Online assessment process candidate guide

Version number 2.6

Online assessment process candidate guide college.police.uk

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Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................. 4
What is the College of Policing online assessment process? ................................ 4
What does the online assessment process involve?.............................................. 4
How do I begin the online assessment process? ................................................... 5
Your journey as a candidate .................................................................................. 7
Process breakdown ................................................................................................. 8
Exercise 1: Situational judgement test ................................................................... 8
Exercise 2: Competency-based interview ............................................................ 10
Exercise 3: Written exercise................................................................................. 13
Exercise 4: Briefing exercise ................................................................................ 16
How can I prepare? ................................................................................................ 20
How should I approach the online assessment process? .................................... 20
How to plan for the online assessment process ................................................... 20
Frequently asked questions .................................................................................. 21
Can I bring in prepared notes?............................................................................. 21
What is the Red Flag policy? ............................................................................... 21
How am I assessed during the exercises? ........................................................... 22
Who are the assessors? ...................................................................................... 22
What information do the assessors have about me? ........................................... 22
How often will I receive email reminders to complete exercises? ........................ 22
What accommodation or reasonable adjustment can be provided?..................... 23
Can I change the background colour of the device I am using?........................... 23
Can I use a coloured overlay on my device’s screen? ......................................... 23
Can I use coloured lenses/glasses? .................................................................... 24
How will you give me my results? ........................................................................ 24
How do I give feedback about the online assessment process? .......................... 24
When can I resit the online assessment process? ............................................... 24
What happens if I encounter technical difficulties? .............................................. 24
Can I apply to more than one force? .................................................................... 25
What is the appeals procedure? .......................................................................... 25
Extenuating circumstances .................................................................................. 25

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Online assessment process candidate guide college.police.uk

Introduction
Congratulations on reaching the College of Policing online assessment
process.

This guide provides information on the College of Policing online assessment

process for all police constable applicants who have been invited to take part. This
guide sets out what the assessment will involve, how you will be assessed and how
you can prepare. It can also be used to help people who have a general interest in
the process, or who are considering applying to become a police constable, to find
out more information on the assessment and what to expect.

We recommend that you take the time to read this guide before starting the
assessment. We wish you the best of luck with the process.

What is the College of Policing online assessment

process?
The College of Policing online assessment process is an online process for the
recruitment of police constables. It is a series of exercises that test the key
competencies and values that are important for police constables.

The competency and values framework (CVF) sets out the behaviours expected of
everyone working in policing. You can find out more about the CVF here:

Competency and values framework (CVF) | College of Policing

What does the online assessment process involve?

The online assessment process consists of up to four exercises to be taken in a
timeframe agreed between the College and the force you have applied to. The exact
number of exercises depends on the force you apply to, as some forces use a
different sifting process.

The process is broken up as follows:

 Exercise 1 – situational judgement test (SJT)

 Exercise 2 – competency-based video interview (CBI)

 Exercise 3 – written exercise

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 Exercise 4 – briefing exercise

Some forces may require you to undertake a sifting exercise before completing the
online assessments. Candidates applying to these forces will, after successfully
completing the force’s sifting exercise, progress to the online assessment process
and complete exercises 2, 3 and 4. If you apply to a force that does not require you
to complete an in-force sifting exercise, you will undertake exercises 1, 2, 3 and 4.

If you are unsure if you are to complete the SJT as you have already done a pre-sift
exercise, please double check with your recruiting force before attempting the
exercises sent to you.

No prior knowledge of the role of a police officer or any policing knowledge is

required to complete the exercises. Further information on the role profile of a police
constable can be found at: profdev.college.police.uk/professional-profile/police-
constable/

How do I begin the online assessment process?

Please note: As a candidate you must ensure that you are completing each
exercise alone with no additional support. Failure to comply with this
requirement will result in an automatic failure.

Once you have completed your force application, you will receive an email informing
you to complete the required components of the assessment process. On the date
your assessment process opens, please allow the full day to receive your invitation
email as the email may not be received until later in the day. Please also check your
email junk/spam folder.

We encourage candidates to complete the exercises in the following order: SJT (if
applicable), CBI, written exercise, briefing exercise to maintain consistency.
However, please do not worry if for some reason this has not been possible. It will
not affect your scores in any way.

For candidates starting from exercise 1 (SJT) – once you have received your
email and visited the link to complete the SJT, you will be given further information
and instruction regarding how to complete the exercise. Once you have read the
information, you will then be able to complete the SJT. Upon completion, you
progress straight to exercise 2 (CBI). Please note, if completing the SJT and CBI

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together, the system may send out a duplication email. After completing exercises 1
and 2, you can complete exercise 3 and 4.

