Border Patrol Test Score Needed to get to hired?

[thelethalblow]

Hello. I have heard they are hiring a good amount of Border Patrol agents and was thinking of applying. A few people have been saying there desperate but I‘ve also heard some numbers that say a small minority of applicants also get in. Basically I am wondering what some of the scores were for people that have gotten in to the Border Patrol within the last few years. If anyone could provide a score/year they applied it would be helpful, as I am trying to get a general idea what is needed and the competitiveness for the position. I would be interested to hear any other information about the competitiveness of testing, even if you didn't take it.

[Patrio72]

70% is considered passing. Check out http://www.honorfirst.com
The site is dedicated to the Border Patrol. All of your questions will be answered there.

Best of luck!

Patriot72

[thelethalblow]

Yep, the passing score is 70% but that just puts you on a list of eligible candidates. However, all those that are eligible are obviously not hired. So I am trying to get a rough idea of what a general score is needed to get called up. I understand there is not some exact magic number for this. I know in Massachusetts the civil service is really competitive and a passing score doesn't mean jack for getting a job. I have checked out that site, the border patrol video is pretty good, guys riding on ATV's with assault weapons.

[ask80]

i think maybe at least 80? not sure. i score 95 w/o spanish...yes they are hiring but i don't think they're that desperate to hire anyone. you still go through the whole in depth process. but it took me about 5 months. got called up june 2006.. but turned down the job to be a cop

written, TO, oral, background, med/PT... i believe that was about it.

[madchiken]

A 70% is the same as 110% on the written test. Its basically pass/fail. Go to www.honorfirst.com if you want more info on working for the USBP.

[thelethalblow]

I would disagree, in that score does play a role and it is more than a pass/fail basis, although a passing score would result in you being added to the list, score is a factor in being chosen.

I quote honorfirst.com, (http://honorfirst.com/hireproc.htm)

"It used to be that everyone got a tentative offer if they passed the test. "In May 2002, that changed. Everyone who is referred out on a certificate receives a tentative offer of employment. However, not everyone gets referred out. We do not necessarily reach all scores (get down to 70) for the 4 different geographic locations any longer. We are not able to predict when a BPA applicant will be referred for consideration, because reaching their score depends on their geographic location choice, the number of applicants on the inventory interested in the BPA position, and the number of vacancies to be filled." So, the higher you score on the test, the better your chances of getting called (and getting called earlier) will be."

This also seems to be backed up on the cbp.gov site, in a FAQ document
about the job.

Thanks for responses so far,
Mike

[madchiken]

If you get atleast a 70%, you will get a Tentative Offer packet and continue on in the process at the same speed as everyone else. The only thing that slows people down is the Background Investigation backlog throughout most of the country, especially in the SW.

[Dburn36]

I got a 72 back in june and got a packet mailed to me about a week later. I didnt make it past the oral interview but I'm thinking about reactivating my applicaiton and taking it again.