Psych Test for Sheriff's question

[gemini640]

I am going to take my written psych test this Thursday. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas to help???? I'm not sure what to expect and I'm a little nervous reading about all the candidates who failed the test. I'm not crazy, just kind of want to know what to expect. Thanks.

[FlexHardcastle]

Yo Gemini, each agency is different but expect to be taking the psych written for approx. 3-4 hours. The last couple of agencies I took psych tests consisted of an MMPI, STAXI, and some other one. Basically to make a long story short, your reponses determine psychological factors such as tendencies towards aggression, anger issues, male vs. female dominance, interpersonal capacities (social tendencies), suicidal tendencies, etc.

My advice? Be consistent in your responses but be honest with yourself. Expect to laugh to yourself because of how ridiculous the questions or statements are (i.e. I fear water or I feel guilty for torturing small animals)

Red flags (from what I'm told) are questions that address matters of schizophrenia or extreme paranoia. Such as, "When I am alone, I hear voices" or "When I'm around a large group of people, I feel the need to run away".

My examples seem a bit exaggerrated, but trust me on this one. You'll understand when you see and take the exam.

You may want to Google MMPI and the STAXI to get exact info.

[gemini640]

Hey, thanks for the great advice! I will google those tests.

[F67]

let us know how the oral psych goes. I was DQ'd last year for that, I am now getting close to that point again. I would like to know the difference between potential Dr's.

[travel_light]

I know this off topic, but what is the LA sheriff written test like? is it just basic english/reading comp?

[ask80]

different Dr's do things differently. i failed one doc and passed another doc easily... the one i failed in san diego, the interview was 5 mins. the one i passed in orange county, the doc was cool and the interview was 5 mins.. lol so short..and i even mentioned the doctor that I failed with. the OC doc said the SD doc is an a**hole.. just straight up like that.. it made me laugh. but the OC doc, that also does LASD, is like famous police psych in CA. i've seen him in POST training videos.

my experience taking the psych. i took it in a seperate room at the doc's office. it was long... and i could hear the doc with his loud voice interviewing someone. wow, i thought he was yelling. i was scared. but when it was my turn, he was hella cool. he had sort of a loud personality with an easy coast accent.

[gemini640]

I found out today that I passed! The written wasn't a big deal, it was the oral I was really worried about. My bi said that a lot of people tend to stress out about the psych part of it. The oral interview was kind of weird. I think the dr. was trying to make me mad or try to push my buttons. He kept asking me why I wanted the job and how I felt about leaving my daughter while working long hours. I mean, he was really hounding me. I just remained calm and answered his questions. At the end, he closed my file and started talking to me very normal. I don't know, but I think they are purposely trying to push our buttons to see if we lose it. Anyway, I hope this helps in anyway.

[ask80]

yes that is the Doc's job... push you to the limit. see how you would react under pressure.. try to make you crack. but you passed. congrats.. get ready for the academy.. unless you still have the med? did you have the dr in los alamitos?

[F67]

the one is los alamitos was the guy who dq'd me last year...

[ask80]

did he say why? just curious. i found him to be cool and nice.. at least to me

[F67]

he thought i was hiding something. since i was terminated from my job (BS reasons, company knew I was leaving) the day before my interview with him. I told him that i informed by BI, but he did not believe me, and it ended the interview right there. I got a little yellow card in the mail 2 weeks later with my DQ. I appealed it, my appealing psych approved me and sent in a letter. The occupational board chose to go with the original assessment without interviewing me. Seems like I should of at least had another interview with the county, since there were 2 conflicting assessments of my psyche.

Oh well, $800 bones later, here I am re-applying and starting the process again. I'm hoping this time will be better. I really want this!

[gemini640]

yes that is the Doc's job... push you to the limit. see how you would react under pressure.. try to make you crack. but you passed. congrats.. get ready for the academy.. unless you still have the med? did you have the dr in los alamitos?
The doc I had is in San Diego, Rancho Penasquitos to be exact. Still waiting for the med results.

[1970k10]

What exactly do they bring up? Do they look at your PHS for dirt on you?

[ask80]

they pretty much look up all the "red flags" in your background, psych issues, your test results from your psych written...

by the way you resurrected an old thread :)

[Don951]

they pretty much look up all the "red flags" in your background, psych issues, your test results from your psych written...

by the way you resurrected an old thread :)

Is it possible to fail the written portion of the psych? I mean the doc could possibly see discrepancies if your answers don't match.

[1970k10]

weird so its just one guys call if your a psycho or not?

[ask80]

after you finish all the stressful testings of the written, physical, oral board, backgrounds, poly, chiefs/captain,med, it's all up to the psych doc. and i do believe you can fail the psych based on your written , if you answer some of the obvious questions wrong . like if you hear voices in your head, you think people are out to get you. But i guess that could "be outside the parameters"

[1970k10]

after you finish all the stressful testings of the written, physical, oral board, backgrounds, poly, chiefs/captain,med, it's all up to the psych doc. and i do believe you can fail the psych based on your written , if you answer some of the obvious questions wrong . like if you hear voices in your head, you think people are out to get you. But i guess that could "be outside the parameters"

do many people struggle with this test?

[ask80]

not really.. the only thing to struggle with the written is staying awake during question 799. j/p it's a long written test... just be honest with it... you'll have to experience it.. it's definitely no fun.