For candidates starting from exercise 2 (CBI) – once you have received your
email and visited the link to complete the CBI, you will be given further information
and instruction regarding how to complete the interview. Once you have read the
information, you can complete the interview. You will see and hear interview
questions, and you will be asked to record yourself giving your answers to the
questions. After completing exercise 2, you can complete exercises 3 and 4.

We encourage you to complete the exercises in a timely manner and, where

possible, allow enough time to complete the exercises in the same day.

Do not open more than one exercise link at the same time as this will potentially
cause you technical issues with recording responses.

Please note, you must carry out the assessment alone, without the help of other
people in both the preparation and assessment phases. You should also avoid the
use of language and behaviour that could be considered offensive.

Please note, if you are unsure whether you should be completing the SJT as you
have already completed a force sifting exercise, please contact your recruiting force
to seek clarification.

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Your journey as a candidate

Please see below a breakdown of the online assessment process from a candidate
perspective.

Candidate applies to force.

Candidate undertakes application and eligibility checks.

Exercise 1: Situational judgement test (SJT)

Depending on which force you are applying to, you may have already participated
in a sifting exercise, in which case you may start from exercise 2.

Approximate time to complete: 30 minutes

Exercise 2: Competency-based video interview (CBI)

Candidates who complete exercise 1 will complete exercise 2 immediately after.

Approximate time to complete: 40 minutes

Exercise 3: Written exercise

Exercise 4: Briefing exercise

Candidates will receive links via email to complete exercises 3 and 4 in this order.

Approximate time to complete written exercise: 40 minutes

Approximate time to complete briefing exercise: 60 minutes

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Process breakdown
Exercise 1: Situational judgement test
The SJT measures your ability to choose the appropriate action in situations similar
to those you are likely to face as a police constable. The SJT will measure your
judgement and ability to make effective decisions against the CVF.

What to expect

You’ll be presented with 12 different questions, each with four response options.

After each question, you’ll be prompted to say what you would do in the situation
described.

Read each question carefully, and then select the response that you think is best.

This SJT should take you approximately 30 minutes to complete but we have set a
time restriction of 120 minutes (two hours), so you don’t have to rush things. Be sure
to read everything carefully before making your selections.

You must complete this exercise in one sitting. You cannot pause or restart the
exercise once you begin.

Before the SJT, we encourage you to:

 ensure you are in a quiet room without distractions and where you won’t be
disturbed, so you can concentrate for the duration of the SJT

 make sure you have a strong internet connection via wifi – if you have a weak
connection, or if you are unsure, connect via an Ethernet cable

 ensure you have the latest version of your chosen internet browser installed

 ensure your device is on ‘do not disturb’ mode

 ensure electronic devices are fully charged or plugged in

During the SJT, we encourage you to:

 pick the response that you think is the most effective for the scenario

 answer the questions in the order they are presented, as you must give an
answer before moving on to the next question

 answer all of the questions

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 ensure you do not close or refresh your browser during the SJT as you may lose
time during timed exercises

 not close the Outmatch Interview app as this may affect your experience

 contact us immediately via the ‘need help’ button on your screen or directly at
[email protected] if you have any technical issues, so we can support a
resolution – please do not finish the SJT if you are experiencing technical issues.
You can expect a response within 30-60 minutes of your query

What do I need to take the SJT?

You just need a laptop, desktop computer, mobile device or tablet.

How long will the SJT take?

The SJT should take you approximately 30 minutes to complete but we’ve set a time
restriction of 120 minutes (two hours).

Can I take breaks?

No. This SJT must be completed in one sitting.

Do I need any specific experience to take, or do well in, the SJT?

No. All of the scenarios have been carefully designed and do not require any specific
technical knowledge. They’re appropriate for all candidates, irrespective of
experience.

How long will it take to receive my outcome?

Your final outcome will be received at a later date, on completion of all exercises and
after marking. Your recruiting force will provide you with information on the timeline
of when to expect your results. You will then receive an email with notification and
instructions how to access your results.

Is there a deadline to complete the SJT?

This will be specified in your email from the force to which you applied. Please note,
the deadline to complete the exercise will be midnight on the date specified by your
recruiting force. The system may indicate your deadline as 1am in any emails you
receive, please ignore this.

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Although this is an assessment process designed to help us find the very best
candidates, it’s also very important to us that we give you an insight into what it’s like
to work as a police constable. The questions have been carefully designed to do this.

