Pass the PELLETB Exam on Your First Try – PELLETB QuickPass Updated for 2025 Changes + Free Practice Test
The POST PELLET-B exam, overseen by California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, is the gateway to every peace officer academy. It doesn’t measure laws or procedures but focuses on the reading and writing skills needed for clear reports, fast comprehension, and sound decisions.
Here’s the reality: the exam is scored on a T-scale. A 42 is enough to pass, but recruiters see your score, and in today’s market, 48 or higher is what gets you interviews. Which side of the list do you want to be on?
Most courses aim for the minimum. Pellet-B QuickPass trains you for the competitive range with realistic practice and proven strategies to boost speed and accuracy.
Begin with our free practice test and see how ready you really are.
Free PELLET B Practice Test
PELLET-B can be challenging for first-time test-takers. Try our free PELLET B practice test to familiarize yourself with the format and identify areas for improvement, with detailed explanations for every question.
PELLET B Practice Test
What is the Pellet B Test?
The POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) is California’s standardized written exam that measures the reading and writing skills of peace officer applicants. Used by 500+ agencies—including the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Oakland Police, Sacramento Police, San Jose Police, Santa Barbara Police, and BART Police—it is recognized as one of the most challenging entry tests in the nation.
With a competitive scoring system and exclusive focus on English proficiency, the PELLETB sets itself apart by excluding math, memorization, and situational judgment, making communication skills the decisive factor for advancement.
Format of the Pellet B Test
The PELLET-B is a timed, supervised exam administered by approved California agencies. It runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes (including instructions) and contains 85–100 questions, averaging 1–2 minutes per item. Updated for 2025, the exam focuses on two core areas: Writing Ability and Reading Ability.
Writing Ability (45–54 questions)
Tests your command of written communication across three subtests:
Sentence Clarity (15–18 items): Choose the most coherent sentence, spotting errors like fragments, run-ons, or unclear phrasing.
- Spelling (15–18 items): Pick the correctly spelled word in context, often drawn from law enforcement terminology.
- Vocabulary (15–18 items): Select the closest synonym or definition for a highlighted word, reflecting terms used in reports and field work.
Prep Tip: Drill under time pressure to eliminate common mix-ups (e.g., imminent vs. eminent).
Reading Ability (20-24 questions)
Measures comprehension through passages from official documents, news pieces, and case studies. You’ll be asked to extract ideas, retain facts, and make logical deductions under time limits.
Prep Tip: Practice with varied materials and focus on speed scanning for implied meanings as well as explicit details.
PELLET B QuickPass
Course Content
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Introduction 1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Sentence Clarity 7 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Spellings 7 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Vocabulary 8 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Reading Comprehension 6 StepsBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides. -
Bonus - Interview Process 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 - Background Screening Procedure 1 StepBuy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.
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Bonus - Psychological 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.
Understanding the Pellet B Scores (PELLETB T-Score)
Your results are reported as a T-score, which follows a bell curve with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.
- Above 50: Stronger than average, more competitive.
- Around 40 or below: May need more preparation.
- Passing Score: Most agencies set 42 as the minimum, though some require 45–50+.
There is no penalty for guessing, so attempt every question. While POST does not expire T-scores, many agencies only accept results from the past 6–12 months. Higher scores remain valid if they fall within an agency’s timeframe.
Why Choose PELLET-B QuickPass?
Acing the PELLET-B takes more than a basic review of reading and writing. Pellet-B QuickPass prep offers a focused path tailored to the exam’s unique challenges, building the exact skills agencies seek. Here’s what sets us apart:
| Feature | PELLET-B QuickPass | Other Prep Options |
|---|---|---|
| Up-to-Date Content | ✔ Fully aligned with 2025 format (CLOZE removed) | ✘ Outdated; still includes CLOZE Subtest |
| Law-Enforcement Focus | ✔ Tailored for peace officer applicants with real report-style vocab | ✘ Generic English drills; not job-specific |
| T-Score Confidence | ✔ Forecasts your T-score band (42–60+) for 48+ competitive range | ✘ No PELLET-B prediction; vague benchmarks |
| Adaptive Learning | ✔ Quizzes evolve as you progress, saving time | ✘ Static plans; repeat basics |
| Real Exam Simulation | ✔ Timed 2h 15m mocks + sectional practice quizzes | ✘ Untimed or incomplete practice |
| Proven Trust | ✔ 4.7/5 (221 reviews), 1,426+ students | ✘ Mixed, unverifiable claims |
| Risk-Free Guarantee | ✔ 7-day, no-questions-asked refund | ✘ Complicated, restrictive policies |
Success Stories
4.7 221 Reviews
Solid review course that covers the…
Solid review course that covers the relevant topics in good detail
Great Program, amazing practice simulations
Easy to understand. Passed tests on first time thru.
