Psychological Exams

[Spec VVV]

What kind of questions do they ask? And how can you fail it if your a sane person..?

[John2008]

have you ever consider killing yourself?
have you ever thought about committing suicide?
Have suicidal thoughts ever cross your mind?
YOu have tried killing yourself in the past?
have you tried to commit suicide?
you often think about committing suicide?
Do you get along with other?
do you hate yourself?
you still wet the bed?
you sometime wish you were the opposite sex?
you have tried to commit suicide in the past?
would you enjoy the work of a mechanic?
can police officer do his job with out a weapon?
Have you ever consider committing suicide?

[Spec VVV]

and how the hell do people fail that??

[SDC1983]

You forgot "Have you wondered what your friends would think if you committed suicide"

[John2008]

You forgot "Have you wondered what your friends would think if you committed suicide"

LOL.

[PBXTech]

I guess after answering questions like that for 4 hours you might get tired and drop your guard if your not telling the truth.

This question is very odd to me.

would you enjoy the work of a mechanic?

Sure why not?

[John2008]

You forgot "Have you wondered what your friends would think if you committed suicide"

you can't fail the written, the written results goes to the psychologist and then you go for your oral exam and some times the shrink gets people caught up with lies and so on and they fail, also if you have history of depression and have seen a psychologist before for any reason what so ever they will grill you hard about it.

[John2008]

I guess after answering questions like that for 4 hours you might get tired and drop your guard if your not telling the truth.

This question is very odd to me.

would you enjoy the work of a mechanic?

Sure why not?

That's why I put I agree, I was like mmm sure why not.

I had questions like, Would you enjoy of a mechanic?
would you enjoy the work of a florist?
would you enjoy the work of a librarian?
would you enjoy the work of a accountant?

I guess they ask those questions to see if you are open minded to different task.

[PBXTech]

That's why I put I agree, I was like mmm sure why not.

I had questions like, Would you enjoy of a mechanic?
would you enjoy the work of a florist?
would you enjoy the work of a librarian?
would you enjoy the work of a accountant?

I guess they ask those questions to see if you are open minded to different task.

This is a good thread. I have my psychological on Monday. I really had no idea what to expect.


John2008 I guess you answered yes to the other 3?

[L-1]

I can't give you a list of questions, but here are the traits they look for (positive and negative) on the psych in California:

http://www.post.ca.gov/selection/psychological-traits.pdf

[John2008]

This is a good thread. I have my psychological on Monday. I really had no idea what to expect.


John2008 I guess you answered yes to the other 3?

yup yup.

[ny08pd]

Just take your time, don't rush, be truthful, and you will be fine. The two tests are designed to see if you stick to your guns, and have an element of a lie detector built in. Don't try to outsmart, it just be honest. This isn't one of those tests that you should answer how you think they want you to. Answer from your perspective. The oral interview follows up on any questions that they deem doesn't meet their standards, and you will need to explain yourself. They want to see that you gave thought to your answers, and that you don't flip under pressure.

On mine, I believe I answered true to a question that went something like "Sometimes it is justifiable to tell a lie." The psych asked me about it, I gave my reasoning for answering, and that was it.

[John2008]

Just take your time, don't rush, be truthful, and you will be fine. The two tests are designed to see if you stick to your guns, and have an element of a lie detector built in. Don't try to outsmart, it just be honest. This isn't one of those tests that you should answer how you think they want you to. Answer from your perspective. The oral interview follows up on any questions that they deem doesn't meet their standards, and you will need to explain yourself. They want to see that you gave thought to your answers, and that you don't flip under pressure.

On mine, I believe I answered true to a question that went something like "Sometimes it is justifiable to tell a lie." The psych asked me about it, I gave my reasoning for answering, and that was it.

I had a question of "People only have friends because they are of use to them" I put agree and the shrink asked me about it and I told her because friends are social companions and stuff so each friend has it own use and all people have different reasons to have friends.

[NorwichCadet]

best question

"do you see objects..animals of people that others don't"

[PBXTech]

best question

"do you see objects..animals of people that others don't"

LOL. Some of these questions are way out there.

[John2008]

best question

"do you see objects..animals of people that others don't"

LOL, I remember that one.