Exercise 2: Competency-based interview

You will be asked a series of questions about how you have dealt with specific
situations in the past. This is your opportunity to provide some examples of the key
competencies and values that are important for police constables. You can use
examples from both your work and personal life.

Method for answering competency and values-based interview questions

There are multiple approaches to providing responses to competency and values-

based questions. A common approach is the STAR (situation, task, action and
result) methodology. The STAR methodology is a widely recognised communication
technique that allows you to structure your answer to ensure that you cover the
relevant points.

Situation – briefly describe the specific event or situation. This should be a short
description to set the context.

Task – briefly explain what you had to do. What were you trying to achieve from the
event or situation? What were the success criteria?

Action(s) – here is where you can really explain how you displayed the relevant
behaviours and understanding. What did you do? How did you do it? Why did you do
it that way? What skills did you use?

Results – summarise the results of your actions. What was the outcome? What did
you learn?

It may also be beneficial to provide one example for each question and describe in
greater detail as opposed to using different examples.

What to expect

The interview will follow a structured format with a set list of questions. These
questions are designed to make the process as fair and objective as possible.

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You will be presented with five questions in total. You will be asked each question in
turn. Each question will provide some prompts for you to consider when answering
the questions.

Each question and subsequent prompts will be presented as text on screen. A pre-
recorded video will also appear with an assessor reading the questions to you. For
each question, you will then have one minute (60 seconds) to consider the question
and prepare your answer, after which you will have five minutes (300 seconds) to
record your answer. Please ensure that you complete this exercise in one sitting.
You cannot pause or restart the exercise once you begin.

You cannot re-record your answer.

Nothing that you say during the initial one minute (60 seconds) will be marked by the
assessor. Once you have completed a response for the first question, you will then
move on to the next question and progress through until you have completed all five.

In this exercise, you will be assessed on the following competencies and values from
the CVF:

 integrity
 public service
 transparency
 we take ownership
 we are innovative and open-minded

An assessor will review your responses once your session is completed.

Before the interview, we encourage you to:

 ensure you are in a quiet room without distractions and where you won’t be
disturbed, so you can concentrate for the next 40 minutes. We do however
recognise that unexpected interruptions may occur. If you are interrupted during
your assessment, please take a moment to gather your thoughts and resume
with your response. If you feel this interruption will heavily affect your
performance, please contact [email protected]. If your recorded
response picks up any wider communication that may support your response, this
would be investigated and may potentially affect your outcome

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 have access to a working microphone and a webcam

 allow the Outmatch Interview app to access your device's camera and audio

 make sure you have a strong internet connection via wifi – if you have a weak
connection, or if you are unsure, connect via an Ethernet cable

 ensure you have the latest version of your chosen internet browser installed

 ensure your device is on ‘do not disturb’ mode

 ensure electronic devices are fully charged or plugged in

During the interview, we encourage you to:

 refer to the online guidance given on the platform including use of prompts to
structure your answer, but do not make any copy of the material by any means

 scroll to view prompts

 express yourself clearly and concisely

 be specific – remember that you only have a limited amount of time to respond

 try to relax – we are only making an assessment based on what you tell us about
how you have dealt with situations in the past, nothing else

 answer all of the questions, ensuring you consider the relevant

competency/values

 ensure you do not close or refresh your browser during the interview as you may
lose time during timed exercises

 not close the Outmatch Interview app as this may affect your experience

 contact us immediately via the ‘need help’ button on your screen or directly at
[email protected] if you have any technical issues, so we can support a
resolution – please do not finish the interview if you are experiencing technical
issues. You can expect a response within 30-60 minutes of your query

What do I need to take the interview?

You just need a laptop, desktop computer, tablet or mobile device with access to
speakers, a microphone and a webcam or inbuilt camera. If you are using a mobile
device or tablet, please download the ‘Outmatch Interview’ app from your device’s
app store.

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How long will the interview take?

Up to 40 minutes. You will be asked five questions. For each question, you will be
given one minute to consider the question and five minutes to record your response.

Can I take breaks?

No. The interview must be completed in one sitting.

Is there a deadline to complete the interview?

This will be specified in your email from the force to which you applied. Please note,
the deadline to complete the exercise will be midnight on the date specified by your
recruiting force. The system may indicate your deadline as 1am in any emails you
receive, please ignore this.

How long will it take to receive my outcome?

Your final outcome will be received at a later date, on completion of all exercises and
after marking. Your recruiting force will provide you with information on the timeline
of when to expect your results. You will then receive an email with notification and
instructions how to access your results.

Am I at a disadvantage if I have limited knowledge or experience using

technology compared to other applicants?

