PELLETB - California POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery
What is the California POST?
CHP uses the PELLETB
The California POST is the PELLETB. PELLETB stands for POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery and is the entry-level Written Exam recommended by the Commission.
Learn what questions are on the PELLETB entry-level exam and what the top-rated PELLETB test prep course is. The term POST means “Police Officer Selection Test” in most parts of the U.S. In California, however, POST stands for Peace Officer Standards and Training. The California POST Commission sets minimum selection and training standards for California law enforcement agencies.
More than 600 California law enforcement agencies participate in the POST Program. Smaller agencies such as university or hospital security organizations are the few exceptions.
San Jose PD uses the PELLETB for their entry exam.
How Long is the PELLETB?
The PELLETB is 2 hours and 15 minutes long and covers five test sections. As of 2025, the CLOZE reading test is longer included in the PELLETB.
Is the PELLETB Hard?
Yes, the PELLETB is one of the most difficult police entry-level exams in the country. This is because of its emphasis on good English language skills. Special preparation is required in order to pass the PELLETB.
Questions on the PELLETB
The PELLETB covers basic skills required for police work
There are five or six sections in this 1 hour, 15 minute-test:
Writing - Clarity
Multiple-choice - choose sentence most clearly written
Writing - Spelling
Writing - Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension - 25 questions in 25 minutes
Read a policy or procedure and answer questions about it based only upon the information presented
Logical Reasoning
Multiple-choice - Information grouping, ordering, classification and relationships
Note: Reasoning may or may not appear on your specific exam. California POST tells me that it will be standard for all agencies soon, so you better study this topic as well.