Becoming a prison officer with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) starts with an online application through Prison and Probation Jobs. This page covers HMPPS prison-officer recruitment assessments. It is not a Civil Service Fast Stream guide, not a police constable online assessment, and not a fitness-test manual.
Official how-to-apply and application-centre guidance describe online tests first, then an online assessment centre (OAC) for candidates who progress, then pre-employment checks and medical and fitness stages. One assessment score does not control the whole recruitment decision.
Key Takeaways
- Online tests, the online assessment centre, vetting, and medical or fitness stages are separate parts of the journey.
- Applications after 29 April 2026 are directed to the values-based assessment rather than the older task-based assessment for many cohorts.
- Use official HMPPS practice materials first.
- No affiliate preparation product is presented on this page until an exact current commercial fit is verified.
- Honest answers aligned to HMPPS values beat fabricated stories.
The exercises below are original educational drills. They are not official HMPPS, Ministry of Justice or Prison and Probation Jobs items.
Official preparation comes first
Begin with the official HMPPS Prison Officer application guidance, the Prison Officer Application Information Centre, and the official anonymous practice Scenario-Based Test.
The current process separates the Scenario-Based Test from the Values-Based Assessment. Candidates who progress may later attend an Online Assessment Centre containing interview, role-play and written components.
A commercial page should only be described as a current Prison Officer PrepPack when it genuinely provides preparation for the live Scenario-Based Test and Values-Based Assessment. Legacy gamified-test descriptions, older task-based assessment information or incomplete product pages do not constitute a complete current PrepPack.
Until an exact current commercial product is verified, use the official practice test and HMPPS guidance as the principal preparation resources. This page remains affiliate-free for that reason.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Employer | HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) |
| Stage 1 | Scenario-based test (SBT): behavioural and numerical scenarios |
| Stage 2 | Values-based assessment (VBA) for applications after 29 April 2026 in current official preparing guidance; older cohorts may have seen a task-based assessment |
| Official practice | Anonymous practice SBT (results not seen by recruiters) |
| Later assessment | Online assessment centre (interview, role play, written assessment) |
| After assessment | Pre-employment checks, then medical and fitness stages |
| Control | Your vacancy invitation and HMPPS application communications |
There is no single public universal pass percentage that decides every prison-officer application. Check your invitation before preparing.
Recruitment pathway (official overview)
Official how-to-apply guidance sets out the pathway below. Timings and formats can change, so treat your invitation email as the live source of truth.
- Apply online through Prison and Probation Jobs (about 10 minutes for the initial form, per official text).
- Stage 1 SBT - behavioural and numerical scenarios reflecting prison officer work. Official guidance encourages a practice scenario-based test first; recruiters do not see practice results.
- Stage 2 VBA - values-based questions in varied formats. Official guidance recommends example questions before the live assessment. Applications after 29 April 2026 are invited to the VBA rather than the older task-based assessment described for some earlier cohorts on the application information centre.
- Online assessment centre - about 2 hours 30 minutes on a laptop with webcam: interview, role play and written test. Official preparation pages note strong language and sensitive topics because assessments reflect the role.
- Pre-employment checks - security, identity, employment and health checks once a vacancy is available (official text describes 8 to 10 weeks for checks in some cases).
- Medical and fitness - eyesight, hearing and health screening, then endurance and strength elements at UK assessment centres.
Official guidance also notes that unsuccessful candidates at stage 2 may need to wait before reapplying. Check current communications rather than relying on outdated blog posts.
How to prepare
- Complete the official practice SBT before the live test.
- Practise workplace numeracy calmly: prisoner counts, stock movements, percentages and simple ratios (official preparation text links numeracy to accounting for prisoners in your care).
- For behavioural and values items, answer honestly with care, integrity, communication and professionalism aligned to HMPPS values.
- Read eligibility, right-to-work, travel and medical expectations on the official portal before applying.
- Review OAC preparation guidance only after you pass the online stages.
- Prefer the official practice SBT and HMPPS guidance over commercial overview pages that do not yet ship a current SBT and VBA PrepPack.
Practice questions
These 35 exercises are original educational drills for SBT-style judgement, VBA-style values thinking, workplace numeracy and recruitment-process literacy. They are not HMPPS, Ministry of Justice or Prison and Probation Jobs items.
Workplace numeracy and prisoner counts
Official preparation text notes that prison officers may need to count prisoners moving between locations or confirm numbers at roll checks. These drills mirror that style without copying live items.