They also asked if you enjoy having sex with animal or have sexual fantasies about animals.

[Dman99]

I have my psych at Lefrak on monday as well. How long should I expect to be there? It starts at 2pm. And, I believe the oral psych is done on a seperate days?

[gbotj]

Be advised they also ask
"I would like the work of a nurse" True/False
"I have a good apitite" True/False
"My feet tingle" True/False
"If you do me wrong, I will get back at you for the principle of it" True/False
"I love dances" True/False
"I loved (love if they are still alive) my parents" True/False
"If I see an old friend I will not say hello, until the other person says hello first" True/False

Then you also take an officer personality exam to see if you have the personality to be a cop, here they will ask
"I feel I would need to protect my female partner" True/False
"Sometimes I like to drink after a long days work" True/False
"I must admit, my friends say I have a temper when I'm drunk" True/False
"Minorities have everything because its given to them" True/False

For the MMPI-2 they ask 567 questions
and on the Candidate and Officer Personality Survey (COPS) they ask 200 questions
Then each department is run different, they make you take an IQ test at the written psych, word fill in, draw pictures etc.

You can not lie in these exams, they have validity scales built into them and can detect lies. Also you need to be consitant as to not throw a red flag.

[nycop]

my personal favorite: I enjoyed Alice in Wonderland by.........

[krash131]

have you ever consider killing yourself?
have you ever thought about committing suicide?
Have suicidal thoughts ever cross your mind?
YOu have tried killing yourself in the past?
have you tried to commit suicide?
you often think about committing suicide?
Do you get along with other?
do you hate yourself?
you still wet the bed?
you sometime wish you were the opposite sex?
you have tried to commit suicide in the past?
would you enjoy the work of a mechanic?
can police officer do his job with out a weapon?
Have you ever consider committing suicide?



One of the cops at my dept said that after he finished his psych he wanted to kill himself because of all the redundant questions. But I wonder if they ever hired anyone who actually said yes

[PlainSilverTin]

do the voices that you hear tell you to cause harm to yourself or others?

priceless.....

[NorwichCadet]

just answer every question like what they want to hear...i mean unless you see things animals or other people that others don't thats fine....you can just tell the psych evaulator that you'll make a real good detective. But most important those last 10 questions at the end where it's yes or no I believe? you write it in and it's not on the scantron be very very very careful with those. And also something i learned this guy i met there got moving violation tickets u know etc etc the psych person asked why did you speed....greatest answer in the world guys "because i like the rush of it"

[John2008]

just answer every question like what they want to hear...i mean unless you see things animals or other people that others don't thats fine....you can just tell the psych evaulator that you'll make a real good detective. But most important those last 10 questions at the end where it's yes or no I believe? you write it in and it's not on the scantron be very very very careful with those. And also something i learned this guy i met there got moving violation tickets u know etc etc the psych person asked why did you speed....greatest answer in the world guys "because i like the rush of it"

LOL

[John2008]

do the voices that you hear tell you to cause harm to yourself or others?

priceless.....

I remember that, there were a couple of questions there like just made me laugh.

[ItIsWhatItIs73]

to a certain degree i think u have to be a lil crazi to be a policer officer. when shots are fired look at the direction everyone in blue shirts are running and then look were everyone else is going. although sometimes u do have some blue shirts running in the direction of the latter group

[John2008]

to a certain degree i think u have to be a lil crazi to be a policer officer. when shots are fired look at the direction everyone in blue shirts are running and then look were everyone else is going. although sometimes u do have some blue shirts running in the direction of the latter group

I think you have to be kinda of crazy to take the NYPD job for the pay we get. lol. The Psychologist I had was playing around with me. I guess my likable personality comes in handy.

[PlainSilverTin]

I remember that, there were a couple of questions there like just made me laugh.

it was funny because when i got to that question i looked up and around and there were so many other faces with stupid smiles on them.....psych's shouldn't be a big deal, and if you fail for some reason, thats what a dispute and review is for....

[PTLovesMe81]

I will never forget my written psych, there were multiple questions about flowers.

I think I would enjoy the work of a florist? (I put disagree, or no)
I like to stop and smell the flowers in the summer. (disagree)
a third question about liking flowers or something.

