What Is on the CBP Officer Entrance Exam
Three parts in a fixed order: an Experience Record, then a Writing Skills Test, then a Logical Reasoning Test. The order matters, because candidates are removed between the second and the third.
- Parts
- Three, in a fixed order
- Experience Record
- 60 minutes
- Writing Skills Test
- 63 minutes
- Logical Reasoning Test
- 83 minutes
The three parts
CBP's preparation guide states that the examination consists of three parts. The Experience Record measures background experience and needs no preparation. The Writing Skills Test measures writing using basic rules of English grammar, syntax, usage, sentence and paragraph organization, and punctuation. The Logical Reasoning Test measures reasoning, decision-making, judgment and problem solving.
This examination applies to the GS-5 and GS-7 CBP Officer announcements. The GS-9 announcement does not mention an entrance examination.
The elimination between part two and part three
CBP Careers states it directly: if you do not score high enough on the Writing Skills Test, you will be removed from the process and will not be invited to take the Logical Reasoning Test.
That single sentence is the most important thing on this page. Whatever else you prepare, the writing test is the one that decides whether the rest of the process happens.
The deadlines between them
Complete the Experience Record within 72 hours of the test vendor's email. Complete the Writing Skills Test within five days of the Experience Record. Complete the Logical Reasoning Test within 14 days of the Writing Skills Test. CBP suggests allowing about four hours for the reasoning sitting.
The Logical Reasoning Test can be taken at a test center or, since 1 September 2025, online.
Sources
- CBP — CBP Officer Entrance Examination Preparation Guide (rev. 12.31.2025) · checked 2026-08-22
- CBP Careers — CBP Officer Entrance Exam · checked 2026-08-22