OACP practice test – printable questions and answers

50 OACP-style practice questions on spelling, grammar, vocabulary, report writing and police problem solving, with a separate answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Some people practise best on paper with a pencil, the way they will think through problems on test day. This page puts 50 original questions on one printable sheet, drawn from all nine of our topics: the OACP Certificate and police requirements, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, report writing, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, police-style scenarios and numerical reasoning without a calculator.

The answers start on a new page after the last question, each with a short explanation of the rule or the working. These are not official OACP or SSPO questions, and a good score here is not a certificate: treat the sheet as a warm-up, then take our timed mock exam to practise working under time pressure. Press Print and choose Save as PDF to keep a copy.

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1.A store closed at 21:00. The guard found a broken window on her 23:00 round; it was intact at closing. What does this establish?
1. The guard broke the window on her round
2. The window was broken at exactly 22:00
3. The window was broken just before closing at 21:00
4. The window was broken between 21:00 and 23:00
2."Officers apprehended the suspect two blocks away." What does apprehended mean here?
1. Questioned
2. Followed
3. Released
4. Arrested
3.Choose the correct spelling: "The note was barely ____ after the rain."
1. legibel
2. ledgible
3. legable
4. legible
4.A suspect said, "I wasn't even there." Why should the report quote the exact words?
1. So the reader knows exactly what the person said
2. So the report is longer and looks more detailed
3. So the officer does not have to sign it
4. So the suspect cannot be charged later
5.Rule 1: youths under 18 are interviewed with a parent present. Rule 2: anyone 18 or older may be interviewed alone. A witness is 17. What applies?
1. The interview must wait until age 18
2. The witness may be interviewed alone
3. Only a written statement is allowed
4. A parent must be present for the interview
6.What driving record does the OACP list as a requirement?
1. Any licence from any province, with no limit on points
2. A valid full Ontario licence with six or fewer demerit points
3. A commercial truck licence with a clean record
4. A G2 licence with no more than ten demerit points
7.A cruiser travels at 60 km/h for 30 minutes. How far does it go?
1. 90 km
2. 30 km
3. 20 km
4. 60 km
8.A doubling rule with one change produces 3, 5, 9, 17. Which number follows 17?
1. 33
2. 25
3. 31
4. 34
9.Choose the correct word: "The officers parked ____ cruisers across the road."
1. there
2. their
3. theyre
4. they're
10.Lockers 1 to 4 stand in a row. Ann has 1, Bo is beside Ann and Cy is not in 4. Di has the other one. Which is Di's?
1. Locker 3
2. Locker 2
3. Locker 4
4. Locker 1
11.Which word means the same as vacate?
1. Enter
2. Leave
3. Rent
4. Clean
12.Choose the correct spelling: "The offence was ____ in a parking garage."
1. comited
2. committed
3. comitted
4. commited
13.A report says a phone was stolen. Which added detail makes it most complete?
1. How often the officer has seen phone thefts
2. The weather forecast for the next day
3. The officer's personal view of how common phone theft is
4. The make, model, colour and serial number of the phone
14.Avenues run east-west and their numbers rise as you go north. You are on 3rd Avenue and must reach 7th Avenue. Which way do you travel?
1. North, three avenues
2. North, four avenues
3. South, four avenues
4. East, four blocks
15.Which status must an applicant hold to be appointed a police officer in Ontario?
1. Any valid work permit holder
2. Canadian citizen or permanent resident
3. Ontario resident for five years
4. Canadian citizen only
16.Three officers share 18 blocks of a door-to-door canvass equally. How many blocks does each cover?
1. 6
2. 5
3. 8
4. 9
17.Cruisers are parked in bays lettered A, C, E and G. Following the same pattern, which bay is next?
1. I
2. H
3. J
4. K
18.Two drivers each showed a licence. Which phrase is correct?
1. the drivers' licences
2. the driver's licences
3. the drivers licence's
4. the drivers's licences
19.All cruisers in the north lot are white. A car in the city is white. What can you conclude?
1. Nothing certain about whether it is a cruiser
2. It is not a cruiser, since it is elsewhere
3. It is a cruiser from the north lot
4. It is parked in the north lot
20.Why should a report avoid an ambiguous sentence?
1. It could be read in more than one way
2. It uses too many short words
3. It names the officer who wrote it
4. It is written in the past tense
21.Choose the correct spelling: "Officers may ____ evidence found in plain view."
1. sieze
2. seeze
3. seaze
4. seize
22.An officer did not see the fight but was told about it. Which sentence is correct?
1. The store clerk told me she saw two men fighting.
2. Two men must have been fighting, I believe.
3. Two men were definitely fighting in the store.
4. I saw two men fighting in front of the store.
23.A patrol shift runs from 19:00 to 07:00 the next morning. How long is the shift?
1. 11 hours
2. 13 hours
3. 10 hours
4. 12 hours
