Court Officer Exam: The Physical, Medical, and Psychological Exams

The Physical Agility Exam
Physical fitness testing, also known as the physical ability or physical agility exam, is a staple in most court officer selection processes. The physical agility examination will be used to measure your ability to withstand the physical demands of the job.
Tests to measure your physical ability generally take one of two forms: what's known as 'job task simulation' and physical fitness. Job task simulation tests, while they may test your physiological fitness, are designed to illustrate your ability in a handful of job areas. Typically, these tests also challenge your motor skills: balance, coordination, power, speed, reaction time, and agility. Physical fitness tests measure your physiological parameters, such as body composition, aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. Physical fitness tests also hint at your medical status and, perhaps more importantly, reveal your ability to perform the potentially hundreds of physical tasks required of a court officer.
You will be tested on leg strength, arm strength, core strength, endurance, and aerobic ability.

A typical physical agility exam can consist of a combination of any of the following:

 pedaling a stationary bike
 completing a certain number of sit-ups in one minute
 pumping an arm rowing machine as fast as possible to demonstrate arm endurance and strength
 holding an item steady, such as a simulated firearm, in position for a determined period of time, to verify arm steadiness
 lying on a slanted board and pulling your body upward, utilizing your upper body strength
 stepping up and down on a platform, or climbing stairs, to assess your heart rate and recovery period
 running 500 meters in a certain time
 climbing a six-foot wall
 climbing a five-foot chain-link fence
 dragging 150-pound dummy 100 feet or more
 carrying 45 to 50-pound barbells 100 feet in 30 seconds
 pushing a motor vehicle that is running in neutral 20 feet
 timed 1 mile or 1.5 mile run
 
Start training as soon as possible. If you are not in the best physical shape, four to six months of training may be necessary. You should familiarize yourself with the agency's physical agility requirements and then you should train expressly for those requirements. Most departments require a timed 1.5 mile run. Do not try to train for the run by engaging in alternative types of exercise such as racquetball or swimming. The only way to prepare for a run is to consistently run. This means you should be running at least three to four times per week. Make sure you practice on a regulation track; do not train for the run by using a treadmill. Focus all of your training sessions on the specific physical agility requirements and nothing else. Furthermore, do all of the requirements in one setting in the exact order you will be tested (e.g., a sprint, sit-ups, push-ups, dummy pull, 1.5 mile run). These tasks may be easy for you to do individually, but when you have to do them all back-to-back, it becomes a bit more challenging.
In order to pass the physical agility component, you must achieve the required number of points on the exam. Each task is scored and each score is based on how well you performed. For tasks such as push-ups or sit-ups, your score is based on the number of reps completed within one minute. Age and gender affect the number you must complete to qualify. Higher points in one category can compensate for lower points in another category; however, you must meet the minimum requirements in each category in order to qualify for employment.
Anyone in reasonable physical condition should successfully complete the examination, which is graded on a pass-or-fail basis.

Important
Regardless of the type of physical test you take, you need to be reasonably fit to complete the test successfully. In addition, it is essential to achieve fitness early and to maintain it for the duration of your court officer career.

