The pass mark for the police exam in Victoria is a score of 60% or above across the written aptitude test components. Victoria Police does not publish a single universal cut-off number, but internal recruitment data and candidate reports consistently show that 60% is the minimum benchmark you need to clear to move forward in the process. Some competitive intake rounds push the effective cut-off higher because candidates are ranked, not just passed or failed.
That matters. You are not just trying to pass. You are trying to rank well enough to get called up.
What Does the Victoria Police Entrance Exam Consist Of?
The Victoria Police recruitment exam is called the Police Entrance Examination, or PEE. It tests four core areas.
- Reading comprehension — You read passages and answer questions about what you understood. This tests how well you process written information under time pressure.
- Numerical reasoning — Basic maths, data interpretation, and problem solving. You do not need advanced maths. You need to be fast and accurate with numbers.
- Verbal reasoning — Logic, word relationships, and argument analysis. This tests how clearly you think through language.
- Written communication — You write a short response to a scenario. Grammar, clarity, and structure are all assessed here.
The exam runs for roughly three hours. It is computer-based and conducted at a Victoria Police assessment centre. You get one sitting per recruitment round, so preparation is not optional.
How Hard is it to Pass the Victoria Police Aptitude Test?
It is harder than most people expect. Not because the content is advanced, but because the time pressure is real and the competition is high.
Victoria Police receives thousands of applications each year. In 2022 and 2023, Victoria Police reported receiving over 4,000 applications per intake round. Not everyone who applies sits the exam, but the pool is large. That means your score needs to be competitive, not just passing.
The reading and verbal reasoning sections trip up candidates who do not read regularly. The numerical section catches people who have not done timed maths practice in years. The written communication section fails candidates who write the way they text.
Research on police aptitude testing internationally shows that candidates who do zero preparation pass at a rate of around 40 to 50 percent. Candidates who complete structured practice over four or more weeks pass at rates above 75 percent. That gap is entirely about preparation, not raw intelligence.
What is the Pass Mark for the Police Exam in Victoria Across Each Section?
Victoria Police assesses each section separately and then produces an overall score. You need to perform adequately across all sections, not just dominate one and fail another.
Here is what the scoring structure looks like in practice.
- Reading comprehension — Typically 20 to 25 questions. You need to answer the majority correctly to stay competitive.
- Numerical reasoning — Typically 20 to 25 questions. Speed matters as much as accuracy here.
- Verbal reasoning — Typically 20 to 25 questions. Many candidates find this the most challenging section.
- Written communication — Marked on a rubric covering structure, grammar, relevance, and clarity.
Victoria Police does not release exact section-by-section cut-offs publicly. What they do confirm is that candidates must reach a satisfactory standard across all components. A strong performance in one area does not cancel out a weak performance in another.
How Many Times Can You Sit the Victoria Police Recruitment Exam?
You can sit the Victoria Police recruitment exam multiple times, but not within the same recruitment round. If you fail or do not reach the required standard, you need to wait until the next recruitment round opens before you can apply again.
Victoria Police runs multiple recruitment rounds per year, though the exact number varies. There is no lifetime cap on how many times you can apply and sit the exam. However, each failed attempt costs you months of waiting time, and your application history is visible to recruiters. Victoria Police recruitment process
The practical answer is this. Treat every sitting like it is your only one. Do not rely on the idea that you can just try again. Prepare properly the first time.
What Happens After You Pass the Victoria Police Written Exam?
Passing the written exam moves you into the next stage of the recruitment process. The full Victoria Police recruitment pipeline looks like this.
- Online application and eligibility check — Basic requirements including age, citizenship, and character checks.
- Police Entrance Examination — The written aptitude test covered in this article.
- Physical Fitness Test — The VIFT (Victoria Police Fitness Test), which includes a beep test, push-ups, sit-ups, and grip strength.
- Psychological assessment — A structured interview and psychometric testing.
- Medical assessment — Full medical including vision, hearing, and general health.
- Background and character check — Criminal history, financial history, and reference checks.
- Interview panel — A structured competency-based interview.
- Academy offer — Successful candidates receive an offer to attend the Victoria Police Academy.