And then of course my oral psych:

I see for every question that involves flowers you put down that you really don't like them. Whats that about? Why do you hate flowers? Don't you like pretty things? Do you like to relax?

My answer: Umm... my mother always told my family that flowers are useless because they die so fast and that if we ever got her flowers as a gift she would throw them out and never get us gifts again. I guess it kind of rubbed off on me.

Psychologist: .... complete silence

[gbotj]

PT - Thats why for all the flower questions I put "Agree". Never been asked a question on it on my oral.

With the question like "I would like to be a florist" True/False - I looked at it as if I dont like it, they will take it as "hate" and I certainly wouldnt "hate" a job that would be fairly easy so I put agree. Then on all the other flower questions like "I like the smell of flowers" I made sure I put true, because then they'd say "well you'd like to work as a florist, but you dont like the smell of flowers?"

[danny1]

Here is a good example of what they will ask you on the exam. Question 10 could be like do you like to read mechanics magazines? About 300 questions later you will see something like do you like Nascar? They will probably question you if you answer differently.

Reason you will throw up a flag and get put on review is from answer some questions differently on the written then on the oral. Some questions they ask most people don't really have an opinion on and most people never think about so by the time the oral comes and the Dr. asks the question, who knows what answer you give.

Another way is by stating your previous medical history. You will need to get all records sent over to the Dr. for review. That's what happened in my case.

My friend in the academy told me there is one guy who is on review for a year and half and is finally graduating the academy in july.

[NorwichCadet]

so wait question guys? can you fail the written psychological? and not make it to the oral? Or is that written psycholical a PRE EVAL test for the psychogical people to use on u?

[John2008]

I will never forget my written psych, there were multiple questions about flowers.

I think I would enjoy the work of a florist? (I put disagree, or no)
I like to stop and smell the flowers in the summer. (disagree)
a third question about liking flowers or something.

And then of course my oral psych:

I see for every question that involves flowers you put down that you really don't like them. Whats that about? Why do you hate flowers? Don't you like pretty things? Do you like to relax?

My answer: Umm... my mother always told my family that flowers are useless because they die so fast and that if we ever got her flowers as a gift she would throw them out and never get us gifts again. I guess it kind of rubbed off on me.

Psychologist: .... complete silence

LMAOOOOO, that's a classic. She probably looked at you with a face like this :eek:

[John2008]

so wait question guys? can you fail the written psychological? and not make it to the oral? Or is that written psycholical a PRE EVAL test for the psychogical people to use on u?

The written is a pre-evaluation for your psychologist.

[pegstersull]

I took the pscyh about 11 months ago for the last list , I am going thru the process again and I thought I would not have to take the psych because it was under a year but I received a letter from civil that my test will be on june 10th has this happened to anyone else?

[darkhelmet]

wierd all my psychologist asked me was about a head injury i had about 15 years ago.. everything else was just going through the questionare... like have i ever done drugs, do i drink etc... seemed more like a backround investigation than a psych eval

[krash131]

Do they ever use the "personality survey" questions as part of the psych test, or are those just used on the entrance exam?

[gbotj]

the whole psych is a personality survey.

they call it a psychological exam but its actually the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.

[John2008]

the whole psych is a personality survey.

they call it a psychological exam but its actually the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.

plus it says that on the cover. :)

[gbotj]

John, I didnt read anything. I just closed my eyes, circled answers and hoped for the best.

Plus I was out in 10 minutes.

hahahaha

[John2008]

John, I didnt read anything. I just closed my eyes, circled answers and hoped for the best.

Plus I was out in 10 minutes.

hahahaha

LMAOOOO, I wish, It would have made life so much easier.

[ProWriter]

and how the hell do people fail that??

One way is simply by answering the questions as precisely as possible for the sake of honesty and running into a shrink who doesn't understand the difference between the word "and" and the word "or" among other very basic things. The exchanges I detailed in the thread ("When Psychiatrists Attack") are 100% verbatim and transcribed from my audio recording of the entire interview. The thread is still up...just type that title into the search field. I no longer needed the job by the time of the interview, but for someone who does, there's nothing funny about that kinda thing making all the difference in the world.