Training Tips
In preparing for the physical fitness test, you must plan ahead, taking into account both the timing and content of the test. The short-term objective, of course, is to pass the test. But your greater goal is to integrate fitness into your lifestyle so that you can withstand the rigors of your career.
The first order of business is to determine the type of fitness test you'll have to complete. What you have to accomplish on the test will guide your training program. You can tailor to simulate the test and to train for the test events.
Following some basic training principles will help you create a safe and effective training program. Steady progress is the name of the game. Remember, you don't get out of shape overnight, so you won't be able to change your condition overnight. To avoid injury while achieving overall fitness, balance in fitness training is essential. Work opposing muscle groups when doing strength or flexibility training, and include aerobic conditioning, as well as proper nutrition, in your total fitness program.
The only way to prepare for this exam is to train, train, and train. If you have not exercised in a while or are not in the best shape, now is the time to get healthy. If you fail to prepare adequately for the physical training component, it is unlikely that you will be able to pass the physical agility test. Before beginning any type of exercise program, it is recommended that you see your doctor to make sure that you are physically healthy to undertake an exercise regime. Eating nutritiously by cutting back on fatty foods and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables will also help you to reach your final fitness goal. On average, people who eat well and exercise regularly have fewer health problems than those who make unhealthy nutritional choices and live a sedentary lifestyle. Exercise can also decrease stress and subsequently improve your overall quality of life.
Start exercising slowly and build upon your strength weekly. If you are not a runner, you should not run an entire mile your first time out. You will tire easily and probably lose some self-confidence. You may also hurt yourself. Start off walking and advance to running. Increase your distance every day until you are able to run the required distance in the required time. Make sure you use a stopwatch to time yourself. The same is true of the sit-ups and push-ups. Start off slowly and increase your reps until you have reached your goal. Use weights to increase your leg and arm strength; this will prove to be particularly important when tested on leg and arm strength/endurance. If you are out of shape, you may notice muscle soreness within a 24-hour time period; this is normal. This soreness should be minimal and should disappear within a day or so. If the soreness continues or the pain becomes severe, contact your doctor immediately. Pay attention to possible injuries and don't push yourself too hard too fast. This regimen should increase your strength and endurance, but it is not supposed to destroy you in the process. Before any type of aerobic or cardio exercise, begin by stretching your muscles to avoid injury.
Finally, don't forget to rest. It allows the body and mind to recover from the challenges of training—and to prepare for another day.

Staying 'FITT'
FITT stands for Frequency, Intensity, Type, and Time. FITT simplifies your training by helping you plan what to do and when, how hard, and for how long to do it. Because the four FITT variables are interrelated, you need to be careful in how you exercise. For example, intensity and time have an inverse relationship: As the intensity of your effort increases, the length of time you can maintain that effort decreases. A good rule of thumb when adjusting your workout variables to achieve optimum conditioning is to modify one at a time, increasing by 5% to 10%. Be sure to allow your body to adapt before increasing again.
The following presents some FITT guidelines to help you plan your training program.

Frequency
- Three to five times a week
Intensity
- Aerobic training—60% to 85% of maximum effort
- Resistance training—eight to 12 repetitions
- Flexibility training—just to slight tension
Type
- Aerobic—bike, walk, run, swim
- Resistance—free weights, weight machines, calisthenics
- Flexibility—static stretching
Time
- Aerobic—20 to 60 minutes
- Resistance—one to three sets; two to four exercises per body part
- Flexibility—hold stretch position eight to 30 seconds

A Sample Exercise Program
Physical training begins with a warm-up to increase your core body temperature and to prepare you for a more intense conditioning to follow. Brisk walking or jogging, in place or around a gym, or jumping rope are good start-up options and should be conducted for three to five minutes. This is followed immediately by a period of active head-to-toe stretching to prevent injury.
Basic conditioning in the academy is achieved frequently with callisthenic exercises. Beginners can do sets of ten on a 'two count,' and those of intermediate or advanced fitness can begin on a 'four count' (1, 2, 3, 1; 1, 2, 3, 2, etc.). Running in formation typically follows callisthenic exercises and is done at about a nine- to ten-minute per mile pace. For those who are just beginning to prepare for the fitness test, eight to 12 minutes of running is a safe start; those who are more fit may begin with 25 or more minutes. A three- to five-minute cool-down period to recover and gentle, static stretching from the floor, focusing on the lower legs, will complete your workout.

Simple Calisthenics
Here are some recommended calisthenics to help get you into shape:
- jumping jacks
- half squats
- push-ups
- stomach crunches

And for the more advanced:
- diamond push-ups
- bent leg raises

The Medical Exam
Without exception, all venues require a medical examination. The examination will be conducted at the employer's expense. The exam is thorough, although not extensive. An industrial clinic or independent medical facility under contract to the state or local funding unit (city or county) is the setting.

