Prison officer online assessments 2026: SBT and values test

In shortThe two online assessments are the first filter after you apply: they decide whether you reach the assessment centre and, on merit vacancies, your place on the list.

The prison officer process runs as shown below. The October 2026 Ministry of Justice advert describes the online assessments as a Stage 1 online test of basic judgement and numerical skills, followed by a Stage 2 online values-based test, before the online assessment centre.

Because the assessments are short, they can feel like a formality. They are not: they decide whether you reach the assessment centre, and on a merit vacancy your scores also affect your place on the list.

HMPPS says merit list candidates are allocated posts in order of assessment score and that the result is valid for 12 months. Read the online application guide for what comes before and the assessment centre guide for what comes next.

In shortHMPPS publishes the length (25 to 40 minutes), the broad content and that a practice test exists; question numbers, scoring and the pass mark are not published.

The HMPPS how-to-apply page says the scenario-based test is online, takes 25 to 40 minutes, and tests 'basic numeracy skills and behaviours expected of a prison officer'. That is everything the official pages say about content.

Third-party sites claim to describe the missing details, but where they cite figures we cannot trace to HMPPS, we do not repeat them. If you see a 'pass rate' or 'pass mark' quoted for the scenario-based test, treat it as unverified.

No official pass rate for prison officers has been published in the sources we read.

In practical terms, treat the test as two things in one: some straightforward numbers questions, and a series of workplace-style scenarios where you judge what a prison officer should do.

In shortSituational judgement questions test judgement and values: in a prison setting, the better answer protects safety, follows policy and treats people fairly.

Situational judgement tests are a common form of employment assessment. You are shown a realistic scenario and asked to choose, rank or rate possible responses. They test judgement and values rather than knowledge.

There may be no single perfect answer, but some responses are clearly more effective, safer or more in line with an employer's values than others. This is general background about the format, not a description of the HMPPS test.

In a prison setting, the sensible principles are consistent and published in HMPPS material (listed below). The skills page on the careers site names empathy, great communication, self-confidence, an ability to think on your feet, resilience and being a team player.

• Safety first.
• Follow procedure.
• Communicate clearly.
• Treat people with respect and fairness.
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour.
• Escalate when something is beyond your authority.
• Keep records.

In shortThese are our own practice scenarios, not HMPPS questions: reason out loud about the risk, who needs to know, the policy and how you would communicate.

The scenarios below are our own practice material, written to exercise the kind of judgement the published behaviours describe. They are not HMPPS questions, not from the real test, and we make no claim about the format or the scoring.

In shortThe VBA takes up to 20 minutes with no strict time limit and uses public Civil Service behaviours; which level HMPPS applies to the role is not stated.

• LengthUp to 20 minutesNo strict time limit
• Behaviours3 plus caringCommunicating and influencing; managing a quality service; making effective decisions; technical area of caring

The VBA is the second online assessment. HMPPS says it takes up to 20 minutes, has no strict time limit and looks at your alignment with HMPPS core values.

The behaviours listed on the how-to-apply page are communicating and influencing, managing a quality service and making effective decisions, with a technical area of caring. These are Civil Service Success Profiles behaviours, and the definitions are public.

Level 2 examples on the GOV.UK behaviours page are listed below. The pages do not tell us which level HMPPS applies to the prison officer role, so use these descriptors as a guide to the type of behaviour assessed, not as a confirmed marking scheme. Our fuller treatment is in prison officer interview questions.

Communicating and influencing

GOV.UK defines it as communicating purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm while respecting the needs, responses and opinions of others.

Making effective decisions

Using evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice, and carefully considering alternative options, implications and risks.

Managing a quality service

Delivering service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.

• Communicating clearly and concisely.
• Listening to and valuing different ideas.
• Taking responsibility for fair and timely decisions.
• Considering options and risks.
• Working with customers to understand their needs.

In shortHMPPS says only that the SBT covers basic numeracy and publishes no question types, so prepare with everyday arithmetic and the official practice test.

HMPPS says the scenario-based test covers basic numeracy skills. It does not publish question types. As general preparation, make sure you are comfortable with everyday arithmetic and reading simple tables or timetables:

Prison work involves counts, rotas and records, so the sensible assumption is that questions are connected to workplace-style tasks, but that is inference rather than a published fact.

• Percentages and fractions.
• Time and duration.
• Simple ratios.
• Reading figures from a chart.

In shortA strong result matters: posts on merit vacancies are allocated by assessment score, scores are reused for other prisons, and the behaviours carry forward to the assessment centre.

On merit vacancies, posts are allocated in order of assessment score, so the difference between a narrow and a strong result can change when, or where, you are offered a post. That makes it worth doing the preparation properly.

Preparation for these tests carries forward. The behaviours you meet in the values-based assessment are the same ones assessed at the assessment centre, so time spent building examples now pays off later.

• See prison officer application tips.
• For the next stage, read the assessment centre guide.

In shortA week is enough: practise with the official test, learn the three behaviours, prepare one genuine example for each and check your technology.

Preparation does not need to be elaborate. The goal is to be calm with the technology, clear on the behaviours and confident that your numbers are sound. The steps below fit around a job.

1. Read the vacancy and the HMPPS how-to-apply page so you know the stage names and durations.
2. Take the official practice test under realistic conditions, with no distractions, and note where you hesitated.
3. Read the GOV.UK definitions for communicating and influencing, managing a quality service and making effective decisions, and rewrite each in your own words.
4. For each behaviour, recall one genuine example from work, study or life (these also feed the interview and assessment centre).
5. Work through the three practice scenarios above, and invent your own, explaining your reasoning aloud.
6. Refresh basic numeracy with free resources for anything you are rusty on.
7. Check your device, browser, connection and quiet space before the test, and avoid starting when you are rushed.

In shortAsk for adjustments on the application, not on the day; the October 2026 advert sets a six-month wait after a failed application, and your answers must be honest.

Reasonable adjustments are available for diagnosed or undiagnosed disability, a long-term condition or a short-term need. Tick yes on the application and the recruitment team will contact you.

If you are unsuccessful, a waiting period applies during which you cannot submit further applications when an application fails at the sift or assessment stage. Our guide to reapplying after rejection explains how to use the wait.

• HMPPS says it is essential to arrange support before any test.
• The October 2026 advert says assessors cannot accommodate requests on the day.
• You will not be penalised or judged for asking.
• See prison officer with ADHD or dyslexia for more.