Criminal Justice/Intro to Law Enforcement

stephykay · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 09:37 PM

Has anyone taken these Dantes tests? If so, any advise??

scottcop1 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 11:37 PM

I've taken both but I was AF law enforcement so it kind of went hand in hand with my job. With that being said, I didn't study for either one and the LE was pretty common sense to me but the CJ I failed the first time and past with the bare minimum score the second. It was mainly stats from the FBI from the 1960's, what types of crimes are reported, etc. It's been about eight years since I took it but I'm sure it hasn't changed much.

steelers · #3 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 12:59 AM

I scored in the low 60s on the Crminal Justice exam. I then took the Law Enforcement exam and scored a 54, 2 points shy of an A. That was my only non A score of the 6 exams that I have taken. I'm not sure what went wrong on that one. Anyway, I used instantcert exclusively for both of these. Know the intantcert material and you will be fine. Take the Criminal Justice exam first.

snazzlefrag · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 07:03 AM

Hi All,

I want to revive this thread, because I am going to be taking the Intro to Criminal Justice exam next Tuesday.

Does anybody have any further advice, feedback, tips for this exam?

I will be using Instantcert and Cliff's Quick Review book to study. Is this enough?

I have often read that this is one of the 'easier' exams. But lately, I seem to be seeing a lot of people either failing it, or scoring lower than they expected.

I hope that some of you will be able to give me some additional input on this. If not, I will report back here after I take the exam on Tuesday so that we have a bit more detailed info on the board for this exam.

Thanks in advance,
Snazzlefrag

anar579 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snazzlefrag

I have often read that this is one of the 'easier' exams. But lately, I seem to be seeing a lot of people either failing it, or scoring lower than they expected.

Maybe people have been studying a little less after reading it was so easy, and then got a lower score?

snazzlefrag · #6 (**permalink**) 05-11-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anar579

Maybe people have been studying a little less after reading it was so easy, and then got a lower score?

Hi Ana,

Yes, that's what I suspect too.

Over the last six months I have read numerous reports that this exam was a "no-brainer", and that it could be taken "cold". But more recently I have seen several reports of people scoring in the low 50s, barely passing, or even failing altogether.

The bottom line is, you shouldn't take ANY of these exams for granted. They CAN and WILL bite you in the butt unless you glue their mouths shut with STUDY!!!

Perhaps as a side product of this sense that the exam is "easy", there doesn't seem to be very much specific advice about it. It seems people thought it was so easy that there was no need to report anything other than "it's easy"...and that is the extent of the feedback I have been able to find.

I'm hoping that some who have already taken the exam might be able to post some specific advice, rather than the more general "Instantcert is enough", or "it's easy".

Anyone?

snazzlefrag · #7 (**permalink**) 05-16-2006, 01:53 PM

Hi All,

As promised, here is my feedback on the Intro to Criminal Justice exam.

This truly is one of the easiest exams out there...if you have studied.

I think the recent reports of people failing this exam (or scoring quite low) is probably a result of all the earlier reports saying "it was easy" and "you can take it cold". I assume that people took this exam for granted because of that advice.

So here's the REAL scoop...

MOST of the questions are general knowledge/common sense. You COULD probably pass this exam cold if you have the right amount of general knowledge related to Criminal Justice.

However, it is important to remember that those questions would be easy for EVERYBODY who takes the exam. As a result, answering the easy questions might not be enough to score highly on this exam (if everyone gets them right, then the scoring curve will reflect that).

This is where the "study" comes in: There are lots of questions that you probably wouldn't just 'know' off the top of your head. I think THESE are the questions that will separate the high scores from the low.

Eg,

An easy question might ask (and there are LOTS of them):

Which of the following is included in the Miranda Rights?

A. The right to punch the arresting officer.
B. The right to escape.
C. The right to remain silent.
D. The Last Rites.

Very easy, right? But it is SO easy that EVERYONE taking the test is likely to get it right. Therefore, answering this question correctly is unlikely to separate you from the "average".

Now, a more difficult question might ask:

Which state established the first Juvenile Court in the United States?

A. Michigan
B. New York
C. Pennsylvania
D. Illinois

It is unlikely that most people would know this without having studied. But if you HAVE studied, this question is very easy. As a result, answering this question correctly would very likely set you apart from the "average" test-taker, and thus result in a higher scaled score.

Does that make sense?

The bottom line is:

A. If you study using Instantcert alone, you will know EVERYTHING you need to know to answer almost every single question on this exam.

B. If you take this exam cold, you might pass. But you will only be able to answer the questions that everybody else is likely to know too. As a result, your score could be perilously close to the perfect "Average" (50). As you know, a 50 is just as close to failing as it is to passing. So I would not risk it. Anything lower than a 49 is a FAIL.

I read Cliff's Notes in addition to Instantcert. I can absolutely assure you that Instantcert alone is sufficient.

This exam, in my opinion, is SO easy that the curve could very well work against you (everyone can answer a lot of the questions correctly, so it is harder to get a high SCALED SCORE).

It's very easy...but don't take it for granted. Hardly ANY questions on this exam are 'difficult' IF you have studied...so make sure you DO!

Hope that helps,
Snazzlefrag

sgloer · #8 (**permalink**) 05-17-2006, 11:57 PM

I like the way you think, snazzle. Nice feedback!

chet36 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-19-2006, 07:44 AM

I did not study a bit. I thought I failed for sure. I guessed all the way through it. Passed with a 50. Let me say I never get this lucky.

snazzlefrag · #10 (**permalink**) 05-19-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet36

I did not study a bit. I thought I failed for sure. I guessed all the way through it. Passed with a 50. Let me say I never get this lucky.

Hi Chet,

Congratulations on your pass!

I agree that this was a very easy exam.

But why didn't you study at all Chet? "Lucky" is the right word for it...and you know it!

A 50 is right on the borderline between passing and failing. You could just as easily be reporting right now that you got a 48 and failed by one point.

Of course, I am thrilled that you passed it. But geez! A 50 is cutting it fine.

I urge you to study for EVERY exam. Even if it is simply a matter of going over the Instantcert material once or twice the night before.

I just want to encourage you not to take any exam for granted. If you do, you are playing with fire, and it is only a matter of time before you disappointedly report a score that is one point BELOW the pass mark instead of one point above it. Nobody likes that feeling! You got lucky this time.

You owe it to yourself to ensure that you never fail one of these exams. Studying will allow you a little bit more wiggle room on your score. If you do study and still fail, at least you will know you gave it your best shot, and nobody here will fault you for that!

Congratulations again...but sheesh Chet! Don't play the Examination Lottery. It's a Fool's Game! You deserve better than that. Have more of a say in what your fate will be...study!

I wish you well and want you to pass every exam you take.
Snazzlefrag

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