BORDER PATROL AGENT 

ENTRANCE EXAM 

PREPARATION GUIDE 

V 2018/12
 

 

 

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER
	

Greetings, and congratulations for choosing to apply to the nation’s largest Federal law enforcement 

agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). I cannot think of any career that is more important – 

or effective – in creating a safe, secure environment for our friends, families, communities, and future 

generations. 

CBP enforces hundreds of laws and regulations for dozens of other agencies. Border Patrol Agents work 

to prevent terrorists and their weapons from entering the United States illegally, between official ports of 

entry. Border Patrol Agents also work to prevent the illicit trafficking of people and contraband into the 

United States. CBP’s complex mission – protecting our borders while facilitating the flow of lawful travel 

and trade – is integral to our national and economic security. I am so pleased that you want to be a part 

of it. 

This Preparation Guide contains all the information that you will need to do your best on the Border 

Patrol Agent Entrance Examination. The guide provides information on how the exam is structured, 

sample questions, and tips on how to achieve the best possible score. 

Kevin A. McAleenan 

Commissioner 
CBP ETHOS
	 Our shared identify, beliefs, and aspirations 

WE are the guardians of our Nation’s Borders. 

WE are America’s frontline. 

WE safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our 

borders. 

WE protect the American people against terrorists and 

the instruments of terror. 

WE steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States 

while fostering our Nation’s economic security through 

lawful international trade and travel. 

WE serve the American people with vigilance, integrity, 

and professionalism 
 

Table of Contents 

Application Process ················································· 5

Exam Logistics ······················································· 6

Exam Format ························································· 7

Preparing for the Logical Reasoning Exam················· 10

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Core Values 

VIGILANCE SERVICE INTEGRITY
	

Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide 4 
 

 

Application Process 

Being a Border Patrol Agent can be both mentally and physically challenging. 

As a result, the hiring process to become a Border Patrol Agent is intentionally 

rigorous to ensure that those selected can carry out the duties that are 

expected of them. 

1. Apply
	

2. Entrance Exam
	

3. Qualifications Review
	

4. Background Investigation

Completed Concurrently 

Medical Exam
	

Fitness Test
	

5. Interview
	

6. Polygraph Exam
	

7. Random Drug Test
	

For more information about each step, visit the Current Applicant Resources page at 

www.cbp.gov/careers/car 

Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide 5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Exam Logistics 

Shortly after completing your application on USAJobs, you will receive an email from 

USAHire_Support@panpowered.com. If you did not receive this email, please check your 

Spam folder. If you are still having issues, please email CBP at 

CBPHiringdeubpa@cbp.dhs.gov. 

**Important Note** 

The information below is subject to change at any time. Always review your exam 

scheduling and confirmation emails for the most up-to-date information. 

Scheduling 

You will receive an email from USAHire_Support@panpowered.com prompting you to schedule your 

entrance exam. Once you create a username and password and enter your address, the system will 

present a list of closest test centers and available test times. You can choose the test center and 

appointment time that is most convenient for you. Once you have scheduled your exam, you will receive 

a confirmation email. 

Re-Scheduling or Canceling 

You can reschedule your exam, or cancel without penalty, up to 24 hours before your appointment time. 

Use the link on the confirmation email you receive after you scheduled your exam to change your 

appointment. 

Test Day 

Please arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment to allow enough time to check in and get settled 

before the start of your exam. Make sure you bring a copy of your confirmation email, either printed or 

on a mobile device, and a valid form of identification. A list of valid forms of identification is included in 

the confirmation email. 

The test is a computer-based exam. Other individuals in the testing room may be taking a different 

exam. Therefore, do not worry if it seems like others are finishing more quickly than you. 

You are not permitted to bring a cellphone into the testing room. Depending on the test center, you may 

also not be able to bring your wallet, keys, or other personal items into the testing room. Bottled water 

will be allowed into the testing room. If you have any questions regarding test center procedures, you 

can contact the test center listed on your exam scheduling notice. 

Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide 6 
Exam Format 

The Entrance Exam will be taken on a computer 

You will be given an individually sheltered area in the testing room. If you believe that your computer is 

not functioning or that there is an issue with your testing area, please notify your proctor. 

Your proctor will provide you with scratch paper and pencils for use during the exam. You will not be able 

to bring your own into the testing room. 

The BPA exam consists of 2 sections: 

Experience Record 

40 Minutes 

At Home 

At Test Center 

BPA System Functionality Navigation Preview 

5 Minutes 

Logical Reasoning 

120 Minutes 

* The times above are the maximum allowable time to complete each section; Many test takers complete each section in less time.

Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide 7 
Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide

Additional Information about the Exam 

The Logical Reasoning test you will be taking is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), which is a form of

computer-based testing that is tailored to the ability level of each test taker. The computer uses an 

algorithm to select questions of varying difficulty throughout the test. The computer also controls for how 

often a question is administered (for test security purposes). When starting the CAT, the computer assumes 

that you have an average ability level and the first question will be of average difficulty. As you continue 

through the CAT, the computer updates its estimate of your ability level based on responses to previous 

questions. The computer then successively selects questions that are matched to your estimated ability 

level, while balancing how often different test takers answer the same question. 

For the most part, the CAT will look very much like any other test that you have taken on a computer. 

However, there are a few things that you should understand before taking the CAT. 

 Reviewing your answer – The computer selects the next question you are given based on your

responses to the previous questions. Therefore, you cannot go back to a question after you have

submitted your response.

• Test-taking strategy – Try to make an educated attempt at identifying the correct answer for every

question. You cannot skip questions. If you are not sure of the correct answer for a question, you will

need to provide your best guess as an answer and proceed to the next question.

• Pacing yourself – You will be given 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the 31 questions in the CAT.

This means that, on average, you should be spending just under 4 minutes on a question.

• Study – as with any test, if you are prepared you will feel more confident and be able to focus your

attention on the content of the test. Using CBP provided study guides and practice tests will help you

become familiar with the test format and content, and ensure that you do your best.

• Do not try to guess how you are doing on the test – some people think they can figure out

whether they are doing well or poorly based on how easy or hard the questions seem. The selection of

questions you will be administered is based on many factors and therefore, some questions may seem

hard or easy to you, but may in fact have a difficulty level that you cannot determine. Remember that

what seems “harder” for one person may not be as hard for another. Do not waste your time or attention trying to guess how you are doing; just spend your time focusing on answering each question in the

test correctly.

8
 

 

 

CBP Accomplishments 

Sonoita Agents Stop 2 Human Smuggling Attempts 

TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents stopped two 

human smuggling attempts while conducting immigration 

checkpoint operations on State Route 83 near Sonoita. 

A U.S. citizen driving a 2001 Saturn Ion sped through the 

immigration checkpoint Tuesday, prompting agents to pursue the 

car a short distance before the driver pulled over. During a search 

of the vehicle, agents found three adult Mexican nationals in the 

trunk. 

The second incident occurred Wednesday when agents working the 

same immigration checkpoint referred a U.S. citizen driving a 

Hyundai Accent to the secondary inspection area after the driver 

consented to a search of the vehicle. During the inspection, agents 

discovered three undocumented Mexican nationals hiding in the 

vehicle’s trunk. U.S. order Patrol agents survey the 

The drivers in both incidents are being prosecuted for human international border in Vermont. 

smuggling. The six undocumented Mexican nationals are pending 

removal proceedings in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines. 

Burke, NY Border Patrol Agents Arrest 2 in Failed Human Smuggling Attempt 

Malone, N.Y. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Burke Station arrested two subjects after a failed 

human smuggling attempt near Malone, N.Y. late last week. 

On Friday evening, a Border Patrol agent from the Burke Station identified a suspicious vehicle during 

normal patrol duties. The agent stopped the vehicle and during questioning of the two occupants, 

determined that the driver had allegedly picked up the passenger, a Turkish citizen, who recently crossed 

the border into the United States illegally on foot. 

Agents arrested the driver, Mahmut Sonmez, 28, of Patterson, N.J., on human smuggling charges. The 

passenger, a 26-year-old Turkish citizen who had previously applied for a U.S. visa for entry but was 

denied, was also taken into custody. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York is prosecuting Sonmez for Alien 

Smuggling 8 USC 1324, and the Turkish citizen is being prosecuted for Entry without Inspection 8 USC 

1325. 

“The diligence and quick assessment of the situation by Border Patrol agents successfully thwarted this 

smuggling event,” said Acting Patrol Agent in Charge Richard Parker. 

Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide 9
 

Logical Reasoning 

Logical reasoning is a crucial tool for Border Patrol Agents 

Border Patrol Agents must make critical decisions in a short amount of time based on their ability to read 

and understand laws, legal commentary, and regulations. Although Border Patrol Agents memorize some 

information, most of their decisions must be made through reasoning. National security depends on this 

ability. 

The logical reasoning section is designed to select trainees who will be able to handle the demanding 

academic workload of the academy as well as the complex decisions made daily by Border Patrol Agents. 

Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide 10
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Preparing for Questions 

U.S. order Patrol !gents conduct a simulation with a P 

canine alerting on a vehicle attempting to cross the border 

Reading the Paragraph 

Every paragraph in this section is drawn from written material relating to CBP or government work. While 

answering the questions in this section, you must accept every fact in the text as true. 

