Treadmill Stress Test for Job Position

[acicchetto]

Hello all-
I have to take the Treadmill Stress Test for a peace officer position, and no matter how much I research I cannot find out how to pass/fail the exam. Do I have to complete ALL the stages, or if I stop before the 4 stages are done due to fatigue, can I still pass if my heart is good? I know that it's 4 different levels with the first three being 3mins long and the last, and hardest, being 1min. I test myself at my gym and I can only do 1min on the 3rd level before I start panting and my legs give out. I am only 5 foot 4 inches, so a 14% incline at 3.4mph is FAST for me. I can do 14% incline at 3mph for nearly 3mins, but once you go above 3mph, it's almost  a run uphill and I've never been good at that! I really don't want to fail as this job means the world to me and I've been going through all the tests for 6 months and passed every one. I know my BP is fine and my pulse is good... but I am 30lbs over weight due to 3 cancer surgeries I had 1.5 years ago, and I can't have this stress test being the only thing getting in the way of me getting this job. What do I have to do to pass? How can I fail?

[acicchetto]

I called US Health Works where the test will be given and she said that we ARE required to finish all 4 sections, which is why they gave us the incline/MPH ahead of time. She said that we were given the information ahead of time so we can practice and so we can pass all the stages. I am literally practicing 1-2x a day and I can still only go 1min on the 3rd portion (3.4mph at 14% incline) and the test requires that I go for 3mins.
My boyfriend is really athletic and is taller than I am and he passed the test at the gym the 1st time when we were practicing. HAHA.

I am really trying to keep practicing so that I can pass all the sections, but I can't make myself taller for a longer stride and I can't make my legs accept the incline/pace if they are not used to it. This is the ONLY thing standing in my way, but I still have 2 weeks to practice.

[ed34]

I don't think you are looking at the test in the right way. You will be expected to reach your max heart rate or complete the test, which ever comes first concludes it. If your ECG looks fine and you have no chest pains, then you will be considered fine. They will also monitor your blood pressure through the test. If you fail to meet your max heart rate, or complete the test due to fatigue, but your ECG looks fine, then there could be a number of reasons. This is not really a fitness test, it's a test to evaluate your heart under stress. I believe that if you fail your Max heart rate or the complete test, the report is labelled as inconclusive or not completed.