Administered by
Chicago CDHR
Exam format
5 section types
Residency
Required (city limits)
How the Exam Works
Chicago Police Department hiring is managed by the Chicago Department of Human Resources (CDHR), not by CPD itself. When the city needs new officers, it announces an open application period and a scheduled testing window. Candidates who pass the written exam are placed on a ranked eligible list, ordered by score, with veterans preference points added where applicable.
CPD calls candidates from the eligible list in rank order to begin the background investigation phase. This includes a polygraph examination, medical evaluation, and psychological screening. Only candidates who clear all phases enter the Chicago Police Academy, which runs approximately 6 months.
Pay for Chicago Police recruits and sworn officers changes over time under city contracts and pay schedules. Use the current recruiting material or city compensation schedule for the most accurate salary and step-rate figures tied to your hiring cycle.
What the Exam Tests
The Chicago PD exam covers five main section types. Reading comprehension and written expression carry the most weight and are where candidates lose the most points.
Reading Comprehension
Passages from police procedures, Illinois statutes, and incident reports. Tests speed, accuracy, and the ability to extract facts under time pressure.
Written Expression
Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. Maps directly to police report writing. Errors here cost points that are hard to recover.
Data Interpretation
Tables, charts, and statistical summaries from law enforcement contexts. Tests whether you can extract and compare numerical information quickly.
Situational Judgment
Scenario-based questions testing professional judgment, community policing values, and ethical decision-making. These require understanding CPD values, not just a gut answer.
Logical Reasoning
Deductive and inductive reasoning. Apply rules to specific cases, or identify patterns from sets of examples. Critical for report analysis.
Everything You Need to Prepare
Practice the tested skills, review your mistakes, and follow a structured study plan before exam day.
200 Practice Questions
Exam-style questions covering every major tested category, plus a full-length timed mock exam.
Detailed Explanations
Understand why each correct answer is right — and why each wrong answer is wrong.
30-Day Study Plan
A structured day-by-day schedule, with a condensed option for candidates testing sooner.
Role-Specific Prep
A full study guide built around this exam's tested categories, not generic test-prep material.
What Score Do You Need?
Chicago does not treat every passing score the same way in practice. Clearing the minimum only keeps you in the running. The higher your score, the stronger your position tends to be when the department starts working from the eligible list.
Veterans preference points are added to your raw exam score and can meaningfully shift your rank on the eligible list. Even with preference points, a strong base score is essential: preference helps most when your written exam result is already high.
Passing is not the same as being competitive. List rank determines how soon you get called, and rank comes from your score.
Complete prep bundle
Chicago Police Department — Police Officer Exam Prep Bundle
Covers all five CPD exam section types with 200 practice questions, worked examples, and a 30-day study plan.
- 200 Practice Questions
- Detailed Explanations
- 30-Day Study Plan
- Role-Specific Prep
Want ongoing practice instead of a one-time guide?
Pro includes ongoing timed practice, a readiness score, weak-area insights, an adaptive daily study plan, saved progress, and detailed explanations for $14.99/month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chicago PD hiring work?
Chicago PD hiring is administered through the Chicago Department of Human Resources (CDHR). When the city opens a testing cycle, candidates apply online and are scheduled for the written exam. Those who pass are placed on an eligibility list, ranked by score. CPD then calls candidates from the list for a background investigation, polygraph, medical screening, and psychological evaluation. The overall timeline varies by hiring needs, academy scheduling, and how quickly the list moves.
Is there a residency requirement for Chicago PD?
Yes. Chicago has a residency requirement: sworn officers must live within the city limits of Chicago. This requirement applies after hire, not at the time of application. You do not have to live in Chicago to apply, but you must establish residency before or shortly after beginning employment. Verify the current requirement with CDHR as policies can change.
What is the passing score for the CPD written exam?
Chicago can set the minimum qualifying score and list rules for each hiring cycle. Even when a candidate clears the minimum, list rank still matters. A stronger written-exam score gives you a better position when CPD starts working from the eligible list, and veterans preference can also affect that rank.
Does Chicago give veterans’ preference on the police exam?
Yes. Illinois law and City of Chicago policy grant qualifying veterans additional points on civil service exam scores. Veterans with a service-connected disability may receive more points than non-disabled veterans. Ensure your discharge paperwork and VA documentation are ready when you apply. Even modest preference points can shift your list rank significantly.
What is the starting salary for a Chicago Police Officer?
Chicago Police Officer pay changes over time under current contracts and city pay schedules. Use the current recruiting material, union contract, or city posting for the most accurate salary figures tied to the hiring cycle you are entering.