Peace Officer Prep — Free PELLETB Readiness Check

Your free PELLETB readiness check

Answer what you can. Set your target agency's cutoff, then see your readiness band and weakest area.

POST never gives you a score — only the hiring agency sees it. So we won't invent a number. This is an honest read of where you stand, not a fake score.

Estimate only — the real PELLETB uses a proprietary formula scored by California POST; passing cutoffs vary by agency (~T-42 to T-50). Use this to find weak spots, not to predict your score. Not affiliated with or endorsed by California POST.

Your target agency's cutoffAgencies set their own passing line on the PELLETB T-scale, usually between T-42 and T-50. Pick your target — the tool tells you if you're likely above or below it.

1. Spellingwriting
A sentence with a blank — pick the correctly spelled version of the missing word.
His ______ of the situation turned out to be incorrect.
analisysannalysisanalysisanallysys
The patrol vehicle was overdue for routine ______.
maintenancemaintanencemaintenencemaintnance
The suspect was kept under ______ for several hours.
surveilancesurveillancesurveillencesurveyllance
Holding a driver's license is a ______, not a right.
privilegeprivledgeprivelegepriviledge
The witness gave a ______ account of what happened.
consistantconsistentconsistintconsisstent
The sergeant asked for a ______ review of the report.
thoroughthuroughthouroughthorogh
The detective decided the tip was ______ to the case.
releventrelaventrelevantrelivant
The incident ______ at approximately 2:00 a.m.
occuredocurredoccurredoccurrd
She wrote a ______ summary of the night's events.
conciseconsiseconcicekoncise
The officer showed real ______ during the long pursuit.
perseverenceperseverancepersaveranceperserverance
2. Vocabularywriting
A word marked inside a sentence — choose the answer closest in meaning.
The second witness [corroborated] the victim's account of the robbery. The bracketed word most nearly means:
confirmeddoubtedignoredrecorded
The sergeant took a [pragmatic] approach to the staffing shortage. The bracketed word most nearly means:
practicalemotionalcarelesssecret
The jury was [sequestered] for the length of the trial. The bracketed word most nearly means:
isolatedquestioneddismissedcompensated
The driver made a [blatant] attempt to run the red light. The bracketed word most nearly means:
obviouscleverquietlawful
The subject became [belligerent] when asked for identification. The bracketed word most nearly means:
hostilefriendlyconfusedsilent
The report contained several [discrepancies] between the two statements. The bracketed word most nearly means:
inconsistenciessummariessignaturescorrections
The officer stayed [vigilant] through the entire overnight shift. The bracketed word most nearly means:
watchfultiredrelaxeddistracted
The witness gave a [candid] statement about what she saw. The bracketed word most nearly means:
honestlengthyreluctantvague
The recruit was [diligent] in completing her paperwork. The bracketed word most nearly means:
hardworkingcarelessslowcheerful
The officer used [discretion] when handling the minor complaint. The bracketed word most nearly means:
good judgmentphysical forceangerhaste
3. Claritywriting
Two versions of a sentence — pick the one that's written more clearly.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
Running down the alley, the stolen purse was spotted by the officer.Running down the alley, the officer spotted the stolen purse.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
When the officer spoke to the suspect, he seemed nervous.When the officer spoke to the suspect, the suspect seemed nervous.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
The alarm sounded the guard responded immediately.The alarm sounded, and the guard responded immediately.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
The patrol car took a detour because the road was closed for repairs.The patrol car took a detour. Because the road was closed for repairs.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
Wearing a red jacket, the suspect entered the bank.Wearing a red jacket, the bank was entered by the suspect.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
The suspect fled on foot; the officer pursued him.The suspect fled on foot the officer pursued him.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
The report was incomplete because it lacked a signature.The report was incomplete. Because it lacked a signature.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
The officer only questioned two witnesses at the scene.The officer questioned only two witnesses at the scene.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
The manager told the clerk that his shift was over.The manager told the clerk that the clerk's shift was over.
Choose the more clearly written sentence.
The deputy found the wallet reported stolen in the parking lot.In the parking lot, the deputy found the wallet that had been reported stolen.
4. Reading Comprehensionreading
Read a short passage and answer using only what it tells you.
Officer Ruiz arrived at a park after a caller reported loud arguing near the basketball courts. When Ruiz arrived, two men were standing apart and speaking calmly. A woman nearby said the argument had ended several minutes earlier and no physical fight had occurred. What is the best conclusion based on the passage?
A physical fight definitely occurred.The officer arrived after the argument had already ended.The woman was one of the two men involved.The caller gave false information on purpose.
A store manager reviewed security video after several customers complained that their cars had been scratched in the parking lot. The video showed a delivery truck backing into a narrow space at 2:15 p.m. and leaving at 2:23 p.m. Three damaged cars were parked directly beside that space before the truck arrived. Which statement is best supported by the passage?
The truck driver intentionally damaged the cars.The damage must have happened after 2:23 p.m.The delivery truck may be connected to the damage.The customers saw the damage occur.
During a neighborhood canvass, Officer Lee spoke with four residents. Two residents reported hearing a car horn around 11:00 p.m. One resident reported hearing glass break around 11:10 p.m. A fourth resident said she was not home until midnight. Which detail would be most useful for establishing when the incident occurred?
The fourth resident was not home until midnight.Two residents heard a car horn around 11:00 p.m.One resident heard glass break around 11:10 p.m.Officer Lee spoke with four residents.
A city maintenance crew closed one lane to repair a broken water valve. Cones were placed 300 feet before the work area, and a flagger directed cars through the open lane. Traffic moved slowly but continuously all morning. At 10:40 a.m., a second utility truck arrived and blocked the side street the workers had been using to store equipment. Which inference is most reasonable?
The second truck improved traffic flow immediately.The crew had finished repairing the valve before 10:40 a.m.Access to equipment may have become more difficult after the second truck arrived.Drivers ignored the flagger throughout the morning.
Officer Diaz responded to a report of a broken window at a warehouse. When she arrived, she found broken glass on the sidewalk outside the window and no glass inside the building. The building's alarm had not been triggered. What does the location of the glass most suggest?
The window was most likely broken from the inside.The window was most likely broken from the outside.No window was actually broken.The alarm was working properly.
A department policy requires officers to submit a use-of-force report within 24 hours of an incident. Officer Lee was involved in an incident at 9:00 p.m. Monday and submitted his report at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday. Based on the policy, was the report submitted on time?
Yes, it was submitted within 24 hours.No, it was late by several hours.The policy does not apply to Officer Lee.There is not enough information to tell.
A store's security camera recorded a customer placing an item in her bag at 4:05 p.m. and leaving without paying at 4:12 p.m. The store manager reviewed the footage at 5:00 p.m. and called police at 5:10 p.m. Which of these events happened last?
The customer placed the item in her bag.The manager reviewed the footage.The manager called the police.The customer left the store.
Several residents reported hearing a loud noise around midnight. One resident said it sounded like a gunshot; another said it sounded like a car backfiring. Officers searched the area and found no shell casings or other physical evidence. Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
A firearm was definitely discharged.The noise was definitely a car backfiring.The cause of the noise is not yet certain.The residents were mistaken about the time.
Department records show that collisions at the intersection of 5th and Main increased after a traffic signal there stopped working in June. The signal was repaired in September, and by November collisions had returned to their earlier level. What does the passage most strongly suggest?
The broken signal likely contributed to the increase in collisions.Traffic signals have no effect on collisions.Collisions always increase during the summer.The intersection should be permanently closed.
An officer stopped a vehicle for a broken taillight. During the stop, the driver produced a valid license and registration. The officer issued a written warning, and the driver left. No citation was issued. Which statement is supported by the passage?
The driver was arrested at the scene.The driver received a written warning.The driver's license was expired.The vehicle was impounded.