Remember that you are not being judged on your knowledge of facts but rather your ability to reason on 

the basis of given facts. 

The type of information in the reading will vary. It is important to be able to distinguish between positive 

and negative information. Also, information may be presented about categories, groups, and events. 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 11
 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

The Lead-In Phrase 

P Officers and order Patrol !gents assisting with security for the 2017 

Presidential Inauguration are sworn in at a ceremony in Washington, D 

How to Read a Lead-In Phrase 

A lead-in phrase will ask you to complete a sentence by choosing one of several responses. It will 

typically be presented at the end of a paragraph, which you must read in order to find the correct 

answer. The lead-in phrase is a very important part of the logical reasoning question. 

A lead-in phrase can be positive or negative. Positive lead in phrases are followed by four invalid 

conclusions and one valid conclusion. You must find the valid conclusion. An example of a positive lead in 

question is featured below. 

“From the information given above, it can be 

validly concluded that...”

Negative lead-in phrases are followed by four valid conclusions and only one invalid conclusion. In this 

case, you must find the invalid one. In other words, you should determine what cannot be validly 

concluded based on the facts in the paragraph. 

“From the information given above, it CANNOT be 

validly concluded that...”

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 12
 

 

 

True All the people at my party speak Spanish. 

Valid conclusion Some people who speak Spanish are at my party. 

There are many people who speak Spanish, and some of them are at my party. 

All the people who speak Spanish are at my party. Invalid conclusion 

There are many people who speak Spanish, but we do not know if they are all at my party. 

True All Supreme Court justices are lawyers. 

Valid conclusion Some lawyers are Supreme Court Justices. 

There are many lawyers, and some of them are Supreme Court Justices. 

All lawyers are Supreme Court Justices. Invalid conclusion Not all lawyers are Supreme Court Justices. 

True Every U.S. Border Patrol Agent works for the U.S. Government. 

Valid conclusion Some employees of the U.S. government are U.S. Border Patrol 

Agents. 

There are many U.S. government employees, and some of them are Border Patrol Agents. 

Invalid conclusion Everyone working for the U.S. Government is a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. 

Not all U.S. government employees are Borer Patrol Agents. Some U.S. government 

employees are CBP Officers. 

Logical Reasoning 

Reasoning about Groups/Categories 

In this section, we will review how to process 

information about groups and categories 

“All” Statements 

A statement about two groups that 

begins with the words “all” or “every” 

gives you some important information 

about how the two groups are related. 

The words “all” and “every” tell you that 

everything in the first group is also in the 

second group. 

During the test, you must identify groups and understand the relationships between 

the groups in order to be able to identify valid and invalid conclusions. Below are some 

examples illustrating this concept. 

Keep in mind that the “all” 

statement does not provide 

sufficient information to 

determine whether or not all 

members of the second group 

are included in the first group! 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 13
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Reasoning about Groups/Categories 

“None” and “Not” Statements 

Information that something is NOT true is useful information and should not be overlooked. You can 

draw conclusions about either group as it relates to the other since you can count on the fact that the 

two groups have no members in common. 

For example, if you can say that “None of the stolen cars recovered from the rail yards were cars stolen 

from Canada,” you can also say that “None of the cars stolen from Canada were recovered from the rail 

yards” because you know that the first statement means that there is no overlap between the two 

groups. 

As you work through the practice test, think about each negative phrase or term you find. 

Sometimes, our ordinary speech habits can cause us to jump to conclusions. Take care to assume 

only as much as is definitely indicated by the facts as given, and no more. 

For example, a detective might make a statement such as “some of the bloodstains were not human 

blood” simply because only some of the samples had come back from the laboratory. The detective is 

trying to suggest that at least some of the bloodstains were not human blood. The rest of the bloodstains 

may or may not be human blood. 

Reasoning About Parts of a Group 

The term “some” is an intentionally imprecise reference– it refers to an unknown number and implies 

nothing about the entire group. Unless information is provided in the paragraph to the contrary, treat 

“some” as meaning “at least some.” 

Statements that include words such as “most”, “a few”, or “almost all” should also be considered 

carefully. For example if you read, “Many Border Patrol Agents are not fluent in French”, you may be 

tempted to infer that there are at least a few Border Patrol Agents who are fluent in French, but that 

would be wrong. In this case, you do not know if any Border Patrol Agents are fluent in French so you 

cannot make that assumption. 

Remember that if the statement only applies to part or some of the group, you cannot assume anything 

about the entire group. 

