Border Services Officer Practice (OTEE)

Why Reasoning and Analytical Thinking is Important

Border Agents must have Top Decision Making Skills – Agents must make quick, informed decisions, using reasoning and analytical thinking skills toi evaluate documents, assess situations, or analyze information quickly.

Border Agents need Top Problem Solving Skills. CBSA Agents are confronted with complex problems everyday. Officers might have to determine the validity of documents, spotting and resolving discrepancies, as well as handling situations requiring comprehensive understanding of laws and regulations. Analytical thinking provides the foundation for effective problem-solving skills.

Risk Assessment is Part of the Job. As a CBSA officer, you will be assessing risk and determining threats, which may be related to individual cases or wider security issues.

Includes: 

• Matching
• Sequences & Series
• Analogies

How to Solve Analogies

Logic Tutorial

Analogies Practice I

Analytical Thinking 

Number Series Practice and Tutorial

IQ Type Graphic Questions

IQ type Graphic Questions II

Matching

Why Word Knowledge and Vocabulary is Important

The CBSA test, is a test for professionals and therefore, includes terminology specific to border services, law enforcement, and related areas.

Agents communicate with a diverse range of people everyday, including those who may not speak English or French as their first language. A large and varied vocabulary for clearer, more precise communication, which can be crucial in the sensitive scenarios officers may encounter.

A large vocabulary supports logical reasoning and problem-solving, which are key skills for CBSA officers.

The word knowledge is considered part of the analytical and reasoning sections.  Includes:

• Synonyms
• Antonyms

How to Prepare for a Vocabulary test

Synonyms

Antonyms

Antonyms II

Questions d’exercices de Vocabulaire et Compétences Verbales

Why Grammar and Punctuation is Important

Written Communication Proficiency Test (WCPT): Part of the OTEE includes a WCPT, which specifically tests grammar, punctuation, and reading comprehension.

Border agents daily write reports and other official documents.  Grammar and punctuation are necessary for these documents to be understood correctly by other officers, judges, or legal professionals, who rely on them. Errors lead to misunderstandings, which in turn can have significant consequences.

The Written Communication Proficiency Test includes:

• Grammar
• Punctuation
• Reading Comprehension

How to Answer Reading Comprehension

English Usage – 15 questions
English Grammar – 20 questions
Punctuation – 12 questions

Reading Comprehension I – 20 questions
Reading Comprehension II – 8 questions

WCPT Online Course

Test de Compréhension de L’écrit