[Edit] Here you go:

Finally had my interview with the psychiatrist yesterday; quite the alienating, empty, and disappointing experience. I'm only finishing the long screening process because it was already almost over when I took my current job, and to preserve it as a "backup" option until my Federal probationary period ends in another five months. If I were banking on that LE position, I'd be even more horrified, and those of you DQ'd by incompetent psychiatrists in pursuit of your career goals have my deepest sympathies.

Background:

Big department, tens of thousand took the test; scored almost perfect, at the top of first group called. Mini-medical, full medical, fitness test, background interview, written psych exam, 9-month background investigation, oral psych with psychologist, oral psych with psychiatrist based on psychologist's inconclusive findings. Psychiatrist mentioned she never heard of the psychologist.

Some highlights:

Psychiatrist reads from psychologist's notes that "...subject did not interact with anybody in the waiting room...wore large overcoat that he kept on during interview...declined to shake hands...said he had a cold, but no apparent symptoms...introverted and very repressed..."

(There were two guys in the psychologist's waiting room when I showed up...private house where waiting room is separated by glass doors from consultation area...one guy is sitting and seems very nervous...we both say "how you doing" when I come in...other guy has his back to us taking the 400-question written test...maybe I should have interrupted him to introduce myself :rolleyes: Room is freezing cold...when she comes out to take the nervous guy, I ask her if it's OK to kill the overhead fan blowing the cold air around...she turns it off and I thank her for it. When it's my turn, she extends her hand and I politely explain that I'm just getting over the flu, which just so happens to be true, as I missed two days at work for it, earlier that week...guess I should have done the "normal" thing and shared my germs with her. The consultation room is even colder than the waiting room, and I'm wondering whether it's for economical reasons that she doesn't have it heated in the dead of winter) :confused:

I respond politely that I'm shocked at the psychologist's perceptions and conclusions, try to explain about the cold room and so forth. Psychiatrist asks me whether I "took anything this morning...maybe some alcohol or stimulants" :eek: :confused: :eek: I say absolutely not, and ask politely why she would even think that. "Well, you seem so very different from this description, because you're very animated and talkative."

What I'm thinking" No kidding Sigmund Freud, maybe that's why you should probably preserve your scientific objectivity by examining me FIRST, before you form assumptions and expectations based on the conclusions of someone with less training than you, whom you've never met. Frankly, I don't really like shaking people's hands, because that IS how colds are transmitted and 60% or more people don't even wash their hands after going to the bathroom unless someone they know is watching them...but in that case, I WAS actually still sick...guess you never read the "Handwashing" or "Alcohol Gel" threads on O.com, huh?"

Q: "So, you don't consider yourself introverted or shy?"
A: "No, and I think if you told anybody who knows me that I'm "introverted," they'd laugh hysterically.

Then she turns to the sheet of paper I filled out a few minutes earlier. It had a list of attributes and sentiments on it, with instructions to check the ones that apply and leave the rest alone. I check all the positive ones (truthfully) and leave all the negatives blank (truthfully). The negative ones all pertain to low self-worth, depression, hopelessness, etc. The only negative I check is "Misunderstood."

Q: What do you mean by "misunderstood"?
A: Like being considered introverted when I'm really just cold and still sick...

Q: On your written test, you answered "somewhat" to the question about whether you are ever afraid of people or things that you know can't hurt you...
A: Yes, I'm afraid of cockroaches. I know cockroaches can't hurt me any more than ants or spiders...if there were a spider right here (pointing six inches from me on the table) I would blow it away or take it over to the window...if it were a roach, I'd be out of this chair...
Q: So, if you saw a cockroach, you'd leave the room... (and now, she's writing in her notes) :eek:
A: No, I said I'd be out of this chair...I would not "leave the room"...
Q: You said you'd leave the room...
A: No!...(politely, exclaiming)...I said "chair," not "room"...

What I'm thinking: "Listen you old bat, if you have a hearing problem, I can play BACK the conversation, because I'm recording it...except, if I did, you'd be writing that I was paranoid and defensive, right?"

