Everything you need to know
about the Vic Police numeracy test
Test format, pass marks, topic coverage, calculator, booking — all sourced from ACER's official VPOL portal and Vic Police's published candidate documentation.
One exam. Two roles. Different cut scores.
The Victoria Police entrance exam is administered by ACER on behalf of Victoria Police. It was long known as the Employment Suitability Test (EST); ACER's current portal brands it the Victoria Police Entrance Exam (VPOL). Police Officer and Protective Services Officer (PSO) applicants sit the same four-section exam: Literacy, Numeracy, Abstract Reasoning, and Report Writing. Police Custody Officer (PCO) applicants sit the same Literacy, Numeracy and Abstract Reasoning sections, with a Verbal Reasoning section in place of Report Writing. The numeracy component is identical across all three roles; what differs is the minimum result each role requires.
The numeracy section is the focus of this guide. It runs for 35 minutes with 30 questions, all sat on a secure online platform with an on-screen calculator available throughout. Question types are mixed: multiple choice, true/false, and direct numeric entry.
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Scaled scores, not raw marks.
ACER reports your numeracy result as a scale score on a 40–170 range, not as "X out of 30". The scale score reflects question difficulty and adjusts for variations between test forms. Both cut scores correspond to performance at or above ACSF Exit Level 3.
Pass marks confirmed in Victoria Police's 2024 Employment Suitability Testing candidate information booklet.
Three content strands, ACSF Levels 2–4.
The numeracy section spans the three Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) numeracy strands across ACSF Levels 2 through 4. The underlying ACER assessment engine (CSPA) tops out at Level 4, distinguishing the EST from the LANTITE which extends to Level 5.
ACER does not publish exact strand weightings or per-ACSF-level question counts for the EST — only that all three strands are represented and questions span the full Level 2–4 range. The pass mark of 111 (police) corresponds to performance at or above ACSF Exit Level 3; the PSO pass mark of 105 sits slightly below this threshold.
Number & Algebra
Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, basic algebra. Questions framed in workplace and everyday operational contexts.
Deep diveMeasurement & Geometry
Length, area, volume, time, metric unit conversions, basic geometric shapes. Reading from plans, diagrams, and maps.
Deep diveStatistics & Probability
Reading tables, charts, and graphs. Mean, median, percentages, basic probability, interpreting data shown in operational reports.
Deep diveProcess domain
ACER tags every numeracy question with one of three process domains. The mix is designed to test how you handle information end-to-end — not just whether you can do the maths, but whether you can extract it from a stimulus and communicate the result.
Extract mathematical information from the stimulus.
Use mathematical knowledge to solve the problem.
Evaluate, communicate and represent the result.
ACER does not publish per-test strand or process-domain weightings for the EST. The proportions above are modelled on the LANTITE breakdowns ACER does publish (40–50% / 25–35% / 20–30% by strand; 25–35% per process domain) — both tests share the same three-strand structure, the same ACSF framework, and the same underlying assessment engine, so there's no reason to assume the EST would deviate materially. Treat these as our practice-paper distribution, not an ACER-published blueprint.
On-screen calculator throughout.
Unlike the LANTITE (which has a 13-question non-calculator section), the Vic Police EST provides an on-screen calculator for every numeracy question. The calculator is basic — addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, and a memory function. Personal calculators are not permitted.
What the calculator can and can't do
Available
- +, −, ×, ÷
- Decimals
- Memory (M+, M−, MR, MC)
- Square root
Not available
- Trig functions (sin / cos / tan)
- Powers and exponents
- Statistical functions
- Order-of-operations parentheses
Online, year-round, max 2 attempts.
How to book
Book directly through ACER at vpol.acer.org. Test fee is $275 (inc GST). You can sit at an ACER test centre or via remote online proctoring from home — both modes use the same secure online platform (rolled out in 2023).
Attempts & cooldown
Candidates may attempt the EST a maximum of 2 times. If you don't pass on your first attempt, take the time to prepare properly before booking again — your second attempt is your last.
Common questions
How many questions are in the Vic Police EST numeracy test?
The Vic Police EST numeracy section has 30 questions and runs for 35 minutes. The same test is sat by Police Officer applicants and Protective Services Officer (PSO) applicants — only the pass mark differs.
Is a calculator allowed in the Vic Police numeracy test?
Yes — an on-screen basic calculator is provided throughout the numeracy section. It's a simple calculator (no scientific functions), and personal calculators are not permitted.
What is the pass mark for the Vic Police numeracy test?
The numeracy section is scored on a scale of 40–170. Police Officer applicants need a scale score of 111 or above to pass. Protective Services Officer (PSO) applicants need 105 or above. Both cuts correspond to performance at or above ACSF Exit Level 3.
What topics are tested in the Vic Police numeracy test?
The numeracy section covers three ACSF-aligned content strands: Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Questions are contextualised in workplace and everyday scenarios.
How many times can you sit the Vic Police EST?
Candidates can attempt the EST a maximum of 2 times. The test fee is $275 (inc GST) per sitting and is booked through ACER's online portal at vpol.acer.org.
Is the Vic Police numeracy test online or paper-based?
The test is fully computer-based. Since 2023 it can be sat at an ACER test centre or via remote online proctoring from home. Both modes use the same secure online platform.
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