How Hard is the OACP Test?

The OACP Certificate no longer uses the PAF test. The OACP Certificate currently uses the SIGMA SSPO testing. The OPP also uses the SIGMA SSPO, but after the interview is passed. Our OACP Police Preparation Program is up-to-date with these changes - in fact we have been teaching the SIGMA SSPO since 2005. We custom create programs to suit individual tests. Others recycle old material. Please see our newer blog posts on the current OACP testing methods. Alternatively, simply click into the details about the OACP Program.

Police candidate types on a keyboard using Cognitive Results to prepare for their police test online.

Firstly, on January 1, 2020, the OACP replaced the PATI with the PAF. Secondly, on August 18, 2020, the OACP replaced the PAF with the SIGMA SSPO, leaving the second test unchanged. Now the first test is the SIGMA SSPO, and the second test is the ESQ2 (Personality Assessment). Thirdly, no test results are shared with applicants.

Members of Cognitive Results have access to correct new OACP police test information. Members access full teaching and practice to help you develop into a successful candidate. Our video teaching is unparalleled in the business. Our programs are extensive and thorough, giving you what you need to study and how to study it.

The OACP test is hard. In comparison, it is now harder than the two prior tests used by OACP. It is a form of IQ test for policing skills and aptitudes. But it is primarily a cognitive skill test. You cannot finish this test in the time given. It measures speed and accuracy. Likewise, it measures intelligence and performance under pressure. Do not underestimate the SIGMA SSPO.

From the SIGMA SSPO creator: Police officers are often faced with difficult situations that require quick, logical decision-making. The SIGMA SSPO is an objective, reliable, and highly valid assessment for screening job applicants for the position of a police officer. The SSPO uses questions to identify individuals with the cognitive skills necessary to use sound judgment in police situations, show good comprehension of legal documents, and to write credible incident reports.

The SSPO measures general cognitive ability, which is one of the best predictors of job performance for virtually all jobs. More effective than resumes, education, references, or interviews.

"Hey Gillian, Just wanted to let you know I passed the interview will be moving to psych.Thank you for everything!" June 14, 2025

"Hello Gillian, I got through the ECI interview! One of the officers commented on how well prepared I was, so I know your interview prep helped a lot." June 14, 2025

HIRED! "And again, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for all you did for me." June 14, 2025

"(Police Tests) Program is worth way more than for what it is priced at. The material is super helpful and the practice is very, very in depth and will get you accustomed to how the test feels. I suggest you do timed testing to see if you are working at a good pace. I scored 87% on my ETHOS and only did so due to the great material that was available to me as well as my hard work. Work hard and use this material and you will do amazing." June 2, 2025

"The psych interview was exactly what I expected after our coaching. I'm in backgrounds now with XXX. Thank you Gillian." May 26, 2025

"I’m happy to share that I received my OTEE test results — and I passed with a great score! The study materials, especially the timed practice tests, were incredibly helpful and definitely made a difference in my performance." May 25, 2025

"Thank you so much for all your help and support throughout the process — I truly appreciate it! I completed the CBSA OTEE test last week, and I wanted to let you know that the material you provided was incredibly helpful. It gave me the confidence I needed to go in prepared, so thank you again for that." May 14, 2025

"I passed everything, the XXX LFI and the blended interview, and now I'm moving on to the psych and the in-person psych next week. Thank you for the coaching! You made the difference." May 14, 2025

"Hi Gillian, I have good news! I got the psych results and I was successful!!! Thanks again for all the help and wisdom!" May 11, 2025

HIRED! "I used Cognitive Results for preparation in my police hiring process. All the material for ETHOS was very helpful  in order to prepare for the exam. Gillian was an amazing instructor her feedback was very genuine and provided great helpful tips. Her feedback was very informative. I highly recommend using Cognitive Results if you want to succeed in your police application process." April 19, 2025

"Hi Gillian, I am a returning client that has used this service for years. Thanks to this program I passed the written test for XXX, was hired, and now I want to make a career change. I've passed the interview for XXX and now I'm waiting for the psych." April 8, 2025

To clarify, police services can view your detailed results. They can see your weaknesses. There is no hiding with these results. No simple pass or fail. They will see all of your strengths and weaknesses. Doesn't it make sense to optimize your results with excellent preparation?

Moreover, the police services will invite you in for an interview only if your results are high enough to meet their criteria. Therefore, it is most important that you work hard at your preparation and perform high enough to get to the next stage.

The results are not shown to you, the applicant. As a result, the only way you're going to know you didn't do well is if you are not invited to interview with the police services. How hard is the OACP test? Hard. Not only due to the test itself, but due to the new process.

Female police candidate prepares for her fitness run. She uses police tests and interview preparation.

Since 2005, we have helped hundreds of police candidates. Certainly, with that many years of experience, we are experts in police preparation and testing. We treat our clients fairly and honestly. Moreover, we respond quickly when a test changes to serve our clients best. You want the program you purchase to be relevant if at all possible, despite changing metrics from the police services.

All of our police test teaching, practice, and video courses are created by a Certified Teacher and a Professional Engineer. We continually add material and expand our programs. We continue to be the best resource for police applicants like you. All of this takes hard work and continued effort, but this is our full-time occupation, and we take this seriously - just like you take policing seriously.