-style scenarios. anEDGE

  • Supplementary components: a Fitness Log, plus Medical, Vision, and Hearing standards as part of fitness/health screening

The OACP exam includes three major components:

  • Cognitive Test (SSPO Part B): reasoning, logic, pattern recognition, inductive/deductive reasoning, math basics.

  • Written Communication Test: spelling, grammar, vocabulary, sentence editing.

  • Situational Judgement / Personality Assessment: policing-style behavioural scenarios and trait-based questions.

This is the most accurate breakdown for 2026.

The OACP exam includes three major components:

  • Cognitive Test (SSPO Part B): reasoning, logic, pattern recognition, inductive/deductive reasoning, math basics.

  • Written Communication Test: spelling, grammar, vocabulary, sentence editing.

  • Situational Judgement / Personality Assessment: policing-style behavioural scenarios and trait-based questions.

This is the most accurate breakdown for 2026.

The OACP Certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.

The OACP Certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.

Yes. The exam is completed online with live or automated proctoring, meaning you’ll need a quiet space, a webcam, your ID, and a reliable Internet connection. The system monitors your test session for security.

The exam typically takes 90–120 minutes, depending on how long you spend on the situational and writing sections.

Yes — while some sections rely on natural reasoning ability, timing and format familiarity matter. Candidates who practice:

  • Score higher

  • Finish more questions

  • Reduce test-day stress

This page exists to give you the study foundation.

The OACP does not publish exact scoring thresholds, but applicants must meet competency benchmarks across cognitive reasoning, writing ability, and behavioural traits. Practicing with full simulations helps you reach these benchmarks.

Most applicants see significant improvement within 1–3 weeks using structured practice tests, writing exercises, and behavioural preparation tailored to the current OACP standards.

Most applicants see significant improvement within 1–3 weeks using structured practice tests, writing exercises, and behavioural preparation tailored to the current OACP standards.

The most effective preparation approach includes:

  • Practicing timed cognitive tests

  • Doing writing skill drills

  • Reviewing situational judgment scenarios

  • Using practice exams designed for the current 2025–2026 structure

This aligns perfectly with your guide and the products you sell.

No. You do not receive detailed scores or section breakdowns. Results are sent directly to participating police services, who decide whether to advance you in their hiring process.

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