PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER I

STUDY GUIDE/SAMPLE TEST

 Probation and Parole Officer I

Meeting the job requirements for Probation and Parole Officer (see job
announcement) and passing the examination are the first requirements for job
consideration in Probation and Parole. This test is multiple choice and consists of
100 questions.

The test is comprised of the following sections:

Sections Questions

I. Written Communications 1 - 30
II. Reading Comprehension 31 - 50
III. Probation and Parole Concepts 51 – 100

Tips for Taking a Multiple Choice Test

Here are some general hints that will help you take a test.

1. Look at the entire test.

As soon as the monitor tells you to begin, flip through the test to see what you
have to do. This will let you know what to expect. You will have two and one
half-hours for your test. Budget this time to give yourself time to finish the whole
test. Then RELAX - take a deep breath before you start.

2. Read each question carefully.

Read the questions and all of the choices carefully. Make sure you are reading
what has been written and not what you hope or want to see. Then, pick out the
one, best choice that answers the question. Make sure you read each question as
a separate question and answer it as a separate question. The answer to any one
question is not intended to help you choose the correct response to other
questions.

3. Look for the key words.

Read every word in the question. Sometimes there are key words that will help
you pick the correct answer. Pay close attention to these words. If you overlook
one of these key words, you could miss a question that you really know.

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Some of these KEY WORDS are listed below:

BEST GREATEST NEVER

COMMON LESS NOT
EXCEPT MORE SOMETIMES
GENERALLY MOST USUALLY

4. Answer the easy questions first, but answer every question.

In this multiple choice test, all of the questions have the same value. You get as
much credit for an easy question as for a hard one. Don't waste time on the hard
questions. Answer all of the easy ones first, then in the time left over, go back
and figure out the hard ones.

5. Don't be afraid to guess if you are not sure of the answers.

You will not get credit for a question unless it is answered. If you guess correctly,
you will get credit and there is no penalty for guessing. If you are not sure which
answer is correct, eliminate first the choices you know are wrong and chose your
answer from the remaining ones.

6. Review your test.

When you have finished, review your paper and make sure you have answered all
of the questions. Check the questions you were unsure of but make sure you have
a good reason for changing the answer.

On the following pages, you will see samples of the types of questions that you will
be expected to answer.

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 Written Communications

The 30 questions in this section measure your ability to use correct grammar, word
usage and punctuation.

The first group of questions measures your ability to use correct grammar. For
these questions, you are to choose the pair of words that will correctly complete
the sentence.

Sample 1. I _______ a count of all _______.

a. conducted – offender
b. conducting – offenders
c. conducted – offenders
d. conducting – offender

Since the only grammatically correct sentence is "I conducted a count of all
offenders," the correct response is "c". If you used the phrase “I conducting,” the
subject does not agree with the verb. The word “all” must be followed by a plural
noun since offenders are considered items that can be separated into individual
units.

Next, you are presented with questions that measure your ability to use correct
punctuation. You are to choose the correct punctuation marks for the underlined
phrase. The underlined phrase, as written, will always be option "a" and may or
may not be the correct response.

Sample 2: Offenders are to meet with their Probation Officer on a regular

schedule, to comply with contact requirements based on
risks/needs assessments.

a. schedule to
b. schedule; to
c. schedule: to
d. schedule, to

Response “a” is correct. Additional punctuation does not add clarity as a pause
is not needed to assist the reader in grasping the meaning of the sentence.

The last section measures your ability to recognize correct language usage. You
are to choose the one sentence in each question that is the best example of
clarity of expression, simplicity of style and correct English.

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Sample 3: Select the most effective sentence.

a. In extraordinary situations, where the Commission in its

discretion, determines that the risk of serious physical harm
could cause continuing loss of earning potential to the
family of the employees involved, insurance protection may
be provided.
b. In very unusual situations, if the Commission chooses to do
so and there is a risk of serious physical harm and
prolonged risk of earning potential to the family of the
employee, the Commission can determine to provide
insurance protection.
c. At the time the Commission chooses to determine that
there is a risk of serious physical harm and continuing loss
of earning potential involved to the family of the earning
employee, the Commission can provide to allow insurance
protection.
d. In unusual situations, the Commission may determine that
employees face serious physical risk that could cause a
loss of wages. In such cases, the Commission can provide
insurance protection.

Answer "d" is the correct answer. It contains all of the relevant information and
is the easiest to read and understand.

Reading Comprehension

The questions in this section assess your skill in reading with understanding.

Sample 4: Probation and Parole Officers are responsible for interviewing

offenders to obtain and verify personal, social and criminal
histories as well as evaluating information and offenders' attitude
toward offense to determine community risk. Then, they
determine appropriate methods of addressing the offender needs
based on the offender's stability and available community
resources. They also monitor offenders' activities to ensure
compliance with the conditions of probation and parole through
field visits, office appointments and telephone contact. And, in
some cases, the officers will investigate possible violations,
request warrants for arrest and may assist law enforcement
officials.

According to the above paragraph,

a. an officer will spend the majority of the work day in the office.

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 b. officers work independently of other law enforcement
agencies.
c. officers have little direct contact with offenders.
d. officers’ job duties fall in both the social/behavioral and law
enforcement fields of study.

Answer “d” is correct. Probation and Parole Officers fall in the social/behavioral
field when they evaluate and refer offenders for services. They also act as law
enforcement agents when they investigate violations, arrest offenders and assist
other law enforcement agencies.

Probation and Parole Concepts

The last section of the test assesses your knowledge of areas required by the field
of Probation and Parole such as psychology, interpersonal skills, interviewing, case
management and criminal justice.

Sample 5: Any strong emotional state will affect a person's

a. current perceptions.
b. genetic make-up.
c. reflexes.
d. past learning.

Answer "a" is correct. Emotional states cause physiological changes that affect
the way events are perceived and remembered.

Sample 6: An individual wants information regarding your work. You should

a. give out as few facts as possible.

b. always refer the person to someone higher up.
c. be frank in giving as much factual information as
permissible.
d. explain that you are not supposed to give information to
outsiders.

Answer "c" is the correct answer. While some of your work may need to be
confidential, explaining your work to individuals helps improve the department's
public relations.

Sample 7: The main purpose of an interview is

a. to get sufficient data to give a medical diagnoses of client's

problem.

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 b. as a way to explore the client's problem and help determine
a treatment plan.
c. as an inexpensive tool to gather information about a client.
d. for statistical purposes.

Answer "b" is the correct answer. Gaining sufficient information about a client to
determine the appropriate method of assistance is the main reason for
interviews.

Sample 8: The aim of casework is to

a. give financial assistance to help the client achieve success.

b. find the cause of a person's difficulties and refer him to the
proper source.
c. help the person understand his problem and help him make
a satisfactory adjustment through the use of a professional
helping relationship.
d. improve the person's environment.

Answer "c" is the correct answer. The purpose of casework is to help a person
gain insight to his behavior and, with the support of a counselor, find better, more
appropriate methods of dealing with his environment.

Sample 9: The most useful pre-sentence report is one that contains

a. a diagnostic interpretation of the offence.

b. the essential facts and recommended treatment.
c. the essential facts about the offender.
d. a supplemental psychological report.

Answer "b" is correct. This would give the courts the most information to use as
a basis for an appropriate sentence.

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