Prison Officer selection test practice

What we know about the selection process

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes its prison officer application process on its recruitment website. It says the process takes 6 to 7 months on average from starting your application to your first day (HMPPS – How to apply).

Eligibility and application

According to HMPPS, you need to be at least 18 years old when you start the role, have the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service nationality rules. For high security, category A prisons, you must have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years. Your physical and mental health are assessed, and adjustments are possible. HMPPS says the application itself should only take about 10 minutes, and you can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of it.

Stage 1: scenario-based test

The first assessment is an online scenario-based test with behavioural and numerical scenarios. HMPPS says it takes around 25 to 40 minutes and is used to check that you have the basic numeracy skills and behaviours expected of a prison officer. A practice version is available beforehand, and HMPPS does not see your practice results (HMPPS – How to apply).

Stage 2: values-based assessment

The next step is a values-based assessment. HMPPS says it assesses three behaviours, one technical area and one strength in line with HMPPS values, and names behaviours including communicating and influencing, managing a quality service, making effective decisions and caring. Completed in one sitting it takes up to 20 minutes on average, and you must finish it by the deadline in your invitation email. Example questions are provided so you can learn the formats.

Online assessment centre

The online assessment centre takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, and you need a laptop with a webcam. It has three parts: an interview, a role play and a written test. If you are applying to a women’s prison, there is an additional written assessment with three behaviour-based questions. HMPPS says you get your results within 3 working days (HMPPS – How to apply).

A 2023 post on the HMPPS recruitment blog describes the parts in more detail (Prison Jobs blog, September 2023). In the interview you are asked about your strengths, what motivates and energises you, and how you would act in specific situations. In the role play you take on the role of a prison officer interacting with a prisoner. In the written test you consider two situations you might face when working with prisoners and write a response to each. The blog says you do not need prior experience or qualifications, but you do need to be fluent in spoken and written English. At the time, it also said unsuccessful candidates had to wait 6 months before re-applying – check the current rule when you apply.

Results, checks, medical and fitness

HMPPS distinguishes between pass vacancies, where a pass from the assessment centre is valid for 12 months, and merit vacancies, where places are allocated by ranking and you can stay on the merit list for 12 months. Pre-employment checks cover security, identity, past employment and health and can take 8 to 10 weeks. High security roles also need enhanced vetting and a counter-terrorism check.

After a provisional offer you attend a UK medical and fitness assessment centre. The medical includes an eye test, a hearing test and basic health screening. The fitness test includes a bleep test with shuttle runs and an upper body strength test, and you must be able to hold a 7 kg riot shield and grip a piece of equipment (HMPPS – How to apply).

Sources

• HMPPS Prison and Probation Jobs – Prison officer: how to apply: https://prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/roles-at-hmpps/prison-officer/how-to-apply/ – accessed 23 October 2026
• Prison Jobs blog – Spotlight: the prison officer online assessment centre (September 2023): https://prisonjobs.blog.gov.uk/2023/09/01/spotlight-the-prison-officer-online-assessment-centre/ – accessed 23 October 2026