Q: What about people who can't hurt you?
A: I am not scared of any people who can't hurt me.
Q: But that's not what you answered to the question...it said 'OR people'
A: Yes, it is...the question said 'people or things" I said 'yes' meaning cockroaches...if I answered "no" to that, I'd be lying if I were afraid of EITHER of them...the question said "OR" not "AND"...(now, she's writing again...probably words like "defensive", "argumentative", "denial", etc) :eek:

What I'm thinking: "Are you KIDDING me?? You're here evaluating people psychologically, based on their answers to questions you don't even UNDERSTAND, yourself?? :eek:

Q: You also answered "yes" to whether you awaken easily while sleeping.
A: Yes, I've always been a very light sleeper...I'm jealous of people who can sleep right through loud noises.
Q: But you answered "no" to whether you ever have trouble sleeping...or waking during sleep.
A: I don't have any trouble sleeping, and if there's no noise to wake me up, I sleep right through the night.
Q: You're answering very quickly...almost without thinking first.
A: Maybe I just think quickly, and I'm just being honest.
Q: You know, sometimes, when people are impatient and answer very quickly and aggressively, that's their defense mechanism...they've been hurt in the past, and that's how they protect themselves and keep people at a distance...
A: ...and sometimes people who haven't been hurt in the past and who aren't trying to protect themselves just think quickly...
Q: Yes. (Clearly annoyed)

What I'm thinking: "Gee, I didn't realize quick thinking and absolute candor were such drawbacks in LE" :rolleyes:

Q: You told the psychologists that you don't really have that many interests...
A: That's right. Other than working out at the gym and working, I don't really do all that much else...
Q: What do you think about usually, just during the day?
A: Generally, I would say that I don't think about much besides how the traffic is going to be for my trip home from work, whether my wife and I are going to workout together or alone, etc
Q: You have no other interests?
A: Well, I used to have certain intellectual interests...
Q: Such as?
A: I was interested in human psychology, understanding romantic love, the origin of the universe, and big-bang-related things...my book shelves are fiilled with books on those topics, but after reading them and answering the questions I had, I'm not as interested anymore, unless the subject comes up in conversation.

What she asked me next, about any of that:

NOTHING.

Q: I can't help coming back to this, because you are acting VERY different from this evaluation...are you very anxious or nervous being here?
A: I have to admit that I'm still flabbergasted that you asked me whether I was "on anything" because this is my normal personality...I am hardly "introverted"...as far as "repressed," you're more than welcome to ask me anything at all about my life and feelings...

What I'm thinking: "Way to go, Einstein...maybe you should trust your own observations instead of being biased by a 'conflict' with the assessment of someone you don't know anything about and making ridiculous assumptions about me...If you want to explore the issue of 'repression', why don't you ask me about my feelings about losing my mother at 10, or about my relationships with women, or my feelings about having worked in a strip club, and any feelings or thoughts I have about my wife's dancing naked on a stage?"

Q: Is this how you are all the time? You're not anxious at all, being here? Because you seem rather hyper...
A: I have always talked fast, and I am not nervous...if you're asking whether my pulse rate and blood pressure are exactly the same right now as they will be in two hours, when I'm back at my desk, then yes, I imagine they're slightly higher under this 'evaluative interview situation' but no more so than one would be under any interview situation compared to at one's desk...
Q: We're not talking about "one", we're just talking about YOU...
A: I was just trying to say that, in the context of the "white coat syndrome" one can expect to be slightly less relaxed in any interview situation.
Q: I just want to talk about YOU, and nobody here is wearing a white coat.

What I'm thinking: "Way to understand a simple analogy and manner of speaking, Einstein."

A: Yes, I would say MY pulse and BP are probably slightly higher under this interview situation than under normal, non-interview situations, but no, I do not consider myself "nervous" or "anxious" at all, given the circumstances...
Q: "Given the circumstances?"
A: ...of an interview, as opposed to at my desk or at home.

At this point, I have an itch on my neck...when I scratch the itch, I feel that my t-shirt might be riding a little high on my neck and I stuff it down a bit, because I hate when I can see my t-shirt poking up under my collar, especially, when it's not white (I was wearing a maroon shirt, so I didn't bother wearing a "matching" or white colored t-shirt underneath, necessarily.)

Q: Are you feeling warm?
A: No, I just had an itch on my neck.

What she's probably thinking: "Wow, he's really getting hot under the collar now, I hope the officers out there can subdue him if he attacks me."

What I'm wondering: "Should I title the thread 'When Psychiatrists Attack' or 'Is Strangling the Psychiatrist an Automatic DQ?'"

