England and Wales · HMPPS prison officer recruitment
Prepare for the prison officer tests with confidence
Practice for the HMPPS online test, the values assessment and the online assessment centre: situational judgement, numeracy, role plays, the written incident form and interview questions.
Free demos, no sign-up. One-off payment from £14.99 for the full practice.
Sample scenario
A prisoner tells you his family visit has been cancelled at short notice. He is upset and starting to raise his voice on the landing. What is the most effective thing to do, and the least?
How prison officer selection works
The HMPPS process for England and Wales, as described by HMPPS and reported by applicants. Pass marks aren't published, and some vacancies rank candidates on merit, so a stronger score can help. Formats and timings can change between campaigns, so always check your own invitation.
- 1
Online test (SBT)
The Scenario-Based Test: behavioural and numerical scenarios, 25 to 40 minutes. Applicants report about 16 situational judgement questions in 20 minutes and 20 numeracy questions in 15.
- 2
Values-Based Assessment
Used when the advert says so: about 20 minutes, untimed, with a variety of question styles on the values HMPPS looks for.
- 3
Online assessment centre
About two and a half hours on webcam: a 30-minute interview, a 10-minute role play with an actor and a 25-minute written exercise.
- 4
Medical and fitness test
A health check, then a fitness test: 15 m bleep test to level 5.4, grip strength, a shield hold and an agility run.
What's covered
Situational judgement
100 wing scenarios with most and least effective answers explained against the HMPPS behaviours.
Numeracy
120 questions on roll counts, money, times and percentages, each worked through.
Values assessment
125 statements and scenarios showing how your answers fit the values.
Role plays
15 briefs with the actor's notes, what good looks like and a model approach.
Written incident form
10 timed exercises with marking points, model answers and AI feedback.
Interview
50 strengths and behaviour questions with model answers and AI feedback.
Start with the free demos
No account, no card. See the style of question and the explanations before you decide.
Online Tests
£14.99
Every situational judgement, numeracy and values item, timed sets and full SBT practice mocks.
Complete
£29.99
Online Tests plus role plays, written exercises, interview questions, AI feedback, and the fitness plan and bleep timer.
One-off payment, no subscription. 14-day money-back guarantee. Compare in detail