The written exam is stage two. Passing it does not guarantee anything beyond moving to stage three. Each stage is a filter. You need to prepare for all of them, not just the exam.
The physical fitness test is where a significant number of candidates drop out after passing the written exam. The beep test requirement for Victoria Police sits at level 7.5 for males and level 7.0 for females as a minimum. That is not a casual jog. You need to train for it specifically.
How Can I Prepare for the Victoria Police Recruitment Exam?
Preparation for the Victoria Police recruitment exam comes down to three things. Practice the right material, practice under timed conditions, and fix your weak areas before exam day.
1. Get the Right Practice Material
Use practice tests that mirror the actual exam format. Generic IQ tests or random online quizzes do not replicate the structure of the PEE. Look for police aptitude test practice packs that include reading comprehension, numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and written communication components.
The Australian Federal Police and several state police services publish sample questions. These give you a reliable sense of the difficulty level and question style.
2. Practice Under Timed Conditions
This is the part most people skip. They do practice questions at their own pace, feel confident, then freeze under exam time pressure. Set a timer every single time you practice. The exam does not wait for you to think.
Research on test performance consistently shows that timed practice reduces anxiety and improves accuracy on exam day. A 2019 study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology found that students who practiced under timed conditions scored an average of 15 percent higher on the actual test compared to those who practiced without time limits.
3. Fix Your Weak Areas
After your first few practice tests, you will know where you are losing marks. Most people have one or two weak sections. Spend 60 percent of your preparation time on those weak areas, not on the sections you are already good at.
If numerical reasoning is your weak point, do 20 timed maths problems every day for four weeks. If verbal reasoning is the problem, read a quality newspaper or non-fiction book for 30 minutes daily and practice argument analysis questions.
4. Prepare Your Written Communication
This section gets ignored the most. People assume they can write well enough. The written communication section is marked on specific criteria including sentence structure, paragraph organisation, grammar, and how directly you address the scenario prompt.
Practice writing short structured responses to scenario-based prompts. Aim for clear topic sentences, supporting detail, and a direct conclusion. Read your writing out loud. If it sounds awkward, rewrite it.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements Before You Even Sit the Exam?
Before you get to the exam, you need to meet Victoria Police’s baseline eligibility requirements.
- You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident eligible to work in Australia.
- You must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- You must hold a current Victorian driver’s licence or be eligible to obtain one.
- You must not have a serious criminal history.
- You must meet the medical and physical standards set by Victoria Police.
Victoria Police also requires applicants to have completed Year 12 or an equivalent qualification, or to demonstrate relevant work or life experience. The recruitment team assesses this on a case-by-case basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Victoria Police exam multiple choice?
Most of it is. The reading comprehension, numerical reasoning, and verbal reasoning sections are multiple choice. The written communication section requires you to write a short response, so that part is not multiple choice.
Can I use a calculator in the Victoria Police exam?
No. Calculators are not permitted. The numerical reasoning section is designed to be completed with mental arithmetic and basic written working. Practice doing maths without a calculator in the weeks before your exam.
How long does the Victoria Police recruitment process take from application to academy?
The full process typically takes six to twelve months from initial application to receiving an academy offer. The timeline depends on how quickly you move through each stage and how many intake rounds are running.
What score do I need to get into Victoria Police?
The minimum is around 60 percent overall, but competitive candidates score higher. Because candidates are ranked, aiming for 75 percent or above gives you a much stronger position in the intake pool.
Do I need to pass the fitness test before or after the written exam?
The written exam comes first. If you pass the written exam, you then move to the physical fitness test. Both must be passed to continue in the recruitment process. Start training for the fitness test now, even while you are preparing for the written exam.
The Bottom Line
The pass mark for the police exam in Victoria sits at approximately 60 percent, but that number alone does not get you into the academy. You need to score well enough to rank competitively against other candidates in your intake round.
The exam covers reading comprehension, numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and written communication. It runs for around three hours. You get one attempt per recruitment round. Preparation over four or more weeks, using timed practice tests and targeted work on weak areas, is the difference between passing and not.
After the written exam comes the physical fitness test, psychological assessment, medical, background check, and interview. Start preparing for all of it now, not just the part that is immediately in front of you.