OK, so maybe she got ONE right. :rolleyes:

I'm not even expecting an appointment with the review board, but an outright DQ, based strictly on this nonsense.

[gbotj]

geeze man, you seemed combative from the start of it. No offense, but I cant see one answer that you benefited from.

[gbotj]

you just kept digging a bigger and bigger hole for yourself

[ProWriter]

geeze man, you seemed combative from the start of it. No offense, but I cant see one answer that you benefited from.

I wasn't combative at all, and trust me, it took a lot of self control not to be. What are you supposed to do when the first thing she asks is whether you're "on something" because you don't seem to match the erroneous perceptions of the psychologist who flagged you as "inconclusive." Can you imagine someone telling you that you said you'd "leave the ROOM" and then arguing with you about it when you said CHAIR?

Obviously, I would have been more careful to give the "right" answers if I still needed the job. Being that I didn't, I wanted to see what would happen if I answered 100% honestly instead. I also knew that "No" was the "right" answer on the written test to the question whether any people or things that can't hurt me scare me, but if cockroaches scare me, that would have been a lie.

What's a shame is that someone who really needs the job can actually be DQ'd like that; what's even worse is that this is also how they miss legit psychopaths who are bright enough to simply lie their way through the test to get through it.

[gbotj]

I wasnt saying you did the wrong thing. And in those circumstances I believe you did the best you could.

[krash131]

I think that the psych test would be the one thing that I would "fear" the most about going through a hiring process. I really dont like the idea that my future could be determined by a person who assesing me based on my personality. Are experinces such as ProWriter's common?

[gbotj]

ummmm, it all depends. I think a lack of preperation and knowledge on the test could be detrimental. I took a few psychology courses and learned about the MMPI, so I knew how it was worded. Things like absolute words, and how they are put together could be the difference of how you think you answered it and how you really answered it.

questions like "I Love to dance" you might say "oh yea I dance alot" but actually they take it as love as in loving as much as you would a wife or something like that.

[krash131]

ummmm, it all depends. I think a lack of preperation and knowledge on the test could be detrimental. I took a few psychology courses and learned about the MMPI, so I knew how it was worded. Things like absolute words, and how they are put together could be the difference of how you think you answered it and how you really answered it.

questions like "I Love to dance" you might say "oh yea I dance alot" but actually they take it as love as in loving as much as you would a wife or something like that.

That sounds like a very weird way to evaluate someone, almost as if they are trying to trip you up on how you answer? ? ?

[ProWriter]

That sounds like a very weird way to evaluate someone, almost as if they are trying to trip you up on how you answer? ? ?
In theory, the idea is just to spot liars by asking very similar questions among way too many questions to remember all your earlier lies. It doesn't work so well if you answer them all literally the way I did. In truth, "difficulty sleeping" and "light sleeping" are totally different questions, but in my case, that flagged me as giving "inconsistent" answers. It didn't come up in the interview, but I also gave "inconsistent" answers on the topic of water: I said "No" to the question about whether I have a "fear" of water but I said "Yes" to the question about fear of drowning because I am not afraid of water in general. On the other hand, I'm not a strong swimmer and I do fear drowning in deep water. You should just say no to both questions even if it's a lie. If you encounter questions that are even remotely similar, just give them the answers that are similar and disregard the details that would matter if it were an essay test. Likewise, don't admit to any phobias even if you have them. Just do what any bona fide sociopath would do and give them all the obviously "right" answers.

[krash131]

In theory, the idea is just to spot liars by asking very similar questions among way too many questions to remember all your earlier lies. It doesn't work so well if you answer them all literally the way I did. In truth, "difficulty sleeping" and "light sleeping" are totally different questions, but in my case, that flagged me as giving "inconsistent" answers. It didn't come up in the interview, but I also gave "inconsistent" answers on the topic of water: I said "No" to the question about whether I have a "fear" of water but I said "Yes" to the question about fear of drowning because I am not afraid of water in general. On the other hand, I'm not a strong swimmer and I do fear drowning in deep water. You should just say no to both questions even if it's a lie. If you encounter questions that are even remotely similar, just give them the answers that are similar and disregard the details that would matter if it were an essay test. Likewise, don't admit to any phobias even if you have them. Just do what any bona fide sociopath would do and give them all the obviously "right" answers.

