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Exam Overview
What Is the CJBAT?
The CJBAT is a standardized, computer-based entrance exam required by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission for entry into basic recruit training. It was developed by Industrial/Organizational Solutions, Inc. (I/O Solutions) and is delivered through Pearson VUE at testing centers in Florida. There are separate versions for law enforcement and for corrections: the law enforcement version is set mostly in policing situations, while the corrections version describes incidents inside jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities.
Exam Structure
The exam contains 97 items and allows 90 minutes in total. The three sections are timed separately, so time you save in one section does not carry over to another.
| Section | What it measures | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| I · Behavioral Attributes | Job-related work styles and attitudes (self-report statements) | 47 | 20 min |
| II · Memorization | Recall of details from images: study each image 1 minute, then answer | 10 | 1 min study + 1½ min answer per image |
| III · Cognitive Abilities | Written comprehension, written expression, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning | 40 | 60 min |
| Total | 97 | 90 min |
Scoring and Passing Standard
The CJBAT reports only a pass or fail result. No numeric score is released to candidates, academies, or agencies. To pass, a candidate must meet two conditions at the same time:
- An overall score of 70 or higher across all three sections, and
- At least 30 correct out of the 50 memorization and cognitive items (Sections II and III combined).
Key Facts
- Delivery: computer-based test at Pearson VUE testing centers in Florida only; no online or at-home option.
- Format: multiple choice; cognitive and memorization items have four answer choices.
- Fee: set by FDLE and paid to Pearson VUE when you schedule (commonly listed as $39; confirm when you register). The fee is not refundable.
- Attempts: no more than three attempts per discipline (law enforcement or corrections) in any 12-month period.
- Score validity: a passing result is valid for four years from the test date.
- Results: pass/fail results are available to applicants, training schools, and agencies through FDLE.
Law Enforcement Exemptions
Florida law exempts certain law enforcement applicants from the basic abilities test requirement: honorably discharged veterans (Honorable or General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions) and applicants who hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution. These exemptions apply only to law enforcement. Corrections applicants must take and pass the CJBAT regardless of military service or education, and academies may still require it for their own admission. Confirm your status with your academy before scheduling.
Registration at a Glance
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