0 of 40 answered — answer all four sections (at least 24) for a readiness band

How it works

1
Take the free readiness check
A short set of PELLETB-style questions across all four subtests — spelling, vocabulary, clarity, and reading comprehension.
2
See your readiness band
Not a made-up score — an honest band (below, borderline, competitive, or strong) plus whether you're likely above or below your target agency's cutoff.
3
Know what to fix first
The check flags your weakest construct so you stop re-studying what you already know and drill the part that's holding you back.

What's on the PELLETB

The POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB), administered for California POST, measures two abilities across four subtests — Clarity, Vocabulary, and Spelling (Writing) plus Reading Comprehension (Reading). It's about 65–78 questions in roughly 2¼ hours (135 minutes of testing).

Scored as a T-score

Standardized to a mean of 50 (SD 10). POST recommends a passing score of T-42+, but each agency sets its own cutoff (commonly T-42 to T-50).

You never see the number

POST reports T-scores to the hiring agency only — not to applicants. That's why this tool gives you an honest readiness band instead of inventing a score.

Retaking it

If you need to retest, you must wait 30 calendar days before taking the PELLETB again.

Reflects the current test

This check matches the 2025 four-subtest format. Many prep sites still show the old five-section version — that section was retired in 2025.

Writing~45–54 items

Spelling — A sentence with a blank — pick the correctly spelled version of the missing word.
Vocabulary — A word marked inside a sentence — choose the answer closest in meaning.
Clarity — Two versions of a sentence — pick the one that's written more clearly.

Reading~20–24 items

Reading Comprehension — Read a short passage and answer using only what it tells you.

Find out if you're ready for the PELLETB.

Your free PELLETB readiness check

How it works

Take the free readiness check

See your readiness band

Know what to fix first