For example, in the statement “Some CBP Agriculture Specialists are taking specialized training,” the 

term “some CBP Agriculture Specialists” refers to an unknown number of CBP Agriculture Specialists. The 

fact that we know that “some CBP Agriculture Specialists are taking specialized training” implies nothing 

about the entire group of CBP Agriculture Specialists: there may or may not be CBP Agriculture 

Specialists who are not taking specialized training. Unless information is provided in the paragraph to the 

contrary, treat “some” as meaning “at least some.” 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 14
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

“If-Then” Statements 

An “If-Then” Statement covers 

information about events or 

situations. The concept of cause 

and effect is crucial for 

succeeding in this section. 

The idea of cause and effect is based on one thing leading to another thing. Cause and effect means that 

when the first thing happens, the later event MUST follow. 

The cause and effect relationship also informs you that if the effect never occurred, the cause must not 

have occurred. 

If First Salem Bank suspects that Mr. Tubill 

deposited funds stemming from criminal 

activity, First Salem Bank is required to report 

Mr. Tubill’s deposit to the authorities. 

If First Salem Bank is NOT required to 

report Mr. Tubill’s deposit to the 

authorities, then First Salem Bank does 

NOT suspect that Mr. Tubill deposited 

funds stemming from criminal activity. 

Incorrect: I f First Salem Bank is required to report M r. Tubill’s deposit to the authorities, 

then First Salem Bank suspects Mr. Tubill deposited funds stemming from criminal activity. 

Based on the information, we do not know if there are other reasons why First Salem Bank is required to report Mr. Tubill’s 

deposit. For example, there might be a law requiring banks to report all deposits over $10,000 regardless of whether they 

suspect criminal activity. 

Statements that illustrate cause and effect are referred to as “if-then” statements. The first event in this 

statement is referred to as “if” and the second event is referred to as “then”. “If-then” statements can 

also be used to illustrate other relationships aside from cause and effect such as expressing permission 

or obligation. For example one might say, “If an agent places an individual under arrest, the arrestee 

must be provided with Miranda warnings.” 

It is important to remember that with these statements, the two pieces of information are always true. In 

other words, whenever the first event or situation occurs, the second event or situation MUST occur. 

Also, the “if-then” statement works in one direction only; the converse of the “if-then” statement is most 

likely invalid. 

It is also important to realize that you cannot validly switch the order of the two statements in this type 

of sentence. If you do, your conclusion may be wrong and may lead to costly errors in real-life situations. 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 15
 

True If a person is a Border Patrol Agent, the person is an employee of the U.S. 

Government. 

If a person is not an employee of the U.S. Government, the person is Valid Conclusion not a Border Patrol Agent. 

If a person is an employee of the U.S. Government, the person is a Border Invalid Conclusion Patrol Agent. 

True If a criminal receives a pardon, the criminal will be released. 

Valid Conclusion If a criminal is not released, the criminal has not received a pardon. 

If a criminal is released, the criminal has received a pardon. Invalid Conclusion 

True If a person is convicted of murder, that person is guilty of a felony. 

If a person is not guilty of a felony, that person has not been convict- Valid Conclusion ed of murder. 

If a person is guilty of a felony, that person has been convicted of murder. Invalid Conclusion 

True If a person lives in Germany, the person lives in Europe. 

If a person does not live in Europe, the person does not live in Ger- Valid Conclusion many. 

If a person lives in Europe, the person lives in Germany. Invalid Conclusion 

True If a car has no gas, the car will not run. 

Valid Conclusion If a car runs, the car has gas. 

If a car does not run, the car has no gas. Invalid Conclusion 

 

Logical Reasoning 

“If-Then” Statements 

Valid and Invalid Conclusions from “If-then” Statements 

Below are examples of valid and invalid conclusions from “If-Then” Statements 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 16
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Cautions about Wording 

Watch out for the 

word “only”. This 

word creates very 

strong statements. 

Pay attention to words that provide 

information on groups or on liked 

events. 

Positive Words: all, some, most, alw ays 

Negative Words: seldom, never, illegal, prohibited 

Negative Prefixes: non-, un-, disConnectors: w henever, unless, except 

Watch out for the 

word “not” since 

that makes the 

sentence have the 

opposite meaning. 

Double Negatives 

When a sentence has two negatives, it actually has a positive 

meaning. 

For example, if a sentence says “There are no training 

opportunities that are not available”, the sentence is saying 

that there ARE training opportunities available (No and Not 

cancel each other out). 

The ridge of the !mericas in El Paso Texas 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 17
 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Final Test-Taking Tips 

 In questions with positive lead statements, always choose the only conclusion that can 

definitely be drawn from the information given in the paragraph. 

 Remember NOT to use any outside factual information to reach your conclusion. 

 Read the lead-in sentence and the paragraph very carefully. Also, read all the answer 

choices before you mark the one you think is correct. 

 Pay special attention whenever the question uses words such as “all”, “some”, or “none”. 

