NYS Court Officer Physical Ability Test Overview

push ups video Beep Test videoIllinois Agility Run videoSit Ups Video

Candidates will be required to qualify on a series of physical ability tests designed to assess their ability to safely and effectively perform the physically demanding tasks required by the Court Officer's job, as well as in academy training.

The Physical Ability Test battery (PAT) consists of four tests:

1 - Push-Up Test | 2 - Illinois Agility Run | 3 - Sit-Up Test | 4 - Beep Test

 

1. Push-Up Test

 

woman doing pushup

The purpose of the Push-Up test is to assess upper body muscular strength and endurance. The test is performed in a position in which only the feet and hands are in contact with the testing surface with the arms fully extended. The torso is lowered by bending at the elbows until the elbow is flexed at a 90 degree angle or less and then returned to the starting position.

The score is the number of correctly performed push-ups in one minute. Attempt to complete as many push-ups as you can.

Correct

man doing pushup

Take a position in which only the feet and hands are in contact with the testing surface. The feet are 8 to 12 inches apart, the hands are slightly wider than shoulder width apart, and the arms are extended and straight.

The legs, buttocks, back, and shoulders are in a straight alignment.

To complete a push-up, bend the elbows and lower your torso until the elbows are flexed and the sternum touches the foam block. Once the sternum touches the foam block, return to the starting position by straightening your elbows.

When completing the push-ups, the legs, buttocks, back, and shoulders must remain in a straight alignment.

A push-up will not count if:

a. You do not touch the foam block.

Incorrect

man doing pushup incorrectly

A push-up will not count if:

b. Your legs, buttocks, back, or shoulders do not remain in a straight alignment.

Incorrect

man doing pushup without body in alignment

A push-up will not count if:

c. Your knees touch the testing surface.

Incorrect

woman doing pushup with knee touching floor

A push-up will not count if:

d. You do not return to the starting position with arms fully extended.

Incorrect

woman doing pushup without arms fully extended

2. Illinois Agility Run

 

guy running around obstacles

The purpose of the Illinois Agility Run is to assess anaerobic capacity. 

You must complete a short distance run with changes of direction as fast as possible. It requires running 60 yards and making several turns during the run. The score is the time it takes to complete the run. Two trials are completed.

You will begin this test on your stomach, fingertips behind the starting line in a quasi-push-up position. Your head and shoulders may be beyond the starting line. Your feet must be together with your ankles touching and on the balls of the feet.

Correct

woman on ground, poised to start

Follow the outline of the course. To start, run to the far cone turn around the cone, and back to the cone in the middle.

Continue through the course by weaving in and out through the center cones.

diagram of course

You will be completing two trials of the agility run. Therefore, perform both trials as quickly as possible. Your score will be the time to complete the course.

If you stumble but do not fall, continue to run.

If you miss a turn around a cone or displace a cone during either trial or fall, the test will be stopped. You will be given a two (2) minutes to rest and one retest.

Incorrect

guy right after knocking over a cone

3. Sit-Up Test

 

woman holding other woman's feet down as she does sit ups

The purpose of the Sit-Up test is to assess abdominal strength. The starting position is on the back with knees flexed, feet together, arms crossed over the chest. The feet will be held while performing the sit-ups. The score is the number of correctly performed sit-ups in one minute.

You will lie down on your back with your knees flexed to a 45 to 60 degree angle, feet flat on the floor, and your heels placed about 12 to 18 inches from your buttocks. Your feet will be held while performing this test.

Correct

man holding other man's feet down as he does sit ups

Cross your arms over your chest, placing your hands on the opposite shoulders near your collarbone with your fingers on your shoulders. Your arms must maintain contact with your chest at all times. Your chin should remain tucked onto your chest.

With each sit-up, you must curl your shoulders, keeping your lower back on the mat until you have curled the upper back, and finally come to a position in which your elbows touch your thighs or break the plane between your thighs. Make sure you curl your back, not arch, as this will force you to use your abdominal muscles and keep you from straining your back. Before completing another sit-up, lie back down until your mid-back touches the mat surface.

Correct

man holding other man's feet down as  he does sit ups

Perform as many sit-ups as possible within a 60-second time period. You will be given only one trial.

Only properly performed sit-ups will count. You may rest between sit-ups, but the countdown timer will not be stopped.

Your score will be the number of properly performed sit-ups you complete in 60 seconds. Attempt to complete as many sit-ups as you can.

A sit-up will not count if:

a. Your arms are not in contact with your chest.

Incorrect

woman holding other woman's feet down as she does sit ups with arms not touching chest

A sit-up will not count if:

b. Your elbows do not contact your thighs.

Incorrect

man holding other man's feet as he does sit up without contacting thighs

A sit-up will not count if:

c. Your mid-back is not touching the mat.

Incorrect

man holding other man's feet down as he does sit ups without touching mat with mid back

A sit-up will not count if:

d. Your hips/butt do not remain in contact with the mat.

Incorrect

woman holding other woman's feet down as she does sit ups and letting her rear end go up in the air

A sit-up will not count if:

e. Your fingers are not on opposite shoulders.

4. Beep Test

 

people sprinting inside

The purpose of the Beep Test is to assess aerobic capacity.

The test involves completing multiple 20-meter run intervals with speed that must be equal to or faster than the pace dictated on the audio recording.

The test continues until a candidate's time to complete an interval is greater than the time allotted for two consecutive intervals. The score is the total number of intervals successfully completed.

The purpose of this test is to assess aerobic capacity. You will run continuously between two (2) lines 20 meters apart.

You will be assigned to a running lane. Stay in your assigned running lane at all times.

A pre-recorded audio will be played that provides a series of commands and beeps that you must follow to complete the test. The time interval between the beeps gradually decreases requiring candidates to increase their speed.

The first audio commands are a series of rapid beeps. When you hear the beeps, run to the opposite end line. Run at a pace that is equal to or faster than the pace you hear. One foot must touch or cross the end line.

When you hear the next audio beep sound, run back to the first line. These beeps and commands will continue throughout the test.

Therefore, listen to the audio beeps and commands.

The pace for the first Level of the test is the same for each Stage.

At the end of each Level, the audio recording will indicate that the running pace is getting faster. When the pace is changing, you will hear three beeps. Adjust your running pace so that it is equal to or faster than the pace of the recorded beeps.

Continue to run and keep up with the beeps on the recording until you cannot keep pace for two (2) consecutive stages.

Once you cannot keep pace for two (2) consecutive stages, the test is stopped.

Your score will be the number of Levels and Stages successfully completed.

If you do not touch or cross a line on or before a beep, the administrator will say “Late” and your lane number. You must then touch or cross the line and increase your speed when running to the next line to touch/cross the next line before the beep.

people just starting to sprint inside

Retest Policy

Candidates who fail the physical ability test will be provided with one opportunity for a retest and candidates must retake the entire test battery. A minimum of 90 days is required between each test session. The Physical Ability Test results are valid for one year only and candidates will be required to take another Physical Ability Test if their test results expire.

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