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The Probation Officer test consists of multiple sections, each assessing different skills required for the job. Each state provides a different exam. Becoming familiar with the type of exam you will take is an important part of your preparation. About the Probation Officer Test. There are a variety of Probation Officers tests your state may. The Probation and Parole Series has an overall time allowance of 6 hours and 30 minutes. The written tests for the entry-level titles of the Probation and Parole Series will cover the following subject areas.
What Is the Probation Officer Test?
You must pass a test to become a Probation/Parole Officer. The duties of a Probation Officer are to work with individuals who are serving probation instead of jail time. Part of the responsibilities of the job include keeping in contact with offenders and their families. You are also responsible for juggling deadlines enforced by the courts and ensuring that all terms of the offenders' probations are met, including drug testing.
What Do Those Who Score High Receive?
Those who score high on the exam increase their chances of becoming Probation Officers. There are over 100,00 Probation Officers in the U.S., and the average annual salary is $49,060. Some benefits of the job include paid vacation, sick leave, a pension, and health, dental, and life insurance coverage.
What Are the Challenges to Passing?
The Probation Officer test consists of multiple sections, each assessing different skills required for the job. Each state provides a different exam. Becoming familiar with the type of exam you will take is an important part of your preparation.
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About the Probation Officer Test
There are a variety of Probation Officers tests your state may choose from. For example, Georgia requires you to take the WorkKeys Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information assessments. Other states may require you to take the CPS HR or PSI Probation Officer Test.
Below is a detailed explanation of the sections that can be found on a Probation Officer test:
- Following Written Directions – This section assesses your ability to apply a set of rules to determine the correct action or solution for a problem.
- Problem Solving – This section assesses the ability to evaluate a set of facts and draw logical conclusions.
- Reading Comprehension – This section assesses the ability to read a passage and answer questions that may require identifying facts and details, interpreting information, or drawing conclusions.
- Writing Clarity/Written Communication – This section assesses the ability to recognize and use clear writing, avoiding writing problems that result in ambiguous or erroneous communication.
- Writing Detail – This section assesses the ability to evaluate written information and determine whether it provides a useful, detailed description of people or events.
- Accuracy with Forms and Coded Information – This section has two parts. In the first part, you must demonstrate your ability to check the accuracy of information coded in report forms compared to a written summary. In the second part, you must compare coded information to a brief list of information and determine whether the coded information matches any of the items on the list.
- Work Attitudes – This section is designed to measure attitudes about work-related situations and behavior, reflecting attributes like conscientiousness, confidence, handling work pressure, getting along with others, and integrity/trustworthiness.
- Probation and Parole Concepts – This section assesses your knowledge of areas required by the field of Probation and Parole, such as psychology, interpersonal skills, interviewing, case management, and criminal justice.
Each Probation Officer test is different, and the sections listed above are just some of the sections you may encounter on a test. A general passing score is 70%.
Probation Officer Hiring Process
Each state has its own Probation Officer hiring process. The general hiring process consists of meeting basic requirements, including being a U.S. citizen, having a college degree, and being between the ages of 20–38. If you meet your state/agency requirements, you can submit an application. Once your application has been approved, you are required to take a written exam, along with a background check, a medical exam, and a psychological exam. Only after you pass all the exams will you be considered to take part in the training process.
The Benefits of Being Ready
Practicing with sample tests, reviewing study guides, and absorbing helpful exam tips can help you to achieve a better testing attitude and stronger self-confidence. This will inevitably lead to a more successful exam experience on the Parole Officer test. You can increase your testing speed, gain a better understanding of the underlying focus of test questions, and become familiar with the types of questions you will encounter through preparation.
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Probation Officer Certification
The Profession of Probation
In 1980, the Indiana General Assembly concluded that the field of probation in Indiana is a judicial function and should be under the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Judicial Conference of Indiana. Since 1981, the Board has continuously been involved in studying the possible ways in which Indiana courts could be assisted in improving the delivery of probation services.
On December 9, 1983, the Board of Directors adopted new qualifications for prospective probation officers. These qualifications became effective on July 1, 1984, and have served to enhance the quality of probation as a profession in Indiana.
The Indiana Office of Court Services (IOCS) is the staff agency of the Judicial Conference and provides educational programming, research assistance and other services for the judges and probation departments in Indiana. The Office administers the examination for certification of prospective officers as required by the Judicial Conference qualifications.
