The Police IndexStop data: 2024 ยท Pay and hiring checked Nov 2026

Written test: the score each department needs

Most common minimum PELLETB T-score, 9 of 11 departments publish one
42

The PELLETB is California's entry-level written test. A T-score of 50 is average. One score can go to several departments while it is still valid.

Does my score clear the minimum?

El Cajon Police42
Harbor Police42
La Mesa Police42
San Diego Police42
Sheriff42
Carlsbad Police46
Chula Vista Police46
Oceanside Police46
National City Police47
Coronado PoliceNot published
Escondido PoliceNot published
20304050607080

The dark band is a passing score. Hatched rows use a different test or do not publish a T-score. This checks the minimum only. Departments rank candidates, so a higher score still helps.

Study guides and practice tests

We have not tested the paid courses and are not paid for these links. They are the two sellers other applicant sites point to most.

By department

Carlsbad Police
Pass mark for the city test is not published. A prior PELLETB needs a T-score of 46 or higher in reading, writing and overall.
City-run written examination covering reading, grammar, spelling, writing and reasoning. The department points applicants to PELLETB study materials. A prior PELLETB score is accepted if taken within the last 12 months
Chula Vista Police
T-score of 46 or higher for scores brought from another agency. The pass mark for the city's own sitting is not stated.
POST Entry-Level Test Battery (PELLETB). Outside PELLETB results must be dated within 6 months before the city's test date
Coronado Police
Not published
El Cajon Police
T-score of 42.0 or higher
POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB). Taken within 6 months of the city's PELLETB test date
Escondido Police
Not published
Written exam required. The test name is not published
Harbor Police
T-score 42
PELLETB. Scores from the last 6 months
La Mesa Police
T-score of 42.0 or higher for scores from another agency. The cutoff for the City-run test is Not published.
POST PELLETB. An outside PELLETB score must be from within 1 year of the application date
National City Police
T-score of 47 or higher is required to waive the city's exam. The cutoff for the city-run pass/fail exam is Not published.
POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB). An outside T-score must be issued within the previous 3 months
Oceanside Police
T-score of 46 or higher, per the entry-level posting
POST PELLETB. A PELLETB score from another agency is accepted if taken within 6 months before the city's test date
San Diego Police
70% on the City exam, or PELLETB T-score 42
The City's own exam, or PELLETB. PELLETB from the last 6 months
Sheriff
PELLETB T-score 42 waives the test
SAABRE or PELLETB. PELLETB from the last 6 months