1. Written Exam

The Preparatory Guide provides detailed information on how to prepare for the written exam.

RCMP Police Aptitude Test (RPAT)
The first test is the RCMP Police Aptitude Test (RPAT). It is a multiple choice test (114 questions), designed to evaluate your potential aptitude for police work. It measures seven skills that are essential in completing the duties of a police officer: composition (spelling, grammar and vocabulary), comprehension, memory, judgement, observation, logic and computation.

Applicants will receive written feedback on their performance including a score for each of the seven components of the RPAT.

All candidates who have passed the RPAT will be placed on a list. Those with the most competitive scores advance to the next step.

For a list of upcoming dates to write the exam, visit the Exam tab on the Contact us page.

2. Selection Package

The RCMP will select applicants who are placed on the list (as mentioned under Written Exams). Not every applicant who has passed the test and was placed on the list will be selected. Applicants with the most competitive scores advance to the next step and are mailed various documents to complete and submit by a certain time.

Please note that you must meet the minimum vision standards before you are scheduled for an interview.

Documents to be submitted include:

• forms detailing personal information,
• a pre-employment polygraph questionnaire,
• medical forms, and
• a vision examination from your optometrist (paid by the applicant).

Accuracy in completing the forms is very important; any incomplete forms or missing documents will cause a considerable delay in your recruiting process.

3. Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE)

The Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) is a job-related physical ability test which simulates a critical incident where a police officer chases, controls and apprehends a suspect.

The importance of good physical conditioning and mental preparedness cannot be overemphasized. The RCMP believes in employing fit and able officers. Achieving and maintaining the PARE standard reflects your personal fitness and commitment to personal health management and is a valuable resource for a future career as a regular member of the RCMP.

Recruiters will provide the location and time of PARE testing. Applicants may not take the PARE without first receiving medical clearance from a doctor. Upon passing, a PARE certificate will be issued and is valid for six months. If the certificate expires during the recruiting process, you will be required to be re-tested at the expense of the RCMP. Should candidates fail to maintain PARE certification, enrollment will be refused.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to learn more about PARE by reading the following sections:

Section A	Information on PARE
Section B	How to Pre-PARE
Section C	Fitness expectations for cadets at the Training Academy and mandatory fitness training log
PARE Guide	PARE Guide (868KB)
PARE Video	Read more about PARE and view the video

4. Interviews

Regular Member Selection Interview (RM-SI)

The Regular Member Selection Interview (RM-SI) is a structured interview used by the RCMP to select applicants for RCMP cadet training. The goal of the interview is to determine, using pre-determined questions and rating criteria, the extent to which applicants possess competencies that have been identified as essential for successful performance as an RCMP police officer.

The RM-SI contains two types of questions: behavioural and situational. Behavioural questions gather examples of how applicants have performed in the past, as past behaviour is one of the best predictors of future behaviour. These questions are fairly general so that applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds can relate to, and describe, pertinent experiences. Situational questions ascertain how applicants would act in hypothetical situations similar in quality to those they would likely experience as an RCMP constable, and the reasoning behind these intended behaviour(s). Situational questions allow applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds the chance to demonstrate how they would perform in situations they may not have experienced in the past, and predict future performance as well as behavioural questions.

The purpose of the Preparatory Guide for the Regular Member Selection Interview is to make you more aware of what will happen at this step of the recruitment process. It provides you with tips on how to prepare for the interview and is intended to help minimize any anxiety you might have. The ultimate goal of this guide is to help you perform at your best during the interview, as this will enable us to get the most accurate information about your potential to perform successfully as an RCMP constable.

Regular Member Applicant Questionnaire
Pre-Employment Suitability, Reliability And Security Polygraph Interview And Examination

The applicant will receive this questionnaire with their selection package. You must complete and submit it before you are scheduled for the Regular Member Selection Interview.

The questionnaire deals with issues such as previous employment and past criminal activity. Applicants must answer all of the questions honestly in order to have a successful polygraph later in the process. The RCMP will use all of this information to determine your suitability as a police officer.

Any discrepancies will be discussed and recommended applicants will be scheduled for the Pre-Employment Polygraph.