1. A wing has 48 cells. 8 are out of use. Of the 40 usable cells, 80% are occupied. How many occupied cells?
A. 30 B. 32 C. 34 D. 36
Correct answer: B Explanation: Usable cells = 48 - 8 = 40. Occupied = 0.8 x 40 = 32.
2. Inventory: starting gloves = 200. Issued 75. Returned clean 20. Discarded damaged 12. Stock remaining?
A. 113 B. 133 C. 145 D. 188
Correct answer: B Explanation: 200 - 75 + 20 - 12 = 133 gloves remain.
3. Day staff 14; night staff 9; 3 people appear on both handover lists. Distinct people on duty across both lists?
A. 20 B. 23 C. 26 D. 14
Correct answer: A Explanation: 14 + 9 - 3 = 20 distinct people.
4. Incident reports fall from 40 to 34 in a month. What is the percentage fall?
A. 10% B. 15% C. 20% D. 25%
Correct answer: B Explanation: Fall = 6. 6 / 40 = 0.15, so 15%.
5. Locked to unlocked activity spaces = 2:3. Total spaces 45. How many locked spaces?
A. 18 B. 20 C. 27 D. 30
Correct answer: A Explanation: Locked share = 2 / (2 + 3) = 2/5. 2/5 x 45 = 18.
6. Roll check: 62 prisoners should be on the wing. 4 are at healthcare, 2 are on escort and 1 is in the segregation unit (all still formally on the wing list). How many are physically on the wing floor?
A. 55 B. 56 C. 59 D. 62
Correct answer: A Explanation: 62 - 4 - 2 - 1 = 55 prisoners remain on the wing floor.
7. Keys log: 18 issued at start; 6 returned at break; 4 newly issued after break. How many keys are still out?
A. 12 B. 14 C. 16 D. 18
Correct answer: C Explanation: 18 - 6 + 4 = 16 keys remain issued and not yet returned.
8. Canteen stock: 240 items. 35% are drinks. How many drinks?
A. 72 B. 84 C. 96 D. 108
Correct answer: B Explanation: 0.35 x 240 = 84 drinks.
9. A training session ratio of staff to prisoners is 1:8. If 5 staff are present, what is the maximum prisoner group size matching that ratio?
A. 35 B. 40 C. 45 D. 50
Correct answer: B Explanation: 5 x 8 = 40 prisoners at a 1:8 ratio.
10. Monthly complaints: January 28, February 21. What is the percentage decrease?
A. 20% B. 25% C. 28% D. 30%
Correct answer: B Explanation: Decrease = 7. 7 / 28 = 0.25, so 25%.
Behavioural judgement scenarios
Treat each item as an SBT-style workplace scenario. Choose the response that best fits professional prison officer conduct.
11. A prisoner asks you to “forget” a razor found during a search.
A. Agree to keep the peace. B. Follow search and reporting procedures; do not conceal finds. C. Throw it away silently. D. Bargain, then hide it.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Concealing contraband breaches safety, integrity and reporting duties. Procedure and honest reporting protect staff and prisoners.
12. Colleagues gossip loudly about a prisoner’s medical details in a corridor.
A. Join in. B. Stop the conversation and uphold confidentiality expectations. C. Post the details online. D. Record them for entertainment.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Medical information is confidential. Professional officers challenge breaches and model respectful conduct.
13. You feel overloaded near the end of a long shift.
A. Take it out on the next person you speak to. B. Stay professional, keep safety priorities, and seek support if needed. C. Leave the wing without telling anyone. D. Fake an injury without following absence process.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Stress is common in the role, but safety and professionalism come first. Escalate through proper channels rather than abandoning duty.
14. A new colleague freezes during a noisy disagreement on the landing.
A. Mock them later in the staff room. B. Support them, model calm de-escalation, and debrief constructively. C. Ignore the disagreement entirely. D. Film it on a personal phone.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Team support and calm communication align with “communicating and influencing” and safer outcomes for everyone present.
15. You spot an unlocked door that should be secured.
A. Walk past; someone else will notice. B. Secure it per procedure and report as required. C. Prop it open for ventilation. D. Hide the issue to avoid paperwork.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Security breaches must be corrected immediately and recorded. Delay increases risk.
16. A prisoner is distressed after bad news from home.
A. Joke about it to lighten the mood. B. Stay calm and follow local support and safer-custody expectations. C. Tell them to toughen up. D. Leave them unchecked in a risky situation.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Compassion with clear boundaries supports safer custody. Follow local procedures for distress and self-harm risk.