24.An applicant has a criminal conviction under a federal statute. What does the OACP say is needed?
1. Nothing, if it is over five years old
2. A pardon (record suspension)
3. A higher score on the Part B test
4. A letter from the sentencing judge
25.Each evidence bag can hold 0.6 kg. How many bags are needed for 7.2 kg of material?
1. 10
2. 11
3. 14
4. 12
26.A fuel gauge reading drops by a smaller amount each hour: 40, 36, 33, 31. What is the next reading?
1. 27
2. 29
3. 30
4. 28
27.A report describes tools found behind a shed. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
1. The box of tools were found behind the shed.
2. The box of tools was found behind the shed.
3. The box of tools are found behind the shed.
4. The box of tools have been found behind the shed.
28.If it rains, the outdoor ceremony is moved inside. The ceremony was moved inside. What can you conclude?
1. It definitely rained that day
2. You cannot tell whether it rained
3. It definitely did not rain
4. The ceremony was cancelled
29.An officer notes a discrepancy between two statements. What did the officer find?
1. A difference between them
2. A typing error in each
3. An agreement between them
4. A signature on both
30.Choose the correct spelling: "Officers responded to a noise ____ on Main Street."
1. disturbance
2. disturbanse
3. disterbance
4. disturbence
31.Which description is most useful in a report?
1. A blue 2018 Honda Civic, Ontario plate ABCD 123
2. Some kind of small car, maybe blue
3. A car the witness said was nice
4. A blue car that looked fairly new and quite clean
32.From the station you walk 2 blocks north, 3 blocks east, then 2 blocks south. Where are you compared with the station?
1. 3 blocks east
2. 2 blocks north
3. 5 blocks east
4. 3 blocks west
33.A police service asks for a second language as a "local need". What does that mean for applicants?
1. It replaces the OACP Certificate for that one service
2. It means the service will not accept the PREP test
3. It is a legal requirement for all Ontario officers
4. It is an extra skill that service may require on top of the basics
34.A car travels at 90 km/h for 2 hours 20 minutes. How far does it go?
1. 220 km
2. 200 km
3. 210 km
4. 180 km
35.Working backwards, a code list reads Z, X, V, T. What letter follows T?
1. P
2. S
3. R
4. Q
36.A report lists what was in a bag. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
1. The bag held, a wallet two phones and a set of keys.
2. The bag held a wallet two phones, and a set, of keys.
3. The bag held a wallet; two phones; and a set of keys,
4. The bag held a wallet, two phones and a set of keys.
37.The intruder used either the back door or the side window. The side window was locked from inside and could not have been used. What follows?
1. The intruder used the side window
2. The intruder had a key to the window
3. The intruder used the front door
4. The intruder used the back door
38.A sergeant asks for a more concise report. What should the officer do?
1. Add more detail about every person present
2. Rewrite the report in the present tense
3. Remove the times and the addresses
4. Say the same facts in fewer, clearer words
39.Choose the correct Canadian spelling: "A ____ heard shouting through the wall."
1. neighbor
2. nieghbour
3. neihgbour
4. neighbour
40.Which sentence describing how the driver left is clearest for a report?
1. The operator of the motor vehicle subsequently egressed the area pedestrianly.
2. The guy took off like crazy, man.
3. The driver left the scene on foot.
4. Then he kind of went away from there.
41.You drive north, turn right at the first corner, then right again at the next corner. Which direction are you now driving?
1. North
2. South
3. East
4. West
42.By when must an applicant hold Standard First Aid and Level C CPR?
1. Before buying the OACP Certificate testing package
2. Within one year after starting the job
3. By the time an offer of employment is issued
4. Before booking the Part B online session
43.Calls to a district rose from 80 one month to 100 the next. What is the percent increase?
1. 15%
2. 30%
3. 25%
4. 20%
44.Which word does not belong with the others: arrest, detain, apprehend, release?
1. detain
2. release
3. apprehend
4. arrest
45.Choose the correct word: "Make sure you do not ____ the exhibit tag."
1. loose
2. loss
3. lose
4. lost
46.If the alarm is triggered, the hallway light flashes. The hallway light is not flashing. What follows?
1. The alarm has not been triggered
2. The alarm has been triggered
3. The light bulb must be broken
4. Someone switched the alarm off
47."The driver was compliant during the stop." What does compliant mean?
1. Cooperative and following directions
2. Asleep when officers arrived
3. Confused about what happened
4. Upset and refusing to answer questions
48.Choose the correct spelling: "The victim reported ongoing ____ by a former coworker."
1. harasment
2. harassment
3. harrasment
4. harrassment
49.An officer notices a wrong time in a draft report before submitting it. What is the best action?
1. Leave it, since the rest of the report is right
2. Correct it so the report states the accurate time
3. Remove all times so no one can question them
4. Change the other times so they match the error
50.A witness recalls a plate starting with BK and ending in 7. Which plate fits?
1. BKMR 427
2. BKTA 172
3. BKZE 371
4. BLKA 547

