100+ Free Prison Officer (UK) Practice Questions

Pass your HMPPS Prison Officer Online Assessment (Scenario-Based Test + Values-Based Assessment) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A medication dose is 5 ml given three times a day. How many ml is given in one full day?

15 ml

10 ml

20 ml

8 ml

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Key Facts: Prison Officer (UK) Exam

16 questions

Situational Judgement Test (20 minutes)

HMPPS / Prison and Probation Jobs

20 questions

Numerical Test (up to 15 minutes)

HMPPS / Prison and Probation Jobs

~25-40 min

Scenario-Based Test duration

HMPPS

£0

Cost to take the online assessment

Prison and Probation Jobs

18 yrs

Minimum age to start the role

HMPPS

4 behaviours

Civil Service behaviours assessed

GOV.UK Success Profiles

The HMPPS Prison Officer Online Assessment is the first online selection stage for UK prison officers. Stage 1, the Scenario-Based Test (about 25-40 minutes), combines a 16-question situational judgement test (20 minutes) with a 20-question numerical test (up to 15 minutes, calculator allowed). Stage 2 is the Values-Based Assessment, around 20 minutes. There is no fee and the minimum age is 18.

Sample Prison Officer (UK) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Prison Officer (UK) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1During the Scenario-Based Test you notice a prisoner sitting alone, crying, and refusing to come out of his cell for the evening meal. What is the MOST effective action?

A.Lock the cell and note it for the next shift

B.Calmly approach, speak to him, and ask if he is okay

C.Order him to come out immediately or lose privileges

D.Ignore it because prisoners often want attention

Explanation: HMPPS values reward decency, care, and de-escalation. Approaching calmly and checking on the prisoner's welfare shows the 'Caring' behaviour and helps you assess risk such as distress or self-harm.

2In the Situational Judgement Test you must usually choose two responses for each scenario. What are they?

A.The fastest action and the cheapest action

B.The most effective action and the least effective action

C.The action you personally prefer and one you dislike

D.The most popular action and the most unusual action

Explanation: The HMPPS SJT asks you to identify the MOST effective and the LEAST effective action from a list of options. This format tests your judgement about what good prison-officer behaviour looks like.

3A colleague repeatedly speaks rudely to prisoners and mocks them in front of others. The HMPPS behaviour 'Caring' would most strongly suggest you should:

A.Join in so the team stays united

B.Say nothing because it is not your business

C.Challenge it appropriately and report it if it continues

D.Mock the colleague back to teach a lesson

Explanation: 'Caring' means treating others with decency and respect. Challenging disrespectful behaviour and escalating if needed protects prisoner dignity and upholds professional standards.

4The Scenario-Based Test (SBT) is designed to check which two core areas expected of a prison officer?

A.Driving skill and physical strength

B.Basic numeracy skills and behaviours

C.Typing speed and computer coding

D.Legal knowledge and foreign languages

Explanation: HMPPS states the SBT checks you have the basic numeracy skills and the behaviours expected of a prison officer. It combines a situational judgement element with a numerical element.

5A prisoner tells you in confidence that another prisoner has hidden a weapon. What is the MOST effective action?

A.Promise to keep it secret to protect your informant

B.Ignore it as it may be a false rumour

C.Report the information through proper security channels immediately

D.Search the cell yourself without telling anyone

Explanation: Safety and security are paramount. Information about a weapon must be reported promptly through correct intelligence and security procedures so it can be acted on safely.

6There are 168 prisoners on a wing. At the morning roll check, 12 are at healthcare appointments and 9 are in the workshop. How many should be physically present on the wing?

A.147

B.156

C.159

D.181

Explanation: Subtract those who are off the wing: 168 − 12 − 9 = 147. Accurate roll counts are a core numeracy task because every prisoner must be accounted for.

7A prisoner has £24.00 in his canteen account and spends £15.60. How much remains?

A.£8.40

B.£9.40

C.£9.60

D.£11.40

Explanation: £24.00 − £15.60 = £8.40. Officers must handle prisoner account figures accurately, so careful decimal subtraction matters.

8Association on a wing starts at 18:30 and lasts 45 minutes. Using the 24-hour clock, what time does it finish?

A.19:00

B.19:15

C.19:30

D.19:45

Explanation: 18:30 plus 45 minutes is 19:15. Prison regimes run on the 24-hour clock, so confident time calculation is essential.

9Out of 80 prisoners on a unit, 20 attend education. What percentage attend education?

A.20%

B.25%

C.30%

D.40%

Explanation: 20 out of 80 is 20/80 = 0.25 = 25%. Converting a part of a total to a percentage is a common prison numeracy skill.