Great the thought of knowing that my partner could be a psychopath is very appealing to me. . . . . . . .

[6Tango]

Would you like to drive a race car? T
I think it would be fun to drive around a track in a racecar.:)

Would you like to be a racecar driver? F
I would not want a career as a racecar driver, just to drive one once for fun.

Never read Alice in Wonderland. Marked that one F.
It is actually titled Alice's Adventures in Wonderland so what kind of game is this?:confused:

I would not mind the work of a forest ranger/carpenter/teacher:rolleyes:

I would not want to be a nurse/ florist/ mechanic/ :(

Q: when cornered, it is ok to tell only the partial truth that will keep you out of trouble. :eek:

This one is tricky if you answer T, they may think you will only tell the partial truth. If you answer F, they may think you will not tell the truth. I put F as I would imagine that I would tell the whole truth and not just the partial truth. (After all they will find it out anyways)

I must admit, if I am ever in charge of hiring/recruitment strategies, I will push to have these exams eliminated. :D

[PBXTech]

So the test was just like everyone said it would be. I even seen the Alice in Wonderland question.

What might I expect in the psychological interview?

[MELLY7227]

LOL.What's up with the Alice in Wonderland question?? and the Mechanics magazines

[gbotj]

what about "do you play drop the handkerchief" you guys see that one?

[John2008]

what about "do you play drop the handkerchief" you guys see that one?

I don't recall that one. Did they call you guys yet?

[gbotj]

nope. not yet john.
More waiting......boy by the time I get on the job I'll have the patience of a saint!

[darkhelmet]

the psych test is more about being consistent with your answers than anything else.. of course if you put that you hear voices in your head and that you sometimes talk to yourslef etc.. than you do belong with the police.. but in the opposite fasion..in a padded cell..... in fact i believe that test that we all took is given to prison inmates.

[gbotj]

its given to people in mental institutions.

If they give it to 1000 people with borderline personality disorders and 850 of them answer the question "I would like to be a nurse" with "True" then the answer "True" would be undesireable (not wrong, they will compare it with the rest of the results, and then ask you about it)

[darkhelmet]

its given to people in mental institutions.

If they give it to 1000 people with borderline personality disorders and 850 of them answer the question "I would like to be a nurse" with "True" then the answer "True" would be undesireable (not wrong, they will compare it with the rest of the results, and then ask you about it)


i dont know if i entirely agree with that process. What you said makes sense.. and I am sure you are right.... but what is to say that because a crazy person wants to be a nurse and a "normal" person does as well that makes the normal person crazy because the insane persons answer matched the normal persons. (if that doesnt make sense i apologize.. it did when i was writing it.) I tend to believe that everyones brain is different and by categorizing people that way is somewhat inaccurate in my opinion.

[gbotj]

You made perfect sense, and I agree. but thats how its done brother.

[6Tango]

The follow up with the psychologist is even more intriguing. :cool:

[JackieBoy]

Hey guys,

This explanation was taken from another LE forum. I thought it was one of the better descriptions given of the psyche test(s):

The MMPI IS NOT a personality test. It is a formal diagnostic tool used in the medical community!!!!

The MMPI scores you on 10 categories of items called scales. It looks to see if your score is within an acceptable norm of the GENERAL FUNCTIONING POPULATION. Yes, the population here in America. Not the law enforcement world, the average person. When your score flags outside the norm on any of the ten scales, then you get flagged for questioning. How you explain yourself and what your medical history shows will determine if it is "explainable" or an issue. If you score high in more than one area, you are done (DQ) automatically without any further consideration because you have problems in two areas or you have tried to beat the test.

The hiring agency has no say about the MMPI. The scores are not subjective. They are objective based on your answers. If you take a MMPI in New York, and forward the answers to 1,000 police department psychologists, all 1,000 will have the same score.

The personality traits test you speak of is called the Inwald Personality Inventory. This is a law enforcement based trait test. But again, the hiring authority has no say on scoring. There is only one score based on your answers.

[jjfvilla]

long time reader, first time posting,, question? if there is anyone that has recently been thru the oral psych interview can you please post what was your interview experience like and what type of questions were you asked by the psychologist.