Other terms such as “unless” or “except” or “only” are also important. These words help to 

define the facts from which you must draw conclusions. 

 Pay special attention whenever you see a negative prefix such as “non-” or a negative verb 

such as “disconnect” or “unfasten”. These may be crucial to understanding the basic facts in 

the paragraph. 

 Ignore any advice you may have received in the past about avoiding an answer that 

contains the word “all” or the word “none”. These may be signs of an incorrect response in 

some tests, but not in this test. You will find these words in both right and wrong response 

options. 

 Take the sample test and study the explanation for each of the questions very carefully. 

This may help you fine-tune your reasoning on the actual test. 

! P Officer works alongside a order Patrol !gent at the 

Otay Mesa, San Diego border crossing. 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 18
 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Practice Test 

You are now ready to take a practice logical reasoning test 

It is suggested that you take no more than 20 minutes to complete questions 1-8. The practice test 

contains questions that are similar to, but not exactly the same as the questions on the real test. The 

practice test is followed by detailed explanations of every practice test question. These explanations will 

give you information about why the correct response options are correct and why the incorrect response 

options are incorrect. Understanding the reasons for the correct and incorrect response options should 

assist you in distinguishing between a right and wrong answer on the test. 

In questions 1 through 8, some questions will ask you to select the only answer that can be validly

concluded from the paragraph. These questions include a paragraph followed by five response options. 

Preceding the five response options will be the phrase “From the information given above, it can be 

validly concluded that”. In other questions you will be asked to select the only answer that cannot be 

validly concluded from the paragraph. These questions include a paragraph followed by five response 

options. Preceding the five response options will be the phrase “From the information given above, it 

CANNOT be validly concluded that”. 

You must use only the information provided in the paragraph, without using any outside 

information whatsoever. 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 19
 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Practice Test 

1. Often, crimes are characterized as either malum in se—inherently evil—or malum prohibitum—criminal

because they are declared as offenses by a legislature. Murder is an example of the former. Failing to file a tax 

return illustrates the latter. Some jurisdictions no longer distinguish between crimes malum in se and malum 

prohibitum, although many still do. 

From the information given above, it can be validly concluded that 

A many jurisdictions no longer distinguish between crimes malum in se and malum prohibitum

B some jurisdictions still distinguish between crimes malum in se and malum prohibitum

Csome crimes characterized as malum in se are not inherently evil

D some crimes characterized as malum prohibitum are not declared by a legislature to be an offense

E sometimes failing to file a tax return is characterized as malum in se

2. A trucking company can act as a common carrier—for hire to the general public at published rates. As a

common carrier, it is liable for any cargo damage, unless the company can show that it was not negligent. If the 

company can demonstrate that it was not negligent, then it is not liable for cargo damage. In contrast, a contract 

carrier (a trucking company hired by a shipper under a specific contract) is only responsible for cargo damage 

as spelled out in the contract. A Claus Inc. tractor-trailer, acting under common carrier authority, was in a 

5-vehicle accident that damaged its cargo. A Nichols Inc. tractor-trailer, acting under contract carrier authority, 

was involved in the same accident, and its cargo was also damaged. 

From the information given above, it can be validly concluded that, in reference to the accident, 

A if Claus Inc. is liable, then it can show that it was not negligent

B if Claus Inc. cannot show that it was not negligent, then it is not liable

C if Claus Inc. can show that it was not negligent, then it is not liable

D if Nichols Inc. is liable, then it cannot show that it is negligent

E if Nichols Inc. can show that it is not negligent, then it is not liable

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 20
 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Practice Test 

3. A rapidly changing technical environment in government is promoting greater reliance on electronic mail

(e-mail) systems. As this usage grows, there are increasing chances of conflict between the users' expectations 

of privacy and public access rights. In some investigations, access to all e-mail, including those messages 

stored in archival files and messages outside the scope of the investigation, has been sought and granted. In 

spite of this, some people send messages through e-mail that would never be said face-to-face or written 

formally. 

From the information given above, it CANNOT be validly concluded that 

A some e-mail messages that have been requested as part of investigations have contained messages that

would never be said face-to-face 

B some messages that people would never say face-to-face are sent in e-mail messages

C some e-mail messages have been requested as part of investigations

D e-mail messages have not been exempted from investigations

E some e-mail messages contain information that would be omitted from formal writing

4. Phyllis T. is a former Federal employee who was entitled to benefits under the Federal Employee

Compensation Act because of a job-related, disabling injury. When an eligible Federal employee has such an 

injury, the benefit is determined by this test: If the beneficiary is married or has dependents, benefits are 3/4 of 

the person’s salary at the time of the injury; otherwise, benefits are set at 2/3 of the salary. Phyllis T.’s benefits 

were 2/3 of her salary when she was injured. 