Answer key with explanations

1. D — The window was broken between 21:00 and 23:00
The window was intact at 21:00 and broken by 23:00, so the damage happened in that window. The facts do not fix an exact time or a person.
Deductive reasoning · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Deductive reasoning, Deduction — time window
2. D — Arrested
To apprehend a suspect is to arrest or catch them. Questioning, releasing or following are different actions.
Vocabulary · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Vocabulary, Vocabulary — apprehend
3. D — legible
Legible ends in -ible and has no d. Legable uses -able, and ledgible adds a d that is not there.
Spelling for incident reports · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Spelling, Spelling — -ible ending
4. A — So the reader knows exactly what the person said
Exact quotations preserve what was actually said, which may matter later. Paraphrasing can change meaning.
Writing a clear incident report · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Report writing, Report writing — quoting
5. D — A parent must be present for the interview
At 17 the witness is under 18, so Rule 1 applies and a parent must be present.
Police-style scenarios · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Police-style scenarios, Procedure — applying two rules
6. B — A valid full Ontario licence with six or fewer demerit points
The OACP's requirements page asks for a valid driver's licence with full driving privileges in Ontario and no more than six accumulated demerit points.
The OACP Certificate and police requirements · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 The OACP Certificate and police requirements, Becoming a Police Officer — driver's licence
7. B — 30 km
Distance = speed × time: 60 km/h × 0.5 h = 30 km. At 60 km/h a car covers 1 km each minute.
Numerical reasoning without a calculator · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 Numerical reasoning, Speed, distance, time
8. A — 33
Each term is doubled and then 1 is subtracted: 17 × 2 − 1 = 33. Adding the last difference (8) twice would not fit the pattern.
Inductive reasoning and patterns · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Inductive reasoning, Series — double minus one
9. B — their
Their shows possession (the cruisers belong to the officers). There refers to a place and they're means they are.
Grammar and punctuation · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Grammar and punctuation, Grammar — their, there, they're
10. C — Locker 4
Ann has 1 and Bo, next to her, has 2. Cy cannot have 4, so Cy has 3, leaving locker 4 for Di.
Deductive reasoning · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Deductive reasoning, Deduction — positions
11. B — Leave
To vacate a place is to leave it, for example vacating a building during an alarm. Enter is the opposite.
Vocabulary · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Vocabulary, Vocabulary — synonyms
12. B — committed
Commit doubles the t before -ed because the stress falls on the last syllable: committed. It also has a double m.
Spelling for incident reports · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Spelling, Spelling — double letters
13. D — The make, model, colour and serial number of the phone
Identifying details help recover property and link it to an owner. Personal views and unrelated information do not belong.
Writing a clear incident report · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Report writing, Report writing — completeness
14. B — North, four avenues
Numbers rise to the north, so 3rd to 7th means going north, crossing 7 − 3 = 4 avenues.
Police-style scenarios · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Police-style scenarios, Directions — numbered streets
15. B — Canadian citizen or permanent resident
The Act requires a police officer to be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. Ontario residency length and work permits are not the test.
The OACP Certificate and police requirements · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 The OACP Certificate and police requirements, CSPA s. 83(1)(a) — citizenship
16. A — 6
Sharing equally means dividing: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 blocks for each officer.
Numerical reasoning without a calculator · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 Numerical reasoning, Sharing equally
17. A — I
The series skips one letter each time: A (skip B) C (skip D) E (skip F) G (skip H) I.
Inductive reasoning and patterns · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Inductive reasoning, Letters — skipping one
18. A — the drivers' licences
For a plural noun ending in s, the apostrophe goes after the s: drivers'. The driver's would mean one driver.
Grammar and punctuation · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Grammar and punctuation, Grammar — apostrophes
19. A — Nothing certain about whether it is a cruiser
