MCOLES

The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) exam consists of reading and writing tests. You will be required to demonstrate high school–level reading and writing ability to pass the exam.

The MCOLES is simply a measure of your communication skills and does not cover police procedure. The test the gateway for admission into the basic academy, where you will learn about police procedure and the law.

The MCOLES is administered by participating law enforcement agencies and academies. To register for the exam, you must directly contact the participating agency or academy where you are applying.

The test measures reading and writing aptitude. Reading questions test reading comprehension. Writing questions focus on language ability. There are five question types: Detail, Spelling, Word Usage, Clarity, and Grammar.

The MCOLES consists of 120 questions. All the questions are multiple choice.

You will have two hours to complete the exam.

The MCOLES is administered online in a proctored setting. Testing sites are located throughout the state of Michigan.

For more information or to register for a test, visit https://www.michigan.gov/mcoles/

Test results are available online twenty-four hours after the exam. They will also be mailed to you three days after the exam.

Candidates who pass the MCOLES will receive a reported score of A, B, or C. This score is calculated by converting the raw score (the number of questions you answer correctly) into a scaled score.

A score of A reflects the highest “band” of applicant scores, B reflects the middle, and C the lowest.

You may retake the test at any time.