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FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability Syllabus

The Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability syllabus for FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams in full: 4 chapters, 14 topics and 4 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 50 Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability flashcards with answers.

4Chapters
14Topics
4Sub-topics
50Flashcards

Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability syllabus: all 4 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Standards

     4 topics
    • The four scored events
      • Maximum sit-ups in one minute
      • Timed 300-meter sprint
      • Maximum push-ups (untimed to failure)
      • Timed 1.5-mile run
    • Point scoring system and minimum thresholds
    • Gender- and event-based scoring tables
    • Training and conditioning plan before testing

  2. Background Investigation and Security Clearance

     4 topics
    • Top Secret clearance scope and SF-86 disclosures
    • Personal history, references, and field interviews
    • Credit, financial, and employment history review
    • Foreign contacts and travel considerations

  3. Polygraph Examination

     3 topics
    • Purpose and topic areas (counterintelligence and lifestyle)
    • Honesty, consistency, and full disclosure expectations
    • Common reasons for inconclusive or failed results

  4. Medical, Drug, and Final Suitability Determination

     3 topics
    • Medical and vision/hearing standards
    • Drug screening and substance-use policy compliance
    • Overall suitability adjudication and conditional offer finalization

FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability flashcards — 50 questions with answers

  1. What are the four scored events of the FBI Special Agent Physical Fitness Test (PFT), in order?

    (1) Maximum sit-ups in 1 minute, (2) the timed 300-meter sprint, (3) maximum continuous push-ups (untimed), and (4) the timed 1.5-mile run.

  2. How is the FBI PFT sit-up event measured?

    By the maximum number of correctly performed sit-ups completed in 60 seconds (one minute).

  3. How is the FBI PFT push-up event measured?

    By the maximum number of continuous push-ups with proper form. There is no time limit, but no resting is allowed—the event ends when the candidate stops or breaks form.

  4. Which two FBI PFT events are timed for speed, where lower times score higher?

    The 300-meter sprint and the 1.5-mile run.

  5. In what fixed order are the four PFT events performed, and why does the order matter?

    Sit-ups, then the 300-meter sprint, then push-ups, then the 1.5-mile run. The fixed sequence with limited rest means fatigue from earlier events affects performance on later ones.

  6. How many points can each individual PFT event earn?

    Each event is scored from 0 to 10 points based on performance against the scoring table.

  7. What is the maximum possible total score on the FBI PFT?

    40 points—a perfect 10 points in each of the four events.

  8. What is the minimum cumulative score required to pass the FBI PFT?

    At least 12 points total across the four events.

  9. Beyond the cumulative total, what per-event minimum must a candidate meet to pass the PFT?

    At least 1 point in every event; scoring 0 in any single event is an automatic failure.

  10. If a candidate earns 11 total points but at least 1 point in each event, do they pass the PFT?

    No. The cumulative minimum of 12 points is not met, so it is a fail.

  11. If a candidate scores 20 total points but completes zero qualifying push-ups (0 points), what is the result?

    A failure—zero points in any single event is disqualifying regardless of the total.

  12. Why does the FBI PFT use separate scoring tables for men and women?

    Performance standards are normed by gender, so the repetitions or times required for a given point value differ between male and female candidates.

  13. For the same point value, how do female standards generally compare to male standards on the PFT?

    Female standards generally allow slightly slower times and fewer repetitions than male standards to earn the same point value.

  14. What two variables determine the point value awarded for any single PFT performance?

    The candidate's gender and the specific event, cross-referenced on the scoring table.

  15. On the FBI PFT scoring tables, which performance direction earns more points in each event?

    Faster times on the sprint and run, and more repetitions on sit-ups and push-ups, earn more points (up to 10 per event).

  16. Why is a structured pre-test conditioning plan recommended before the FBI PFT?

    Because the four events test different fitness components—core strength, anaerobic speed, upper-body endurance, and aerobic endurance—all of which must be trained to reach the passing threshold.

  17. Which energy system does the 300-meter sprint primarily test?

    The anaerobic system—short-duration, high-intensity effort.

  18. Which fitness component does the 1.5-mile run primarily assess?

    Aerobic (cardiovascular) endurance.

  19. What training principle helps improve PFT scores while reducing injury risk?

    Progressive overload—gradually increasing training intensity and volume with adequate recovery, rather than attempting sudden maximal efforts.

  20. To improve the push-up event specifically, what type of training is most relevant?

    Muscular-endurance training of the chest, shoulders, and triceps, emphasizing high-repetition resistance work.

Show the other 30 Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability flashcards

  1. What level of security clearance must FBI Special Agent candidates obtain?

    A Top Secret clearance.

  2. What is the SF-86?

    The Standard Form 86, the Questionnaire for National Security Positions, used to collect a candidate's detailed personal history for the background investigation.

  3. Through what electronic system is the SF-86 typically submitted?

    e-QIP (Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing).

  4. What is the standard look-back period covered by most SF-86 questions?

    Generally the most recent 10 years, though some sections use different time frames.