"All cruisers there are white" does not mean every white car is a cruiser. The white car could be anything, so no conclusion follows.
Deductive reasoning · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Deductive reasoning, Deduction — converse error
20. A — It could be read in more than one way
Ambiguous means open to more than one interpretation. Reports must say exactly one thing so readers cannot misunderstand.
Vocabulary · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Vocabulary, Vocabulary — ambiguous
21. D — seize
Seize is an exception to "i before e": it is spelled s-e-i-z-e. Sieze is a frequent mistake in reports.
Spelling for incident reports · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Spelling, Spelling — i before e exceptions
22. A — The store clerk told me she saw two men fighting.
Reports separate what the writer observed from what others reported. The clerk's account should be attributed to the clerk.
Writing a clear incident report · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Report writing, Report writing — what was seen vs heard
23. D — 12 hours
From 19:00 to midnight is 5 hours, and midnight to 07:00 is 7 hours: 5 + 7 = 12 hours.
Police-style scenarios · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Police-style scenarios, Schedules — elapsed time
24. B — A pardon (record suspension)
The OACP's requirements page states that applicants with criminal convictions under a federal statute must obtain a pardon. Findings of guilt with discharges must be sealed by the RCMP.
The OACP Certificate and police requirements · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 The OACP Certificate and police requirements, Becoming a Police Officer — criminal record
25. D — 12
7.2 ÷ 0.6 is the same as 72 ÷ 6, which is 12 bags.
Numerical reasoning without a calculator · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 Numerical reasoning, Dividing decimals
26. C — 30
The differences are −4, −3, −2, so the next is −1: 31 − 1 = 30.
Inductive reasoning and patterns · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Inductive reasoning, Series — shrinking difference
27. B — The box of tools was found behind the shed.
The subject is box (singular), so the verb is was. "Of tools" is a phrase and does not change the subject.
Grammar and punctuation · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Grammar and punctuation, Grammar — subject-verb agreement
28. B — You cannot tell whether it rained
The ceremony could have moved inside for another reason. Knowing the result does not prove the cause, so you cannot tell.
Deductive reasoning · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Deductive reasoning, Deduction — if-then (affirming the result)
29. A — A difference between them
A discrepancy is a difference or inconsistency between things that should match, such as two accounts of the same event.
Vocabulary · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Vocabulary, Vocabulary — discrepancy
30. A — disturbance
Disturbance ends in -ance. Disturbence uses -ence, disterbance changes the u, and disturbanse uses s for c.
Spelling for incident reports · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Spelling, Spelling — -ance ending
31. A — A blue 2018 Honda Civic, Ontario plate ABCD 123
Specific details such as colour, year, make, model and plate let others identify the vehicle. Vague descriptions cannot be checked.
Writing a clear incident report · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Report writing, Report writing — specific details
32. A — 3 blocks east
The 2 blocks north and 2 blocks south cancel out, leaving only the 3 blocks east.
Police-style scenarios · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Police-style scenarios, Directions — net position
33. D — It is an extra skill that service may require on top of the basics
The OACP explains that individual services may require special skills to meet local needs, such as a second language or experience with a vulnerable community, in addition to the standard requirements.
The OACP Certificate and police requirements · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 The OACP Certificate and police requirements, Becoming a Police Officer — local needs
34. C — 210 km
2 hours gives 180 km. 20 minutes is one third of an hour, so 90 ÷ 3 = 30 km more: 180 + 30 = 210 km.
Numerical reasoning without a calculator · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 Numerical reasoning, Speed, distance, time
35. C — R
The series goes backwards through the alphabet, skipping one letter each time: Z, X, V, T, R.
Inductive reasoning and patterns · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Inductive reasoning, Letters — backwards
36. D — The bag held a wallet, two phones and a set of keys.
Commas separate the items in a simple list; no comma goes between a verb and its object. Semicolons are used only when list items already contain commas.
