POST PELLETB Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The PELLETB has four parts in the 2025 form: clarity, spelling, vocabulary and reading comprehension; the former cloze part was removed on January 1, 2025 (POST). Raw scores are converted to reading, writing and total T-scores with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. POST sets no statewide passing score: each agency sets its own, and POST recommends a T-score of 42 or above.

Many California agencies require the PELLETB as part of the hiring process for peace officers and dispatchers.

People applying to California law enforcement agencies that use the POST test battery.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

If you retest within 30 days, with the same or another agency, your results are invalidated; you must wait at least 30 calendar days before taking the test again.

There is no statewide passing score; each hiring agency sets its own, and POST recommends a T-score of 42 or above. The portal's percentages are a self-check only. Format: 78 multiple-choice questions in four parts, timed. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The PELLETB has four parts in the 2025 form: clarity, spelling, vocabulary and reading comprehension; the former cloze part was removed on January 1, 2025 (POST). Raw scores are converted to reading, writing and total T-scores with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. POST sets no statewide passing score: each agency sets its own, and POST recommends a T-score of 42 or above. 78 multiple-choice questions · clarity, spelling, vocabulary and reading comprehension · timed · scored as T-scores (mean 50, standard deviation 10). There is no statewide passing score; each hiring agency sets its own, and POST recommends a T-score of 42 or above. The portal's percentages are a self-check only.

• Clarity23.1%
• Spelling23.1%
• Vocabulary23.1%
• Reading Comprehension30.8%

The content outline spreads questions across 4 areas: Clarity (23.1%); Spelling (23.1%); Vocabulary (23.1%); Reading Comprehension (30.8%).

Agencies decide who takes the test, and many accept a score from another agency. Check the agency's application instructions and the POST applicant FAQ.

No statewide candidate fee is set by POST; any cost is determined by the hiring agency.

PELLETB results are accepted according to POST and agency rules; confirm how long your score can be used with the agency.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Reading Comprehension (30.8%); Clarity (23.1%); Spelling (23.1%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 78 questions in one sitting.

The cloze subtest was removed effective January 1, 2025. Agencies may change delivery and scoring details; check the POST site for the current form.