5. Pre-Employment Polygraph

As part of the recruiting process, applicants are required to undergo a pre-employment polygraph. This tool is used to determine the suitability of the candidate being considered for employment by the RCMP.

Some people have done things during their life that they are not proud of or have used poor judgement. We are not looking for individuals who have never made a mistake. The successful candidates are those who embody the RCMP's core values of integrity, honesty, professionalism, compassion, accountability and respect. This test is simply to verify the information provided by candidates to questions posed during the selection process.

To best prepare for the pre-employment polygraph, review the pamphlet, as well as the questionnaire.

6. Background Investigation

Applicants will undergo a complete and thorough background investigation. The purpose of this investigation is to assist and determine suitability, reliability and security of the applicant being considered for employment with the RCMP. The investigation concentrates on, but is not limited to:

• Previous employment;
• Education;
• Neighbourhood inquiries;
• Friends and associates;
• Character references;
• Personal finances;
• Drug and alcohol use; and,
• Criminal activities.

7. Medical/Health Assessment

Each applicant must meet minimal medical standards assessed by RCMP Health Services. This includes a full medical, dental and psychological exam. Costs of medical, dental and psychological exams are absorbed by the RCMP. The cost of any pre-existing dental conditions requiring treatment would remain the applicant's responsibility if he/she is hired.

Vision standards

Visual Acuity
Corrected vision (with glasses or contacts): Visual acuity must be at least 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and 6/9 (20/30) in the other.

Uncorrected vision (without glasses or contacts lenses): Visual acuity must be at least 6/18 (20/60) in each eye OR 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and at least 6/30 (20/100) in the other eye.

This minimum vision acuity is required for safe performance of policing duties if glasses or contacts are lost or displaced.

Field of Vision
Must be at least 150 degrees continuous along the horizontal meridian and 20 degrees continuous above and below fixation with both eyes open and examined together.

Depth Perception
Normal stereo vision (use of both eyes to judge distances) must be present. Stereo acuity must be 100 seconds of arc or less on the TITMUS Test or equivalent.

Colour Vision Testing
Using any standardized Pseudo-Isochromatic plates (Ishihara, A-O, HRR, Dvorine). If you correctly identify all patterns presented in such tests, your colour-vision will be considered normal.

If needed, further evaluation will be conducted with devices such as Farnsworth D-15 discs. If you demonstrate a colour-vision deficiency on the Farnsworth discs, you will not meet the vision standards requirements of the RCMP.

8. Prerequisites and Enrollment

Prerequisites

You will need the following certificate prior to attending the Cadet Training Program:

• A valid standard first aid certificate (including CPR for infant, child and adult). A list of first aid organizations approved by the Minister of Labour in accordance with Part XVI of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations is available at Human Resources and Social Development Canada. The certificate must be valid for the duration of the Cadet Training Program.

Enrollment

Successful applicants are enrolled as cadets and attend the Training Academy in Regina, Sask., for a 24-week training program. The Cadet Training Program is based on principles of adult-learning and community policing. Our training is delivered using a variety of methods, such as practical scenario training (problem-solving exercises), role play, lectures, panel discussions, research, presentations and community interaction.

Cadets are responsible to a large extent for their own learning and development but have significant support from trainers and their troop mates. They are required to seek out appropriate information, resolve problems in consultation with partners, and ensure continuous assessment and improvement of work practices. The Cadet Training Handbook provides detailed information about the training program.

Applicants are expected to enter the Cadet Training Program in good physical fitness condition. The training program is not designed for cadets to "get in shape", but rather to allow each cadet to enhance their education, skills and level of fitness. Cadets who are in less than good physical condition start training at a distinct disadvantage and are more susceptible to injury. These cadets struggle with both the physical and academic aspects of the Cadet Training Program. As police work is physically demanding, it is extremely important to maintain a high level of fitness.

The fitness program requires cadets to arrive at the Training Academy in good shape and able to meet the following standards:

• 2.43 kilometre run (1.5 miles) in 10:45 minutes (men) and 12:00 minutes (women)
• 4.86 kilometre run (3.0 miles) in 22:00 minutes (men) and 24:00 minutes (women)
• 8.1 kilometre run (5.0 miles) in 40:00 to 45:00 minutes
• 25 pushups minimum
• Pull ups 6 (men) and 3 (women)