From the information given above, it can be validly concluded that, when Phyllis T. was injured, she 

A was married but without dependents

B was not married and had no dependents

C was not married but had dependents

D was married and had dependents

E had never been married

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 21
 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Practice Test 

5. Some 480,000 immigrants were living in a certain country in 1999. Although most of these immigrants were

not employed in professional occupations, many of them were. For instance, many of them were engineers and 

many of them were nurses. Very few of these immigrants were librarians, another professional occupation. 

From the information given above, it can be validly concluded that, in 1999, in the country described above, 

A most immigrants were either engineers or nurses

B it is not the case that some of the nurses were immigrants

C none of the engineers were immigrants

D most of those not employed in professional occupations were immigrants

E some of the engineers were immigrants

6. Police officers were led to believe that many weapons sold at a certain gun store were sold illegally. Upon

investigating the lead, the officers learned that all of the weapons sold by the store that were made by Precision 

Arms were sold legally. Also, none of the illegally sold weapons were .45 caliber. 

From the information given above, it can be validly concluded that, concerning the weapons sold at the store, 

Aall of the .45 caliber weapons were made by Precision Arms

Bnone of the .45 caliber weapons were made by Precision Arms

Csome of the weapons made by Precision Arms were .45 caliber weapons

Dall of the .45 caliber weapons were sold legally

E some of the weapons made by Precision Arms were sold illegally

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 22
 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Practice Test 

7. Impressions made by the ridges on the ends of the fingers and thumbs are useful means of identification,

since no two persons have the same pattern of ridges. If finger patterns from fingerprints are not decipherable, 

then they cannot be classified by general shape and contour or by pattern type. If they cannot be classified by 

these characteristics, then it is impossible to identify the person to whom the fingerprints belong. 

From the information given above, it CANNOT be validly concluded that 

A if it is possible to identify the person to whom fingerprints belong, then the fingerprints are decipherable

B if finger patterns from fingerprints are not decipherable, then it is impossible to identify the person to whom

the fingerprints belong 

C if fingerprints are decipherable, then it is impossible to identify the person to whom they belong

D if fingerprints can be classified by general shape and contour or by pattern type, then they are decipherable

E if it is possible to identify the person to whom fingerprints belong, then the fingerprints can be classified by

general shape and contour or pattern type 

8. Explosives are substances or devices capable of producing a volume of rapidly expanding gases that exert a

sudden pressure on their surroundings. Chemical explosives are the most commonly used, although there are 

mechanical and nuclear explosives. All mechanical explosives are devices in which a physical reaction is 

produced, such as that caused by overloading a container with compressed air. While nuclear explosives are by 

far the most powerful, all nuclear explosives have been restricted to military weapons. 

From the information given above, it can be validly concluded that 

A all explosives that have been restricted to military weapons are nuclear explosives

B no mechanical explosives are devices in which a physical reaction is produced, such as that caused by

overloading a container with compressed air 

C some nuclear explosives have not been restricted to military weapons

D all mechanical explosives have been restricted to military weapons

E some devices in which a physical reaction is produced, such as that caused by overloading a container with

compressed air, are mechanical explosives 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 23
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Practice Test Answers 

Logical Reasoning Practice Test Answers 

1. Correct Answer: B) some jurisdictions still distinguish between crimes malum in se and malum prohibitum

This question is concerned with classification of crimes into sets—that is, with the classification of crimes as either 

malum in se or malum prohibitum. The last phrase in the last sentence tells us that many jurisdictions make the 

distinction between these two categories of crimes. Response B follows from that sentence, because if many 

jurisdictions make the distinction, some jurisdictions make the distinction. From the fact that many jurisdictions make the 

distinction, it cannot be inferred that many do not make the distinction. Therefore, Response A is incorrect. 

Responses C, D, and E are based on erroneous definitions of the two classes of crimes. The paragraph tells us that all 

crimes characterized as malum in se are inherently evil. Response C is false because it cannot be the case that SOME 

crimes characterized as malum in se are NOT inherently evil. The paragraph also tells us that all crimes characterized as 

malum prohibitum are declared as offenses by a legislature. Response D is false because it cannot be the case that 

SOME crimes characterized as malum prohibitum are NOT declared by a legislature to be an offense. In the paragraph, 

we are told that filing a tax return late is malum prohibitum, rather than malum in se. Response E is incorrect because it 

cannot be the case that failing to file a tax return is malum in se. 

