Tips for Taking a Psychological Test for an Armed Position? Here is What You Should Know

Posted by: Dr. Justin D'Arienzo, Psy.D., ABPP

Tips for Taking a Psychological Test for an Armed Position

Are You Looking for Tips for Taking a Psychological Test for an Armed Position?

It’s completely normal to feel anxious about psychological testing for an armed position, especially if you’ve never done it before. If you’re taking the MMPI, 16PF, or another personality test, here are a few things to know. I am Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a clinical and forensic psychologist and former military psychologist, who has been conducting these evaluations for 20 years. Let me help ease some of your anxiety or pre-test jitters.

First, don’t try to beat the test. These assessments can detect inconsistent responding, exaggerating, minimizing problems, or trying to look unrealistically perfect. Trying to find the “right” answer can create more concerns than simply answering honestly.
Second, read carefully and answer based on who you really are. We are not looking for perfect people. Everyone experiences stress, frustration, sadness, anger, and anxiety. Normal human experiences do not automatically make someone unsuitable for armed work.

We are generally evaluating two areas: psychological stability and occupational suitability. Stability looks for significant psychological concerns that could interfere with safe functioning. Suitability looks at things like judgment, impulse control, emotional regulation, stress tolerance, dependability, interpersonal functioning, following rules, and appropriate restraint.

The tests are also only one part of the evaluation. We consider your interview, relevant history, behavior, and the requirements of the position. One answer usually does not determine the outcome. Expect a lot of short true-false or multiple-choice questions. Read carefully, take it seriously, and answer consistently.

Before testing, get a normal night’s sleep, eat something, take your medications as prescribed, and avoid testing when extremely tired, distracted, or rushed.
You do not need to study, memorize anything, or watch videos telling you how to answer specific questions.

The best preparation is simple: Be rested. Read carefully. Be honest. Be consistent. Be yourself. The goal is not to trick you or find reasons to fail you. It is to determine whether you can safely and effectively handle the responsibilities of carrying a weapon in a professional security role.

#MMPI-3 #Sixteen-PF #armedguard #psychologicaltesting

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