On this page, you will find all pertinent information regarding the probation officer certification process. We look forward to serving you whenever possible and we appreciate your interest in becoming certified in a very challenging and rewarding profession. If you have any questions regarding this information, contact Chad Long at the following address and phone number:
Indiana Office of Court Services
251 North Illinois, Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-1313
Minimum Qualifications
- A probation officer shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
- A probation officer shall be an American citizen.
- A person who submits an application to take the examination for prospective probation officers shall have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university or be in the last semester of a baccalaureate degree program. A person may not serve as a probation officer until he or she has received a baccalaureate degree.
- A person who submits an application to take the examination for prospective probation officers shall be a person of good moral character.
- A person shall take and pass an examination for prospective probation officers prior to employment or within six months from the date that the person is first employed as a probation officer.
- A person who fails the probation officer examination shall not be permitted to serve as a probation officer. The person is eligible to re-take the examination at the next available testing date.
- A person who fails the probation officer examination after a second attempt shall not be eligible to take the examination again or serve as a probation officer for one year after the date of the second examination.
- A probation officer shall be required to attend an orientation program conducted by IOCS within one year from the date that the officer is employed.
- The qualifications established by the Judicial Conference of Indiana shall be minimum qualifications only, and a trial court judge may require higher qualifications for probation officers.
- The qualifications established by the Judicial Conference of Indiana shall be effective on July 1, 1984. The qualifications shall not apply to persons who have been certified as eligible to serve as probation officers in Indiana courts prior to July 1, 1984.
Examination Information
Any person who meets the minimum qualifications as outlined may apply to take the Probation Officer Certification Examination. A person who meets these qualifications and is already serving in the position of a probation officer must take and pass the examination within six (6) months after his/her appointment according to Indiana Code § 11-13-1-1(b).
If you feel you are qualified to become a probation officer in Indiana, complete the application (below) and return it to this office with a $50.00 application fee (money order, cashier's check or certified check only). The application fee is nonrefundable. A photocopy of your state identification card or state drivers license (including a current picture) must accompany this application fee.
Qualified applications are held on file for one year from the date of receipt in this office. Failure by an applicant to pass the examination within that year will require a new application and payment of a new application fee.
In addition to the completed application and non-refundable fee, you must have a certified transcript sent directly from your college or university to this office for your application to be complete. We cannot accept a transcript from the applicant. The transcript must indicate that a bachelor's degree has been conferred, or that you are enrolled in the final semester of a college program leading toward graduation with a bachelor's degree.
Upon receipt of your completed application, the $50.00 non-refundable application fee and your college transcript, you will be notified of exam dates in the near future for which you may register.
It is your responsibility to see that your application is properly completed and returned to this office with the application fee, and that your college or university sends us your certified transcript. The completed application, $50.00 application fee, state photo and certified transcript must be received 3 weeks in advance of a scheduled examination date to allow sufficient time for processing.
The examination is offered once a month at 251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 800, in downtown Indianapolis. The next three available examination dates will be indicated in the email notifying the applicant that he/she is qualified to take the certification examination.
The examination will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. and will last two (2) hours. The examination will be computerized and consists of multiple choice and true/false questions. The examination contains of questions that apply to juvenile law, criminal sentencing, general probation matters and evidence-based practices. The questions are based on the following: Titles 11, 31 & 35 of the Indiana Code, terms used in Juvenile and Criminal law, and basic knowledge of Criminal Justice.
Notes, outlines or other review may be brought with the applicant for last minute review, but will not be allowed during the exam. Beverages (e.g., coffee, tea, cola, etc), gum and candy are permitted in the examination room.
The score of the examination is kept confidential and is only released if the applicant fails. The results will be e-mailed to the applicant following the examination. If the applicant is currently employed as a probation officer, a copy of the notification results will be e-mailed to the chief probation officer. No examination results will be released by telephone to anyone at any time.
Study Guide References & Materials
The Indiana Office of Court Services recommends studying the study guide provided below and neither requires nor endorses any other study materials.
Statutory materials may be found in any court law library, probation department, and law firm, including university and public libraries. You may also find it helpful to study a dictionary of commonly used legal Terms associated with criminal justice and the courts.
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