2. Correct Answer: C) if Claus Inc. can show that it was not negligent, then it is not liable

The second sentence states the liability rule for common carriers: all common carriers are liable for cargo damage 

unless they can show that they are not negligent; if they can show that they are not negligent, then they are not liable for 

cargo damage. Claus Inc. is a common carrier, and accordingly this rule applies to it. From this rule it follows that if 

Claus Inc. can show it was not negligent, then it is not liable, Response C. Response A contradicts this rule by claiming 

that when Claus Inc. is liable it can show that it was not negligent. Response B contradicts this rule by claiming that 

Claus Inc. is not liable even when it cannot show that it is not negligent. Responses D and E concern Nichols Inc., a 

contract carrier. However, the terms of the Nichols Inc. contract were not disclosed in the paragraph, so neither response 

is supported. 

3. Correct Answer: A) some e-mail messages that have been requested as part of investigations have contained

messages that would never be said face-to-face. 

This is an example of a test question with a negative lead-in statement. It asks for the conclusion that is NOT supported 

by the paragraph. That means that four of the statements are valid conclusions from the paragraph while one is not. 

Response B (some messages that people would never say face-to-face are sent in e-mail messages) is a valid 

conclusion because it restates a fact given in the last sentence of the paragraph. Response E (some e-mail messages 

contain information that would be omitted from formal writing) is valid because it restates the other fact in the last 

sentence of the paragraph. 

The next-to-last sentence in the paragraph is the source of both response C (some e-mail messages have been 

requested as part of investigations) and response D (e-mail messages have not been exempted from investigations). 

Both of these choices restate information in that sentence, based on the fact that access to e-mail messages was sought 

and granted. This leaves only the first option, response A (Some e-mail messages that have been requested as part of 

investigations have contained messages that would never be said face-to-face). This is the only choice that does NOT 

represent a valid conclusion, because even though we know from the paragraph that there is a group of e-mail 

messages that are requested in investigations and also that there is a group of messages that contain information that 

people would not say face-to-face, there is nothing that says that these groups overlap. We simply do not know. 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 24
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Practice Test Answers 

4. Correct Answer: B) Phyllis T. was not married and had no dependents.

This question concerns an either/or situation. The paragraph states that benefits under the Federal Employees 

Compensation Act are awarded at one level (3/4 of salary) if a beneficiary is married or has dependents when injured 

and at another level (2/3 of salary) if this is not true. 

Phyllis T. is eligible for benefits under the Act. The paragraph states that Phyllis T.‟s benefit level was 2/3 of her salary. 

Given this benefit level, it is clear that Phyllis T. did not meet either of the conditions for the 3/4 level. Therefore, 

responses A, C, and D cannot be correct (A states that she was married, C states that she had dependents, and D 

states that she both was married and had dependents). Response E goes beyond the facts given because prior 

marriages are not listed as a factor relating to this benefit. The one correct conclusion is that Phyllis T. did not meet 

either requirement to qualify for the higher benefit level (3/4 of salary), so response B is the correct answer to the 

question. 

5. Correct Answer: E) some of the engineers were immigrants

Response E is correct because it restates the third sentence in terms of the overlap between immigrants and engineers 

in the country described in the paragraph. Response A says that most immigrants are engineers or nurses, which are 

professional occupations. However, the second sentence says that most immigrants are not employed in professional 

occupations, so Response A is false. Response B is false because it denies that there is any overlap between 

immigrants and nurses, even though this overlap is clear from the third sentence of the paragraph. Response C is false 

because it denies the overlap between immigrants and engineers. Because the paragraph does not give complete 

information about the non-professionals (immigrant and non-immigrant) in the country described in the paragraph, 

Response D is invalid. 

6. Correct Answer: D) all of the .45 caliber weapons were sold legally

The second and last sentences are the two main premises in the paragraph. These two sentences give information 

about three categories of weapons: weapons made by Precision Arms, weapons sold legally, and .45 caliber weapons. 

The last sentence states that none of the illegally sold weapons were .45 caliber. This means that none of the .45 caliber 

weapons were sold illegally. Notice that this new statement is a double negative. In affirmative form the statement 

means that all of the .45 caliber weapons were sold legally, Choice D. 

The information that all of the .45 caliber weapons were sold legally (last sentence), combined with the information that 

all of the weapons made by Precision Arms were sold legally (second sentence), allows us to draw no valid conclusions 

about the relationship between the .45 caliber weapons and the weapons made by Precision Arms. There is insufficient 

information about the entire group of weapons sold legally to know whether the group of .45 caliber weapons and the 

group of weapons made by Precision Arms overlapped entirely (Choice A), partially (Choice C), or not at all (Choice B). 

Choice E contradicts the second sentence and is, therefore, invalid. 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 25
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logical Reasoning 

Practice Test Answers 

7. Correct Answer: C) if fingerprints are decipherable, then it is impossible to identify the person to whom they

belong 

This question asks for the response option that cannot be validly concluded from the information in the paragraph. The 

only response option that cannot be validly concluded is Response C, so the correct answer to question 7 is Response 

C. Response C is invalid because the paragraph does not provide enough information to conclude whether or not it 

would be possible to identify the person to whom the fingerprints belong from the mere fact that the fingerprints are 

decipherable. 