[EldoEsq]

long time reader, first time posting,, question? if there is anyone that has recently been thru the oral psych interview can you please post what was your interview experience like and what type of questions were you asked by the psychologist.

I was interested in that also, as my interview is set up for May 7.

[NYPD13]

I was interested in that also, as my interview is set up for May 7.


Every psych evaluator has different methods of evaluating a candidate. It could be like a harsh interrogating room to a simple chit chat with a guidence counslor. The basic answer to this question is that he/she ask questions from the test. And tell the truth even if its embarrasing. This only means to them that your honest and looking for life experiences in a candidate.

[250]

From: http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114331
(a really helpful thread)

**Disclaimer** This isnt from my personal account, I got this from another forum and thought it would be useful.

02/26 Oral Psych. here is the drill. get there on-time. Basically you go into a room and they fire off questions at you. For me, they started off with my employment history. They will have all the information you filled out at the written test. If your employment history is all wrong, because you didn't know they were going to ask you that stuff when you went to take the written, (although, if you are reading this, you should know) or you just have not been taking this to seriously, or what ever. Don’t sweat it.....just tell the psych the correct stuff and she will correct it. I would write it down and just read it off to him/her. They will let you pull out a paper. It is basically most of the information from APD 5. You should fill out this form before you go and bring it. Have any explanations ready. The will ask about you driving history accidents/moving violations/parking tickets/etc. They will ask about you family (ages/jobs, etc) Know your complete school history and work history. Then they will ask you a bunch of other questions, i.e. have you ever hit anything, punched a wall, kicked something in anger, etc. how is you relationship with your parents, girlfriend,....how do you resolve conflict, when you get stressed does your appetite change, do eat more or less when you get stressed, do you fear death, how do you handle stress, they will ask about the most stressful period in your life, how you coped with that Have you ever seen psych for any reason before (I have a feeling this is a major question!)? They will ask you about any hospitalizations/over night hospital stays.
They will ask about fights and domestic violence (another major, i think) If the cops have ever been called to you about you for any reason. They will also ask about alcohol history, how many times to you drink a week? have you ever had a problem with alcohol? Do you ever drink more than you want? How many friends do you have? what do you do for fun? FYI, if you say you don't drink and then answer I go out for beers with my friends, I think that will be a red flag. Then they ask about drug history. marijuana, coke, heroin, pills, etc. You will be in there for about 45 min. When I left the psych said. just continue on with you investigator with paperwork and everything else. She did not indicate whether I failed or not. I did not ask.

[EldoEsq]

Wow....thanks 250....great thread!

[NorwichCadet]

"do you hear or see other things that other people dont" ? (why yes i do..that's why i'll be a great detective)

[crocka]

just be honest tell the truth and you'll be fine

[bluelieu]

What kind of questions do they ask? And how can you fail it if your a sane person..?

Very simple...they are not looking for sane/insane (insane is easily weeded out) but rather those traits which are problematic for police work (i.e.: impulsive behavior).

[RichieRichNY1]

Hi,
I was just told by my B.I. that I am on psych review. Does this happen to a lot of people? I saw a psychologist several years ago for about 7 months. No meds were given to me. Just saw him after I was in a motor vehicle accident where a person died. I got in touch with the psych dr. I saw and had him fax over a summary because my records were purged. Who should I contact about this? Looks like both APD/Psych are of no help from the posts I've read.

[crocka]

hey richie just stay on top of it see what happens maybe you will get it all straightened out! i hate to be negative but psych review is a long process and requires alot of paper work

good luck

[RichieRichNY1]

hey richie just stay on top of it see what happens maybe you will get it all straightened out! i hate to be negative but psych review is a long process and requires alot of paper work

good luck

Thanks. What type of paperwork does this require?

[Sense0Purpose1]

hey richie just stay on top of it see what happens maybe you will get it all straightened out! i hate to be negative but psych review is a long process and requires alot of paper work

good luck

You ain't frikken kidding!!!

[crocka]

hey richie, im not exactly sure im going threw the process just like you. you can do some searching on here i saw a few people with same situation like you.

Good luck

[TheEva]

Seriously, these tests are from the 1950s and they are just making sure that you are not a fascist.