Uniformed Division Entrance Exam (UDEE)

The Uniformed Division Entrance Exam (UDEE) is an important step in the Secret Service Uniformed Division Officer hiring process. The UDEE is a competency-based assessment designed to evaluate an applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to be successful upon entry into the Uniformed Division Officer job. The UDEE is made up of six timed sections: (1) Critical Thinking Test, (2) Situational Judgment Test, (3) Memory Skills Test, (4) Figural Reasoning Test, (5) Officer Writing Test, and (6) Work Style Inventory.

Section 1: Critical Thinking Test - This section contains passages which describe a series of facts. The applicants must analyze these facts and answer questions about them. Section 1 contains 23 questions. Applicants will have 30 minutes to complete this section.

Section 2: Situational Judgment Test - This section contains animated videos that depict various hypothetical situations an officer may encounter on the job. Applicants will watch a situation and rate the effectiveness of responses to the situation. Section 2 contains 82 questions. Applicants will have 34 minutes to complete this section.

Section 3: Memory Skills Test - In this section, applicants will answer questions concerning the details of the situations presented in Section 2: Situational Judgment. Applicants will be asked to recall various aspects of the situations. Section 3 contains 12 questions. Applicants will have 8 minutes to complete this section.

Section 4: Figural Reasoning Test - This section presents a set of figures which follow a specific pattern. The patterns may be based on the figure’s shape, size, shading, location, orientation, number of objects, or a combination of these factors. Applicants are tasked with selecting the correct figure from a list of options which will continue the pattern. Section 4 contains 14 questions. Applicants will have 32 minutes to complete this section.

Section 5: Officer Writing Test - The questions in this test measure applicants’ understanding of the standard English writing skills required as a Uniformed Division Officer. Applicants are asked to correct passages and statements that contain errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and word usage. Section 5 contains 3 item types and a total of 30 questions. Applicants will have 35 minutes to complete this section.

Section 6: Work Style Inventory - This section contains statements regarding the applicants’ beliefs, values, and attitudes in the workplace or workplace-like settings. Applicants will indicate the extent to which they agree or disagree with the statements based on their individual experiences. Section 6 contains 139 questions. Applicants will have 25 minutes to complete this section.

What to Expect at a Pearson VUE Testing Center

Admission Policy

Please arrive at the test center 30 minutes before your scheduled testing appointment. This will allow you enough time to complete the check-in procedures before beginning your exam. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your scheduled testing appointment, you will be refused admission, denoted as a no-show, and removed from consideration in the hiring process. As a no-show, you will have to wait 6 months from the date you were refused admission to be able to attempt to take the UDEE again. You will also have to reapply to the position and submit a new application packet when there is an open vacancy announcement posted.

Please be prepared to show one current and valid form of personal identification (ID) that includes both your photo and signature. Acceptable forms of IDs are Driver’s License, Travel Passport book/Card, and National/State/Local ID.

You will not be allowed to take any personal items with you into the testing room. This includes all bags, backpacks, purses, books, newspapers, notes, cellular phones, tablets, watches and wallets. Lockers are available to secure your personal belongings. All devices must be turned off before placing them in the lockers. Pearson Professional Centers are not responsible if your personal belongings are lost, stolen, or misplaced. Food and drinks are not allowed in the testing room.

If you need to request a reasonable accommodation for taking the UDEE, please send an e-mail to udsupport@usss.dhs.gov with your request and supporting documents prior to scheduling your test appointment. Requests for reasonable accommodations for taking the UDEE are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Accommodation requests must be submitted and approved in advance of scheduling.

Reschedule Policy

If you wish to reschedule your exam, you must contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled testing appointment. Rescheduling less than 48 hours prior to your testing appointment will result in removal from consideration in the hiring process. Please note that rescheduling alternatives are limited to the testing time frame or testing window in which you have been provided. Rescheduling outside of this testing window is not permitted.

If you reschedule your testing appointment with less than the required 48-hour notice, you will be considered a no-show and removed from consideration in the hiring process. You will have to wait 6 months from your most recent missed scheduled testing appointment date to be able to attempt to take the UDEE again. Note that you will have to reapply to the position and submit a new application packet when there is an open vacancy announcement posted.

Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your exam, you must contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled testing appointment. Cancelling an exam less than 48 hours prior to your testing appointment or missing your exam will result in removal from consideration in the hiring process.

If you cancel your scheduled testing appointment with less than the required 48-hour notice, you will be considered a no-show and removed from consideration in the hiring process. You will have to wait 6 months from the most recent missed scheduled testing appointment date to be able to attempt to take the UDEE again. Note that you will have to reapply to the position and submit a new application packet when there is an open vacancy announcement posted.

Withdrawal Policy

If you are scheduled to take the UDEE but are no longer interested in the Uniformed Division Officer position, you must first cancel your scheduled exam at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled testing appointment. Next, you must notify the Secret Service Talent & Employee Acquisition Management Division, Uniformed Division Support Branch of your intent to withdraw by email at udsupport@usss.dhs.gov. You will be removed from further consideration and may reapply during the next available open vacancy announcement period.

If you are scheduled to take the UDEE and wish to withdraw but fail to cancel your scheduled exam at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled testing appointment, you will be considered a no-show and removed from consideration in the hiring process. As a no-show, you will have to wait 6 months from the most recent missed scheduled testing appointment date to be able to attempt to take the UDEE again. Note that you will have to reapply to the position and submit a new application packet when there is an open vacancy announcement posted.