TDCJ CORRECTIONAL OFFICER PRACTICE EXAM 250
Questions with Answers & Rationales LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR. JUST RELEASED
Summary of Content Areas:
Section Topic Questions
1 Cognitive Abilities – Memory & Observation 1–20
2 Cognitive Abilities – Situational Reasoning 21–60
3 Cognitive Abilities – Reading Comprehension 61–90
4 Cognitive Abilities – Verbal Reasoning 91–120
5 Cognitive Abilities – Arithmetic 121–150
6 Core Competencies – Mission, Values & Ethics 151–175
7 Core Competencies – Security & Custody Procedures 176–205
8 Core Competencies – Use of Force 206–225
9 Core Competencies – Contraband Control 226–240
10 Core Competencies – Inmate Management, Emergency Response & 241–250
Report Writing
This practice exam covers the core content areas of the TDCJ Correctional Officer
Exam:
Cognitive Abilities (Pre-Employment Test): Memory & Observation, Situational
Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, and Arithmetic
Core Competencies (Certification): TDCJ Mission & Core Values, Ethics, Security
& Custody Procedures, Use of Force, Contraband Control, Inmate Management,
, Emergency Response, Report Writing, Professional Boundaries, PREA, and Stress
Management
SECTION 1: COGNITIVE ABILITIES – MEMORY & OBSERVATION (Questions 1–20)
1. During a post assignment, you observe a visitor hand an inmate a small package
during visitation. The package was wrapped in brown paper. What should you
report?
A) The visitor's clothing color
B) The package description and the parties involved
C) The inmate's housing unit
D) The time of the next count
Answer: B – The package description and the parties involved
Rationale: Observation reporting should include specific details about the incident, including
what was exchanged and who was involved. This information is critical for security
investigations.
2. You are assigned to a housing unit and notice an inmate wearing a watch that is
not state-issued. What observation should you document?
A) The inmate's cell number
B) The make and description of the watch
C) The inmate's recreation schedule
D) The inmate's meal preferences
Answer: B – The make and description of the watch
Rationale: Contraband observations should include specific descriptions of the item to aid in
identification and proper documentation.
,3. During a security check, you notice a cell window has been tampered with. What is
the most important observation to report?
A) The color of the window frame
B) The exact location and nature of the tampering
C) The inmate's work assignment
D) The temperature of the cell
Answer: B – The exact location and nature of the tampering
Rationale: Security breaches must be reported with precise location and description details
to facilitate prompt corrective action.
4. You observe two inmates passing an item between them during recreation. What
should you note first?
A) The inmates' names and the item description
B) The weather conditions
C) The recreation supervisor's name
D) The time recreation ends
Answer: A – The inmates' names and the item description
Rationale: Identifying the individuals involved and the item exchanged is critical for
investigating potential contraband or unauthorized activity.
5. During a count, you notice an inmate is not in their assigned cell. What is the most
important detail to report?
A) The cell number and the inmate's name
, B) The time the count started
C) The number of officers on duty
D) The unit's population
Answer: A – The cell number and the inmate's name
Rationale: Missing inmates must be immediately identified by name and assigned location
to initiate proper procedures.
6. You observe a staff member entering a restricted area without proper
authorization. What should you document?
A) The staff member's name, time, and location
B) The staff member's lunch break schedule
C) The staff member's job title
D) The staff member's vehicle description
Answer: A – The staff member's name, time, and location
Rationale: Security violations by staff must be documented with specific details for
investigation and corrective action.
7. During a routine patrol, you notice a fence line has been cut. What is the most
critical observation to report?
A) The exact location of the cut and its size
B) The type of fence material
C) The weather conditions
D) The time of your last patrol
Questions with Answers & Rationales LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR. JUST RELEASED
Summary of Content Areas:
Section Topic Questions
1 Cognitive Abilities – Memory & Observation 1–20
2 Cognitive Abilities – Situational Reasoning 21–60
3 Cognitive Abilities – Reading Comprehension 61–90
4 Cognitive Abilities – Verbal Reasoning 91–120
5 Cognitive Abilities – Arithmetic 121–150
6 Core Competencies – Mission, Values & Ethics 151–175
7 Core Competencies – Security & Custody Procedures 176–205
8 Core Competencies – Use of Force 206–225
9 Core Competencies – Contraband Control 226–240
10 Core Competencies – Inmate Management, Emergency Response & 241–250
Report Writing
This practice exam covers the core content areas of the TDCJ Correctional Officer
Exam:
Cognitive Abilities (Pre-Employment Test): Memory & Observation, Situational
Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, and Arithmetic
Core Competencies (Certification): TDCJ Mission & Core Values, Ethics, Security
& Custody Procedures, Use of Force, Contraband Control, Inmate Management,
, Emergency Response, Report Writing, Professional Boundaries, PREA, and Stress
Management
SECTION 1: COGNITIVE ABILITIES – MEMORY & OBSERVATION (Questions 1–20)
1. During a post assignment, you observe a visitor hand an inmate a small package
during visitation. The package was wrapped in brown paper. What should you
report?
A) The visitor's clothing color
B) The package description and the parties involved
C) The inmate's housing unit
D) The time of the next count
Answer: B – The package description and the parties involved
Rationale: Observation reporting should include specific details about the incident, including
what was exchanged and who was involved. This information is critical for security
investigations.
2. You are assigned to a housing unit and notice an inmate wearing a watch that is
not state-issued. What observation should you document?
A) The inmate's cell number
B) The make and description of the watch
C) The inmate's recreation schedule
D) The inmate's meal preferences
Answer: B – The make and description of the watch
Rationale: Contraband observations should include specific descriptions of the item to aid in
identification and proper documentation.
,3. During a security check, you notice a cell window has been tampered with. What is
the most important observation to report?
A) The color of the window frame
B) The exact location and nature of the tampering
C) The inmate's work assignment
D) The temperature of the cell
Answer: B – The exact location and nature of the tampering
Rationale: Security breaches must be reported with precise location and description details
to facilitate prompt corrective action.
4. You observe two inmates passing an item between them during recreation. What
should you note first?
A) The inmates' names and the item description
B) The weather conditions
C) The recreation supervisor's name
D) The time recreation ends
Answer: A – The inmates' names and the item description
Rationale: Identifying the individuals involved and the item exchanged is critical for
investigating potential contraband or unauthorized activity.
5. During a count, you notice an inmate is not in their assigned cell. What is the most
important detail to report?
A) The cell number and the inmate's name
, B) The time the count started
C) The number of officers on duty
D) The unit's population
Answer: A – The cell number and the inmate's name
Rationale: Missing inmates must be immediately identified by name and assigned location
to initiate proper procedures.
6. You observe a staff member entering a restricted area without proper
authorization. What should you document?
A) The staff member's name, time, and location
B) The staff member's lunch break schedule
C) The staff member's job title
D) The staff member's vehicle description
Answer: A – The staff member's name, time, and location
Rationale: Security violations by staff must be documented with specific details for
investigation and corrective action.
7. During a routine patrol, you notice a fence line has been cut. What is the most
critical observation to report?
A) The exact location of the cut and its size
B) The type of fence material
C) The weather conditions
D) The time of your last patrol
