CBSA OTEE Program Information Details

Becoming a border services officer (BSO) requires some patience. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has a very extensive process to make sure they hire the right people with the right skills and experience. Part of this process includes writing the OTEE (Officer Trainee Entrance Exam).

CBSA specifically says to find the guidance you'll need to get through the extensive evaluation and training process. Like most police services or law enforcement organizations, you are expected to research, study, and use your community resources, such as Cognitive Results. This is not a secret process! You are expected to get help.

The CBSA OTEE (Officer Trainee Entrance Exam)

The OTEE (Officer Trainee Entrance Exam) is an online exam composed of 117 multiple-choice questions. These questions have been developed to assess four (4) of the required competencies to become a CBSA officer trainee.

The official CBSA website says the questions are hypothetical and therefore applicants do not require any prior knowledge of the CBSA, but we disagree. Instead, we use a specific training method for our clients that ensures they are prepared for the OTEE.

You must complete the test within the one-week window CBSA gives you. However, once you start it, you must finish it in one sitting. You are given 135 minutes to complete the test.

Although 135 minutes seems like a long time, the test is extensive and you will perform much better with concentrated study efforts. Our program will provide the focus and feedback on the various topics and sections so that you will know where to continue to focus and be prepared overall. You only need to use our program for guidance and practice.

Competencies Assessed in the CBSA OTEE

We offer tailored practice in ALL four areas of the test in our CBSA OTEE program. Here is more information:

• Reasoning Skills
  • The ability to draw conclusions or inferences from information to solve problems.
• Analytical Thinking
  • The ability to use a logical thought process to break down and work through a situation or problem to arrive at an outcome.
• Client Service Orientation
  • The ability to provide the best service possible (quality, timeliness, completeness, knowledge/competence, courtesy, fairness, outcome, etc.) to both internal and external clients.
• Writing Skills
  • The ability to produce written documents, including correspondence, reports, documentation, etc., clearly and correctly, using plain language, and in a style and form likely to appeal to and influence the intended audience.

CBSA OTEE Exam Results

Successful results of the OTEE are valid indefinitely. If you receive unsuccessful results, your candidacy will be terminated. If you wish to re-apply, you may rewrite the OTEE one full year after your initial attempt.