Info: CSC SJT Program

Are you pursuing a career as a Correctional Officer but feel uncertain about how to succeed on the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Situational Judgment Test (SJT)? At Cognitive Results, we specialise in helping applicants confidently prepare for this critical step in the hiring process.

Our CSC SJT Program is designed specifically to target the real expectations behind the multiple-choice scenarios you’ll face — rooted in the day-to-day responsibilities of a CX-01 Correctional Officer. Through structured lessons, realistic practice questions, and expert rationale, you’ll learn how to identify the best decisions in complex situations.

Read on to discover how Cognitive Results can help you align with CSC standards, correct your instincts, and move forward with clarity and confidence in your application journey.

CSC SJT Program Information Details

Becoming a correctional officer with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) requires a structured and focused approach. CSC has a rigorous selection process to ensure candidates can uphold the integrity, professionalism, and accountability expected in institutional environments. One key component of this process is the Situational Judgment Test (SJT) — a multiple-choice exam designed to assess your decision-making under realistic, high-stakes scenarios.

CSC openly states that applicants are expected to prepare seriously and seek out the resources needed to succeed. Just like with other law enforcement roles, there is no advantage to going it alone. You’re expected to research, study, and make use of reputable preparation tools — including those offered by Cognitive Results. Preparation is not a secret; it’s a responsibility.

The CSC Situational Judgment Test (SJT)

The Situational Judgment Test (SJT) is a key component in the Correctional Service of Canada’s (CSC) hiring process for the Correctional Officer (CX-01) position. This multiple-choice test presents realistic workplace scenarios to assess how well you can evaluate, prioritise, and respond in high-pressure situations — all while maintaining safety, structure, and professionalism.

CSC states that no prior correctional experience is required to complete the test. However, based on years of experience helping clients succeed, we strongly disagree with taking a passive approach. Success on the CSC SJT requires a trained understanding of institutional expectations, policy-aligned responses, and a clear grasp of how correctional staff are expected to think and act.

The test is administered online, and while official timing and scoring details are not always publicly shared, your performance plays a critical role in determining whether you move forward in the selection process. There is no feedback provided after submission — making proper preparation essential.

Our CSC SJT Program trains you to:

• Recognise what aligned behaviour looks like in complex situations
• Avoid common traps such as overreaction, hesitation, or blurred boundaries
• Develop professional judgment that reflects CSC expectations

You only need our program for guidance and practice. Our tools help you build confidence, improve decision-making, and show up ready to perform under pressure.

Key Functions Assessed in the CSC SJT

The CSC Situational Judgment Test evaluates your responses based on five core function areas that reflect real correctional officer responsibilities. These categories form the foundation of both the scenarios and the evaluation criteria.

Our program offers tailored scenario practice and feedback in all five areas — ensuring you understand the expectations behind each choice you make.

1. Ensuring the Security of the Institution and the Public

Understanding your role in maintaining overall institutional safety — including recognising potential threats, reporting concerns, and taking preventative action.

2. Ensuring the Security of Staff (including during inmate transport)

Demonstrating sound judgment in situations involving your team, civilian staff, or contracted personnel — especially in transport or shared spaces.

3. Ensuring the Security of Inmates (including during transport)

Balancing safety with structure — ensuring that inmates are protected, monitored, and appropriately supervised at all times.

4. Responding to Fire, Environmental Hazards, and Medical Emergencies

Making fast, appropriate decisions during critical incidents — including when and how to escalate, intervene, or follow emergency protocols.

5. Enhancing Offender Accountability

Promoting structure, responsibility, and behavioural learning within the institution — through documentation, follow-up, and clear professional boundaries.

You won’t know in advance which function a scenario falls under — but our training helps you build the kind of judgment that’s aligned across all five.

What You’ll Get in the CSC SJT Program

This program gives you everything you need to confidently prepare for the Situational Judgment Test — no fluff, no filler, just clean, correction-focused training that works.

Here’s what’s included:

Structured Lessons

Start with clear, foundational lessons that explain what you’re being tested on, how CSC wants you to think, and how to avoid common traps. These lessons are written in plain language, with real-world relevance and no academic jargon.

• Learn how to read the subtext of every question
• Understand how CSC defines professionalism, accountability, and structure
• Build your correctional decision-making framework from the inside out

Level 1 Practice Questions

Work through practice sets — each containing 10 CSC-style multiple choice questions. Every question is tied to one of the five core function areas so you can build insight across the board.

• Designed to match real CSC tone, complexity, and context
• Avoid the hidden traps that derail most applicants

Level 1 Solutions - Your Real Training Ground

Practice without feedback is just guesswork. That’s why every one of our multiple-choice questions comes with a full, explanatory solution — not just the right answer.

You’ll learn:

• Why the correct answer works based on CSC-aligned thinking
• Why the others fail, including common traps and overreactions
• Which function area the question supports, so you can track your growth across all five

These solutions are your training ground — giving you the insight most applicants never get.

Each scenario is written in CSC tone and structure, preparing you to respond calmly, professionally, and with the confidence that comes from true understanding.

If you’re looking to rise above the average candidate, this is where it happens.

Level 2 Practice Questions

These advanced sets replicate the updated CSC rating system — where you’ll assess the effectiveness of multiple actions in each scenario (from A = Very Effective to E = Very Ineffective).

• Designed to train your judgment and prepare you for the real format
• Fully aligned with CSC’s current test expectations
• Practice rating instead of just choosing one answer

Includes complete answer key showing how to grade each action and learn from your scores.

Level 2 Solutions

Practice without feedback is just guesswork. That’s why every one of our level 2 questions comes with a full, explanatory solution — not just the right answer.

You’ll learn:

• Why the correct answer works based on CSC-aligned thinking
• Why the others fail, including common traps and overreactions
• Which function area the question supports, so you can track your growth across all five

These solutions are your training ground — giving you the insight most applicants never get.

Timed Half-Length Mock Tests (Unique Questions)

This mock test gives you timed practice under realistic conditions — helping you build stamina, pacing, and clarity under pressure.

• 45-minute timer recommended (based on exam pacing)
• 50 unique questions across all function areas
• Separate answer key with full feedback so you can review independently

Correction-Focused Feedback on Every Question

Whether you get it right or wrong, every scenario comes with clear explanation:

• Why the correct answer is correct
• Why the others don’t demonstrate CSC alignment
• Professional reframes and mindset cues to help you respond like a correctional officer

You don’t need to guess your way through.

With this program, you learn how to think like CSC expects — calmly, clearly, and with institutional structure in mind.