Pass the 2025 Nelson–Denny Reading Test on Your First Try: NDRT QuickPass Prep + Free Practice Test
The Nelson–Denny Reading Test stands between thousands of police candidates and their badges. Departments like Austin PD set cutoffs as high as 102, while others disqualify anyone who falls short. The real problem? It’s not about knowing the material—it’s about surviving the speed trap that disqualifies capable recruits every year.
We created NDRT QuickPass to flip that script. Our course delivers timed drills, law-enforcement–specific vocabulary, and mock exams that condition you to beat the clock. The result: confidence under pressure and the score you need to move forward.
Take our free Nelson–Denny practice test and find out your baseline in minutes.
Free Nelson-Denny Reading Practice Test
Unlock reading mastery in minutes—10 smart questions reveal your performance.
What is the Nelson–Denny Reading Test?
The Nelson–Denny Reading Test (NDRT) is a timed exam that measures two core skills every officer needs: vocabulary and reading comprehension. Originally designed for schools, it’s now widely used in police hiring processes to screen candidates before they enter academy training.
- Purpose: To confirm recruits can read and understand written material at a required grade level (often 9th–12th grade).
- Law Enforcement Use: Departments like Philadelphia, Houston, and Austin require it as a hiring step.
- High Stakes: A passing score is mandatory; failing often means automatic disqualification from the recruitment cycle.
For many candidates, the NDRT isn’t just another test—it’s the gateway exam that decides whether you move forward toward becoming an officer.
Format of the Nelson–Denny Reading Test
The Nelson–Denny Reading Test (NDRT) is a standardized, two-part exam. It’s delivered in a proctored setting, either on paper or electronically, and is scored against grade-level reading standards.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Limit | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | 80–100 | 15 minutes | Knowledge of academic words |
| Reading Comprehension | 36–38 | 20 minutes | Understanding passages from various subjects |
- Format: Multiple-choice questions only.
- Content Sources: Passages drawn from science, humanities, and social sciences.
- Use in Law Enforcement: Departments apply their own passing benchmarks (e.g., 67+ at Houston PD, 102+ at Austin PD).
This simple structure allows agencies to assess recruits’ ability to recognize advanced vocabulary and process written material efficiently.
Understanding Nelson–Denny Reading Test Scores
The Nelson–Denny Reading Test (NDRT) reports a raw score (correct answers) that’s converted to a grade-level equivalency on a standardized scale from 3.6 to 16.9. For law-enforcement screening, agencies set their own minimums, so the same raw score can have different consequences depending on the department. The NDRT also uses a 2:1 weighting where Reading Comprehension counts double relative to Vocabulary before conversion to a grade level.
Common Police Department Standards
| Agency / State | Passing Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania (all municipal PDs) | 9th-grade reading level | State law requires this baseline. |
| North Carolina (BLET Academies) | 10th-grade reading level | Must be met before academy entry. |
| Houston PD (TX) | 67+ | Score based on raw correct answers. |
| Austin PD (TX) | 102+ (Pass) | Below 86 = permanent disqualification. |
| Goose Creek PD (SC) | 12th-grade level | Higher benchmark than most agencies. |
- Meet or exceed the cutoff → move forward in hiring or academy entry.
- Fall short → may face long wait times to retest, or in some cases, permanent disqualification.
Tip: Train for the highest standard (10th–12th grade level or ~102 raw) so you’re ready for any department.
NDRT QuickPass
Course Content
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Introduction 1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Vocabulary 6 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Reading Comprehension 4 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Psychological Evaluation 3 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Bonus - Background Investigation 1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Bonus - Medical Evaluation 1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
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Bonus - Polygraph Test 1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
Why Choose NDRT QuickPass?
Most prep materials for the Nelson–Denny are just static PDFs or outdated booklets. They don’t prepare you for the reality of a police hiring test. NDRT QuickPass is built differently—with recruits in mind.
| Feature | NDRT QuickPass | Generic Prep Guides |
|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement Alignment | ✔ Covers Nelson–Denny scoring, psychological evaluation, and hiring process steps (background, medical, polygraph) | ✘ General reading prep, no law-enforcement focus |
| Complete Test Coverage | ✔ Vocabulary & comprehension guides, synonym lists, and tiered quizzes (easy–hard) | ✘ Limited word lists, minimal passages, no structured progression |
| Practice Volume & Realism | ✔ 200+ practice questions with timed drills that replicate 9-sec vocab / 30-sec comprehension pace | ✘ Few questions, untimed, no exam simulation |
| Trust & Credibility | ✔ Built by exam specialists; 4.7/5 rating (137 reviews), 900+ students | ✘ Mixed, unverifiable claims |
| Guarantee | ✔ 7-day, no-questions-asked refund | ✘ Restrictive refund policies |
With NDRT QuickPass, you don’t just prepare for the Nelson–Denny—you prepare for the entire law enforcement hiring journey, with the tools and practice volume you actually need.
Success Stories
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Solid review course that covers the…
Solid review course that covers the relevant topics in good detail
Great Program, amazing practice simulations
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Highly recommended.Great instructional information. I passed on the first try.
Prepterminal. Prepare, practice, execute.
To say that Prepterminal helped me prepare and be ready for the testing phase would be an understatement. At first, looking at the course, I felt overwhelmed with the course material, but the course broke down each subject effectively which made it easier to understand. There were a few issues with some of the audio portion of the testing course, but beyond that, the course was well worth the money.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How hard is the Nelson Denny Reading Test?
The test measures standard vocabulary and reading comprehension, but its difficulty comes from the strict timing—about 9 seconds per vocabulary question and 30 seconds per comprehension question. With agencies setting high cutoffs (e.g., 102+ at Austin PD), success requires both speed and accuracy.
What is a passing score on the Nelson-Denny test?
Passing scores vary by agency. Pennsylvania requires a 9th-grade reading level, North Carolina BLET academies require 10th grade, Houston PD sets the cutoff at 67, and Austin PD requires 102+ (with anything below 86 an automatic disqualification). Some departments set the bar as high as a 12th-grade level.
How many questions are in the Nelson-Denny test?
The test usually includes 80 vocabulary questions (15 minutes) and 36–38 comprehension questions based on 7–8 passages (20 minutes). Some versions also add a reading rate section where you read for 1 minute and answer 10 questions. Altogether, candidates can expect about 118–128 questions, depending on the test form used.
Which police departments require the Nelson-Denny Reading Test?
Police departments known to use the Nelson–Denny Reading Test include:
- Philadelphia Police Department (PA)
- Houston Police Department (TX)
- Austin Police Department (TX)
- Charlotte–Mecklenburg Police Department (NC)
- Greensboro Police Department (NC)
- Burlington Police Department (NC)
- Madison Police Department (WI)
- League City Police Department (TX)
- Hays Police Department (KS)
What types of questions are on the NDRT test?
The test uses multiple-choice questions in two areas: Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, and word meanings from academic terms) and Reading Comprehension (passages from subjects like science or literature with factual and inference questions). Some versions also include a brief Reading Rate task with a one-minute reading followed by questions.
Are there different versions of the NDRT test?
Yes. The Nelson–Denny has multiple official forms (such as Form I and Form J) to prevent overexposure of questions. While the structure remains the same—Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension—specific items and passages differ between versions.
What happens if I fail the NDRT test?
Failing the Nelson-Denny Reading Test typically results in elimination from the current hiring process. Check with the specific department about retesting opportunities and timelines.