17. Two prisoners argue over television choice. The situation is tense but not yet physical.
A. Shout over both of them. B. Separate calmly, set clear expectations and report if risk continues. C. Let them sort it out however they want. D. Turn the television off and walk away without explanation.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Early calm intervention prevents escalation. Communication and clear boundaries are core officer skills.
18. A visitor offers you a gift card “as thanks” for being helpful.
A. Accept quietly. B. Decline and follow gift and corruption reporting rules. C. Accept and hide it in your locker. D. Ask for cash instead.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Gifts can create improper obligations. Decline and report per HMPPS professional standards.
19. You overhear a prisoner threatening self-harm. You are not the assigned officer for that cell.
A. Assume their officer will hear eventually. B. Act immediately per local safer-custody procedure and alert the responsible team. C. Promise to keep the threat secret. D. Ignore it because it is not your wing permanently.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Safer-custody threats require immediate action regardless of roster lines. “Caring” includes timely escalation.
20. A prisoner refuses to return to their cell at unlock. They are verbally angry but not violent.
A. Force them in immediately without speaking. B. Use calm communication, listen where safe, apply proportionate procedure and seek support if needed. C. Walk away until the next shift. D. Offer unauthorised concessions if they comply.
Correct answer: B Explanation: De-escalation and proportionate action reflect official behavioural expectations. Unauthorised deals undermine consistency and security.
Values, integrity and VBA-style thinking
Official VBA guidance assesses how well candidates demonstrate values needed to be an effective prison officer. Answer consistently and honestly rather than gaming a persona.
21. Best approach to values-based questions?
A. Invent an extreme persona unlike your real standards. B. Answer honestly and consistently with professional care, respect and integrity. C. Copy a friend’s answers. D. Click randomly to finish quickly.
Correct answer: B Explanation: VBAs look for genuine alignment with role values. Inconsistent or dishonest patterns can undermine your results.
22. You realise you made a minor documentation error earlier today.
A. Ignore it if nobody noticed. B. Report and correct it through the proper route. C. Blame the prisoner involved. D. Delete the entry without telling anyone.
Correct answer: B Explanation: “Managing a quality service” includes owning mistakes and maintaining accurate records.
23. A colleague suggests bending a rule “just this once” to avoid delay.
A. Agree because it saves time. B. Decline and follow procedure; raise concerns through proper channels if needed. C. Report them publicly on social media. D. Pretend to agree, then ignore them.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Shortcuts that weaken security or fairness create risk. Integrity means following procedure and escalating concerns appropriately.
24. You are tired and tempted to skip part of a routine check.
A. Skip it; checks are only formalities. B. Complete the check because accountability keeps people safe. C. Ask a prisoner to confirm instead of looking yourself. D. Mark it done without checking.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Counts and checks matter for prisoner safety. Official numeracy guidance links the role to accurate accounting.
25. A prisoner asks you to pass a message to another prisoner via you personally, bypassing normal communication routes.
A. Agree if the message seems harmless. B. Decline and use approved communication routes only. C. Pass it if they promise to behave. D. Charge them a favour in return.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Unofficial message passing can hide bullying, trafficking or coercion. Use approved routes.
26. You are unsure how to answer a VBA item because two answers both seem partly true.
A. Pick the answer that sounds toughest. B. Choose the option that best matches what you would actually do in role, consistently across the assessment. C. Alternate random answers to balance them out. D. Close the browser and hope it saves progress.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Consistency matters in values assessments. Reflect your genuine professional judgement rather than trying to outsmart the format.
27. Which behaviour best matches official “making effective decisions” wording?
A. Decide instantly without gathering information. B. Use available information, consider options, note risks and decide confidently while involving others when appropriate. C. Always defer every decision to someone else. D. Avoid recording why a decision was made.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Official assessment criteria describe balanced information use, judgement and appropriate escalation.
28. Which behaviour best matches official “communicating and influencing” wording?
A. Speak the same way to everyone regardless of risk or context. B. Communicate respectfully, adapt style to the situation, listen well and challenge constructively when needed. C. Avoid difficult conversations entirely. D. Dominate every conversation to show authority.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Official criteria emphasise respectful, flexible communication and constructive challenge.
Recruitment process literacy (SBT, VBA and OAC)
These items test whether you understand the official pathway described on Prison and Probation Jobs and the application information centre.