10You see two prisoners squaring up to each other and shouting on the landing. What is the MOST effective FIRST action?

A.Physically push between them straight away

B.Give a clear, calm verbal instruction and call for assistance

C.Walk away and let them sort it out

D.Shout aggressively to show who is in charge

Explanation: De-escalation begins with a calm, clear verbal instruction while summoning backup. This prioritises everyone's safety before any physical intervention is considered.

About the Prison Officer (UK) Exam

The HMPPS Prison Officer Online Assessment is the early online stage of selection for prison officers in England and Wales. Stage 1 is the Scenario-Based Test (SBT), which checks basic numeracy and the behaviours expected of a prison officer: a Situational Judgement Test of 16 questions in 20 minutes (choosing the most and least effective actions) and a Numerical Test of 20 questions in up to 15 minutes, with a calculator allowed and no negative marking. Stage 2 is the Values-Based Assessment (VBA), a varied-format assessment of around 20 minutes that explores how well your values fit the role. Both stages are completed online before candidates are invited to an online assessment centre, and there is no fee to take them.

Questions

36 scored questions

Time Limit

SBT approximately 25-40 minutes; VBA approximately 20 minutes

Passing Score

Pass/fail threshold set by HMPPS; specific cut score not published

Exam Fee

No application or test fee (HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), UK Ministry of Justice, via the Prison and Probation Jobs online system)

Prison Officer (UK) Exam Content Outline

~40%

Situational Judgement (SJT)

Most/least effective action scenarios on de-escalation, safety, decency, integrity, and the HMPPS behaviours (16 questions in 20 minutes)

~35%

Numerical Test

Roll counts, money and prisoner accounts, percentages, 24-hour-clock times, ratios, and tables (20 questions in up to 15 minutes, calculator allowed)

~25%

Values-Based Assessment (VBA)

Varied-format items on caring, communicating, decision-making, and managing a quality service (around 20 minutes)

How to Pass the Prison Officer (UK) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/fail threshold set by HMPPS; specific cut score not published
Exam length: 36 questions
Time limit: SBT approximately 25-40 minutes; VBA approximately 20 minutes
Exam fee: No application or test fee

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Prison Officer (UK) Study Tips from Top Performers

1For situational judgement items, choose actions that prioritise safety, decency, de-escalation, and following correct procedure — and mark impulsive or aggressive options as least effective.

2Learn the four HMPPS Civil Service behaviours — Caring, Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, and Managing a Quality Service — and use them as a checklist.

3Practise numerical items with a calculator but focus on setting up the calculation correctly: roll counts, percentages, 24-hour-clock times, money, and ratios.

4Remember the numerical test has no negative marking, so never leave a question blank — make your best attempt before time runs out.

5Treat warning signs of distress, self-harm, bullying, or contraband as things to report through proper safer-custody and security procedures, never to ignore.

6Answer the Values-Based Assessment honestly and consistently; it measures genuine fit, not the answers you think they want to hear.

7Set up a quiet space, stable internet, and a calculator before you start, and read each scenario's instructions carefully as they explain exactly what to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HMPPS Prison Officer Online Assessment?

It is the first online selection stage for prison officers in England and Wales. It has two parts: the Scenario-Based Test (a situational judgement test plus a numerical test) and the Values-Based Assessment, both completed online before the assessment centre.

What is the Scenario-Based Test (SBT)?

The SBT checks basic numeracy and the behaviours expected of a prison officer. It includes a Situational Judgement Test of 16 questions in 20 minutes and a Numerical Test of 20 questions in up to 15 minutes, and takes around 25 to 40 minutes overall.

Can I use a calculator in the numerical test?

Yes. A calculator is permitted for the numerical test, and there is no negative marking, so it is worth attempting every question within the time limit.

What is the Values-Based Assessment (VBA)?

The VBA uses a variety of question styles to understand how well your values and natural preferences fit the prison-officer role. It takes around 20 minutes and follows the Civil Service behaviours used by HMPPS.

How much does the assessment cost?

There is no fee to take the HMPPS prison-officer online assessment. Travel to later medical and fitness tests can be reimbursed up to £100 for UK travel.

What score do I need to pass?

HMPPS uses a pass/fail threshold for the online stages but does not publish a specific cut score or first-time pass-rate percentage. Aim to answer accurately across both stages and to reflect the HMPPS values.

What happens if I do not pass?

Candidates who do not pass the online tests usually have to wait a period — commonly six months — before reapplying for any prison-officer role, after which they restart and retake the online stages.

What comes after the online assessment?

If you pass the online stages you are invited to an online assessment centre (around 2.5 hours) with an interview, a role play, and a written assessment, followed later by medical and fitness tests before you start.