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Posted by: 48Weeks

How often is the test scheduled? How long does it stay active? Do you get extra points for an Associates, Bachelors or Masters? An officer needs 3 years experience correct (to take the test OR to be promoted?)? Any recommended study guides OR seminars? Do veterans get preference on the SGT exam as well? Any other information is appreciated?

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Posted by: Piper

thats a lot of questions,
are you a fulltime time PO looking to take the civil service test for Sgt?
(I can answer all but not looking to waste my time if you are a CJ major and are just "curious")

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Posted by: bluesamurai22

Quote:

Originally Posted by 48Weeks How often is the test scheduled?

It depends. The test is put on by the state every year in mid o late October. Departments can decide whether or not they will have an exam. The Chiefs exam is held each Spring (In May?) and I believe it is open to anyone who wants to pay the fee. If you are very curious about the process this would be the way to get a good taste of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 48Weeks How long does it stay active?

Usually 2 years. 1 year extensions can be given. Some departments won't bother holding exams if it looks like nobody is leaving. This is especially true at the higher ranks. My department has a provision in the patrolman's contract that a sgt's test will be held every two years.

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Originally Posted by 48Weeks Do you get extra points for an Associates, Bachelors or Masters?

Yes. 80% is written mark and 20% is Training & Experience (T&E)

You start with a 70 on T&E (So you can't possibly get less than 14 points on the final mark) and you get additional points in various fields - Experience, education, training experience and optional licenses.

Points are awarded by a formula for experience in various ranks by months in those ranks (there is one category for the most recent five years and another for experience prior to that (and yet another for even older experience)), you can even get partial points for related work such as being a part-time officer, cadet or dispatcher.

Education is broken down into related degrees (CJ & law) and other degrees (non-CJ). CJ degrees are worth roughly 3 points per degree - Bachelors = 6, Masters =9. You also get partial credit for classes towards degrees in both categories.

Teaching experience gives you points in two categories - police related and non-related.

You can also get 1 point for being a CPR instructor and 1 point for being an EMT.


The written mark holds the most weight. You can basically think of each T&E point as 1/5th of a total score point. The sgt.'s test has 80 questions, they add 20 more questions for LT and another 20 for Captain. So each Sgt. question on the written test is basically a point in the final mark.

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Originally Posted by 48Weeks An officer needs 3 years experience correct (to take the test OR to be promoted?)?

No. I think it varies by department - you only need 1 year here. MGL C31 S11 says 6 months minimum.

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Originally Posted by 48Weeks Any recommended study guides OR seminars?

Look up Law Enforcement Dimensions (John Scheft)

http://www.ledimensions.com/

Commonwealth Police Services (Pat Rogers).

http://www.commonwealthpolice.net/

There is also a Watertown LT selling flash cards on line.

http://www.masspromotions.us/

I don't know how the new guy is but I know that I prefer the LED books and study guides right now. A lot of people like Pat for the law and John for the books.

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Originally Posted by 48Weeks Do veterans get preference on the SGT exam as well?

Yes - only in the form of points.

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Originally Posted by 48Weeks Any other information is appreciated?

There is some related law here:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-31-toc.htm

Any officer should at least take it because it's like buying a lottery ticket. You never know what will happen and you could win.

If you want to top an exam you need to study like a maniac. Lots of people take the tests but few get high scores. Anything over a 90 on the written is very good.

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Posted by: bluesamurai22

What are you, hung over or something?

It looks like you are in the clear. Even if someone quits today there is no way they are going to get to that old list in time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper thats a lot of questions, are you a fulltime time PO looking to take the civil service test for Sgt? (I can answer all but not looking to waste my time if you are a CJ major and are just "curious")

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Posted by: Piper

I was hung over, I need a few more days after St. PAt's weekend for my vision to finally clear. Oh, that new "Michael Collins" Irish Whiskey.......

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Posted by: bluesamurai22

That's how you can tell someone is a true Irishman:

"...St. PAt's weekend..."

It's not just a day here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper I was hung over, I need a few more days after St. PAt's weekend for my vision to finally clear. Oh, that new "Michael Collins" Irish Whiskey.......

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Posted by: Piper

well said Glen!!!
I will use that line next year

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