29. Official guidance describes SBT then VBA. Best preparation source?
A. “Pass guarantee” social media videos. B. Official application centre practice materials and your invitation email. C. Ignoring deadlines until the last minute. D. US-only correctional exams with no UK link.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Official practice SBT and invitation instructions are the authoritative preparation starting point.
30. SBT includes behavioural and numerical scenarios (about 25 to 40 minutes publicly described). Prepare by:
A. Skipping numeracy entirely. B. Practising calm judgement and basic workplace numeracy such as counts and percentages. C. Expecting a three-day written exam. D. Only training for fitness before any invitation.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Official text covers both judgement scenarios and basic numeracy reflecting the role.
31. VBA is described as untimed (around 20 minutes on average if done in one sitting). You should:
A. Rush without reading each item. B. Complete carefully by the deadline in your invitation email. C. Share your screen with a friend while answering. D. Skip eligibility questions on the application form.
Correct answer: B Explanation: There is no time limit during the session, but the invitation deadline still applies.
32. Online tests alone:
A. Guarantee a job offer. B. Do not replace medical, fitness or pre-employment checks. C. Replace prison officer foundation training. D. Are optional for every candidate regardless of invitation.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Later medical, fitness and vetting stages are separate mandatory requirements in official guidance.
33. Applying to more than one prison: official text says your first application is main and scores can be reused. Best action?
A. Assume you must resit everything every time without checking. B. Follow the official portal rules for your applications. C. Assume scores never transfer between prisons. D. Apply with multiple identities to increase chances.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Official how-to-apply guidance states scores can be reused, but you should still follow live portal instructions.
34. Before applying, official guidance says you should:
A. Ignore eligibility and travel realities. B. Read current Prison and Probation Jobs eligibility guidance, including age, right to work and getting to the prison. C. Assume every tattoo anywhere is automatically banned. D. Expect the employer to pay daily commuting costs.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Official pages cover eligibility, tattoos, travel and high-security residency rules. Read them before you apply.
35. If you pass the online tests, the online assessment centre officially includes:
A. Only a fitness bleep test. B. Interview, role play and written test components (about 2 hours 30 minutes total). C. A full week of live-in residential assessment. D. No behavioural assessment at all.
Correct answer: B Explanation: Official how-to-apply and preparation pages describe three OAC parts on a laptop with webcam, lasting about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Official resources
- Prison and Probation Jobs: How to apply
- Prison and Probation Jobs: Prison officer overview
- Prison and Probation Jobs: Skills you need
- Official practice scenario-based test (anonymous)
- Prison Officer Application Information Centre: Preparation
- Prison Officer Application Information Centre: Medical and fitness
- Prison and Probation Jobs: Reasonable adjustments
- HMPPS Prison Jobs blog: Online assessment centre spotlight
- GOV.UK: HM Prison and Probation Service
Related guides
- UK Assessment Tests
- Police Online Assessment Process
- Civil Service Judgement Test
- Civil Service Numerical Test
- UK Firefighter Tests
- Situational Judgment Test
FAQ
What is the SBT?
Official guidance describes a scenario-based test presenting behavioural and numerical scenarios you might face as a prison officer, typically taking around 25 to 40 minutes. A practice version is available anonymously through the application information centre.
What is the VBA?
A values-based assessment used after a successful SBT. It is untimed; many people finish in around 20 minutes if completed in one sitting, but you must meet the invitation deadline. Official guidance recommends reviewing example question styles first.
What changed in 2026?
Official preparation pages state that applications after 29 April 2026 are invited to the values-based assessment rather than the older task-based assessment used for some earlier cohorts. Always follow your own invitation email.
Do online tests replace medical checks?
No. Medical and fitness assessments are separate later requirements for this physically and emotionally demanding role. Official guidance lists UK assessment centre locations and what the tests involve.
Can scores cover more than one prison?
Official text states your first application is treated as the main application and assessment scores can be used automatically for further prison applications, so you should not need to repeat the whole process.
What is the online assessment centre?
If you pass the online tests, official guidance invites you to an online assessment centre lasting about 2 hours 30 minutes, with interview, role play and written components on a laptop with webcam.
Next steps
Return to the UK Assessment Tests hub for more British employer, public-service and graduate-scheme guides. If you want broader judgement and numeracy drills, see the Civil Service Judgement Test and Civil Service Numerical Test guides.