Parts (stages)
2
parts (stages)
How the test works
Stage I
Stage II
Your rank = Component II (Directives and law) + Component III (Writing). Ties go to seniority, then date of birth. [E05-31]
What to study
Illinois law (10)
625 ILCS 5/11-501.6 (Driver involvement in personal injury or fatal motor vehicle accident; chemical test) [READING LIST]
625 ILCS 5/11-401 (Motor vehicle accidents involving death or personal injuries) [READING LIST]
625 ILCS 5/11-402 (Motor vehicle accident involving damage to vehicle) [READING LIST]
625 ILCS 5/11-501 (Driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds or any combination thereof) [READING LIST]
625 ILCS 5/11-501.1 (Suspension of drivers license; statutory summary alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds related suspension or revocation; implied consent) [READING LIST]
625 ILCS 5/11-501.4 (Admissibility of chemical tests of blood, other bodily substance, or urine conducted in the regular course of providing emergency medical treatment) [READING LIST]
625 ILCS 5/11-501.4-1 (Reporting of test results of blood, other bodily substance, or urine conducted in the regular course of providing emergency medical treatment) [READING LIST]
625 ILCS 5/11-502.1 (Possesion of medical cannabis in a motor vehicle) [READING LIST]
625 ILCS 5/11-503 (Reckless driving; aggravated reckless driving) [READING LIST]
720 ILCS 5/9-3 (Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Homocide) [READING LIST]
General Orders (10)
GO G04-01 (Preliminary Investigations) [READING LIST]
GO G04-02 (Crime Scene Protection and Processing) [READING LIST]
GO G04-03 (Custodial Interrogations) [READING LIST]
GO G04-07 (Preliminary Investigations – Traffic Crashes) [READING LIST]
GO G04-07-01 (Hit and Run Crashes) [READING LIST]
GO G04-07-02 (Crashes - Fatalities or Life Threatening Injury) [READING LIST]
GO G04-08 (Driving While Under the Influence (DUI) and Zero Tolerance) [READING LIST]
GO G06-01 (Processing Persons Under Department Control) [READING LIST]
GO G07-03 (Vehicle Towing and Relocation Operations) [READING LIST]
Special Orders (17)
SO S02-04-01 (Police Observation Device (POD) Program) [READING LIST]
SO S04-03-01 (Digital Recording of Interrogations) [READING LIST]
SO S04-07 (Preliminary Investigations - Traffic Crashes) [READING LIST]
SO S04-07-02 (Crashes – Fatalities or Life Threatening Injury) [READING LIST]
SO S04-07-05 (Traffic crashes On Airport Property) [READING LIST]
SO S04-07-06 (Traffic Crashes Involving Railroad Trains) [READING LIST]
SO S04-07-09 (Waterway Crash Investigations) [READING LIST]
SO S04-08 (Driving While Under the Influence (DUI) and Zero Tolerance) [READING LIST]
SO S04-08-01 (DUI Investigations – Chemical Testing Procedures) [READING LIST]
SO S04-08-02 (DUI Investigations - Hospital Emergency Rooms) [READING LIST]
SO S04-08-04 (DUI Investigations - Additional Responsibilities) [READING LIST]
SO S04-19 (Search Warrants) [READING LIST]
SO S04-19-01 – Search Warrant Development, Review, and Approval [READING LIST]
SO S06-01-08 (Duty Judge Procedures) [READING LIST]
SO S06-02 (Live Lineups, Photo Lineups, and Showups) [READING LIST]
SO S06-03 (Felony Review by Cook County State's Attorney) [READING LIST]
Math (9)
Arithmetic calculations, including positive and negative numbers [READING LIST]
Order of operations [READING LIST]
Algebraic calculations, including evaluating expressions, solving equations, substitution, and the distributive property [READING LIST]
Fractions, decimals, and percentages [READING LIST]
Ratios, proportions, and direct variation [READING LIST]
Squares and square roots [READING LIST]
Multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction [READING LIST]
Evaluating and solving applied formulas involving distance, time, velocity, acceleration, and drag factor [READING LIST]
Writing (6)
Documenting Observations at a Traffic Crash Scene [READING LIST]
Identifying and Prioritizing Relevant Information [READING LIST]
Distinguishing Observable Facts from Unsupported Conclusions [READING LIST]
Describing Vehicle Damage, Position, and Physical Evidence [READING LIST]
Organizing a Clear and Logical Narrative [READING LIST]
Sentence Structure, Grammar, and Professional Written Communication [READING LIST]
Frequently Asked Questions
How many parts are there?
There are two parts (stages). Part 1 (Stage I) is Component I, Math, and Component II, Directives and law, taken together in one sitting. Part 2 (Stage II) is Component III, a computer-based writing exercise. Your rank combines your directives-and-law score and your writing score. [E05-31]
What is on each component?
Component I is a set of multiple-choice questions on math skills. Component II is multiple-choice, true or false, and scenario questions on the Department's written directives and Illinois law from the reading list. Component III is a computer-based writing exercise with two narrative questions. The reading list is the study guide for all three. [E05-31] [READING LIST]
How is the exam graded?
Component I is pass or fail and does not count toward rank. Component II, directives and law, and Component III, writing, are scored on their own. Your rank is Component II plus Component III. Ties go to seniority, then date of birth. [E05-31]
Does the math score count toward rank?
No. Component I only qualifies you to advance to Part 2 (Stage II). You must reach the qualifying score on the multiple-choice math questions. If you do, your Component II score is kept and later added to your writing score. [E05-31]
How long is the writing exercise?
Component III is 30 minutes. You answer two questions in a narrative, using information given at the test. It shows how accurately you observe, how you separate what you saw from what you inferred, how you reason, and how you structure the writing. [E05-31]
Where is the reading list?
The reading list is the suggested study guide for the written test. It prepares you for directives and Illinois law, math, and the writing exercise. The 2026 list is titled Final Reading List for 2026 Test. [E05-31] [READING LIST]
What happens after the test?
Passing candidates are placed on a ranked list. The list is not a guarantee of the job, and the Department may end it at any time. If selected as openings occur, you enter the training program. Management may fill 20 percent of openings from that list without using seniority or rank score. [E05-31]
What training follows the test?
If selected as openings occur, you train at the Northwestern Center for Public Safety. The program is multi-week, spread over 12 months. You then take the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Crash Reconstruction Specialist Examination, given over two days in Springfield. After that, you train on the job in the Major Accident Investigation Unit before you are appointed. [E05-31]
BlueTutor: promotional exam prep for police officers.
Part 1 practice is available now: Math, and Directives & Laws. Part 2, the writing exercise, is coming soon.
Sources
- Chicago Police Department, Employee Resource E05-31, “Application For Police Officer (Assigned as Traffic Specialist), Title Code 9151.” https://directives.chicagopolice.org/#directive/public/6171
- Chicago Police Department, “Final Reading List for 2026 Test.” https://directives.chicagopolice.org/forms/E05-31_Recommended%20Reading%20List.pdf
Last checked: 29 October 2026.