FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What do I get for free?
Free study guides that explain the Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam, the requirements and age limit, the hiring process from the fitness test to the academy, pay and the job, all written from official CBP and USAJOBS sources. Our Logical Reasoning practice tests are coming soon. CBP's own preparation guide is also free and has 8 practice questions.
How many questions are on the Border Patrol entrance exam?
CBP does not publish a question count. The 2026 preparation guide gives pacing instead: about three minutes per question, on average, over the 120-minute Logical Reasoning Test. The 2018 guide said 31 questions, but that guide is out of date.
What score do I need to pass?
Announcement BPA 23-11 (2023) said applicants must score at least 70. The 2026 guide and the two most recent announcements, BPA DH 26-10 and BPA DH 27-1, do not state a pass score, and CBP does not publish how the two parts combine into one result.
How soon can I retake the exam?
The current guide and the most recent announcement do not say. Two closed announcements disagree: BPA 23-11 (2023) said six months from the date you failed, and BPA VRA 25-5 (2025) said three months.
Can I take the Border Patrol exam at home?
Yes. Under the 2026 guide, you can take both parts at home or at a test center, and you can switch between them up to 24 hours before an appointment. At home, you must be alone in a quiet space.
Is there a Spanish test on the Border Patrol exam?
No. The official guides from 2018 on list only the Experience Record and the Logical Reasoning Test. The job requires speaking and reading Spanish, and Spanish is taught at the Border Patrol Academy.
What is the Border Patrol Agent age limit?
The most recent announcement says candidates must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday. The rule does not apply if you are eligible for veterans' preference or have qualifying prior federal civilian law enforcement service, and you must submit proof with your application.
What is on the Border Patrol fitness test?
The PFT-1 test is 25 sit-ups and 20 push-ups, each in 60 seconds, and a 5-minute step test at 120 steps per minute, according to CBP's 2015 fitness guide and its 2023 recruiter FAQ. The FAQ says one retest is allowed.
What is the Experience Record, and can I practice for it?
It is a questionnaire about your background experience, up to 40 minutes long. CBP says no preparation is needed and does not publish how it is scored. We explain it in our guides, and we do not offer practice for it.
Is a Border Patrol Agent job open now?
Announcement BPA DH 27-1 is open on USAJOBS from October 1 to 31, 2026, at GL-5, GL-7, GL-9 or GS-11, paying $51,632 to $124,717 a year (the top figure includes overtime, if worked). The one before it, BPA DH 26-10, was open in July 2026. CBP does not publish a schedule of future openings.
How is this different from the CBP Officer exam?
The CBP Officer exam is a separate test with three parts, including a Writing Skills Test, and its Logical Reasoning Test is up to 83 minutes, while the Border Patrol exam has two parts with up to 120 minutes for Logical Reasoning.
What happens if I am not satisfied?
Every purchase comes with an unconditional 7-day money-back refund. No conditions, no forms.