  5. Name several categories of information disclosed on the SF-86.

    Residences, employment history, education, family and associates, foreign contacts and travel, financial record, drug and alcohol use, and police/criminal record.

  6. What is a field interview in the FBI background investigation?

    An in-person interview conducted by investigators with the candidate's references, neighbors, employers, and associates to verify and expand on disclosed information.

  7. Why does the FBI interview people the candidate did NOT list as references?

    To obtain unbiased, independent corroboration; these developed (unlisted) sources reduce the chance of hearing only rehearsed, favorable accounts.

  8. What is the purpose of verifying personal history during the background investigation?

    To confirm the accuracy and completeness of the candidate's self-reported information and to detect omissions or falsifications.

  9. Why does the FBI review a candidate's credit and financial history?

    Significant debt or financial irresponsibility can create vulnerability to coercion or bribery and may indicate poor judgment, all of which affect suitability.

  10. Are financial problems automatically disqualifying in the FBI background investigation?

    No. They are evaluated in context—cause, amount, and whether they are being responsibly addressed. Unresolved or concealed issues are far more serious.

  11. What does employment history verification confirm during the background investigation?

    Dates of employment, positions held, reasons for leaving, and on-the-job conduct, in order to assess reliability and honesty.

  12. Why are foreign contacts scrutinized in a Top Secret investigation?

    Close or continuing ties to foreign nationals can create divided loyalty or susceptibility to exploitation by foreign intelligence services.

  13. What foreign travel must be disclosed, and why?

    All foreign travel—personal and business—within the scope period, so investigators can assess counterintelligence risk and contacts made abroad.

  14. Does having foreign relatives automatically disqualify an FBI candidate?

    No. It is a risk factor weighed during adjudication, not an automatic bar, provided it is fully and accurately disclosed.

  15. What are the two general topic areas of the FBI pre-employment polygraph?

    Counterintelligence (e.g., foreign contacts and espionage) and lifestyle (e.g., drug use, criminal activity, and honesty on the application).

  16. What is the primary purpose of the FBI pre-employment polygraph?

    To verify the truthfulness and completeness of the candidate's disclosures and to screen for security and suitability concerns.

  17. What lifestyle topics are commonly covered in the FBI polygraph?

    Illegal drug use, serious crimes, and falsification of application materials.

  18. What is the single most important behavioral expectation throughout the FBI hiring process?

    Complete honesty and full disclosure—candor matters more than the underlying issue itself.

  19. Why can a minor past issue cause a failure if it is not disclosed?

    Concealment or lying demonstrates a lack of integrity (a candor/suitability issue), which is disqualifying even when the underlying conduct might otherwise have been tolerated.

  20. Why must a candidate's answers be consistent across the SF-86, interviews, and polygraph?

    Inconsistencies suggest deception or unreliability and trigger additional scrutiny or a finding of unsuitability.

  21. Name common reasons for an inconclusive or failed polygraph or background investigation.

    Deception or omissions, inconsistent statements, undisclosed drug use, unresolved financial problems, or significant unreported foreign contacts.

  22. What does an 'inconclusive' polygraph result mean, and what may follow?

    The data did not clearly indicate truthfulness or deception; the candidate may be re-tested or face additional investigation.

  23. Why must FBI Special Agent candidates meet medical standards?

    The role's physical demands require candidates to be medically able to perform essential duties safely and without undue risk to themselves or others.

  24. What is the FBI's vision standard for Special Agent candidates?

    Vision must be correctable to 20/20 in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other, with limits on uncorrected acuity and a requirement for normal color vision.

  25. What hearing standard applies to FBI Special Agents?

    Hearing must meet minimum thresholds, defined as a limited average decibel loss across key frequencies, with correction permitted within allowed limits.

  26. What does the FBI's pre-employment drug screening test for?

    Recent illegal drug use; a positive result or refusal/noncompliance is disqualifying.

  27. What is the FBI's general standard regarding prior marijuana use?

    No marijuana use within the past three years (per published policy), and never while employed in a position that prohibited it.

  28. What is the FBI's general standard regarding other illegal drug use?

    No use of other illegal drugs within the past ten years, and never while serving in a law-enforcement or security position.

  29. What is suitability adjudication in the FBI hiring process?

    The 'whole-person' evaluation of all collected information—background investigation, polygraph, medical exam, and PFT—to decide whether the candidate is suitable for employment and clearance.

  30. What is a 'conditional offer of employment' in the FBI hiring process?

    A job offer extended contingent on successfully passing the remaining steps—PFT, polygraph, full background investigation, medical exam, and drug screening; it is finalized only after all are cleared.

FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability FAQ

What is in the FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability syllabus?

FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability is split into 4 chapters: Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Standards, Background Investigation and Security Clearance, Polygraph Examination and Medical, Drug, and Final Suitability Determination. Together they contain 14 topics and 4 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability?

4 chapters, containing 14 topics and 4 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Standards, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for FBI Special Agent Phase I & II Exams Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability?

Yes — a 50-card Physical Fitness Test, Background Investigation, and Final Suitability deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.