The exam consists of the following mandatory procedures:
- back X-ray
- range of motion exercise
- blood pressure check
- vision and hearing check
- drug testing

The examination is for insurance purposes as well as to determine your general physical health and ability to perform the required work on a daily basis. The results are forwarded to the hiring unit and remain part of your personnel file. Some venues require an annual medical examination, while in others, this hiring medical exam is the only time you will be examined.
Depending on the department, you may be required to have a physical from your own physician. Your doctor will be required to complete forms that attest to your physical health. Other departments require you to see one of their doctors. If that is the case, make sure you arrive early for your appointment. If you are unfamiliar with the location, drive there beforehand. Being late or missing the appointment could automatically disqualify you from the position.

What to Provide at the Exam
- complete medical history and records, if any conditions are present or if you have a significant medical history
- a list of any prescribed medications
- names and addresses of treating physicians

If you were not tested for drug use during the physical agility portion of the applicant process, it is likely that this will also be done during the medical exam.

The Psychological Exam
The use and method of the psychological examination are varied. Some venues have contracts with local psychologists and psychiatrists and require you to attend an in-person interview. Other venues provide a written examination, which is then evaluated by a private service. Still other venues do not use or rely upon the examination. You may be asked to complete a written exam, in addition to meeting with a mental health professional. Psychological exams can vary. A series of questions regarding your behavior, feelings, beliefs, values and perceptions may be asked. The evaluator may ask you to draw a picture of a person, a tree, or a house as part of your exam, or he or she may ask you to describe a picture or to play a game of word association. While answering questions on the written exam or during the oral exam, be truthful and remain consistent with your answers. You may be asked the same question several different times in various ways. Do not be fooled; this repetitiveness is purposeful—the evaluator is looking for consistency. Inconsistency may indicate deception. Also, if the department you are applying to requires a polygraph exam, you can be asked to verify any of these answers during your polygraph exam.
The examination is not a head game or a means of setting you up to fail. It is an appropriate measurement of your mental fitness to withstand the mental stressors of the job. Court officers often see people at their worse, be it in court or in the field, when parties are facing seizure of their property or eviction from their homes. The ability to deal with tense situations rationally is tantamount to officer safety, avoiding liability, and enhancing the positive and impartial image of the court in meting out justice.

The Polygraph Test
A polygraph is a device that measures and records several physiological variables, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and skin conductivity, while a series of questions are asked to detect lies. Some venues use the polygraph examination as part of the psychological testing process. In many states, candidates are allowed to decline the polygraph. Check your state law for applicable options.
Polygraphs can be particularly intimidating. Unfortunately, you cannot train for the polygraph exam, and attempting to 'beat' the exam will automatically disqualify you from employment. Most court officer positions will not require you to submit to a polygraph. Check the department's website and their list of requirements to find out if you will need to take one. There are plenty of websites that provide information on how to 'beat' a polygraph (keeping your body tense through the entire procedure, biting your tongue, moving your extremities, taking deep breathes, fidgeting)—but a trained examiner will know exactly what you are doing. This behavior will unequivocally damage your credibility. The best preparation for a polygraph is to relax, tell the truth, and disclose any information to the examiner beforehand that you think might be problematic. Most importantly . . . don't lie. If the polygrapher finds deception in your answers, it could be grounds for disqualification.
The key to the psychological examination is to be honest and relaxed. Unlike the physical agility test, you cannot do push-ups or sit-ups to prepare. During your assessment, it may help to keep in mind that everyone has weaknesses and makes mistakes. The test is less interested in whether you make mistakes than how you handle these mistakes. For example, how and what did you learn from them? As long as you deliver honest responses in a calm manner, you should be successful on the psychological exam.