FBI Phase II Test: Written Assessment and Structured Interview

Phase II is the later testing stage of the FBI Special Agent Selection System (SASS). Current FBIJobs materials divide it into:

• Phase II (a) — Written Assessment;
• Phase II (b) — Interview.

The written assessment is not the same as the Phase I reasoning battery, and the structured interview is not a casual private-sector interview. Use the current FBIJobs guides and your candidate communications as the controlling source.

This page is independent preparation guidance. The exercises below are original JobPracticeTests material, not FBI questions or scoring keys. The FBI states that it does not endorse preparation materials beyond FBIJobs.gov and its official guides.

Current Phase II sequence

FBIJobs currently places Phase II after a Phase I pass and Meet and Greet eligibility steps. The current public process pairs the official Physical Fitness Test period with Phase II (a) written testing, then moves successful candidates to Phase II (b) structured interview.

A simplified external-applicant sequence is:

1. pass Phase I and complete required post-Phase-I forms;
2. complete the Meet and Greet;
3. complete the official PFT within the applicable window;
4. complete Phase II (a) — Written Assessment;
5. if the written assessment and PFT requirements are met, receive eligibility for Phase II (b) — Interview;
6. if Phase II (b) is passed, receive a Conditional Appointment Offer and instructions for later SASS components.

Later components include background, medical and other suitability requirements. Passing Phase II does not itself complete hiring.

Phase II (a): current written-assessment format

The FBI Testing Overview, revised July 2026, describes Phase II (a) as a computerized writing assessment in a proctored testing center.

The official guide states that:

• the written assessment is approximately two and a half hours;
• candidates analyze a fictional scenario and provided materials;
• candidates compose two comprehensive written reports;
• grammar, spelling and punctuation are evaluated without spell-check software;
• an optional break is provided midway through the written exam;
• candidates should use only the facts provided and should not invent additional facts.

Current FBIJobs process guidance says candidates have 14 days from Meet and Greet completion to complete the written assessment and that results are released approximately three weeks after the testing date.

Phase II (a) retest rules

The current FBI Testing Overview states:

• a maximum of two attempts to pass the written assessment;
• after an unsuccessful attempt, an eligible candidate must wait at least 60 days before reapplying;
• a second failure makes the candidate ineligible for further SASS processing.

Follow the current invitation and Applicant Coordinator instructions because administrative rules can change.

Phase II (b): current interview format

The current FBI guide describes Phase II (b) as a one-hour structured, performance-based interview conducted by a panel of three Special Agent assessors.

Current official preparation guidance tells candidates to use specific examples from their own experience and emphasizes a Situation-Action-Result structure. The panel does not review your resume as background for the interview, so your answers need enough context to stand on their own.

FBIJobs currently says eligible candidates should complete the interview within 90 days of eligibility and that results are released in approximately one week.

Phase II (b) retest rules

Current official guidance states:

• a maximum of two interview attempts;
• after an unsuccessful interview, an eligible candidate must wait at least six months before reapplying;
• a second interview failure ends further SASS consideration.

Original written-assessment practice

The real FBI written assessment uses official materials and instructions. The scenario below is only a method drill for fact selection, comparison and concise reporting.

Scenario

A unit must select one of three analysts for a four-week project. The project requires immediate availability, careful review of financial records and a written status report every Friday.

Analyst A

• available immediately;
• strong financial-record experience;
• recent reports were submitted on time;
• limited presentation experience.

Analyst B

• strong presentation experience;
• unavailable for the first two weeks;
• moderate financial-record experience.

Analyst C

• available immediately;
• moderate financial-record experience;
• two recent weekly reports were late.

Question 1

Which analyst is the strongest choice based only on the stated requirements?

A. Analyst A
B. Analyst B
C. Analyst C
D. There is not enough information to compare them

Answer: A. Analyst A matches immediate availability, financial-record experience and reliable weekly reporting most closely.

Question 2

Which limitation should a balanced recommendation mention about Analyst A?

A. Analyst A is unavailable.
B. Analyst A has limited presentation experience.
C. Analyst A has late reports.
D. Analyst A has no financial-record experience.

Answer: B. That limitation is in the facts even though it is not the primary project requirement.

Sample concise report

Analyst A is the strongest match for the four-week project. The assignment requires immediate availability, financial-record experience and reliable Friday reporting. Analyst A is available immediately, has strong relevant experience and has submitted recent reports on time. Analyst B has stronger presentation experience but is unavailable for half of the project. Analyst C is available but has two recent late reports. Analyst A’s limited presentation experience is a potential weakness, but the stated project requirements favor Analyst A overall.

This answer works because it uses only the supplied facts, reaches a clear conclusion and acknowledges a relevant limitation.

Written-assessment practice checklist

Before submitting a practice response, ask:

• Did I answer the exact assignment?
• Did I use only the provided facts?
• Is my recommendation supported by evidence?
• Did I distinguish important facts from distractions?
• Is the structure easy to follow?
• Did I proofread grammar, spelling and punctuation?
• Did I avoid invented motives or facts?

Preparing for the structured interview

The current FBI Phase II preparation guide recommends detailed examples from professional, academic and personal experience, including volunteering or coaching where relevant. Strong practice therefore focuses on recalling real evidence, not inventing a fictional FBI persona.

For each experience, prepare:

1. Situation — enough context for a panel that has not read your resume;
2. Action — what you personally did;
3. Result — the observable outcome and what your actions achieved.

Avoid vague “we” answers when the question asks about your contribution. Do not memorize scripts so rigidly that you stop answering the actual question.

Original interview-practice prompts

Use your own truthful examples. Do not invent experience you do not have.

Prompt 1

Describe a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information. What facts did you verify, what action did you take and what happened?

Prompt 2

Describe a time you identified an error in your own work. How did you address it and what was the result?

Prompt 3

Describe a time a team faced competing deadlines. What did you personally do to organize the work?

Prompt 4

Describe a time you had to communicate a difficult or unpopular requirement professionally.

What not to do

Do not:

• seek or share confidential live FBI test content;
• invent facts in the writing exercise;
• invent experience for interview answers;
• assume a generic STAR script is a substitute for the FBI’s current instructions;
• rely on an old retest window when your invitation gives a current deadline;
• treat a third-party practice score as an FBI score prediction.

Official sources

• FBIJobs — Special Agent Application and Evaluation Process
• FBIJobs — Testing Overview
• FBIJobs — Preparing for Phase II
• FBIJobs — Documents and Downloads

Related guides

• FBI Phase I Test
• FBI Special Agent Exam
• Federal Hiring Tests

FAQ