Grammar and punctuation · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Grammar and punctuation, Grammar — punctuation of lists
37. D — The intruder used the back door
With only two possibilities and one ruled out, the other must be true: the back door.
Deductive reasoning · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Deductive reasoning, Deduction — elimination
38. D — Say the same facts in fewer, clearer words
Concise means brief and clear without losing the facts. Removing key details like times would make the report incomplete, not concise.
Vocabulary · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Vocabulary, Vocabulary — concise
39. D — neighbour
Neighbour is spelled with ei, and Canadian usage keeps the -our ending. Nieghbour reverses the vowels; neighbor is the American form.
Spelling for incident reports · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Spelling, Spelling — i before e exceptions
40. C — The driver left the scene on foot.
Plain, concise words make a report easy to understand. Jargon, slang and vague phrases make it less credible.
Writing a clear incident report · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Report writing, Report writing — plain language
41. B — South
A right turn from north faces east, and a second right turn from east faces south.
Police-style scenarios · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Police-style scenarios, Directions — turns
42. C — By the time an offer of employment is issued
The OACP lists valid Standard First Aid and Level C CPR certification by the time the offer of employment is issued, not before testing.
The OACP Certificate and police requirements · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 The OACP Certificate and police requirements, Becoming a Police Officer — first aid
43. C — 25%
The increase is 20 calls. 20 ÷ 80 = 0.25, a 25% increase. Dividing by the new total (100) would wrongly give 20%.
Numerical reasoning without a calculator · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 Numerical reasoning, Percent change
44. B — release
Arrest, detain and apprehend all mean taking or holding someone. Release means letting them go.
Inductive reasoning and patterns · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Inductive reasoning, Odd one out — words
45. C — lose
Lose is the verb meaning to misplace. Loose means not tight, loss is a noun and lost is the past tense.
Grammar and punctuation · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Grammar and punctuation, Grammar — commonly confused words
46. A — The alarm has not been triggered
From "if A then B" and "not B", you can conclude "not A". The other answers add assumptions that the facts do not support.
Deductive reasoning · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Deductive reasoning, Deduction — if-then (denying the result)
47. A — Cooperative and following directions
Compliant describes someone who follows requests or rules. Refusing to answer would be non-compliant.
Vocabulary · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Vocabulary, Vocabulary — compliant
48. B — harassment
Harassment has one r and a double s. The common errors double the r or drop an s.
Spelling for incident reports · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Spelling, Spelling — double letters
49. B — Correct it so the report states the accurate time
Reports must be accurate. Correcting the error is the right step; deleting facts or adjusting others to match a mistake makes the report less reliable.
Writing a clear incident report · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Report writing, Report writing — correcting errors
50. A — BKMR 427
BKMR 427 starts with BK and ends in 7. BKTA 172 ends in 2, BLKA 547 starts with BL and BKZE 371 ends in 1.
Police-style scenarios · Based on: OACP Certificate study notes (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Police-style scenarios, Descriptions — partial plate

Original practice questions by Canada Exam Prep, written from the official handbook. Not official test questions. Free to print for personal study.

FAQ

OACP practice test (printable PDF): common questions

Is there an official OACP test PDF?

The OACP publishes its own study package for candidates on oacpcertificate.ca. We do not reproduce it. Every question on this sheet is original and written to practise the same kinds of skills.

Does the sheet include personality questions?

No. Part C is a personality assessment with no right or wrong answers, so practising it with an answer key would be misleading. The sheet covers report writing, reasoning and the certificate process.

How do I save the questions as a PDF?

Press the print button and choose Save as PDF instead of a printer. Menus, buttons and ads are hidden when you print, and the answer key starts on a new page after question 50.

OACP practice test – printable questions and answers