No. The online assessment process will not be assessing your technical skills in any
way. You will solely be marked against the competencies and values that are
required for the role of a police constable as highlighted in the link above.

Exercise 3: Written exercise

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have to
complete an urgent written task for your line manager. You will be provided with four
items of information to help you with this task. In your response, please only use the
information provided and do not add or invent any additional information.

What to expect

For this exercise, you will be assessed against the following competencies and
values from the CVF:

 impartiality

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 we analyse critically

 we deliver, support and inspire

 we are collaborative

You must complete this exercise in one sitting. You cannot pause or restart the
exercise once it has started. Please only visit the link to the exercise when you are
ready to complete.

You will have up to two hours to complete the exercise but it is expected to take
roughly 40 minutes to complete. When you submit your response you will receive a
message from the platform asking ‘Are you sure you want to proceed? You will not
be able to return to your answer’. Only confirm when your answer is completed to
your satisfaction.

Before the written exercise, we encourage you to:

 ensure you are in a quiet room without distractions and where you won’t be
disturbed, so you can concentrate for the duration of the exercise

 make sure you have a strong internet connection via wifi – if you have a weak
connection, or if you are unsure, connect via an Ethernet cable

 ensure you have the latest version of your chosen internet browser installed

 ensure your device is on ‘do not disturb’ mode

 ensure electronic devices are fully charged or plugged in

During the written exercise, we encourage you to:

 make note of the timer displayed in the top left of your screen to manage your
time

 make use of the information that is provided to you in the exercise

 contact us immediately if you have any technical issues, either via the ‘need help’
button that is visible during your exercise or directly at [email protected]
so we can support a resolution – please do not finish the exercise if you are
experiencing technical issues

 ensure you do not close your browser, as you may lose time during a timed
assessment

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 ensure you do not click ‘refresh’ or click ‘back’ during your exercise as you may
lose your typed response

What do I need to take the written exercise?

You just need a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. Mobiles can be used but your
experience and performance could be affected and therefore we would not
recommend this option if possible.

Can I take breaks?

No. This exercise must be completed in one sitting.

How long will the exercise take?

The candidate instructions should take approximately 10 minutes to read. The

exercise should take approximately 40 minutes to complete but we have set a time
restriction of 120 minutes (two hours) so you don't have to rush things. Make sure
that you do not let the time run out as if you do, your response will not be submitted.

How can I complete my written response?

The only way for you to complete your written response is through the Outmatch
platform. Please do not use any other means of communicating your answer as this
will not be accepted. Copying and pasting your response from another application
onto the platform will not be accepted. If you have any system issues, please report
them to [email protected] and do not complete the exercise.

Will my spelling and grammar be assessed as part of this exercise?

No. We appreciate candidates will be completing the written exercise on different

devices and some may have access to spell check while others may not. Therefore,
to ensure a fair approach, we will not be assessing candidates’ spelling or grammar
in this exercise.

Is there a deadline to complete exercise 3?

This will be specified in your email from the force to which you applied. Please note,
the deadline to complete the exercise will be midnight on the date specified by your
recruiting force. The system may indicate your deadline as 1am in any emails you
receive, please ignore this.

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How long will it take to receive my outcome?

Your final outcome will be received at a later date, on completion of all exercises and
after marking. Your recruiting force will provide you with information on the timeline
of when to expect your results. You will then receive an email with notification and
instructions how to access your results.

Exercise 4: Briefing exercise

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have
responsibility for dealing with some issues presented to you. You will be tasked with
providing a verbal response to a number of questions in relation to this issue. You
will be provided with preparation materials to consider your answer. In your
response, please only use the information provided and do not add any additional
information.

Each question and subsequent prompts will be presented as text on screen. A pre-
recorded video will also appear with an assessor reading the questions to you.

What to expect

The exercise should last approximately 60 minutes in total. The exercise will
comprise of the following:

Exercise preparation

You will be presented with some initial information about the exercise. You should
need approximately 10 minutes to independently read the preparation materials and
consider your response to part 1 of the scenario, although this initial preparation
stage is not timed and is not assessed.

Exercise

You will then have approximately another further 50 minutes in which you will be
given questions to answer. This will be split into three parts.

Part 1

After completing your preparation, you will be asked to answer four questions in part
1. For each question, you will be presented with a video where the question is read
aloud. The question will also appear on your screen so you can also read it. Once

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the video ends, you will have up to one minute (60 seconds) to prepare your
response to the question. You will then have three minutes (180 seconds) to provide
your response to the question.