Response A refers to a condition where it is possible to identify the person to whom fingerprints belong. Based on the 

final sentence in the paragraph, this condition of fingerprints means that the fingerprints could be classified by general 

shape and contour or by pattern type. Based on the second sentence, the ability to classify the fingerprints means that 

the fingerprints are decipherable. 

Since Response B refers to a condition in which finger patterns from fingerprints are not decipherable, we know from the 

second sentence that, in that circumstance, they cannot be classified by general shape and contour or by pattern type. 

From the final sentence in the paragraph, we can infer that since they cannot be classified by these characteristics, then 

it is impossible to identify the person to whom the fingerprints belong. 

According to the second sentence, fingerprints cannot be classified by general shape and contour or by pattern type 

when they are not decipherable. Therefore, if fingerprints can be classified by general shape and contour or by pattern 

type, then the fingerprints must be decipherable, Response D. According to the third sentence, it is impossible to identify 

the owner of a set of fingerprints when the fingerprints cannot be classified by general shape and contour or by pattern 

type. Therefore, if it is possible to identify the person to whom fingerprints belong, then the fingerprints must be able to 

be classified by general shape and contour or pattern type, Response E. Notice that Responses D and E are valid based 

on the same type of reasoning. The first and second statements of the second sentence were made opposite and 

reversed in Response D, and the first and second statements of the final sentence were made opposite and reversed in 

Response E. 

8. Correct Answer: E) some devices in which a physical reaction is produced, such as that caused by

overloading a container with compressed air, are mechanical explosives 

The correct answer is E. The third sentence states the overlap between all mechanical explosives and devices in which 

a physical reaction is produced, such as that caused by overloading a container with compressed air. From this, we can 

safely conclude that some devices in which a physical reaction is produced, such as that caused by overloading a 

container with compressed air, are mechanical explosives. 

Response A is incorrect because the paragraph does not provide sufficient information to validly conclude that all 

explosives which have been restricted to military weapons are nuclear weapons. It may be that some types of explosives 

other than nuclear weapons also have been restricted to military weapons. 

Responses B and C are incorrect because they contradict the paragraph. Response B contradicts the third sentence, 

and Response C contradicts the last sentence. 

Response D is incorrect because the paragraph provides no information about whether or not mechanical explosives are 

restricted to military weapons. 

Border Patrol Agent Exam Entrance Preparation Guide 26
 

 

 

 

 

CBP Accomplishments 

Eagle Pass Border Patrol Thwarts Smugglers, Saves Man from Drowning 

EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Marine Agents working near Eagle Pass assisted with the 

apprehension of five undocumented aliens and saved one of them from drowning in the Rio Grande. 

Border Patrol Agents rescued a suspected smuggler after the raft he used for his escape lost buoyancy. 

On Jan. 24, at approximately 12:45 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass Station detected six individuals 

attempting to cross into the United States illegally on an inflatable raft. While agents intercepted the 

river crossers on the United States side, two suspected smugglers tried to take the raft and swim back to 

Mexico. With river levels unusually high, one man was able to return safely but the other became 

overwhelmed by the river current. 

Struggling to stay afloat, the man was unable to make it to either riverbank. Border Patrol marine units 

pulled the individual into their boat and then delivered him to agents on dry land. The man was taken 

into custody and transported to the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station for processing, per CBP 

guidelines. 

During processing, Agents discovered that the individual had a lengthy history with law 

enforcement. The subject, a 37-year-old from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, was previously arrested 

by U.S. Border Patrol and deported from the country multiple times. The man had also been sentenced 

to six years imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine). The 

man will face a federal judge in the near future and his prior order of deportation will be reinstated. 

“I am immensely proud of the actions that our agents took,” commented Acting Chief Patrol Agent 

Matthew J. Hudak. “Their vigilance not only helped to save a life but also prevented a known criminal 

from committing further crimes.” 

order Patrol !gents rescued a suspected 

smuggler after the raft he used for his 

escape lost buoyancy. 

Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide 27
 

 

Congratulations! 

You have completed all the practice sections for the Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam. 

We recommend that you continue reviewing the concepts until test day. You can also find out more about 

a career in Customs and Border Protection at: 

CBP Careers Website 

www.CBP.gov/Careers 

Instagram 

instagram.com/CustomsBorder 

Twitter 

twitter.com/CBP

! ORT! team member assists in a manhunt for escaped fugitives in 

the forest outside of Dannemora, N.Y. 

Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam Preparation Guide 28