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Posted by: CivilServiceNO1Fan

Anyone taking this tomorrow in Boston? Has anyone out there taken it and know what to expect?

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Posted by: HELPMe

what is it?

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Posted by: NytroCop

I'm taking the Customs and Border Protection test on Feb. 16th at the O'Neill Building in Boston. Looking at the study packet it looks fairly generic but as all tests, the study guide is most likely watered down.
Good luck and let us know how that works out.
-AJ

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Posted by: federal officer

The test is not joke, plan on the better half of day to take the two part test. the ability to learn a foriegn language test is fuckin brutal. when i took it in Worcester maybe six individuals took it. One of the guys got up half way through it and just left because it was too hard and he didnt think it was worth it. good luck to all the desert is waiting for you LOL.

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Posted by: NytroCop

I'm looking forward to my secondary interview in Orleans on Wednesday much more than this thing on Friday, trust me. A co-worker of mine is taking a similar test (straight up Border Patrol, not Border Protection... same thing but different, I guess) next Thursday.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

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Posted by: CampusOfficer

I took the Border Patrol test many moons ago, and it was brutal. They make up a language on the test, and you have to learn and decipher it during the test. It was pretty rough. I didn't do so well on that test... I don't know if the test has changed any since.

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Posted by: CivilServiceNO1Fan

Hey all, just wanted to clear up some misconceptions here.

CBP, or Customs and Border Protection, are very different than Border Patrol. People taking the exam were even confused about the difference. Border Patrol is responsible for areas between border entry points and assist at these points, IRC. Customs and Border Protection is responsible for all ports and entry points. For example, airport work, inbound shipping containers, etc is Customs and Border Protection.

There was no foreign language requirement on this test, it was 5 hours long. Those who have it upcoming, you will have the time to complete each section 3 times if youd like and the study guide is pretty true to form.

Good luck.

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Posted by: Norwich

i took a cbp test last year at the tip o'neil federal building. are they not hiring from that test anymore? it was pretty exhausting. be prepared for a long drawn out test and make sure you have brushed up on the math you probably have not looked at since highschool. i got in the 80's on the test with no vet preferences. i dont hold out any hope.

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Posted by: NytroCop

CivilServiceNO1Fan: I know what you mean about the confusion. A lot of people at work are basically kissing me off and telling me to enjoy the desert or learn to say "eh?" after everything. But in reality I applied for MA, RI, and CT if I do indeed pass. I've been told not to expect anything because of hiring freezes/ low number of job openings in the area. However, it's free to take the test and I was granted an admission notice.. so i'm going to use it.

AJ

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Posted by: SargeLorenzo

I just took the test on friday 2/9 in Boston. It was tougher than any civil service test I've taken, but, still similiar. Expect to be able to figure out alot of percentages mathematically(as in figuring out tariffs) and read different paragraphs and deduce which statement most likely applies, or doesn't. I just talked to a friend of a friend that is a CBPO Officer and he said Boston is full right now and you're better off taking whatever location assignment they offer you for the first 2 years. The test went from 08:30 until about 2:30. Good luck, just don't do better than me

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Posted by: EBostonBP

im takin this test on the 16th as well. I'm currently also waitin on my 60 day letter from Border Patrol. I thought the BP test was pretty easy and I hear this is pretty similar

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Posted by: SargeLorenzo

I got my test results this weekend. Not bad, results in only 2 weeks. I got a 95, how did everyone else do?

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Posted by: CivilServiceNO1Fan

got them today, 93 non vet

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Posted by: Barbrady

FYI, they do not get LE pay (6c) like BOP. Just something to consider, its a big difference in retirement. 15 weeks FLETC vs. 3 weeks, too. Plus, I hear carpal tunnel hurts like a MF.

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Posted by: EBostonBP

yea no 6c is kind of a kick in the pants, but if ur young, it's a foot in the door

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Posted by: Barbrady

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBostonBP yea no 6c is kind of a kick in the pants, but if ur young, it's a foot in the door

Oh, definitely. Maybe one day they will get it, though it would cost the government with the thousands of CBPO's. I just wanted to clarify that although they carry guns they are not considered law enforcement (which I disagree). They do however, have one of the fastest pay progression in the biz. GS-5 - GS-11 automatic in 3 years. Nice.

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Posted by: MassNewbie

If you are goin to take the Customs and Border Protection test you better really brush up on your math. The rest of the test is pretty simple, but I found the math very challenging. As far as the Border Patrol test (which is different) just get to know how to convert the launguage vocabulary part. But as far as hearing back: Border Patrol needs people but will put you in Arizona or anywhere in the desert and Customs isnt hiring right now. Hope that helps.

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