Highly recommended.Great instructional…
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.
Would recommend
Study material helped to pass my test on the first try.
Exelent course 100% guaranteed
Exelent course 100% guaranteed
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to take the PELLET B?
Most of the time, there is no fee to take the PELLETB. However, some agencies may charge a small fee for the test.
What happens if you don't pass the PELLET B test?
If you do not pass the PELLETB test, you can retake it after 30 days. Most agencies require a score of at least 42 to be considered competitive.
How many times can you take the PELLET B?
You can retake the PELLET B exam multiple times; however, you must wait a minimum of 30 calendar days before taking it again, even if you are testing with a different agency.
How do you know if you have passed the PELLET B?
You will receive your results within 30 days of taking the test. However, POST does not provide results directly to candidates; instead, you will be notified by the agency you applied to.
Can my agency continue to administer the PELLET B with the CLOZE sub-test?
No. All test administrations on or after January 1, 2025, will use the new version of the PELLETB, which excludes the CLOZE sub-test. Agencies do not have the option to choose a version with the CLOZE section.
What is a good PELLET B test score?
While the minimum recommended T-score is 42, scoring in the mid-40s or higher is generally considered competitive. A T-score of 50 is average, and scores of 60 or higher are well above average and suggest a strong likelihood of success in police academy training. Individual agency requirements may vary, so it’s wise to aim for as high a score as possible.
What is the psychological and polygraph test for police applicants?
The psychological evaluation assesses emotional stability, decision-making, and stress tolerance through a written test and an interview with a licensed psychologist.
The polygraph test (lie detector) verifies the truthfulness of an applicant’s background, covering topics like criminal history, drug use, and personal integrity.
Need help preparing? Our Police Psych Prep Course and Polygraph Preparation Guide provide expert strategies to help you succeed.
Which police departments in California use the PELLET B?
Many police departments in California require candidates to take the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET B) as part of their hiring process. Some of the agencies that use the PELLET B include:
- California Highway Patrol (CHP)
- San Francisco Police Department
- Anaheim Police Department
- San Jose Police Department
- Alameda Police Department
- Albany Police Department
- Berkeley Police Department
- Fremont Police Department
- Hayward Police Department
- Livermore Police Department
- Oakland Police Department
- Pleasanton Police Department
- Long Beach Police Department
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
- Torrance Police Department
- Oceanside Police Department
- Santa Clara Police Department
- Mountain View Police Department
- Palo Alto Police Department
- Buena Park Police Department
- Huntington Beach Police Department
- Citrus Heights Police Department
- Folsom Police Department
Which police departments accept PELLET B scores instead of their own written exam?
Several California law enforcement agencies accept PELLETB scores from external testing agencies, but requirements vary by department regarding score validity and minimum T-scores. Here are some examples:
- Sacramento Police Department: Candidates must take the City of Sacramento Entry Level Law Enforcement Exam (Pass/Fail). However, applicants with a PELLET B T-score of 45 or higher are exempt from taking this exam.
- Beverly Hills Police Department: Candidates with a PELLET B T-score of 50 or greater do not need to take the department’s written test and can proceed in the hiring process.
- Chula Vista Police Department: Accepts PELLETB scores dated within six months of the test date. A T-score of 46 or above exempts the candidate from taking the written test.
- San Diego Police Department: If a candidate has taken the PELLETB within six months of applying and has scored 42 or higher in all areas, they are exempt from the department’s written test.
- Fullerton Police Department: Does not conduct the PELLETB but accepts scores from other agencies if the applicant has a T-score of 46 or higher.
- Santa Ana Police Department: Accepts PELLET B scores within one year of application with a T-score of 46 or higher.
- Corona Police Department: Conducts its own written test but accepts PELLET B scores of 42 or higher if taken within three years of the application date.
- Fontana Police Department: Accepts PELLET B scores of 45 or higher, provided the test was taken within one year of applying. Scores must be submitted on official agency letterhead at the time of application.
- San Bernardino Police Department: Accepts PELLET B scores of 42 or higher.
- Oxnard Police Department: Accepts PELLET B scores not older than 12 months.
- Simi Valley Police Department: If a candidate has taken the PELLETB within the last year and earned a T-score of 45 or higher, they may submit their score instead of taking the National Testing Network (NTN) exam.
- Ventura Police Department: Accepts PELLET B scores in lieu of their own written exam.