Part 2 and part 3

You will be provided with some new information to consider, and you will be asked to
answer four questions. For each question, you will be presented with a video where
the question is read aloud. The question will also appear on your screen so you can
also read it. Once the video ends, you will have up to one minute (60 seconds) to
prepare your response to the question. You will then have three minutes (180
seconds) to provide your response to the question.

*Additional time will be made up of viewing video questions and platform navigation.

In this exercise, you will be assessed on the following competencies and values from
the CVF:

 public service

 we are emotionally aware

 we take ownership

 we are innovative and open-minded

Before the briefing exercise, we encourage you to:

 ensure you are in a quiet room without distractions, so you can concentrate. We
do however recognise that unexpected interruptions may occur. If you are
interrupted during your assessment, please take a moment to gather your
thoughts and resume with your response. If you feel this interruption will heavily
impact on your performance, please contact [email protected]. If
your recorded response picks up any wider communication that may support the
answer you provide, this would be investigated and may potentially affect your
outcome

 have access to a working microphone and a webcam

 allow the Outmatch Interview app to access your device’s camera and audio

 make sure you have a strong internet connection via wifi – if you have a weak
connection, or if you are unsure, connect via an Ethernet cable

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 ensure you have the latest version of your chosen internet browser installed

 ensure your device is on ‘do not disturb’ mode

 ensure electronic devices are fully charged or plugged in

During the briefing exercise, we encourage you to:

 consider the issues raised and how the police can build positive relationships

 make note of the online guidance given on the platform (including use of prompts
to structure your answer)

 scroll to view the prompts

 express yourself clearly and concisely

 be specific – remember that you only have a limited amount of time to respond

 try to relax – we are only making an assessment based on what you tell us

 prepare alone and without reference to any materials or information, whether

electronic or printed

 answer all of the questions, ensuring you consider the relevant competencies and
value

 ensure you do not close or refresh your browser during the exercise as you may
lose time during timed exercises

 not close the Outmatch Interview app as this may affect your experience

 contact us immediately if you have any technical issues, either via the ‘need help’
button that is visible during your exercise or directly at [email protected]
so we can support a resolution – please do not finish the exercise if you are
experiencing technical issues

What do I need to take the briefing exercise?

You just need a laptop, desktop computer, tablet or mobile device with access to
speakers, a microphone and a webcam or inbuilt camera. If you are using a mobile
device or tablet, please download the ‘Outmatch Interview’ app from your device’s
app store.

Can I take breaks?

No. The briefing exercise must be completed in one sitting.

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Is there a deadline to complete exercise 4?

This will be specified in your email from the force to which you applied. Please note,
the deadline to complete the exercise will be midnight on the date specified by your
recruiting force. The system may indicate your deadline as 1am in any emails you
receive, please ignore this.

How long will it take to receive my outcome?

Your final outcome will be received at a later date, on completion of all exercises and
after marking. Your recruiting force will provide you with information on the timeline
of when to expect your results. You will then receive an email with notification and
instructions how to access your results.

Am I at a disadvantage if I have limited knowledge or experience using

technology compared to other applicants?

No. The online assessment process will not be assessing your technical skills in any
way. You will solely be marked against the competencies and values that are
required for the role of a police constable.

Competency and values framework (CVF) | College of Policing

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How can I prepare?

Firstly, reading this candidate guide will help you know what to expect during the
assessment and how to prepare effectively.

It may also be useful for you to consider your experience in relation to each of the
competencies and values being assessed.

You may find it useful to carry out a self-assessment to think of any competencies
you could develop or get more experience of. You may also consider talking to your
colleagues, family and friends about the assessment.

How should I approach the online assessment process?

 Be professional.

 Stay relaxed.

 Have an open mind.

 Be yourself.

 Behave as naturally as possible.

 Remember that all the information you will need is provided to you.

 Read and listen to instructions carefully.

 Enjoy the experience and your opportunity to demonstrate what you are capable
of.

How to plan for the online assessment process

 Read relevant documents sent to you by your recruiting force.

 Read the CVF and think about how you can demonstrate the competencies and
values being assessed.

 Get a good night’s sleep.

 Ensure you have all the relevant equipment required to access the exercises
online.

 Ensure the system you use is up to date and working at full capacity to support
performance.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I bring in prepared notes?
You cannot bring prepared notes into any of the exercises as part of the online
assessment process. Everything you require to answer the questions appropriately
will be available on the Outmatch system. As each exercise is different, please see
below a breakdown of what you are entitled to in relation to preparation on the
system.

 CBI – after receiving the question, you can make notes to prepare your answer.

 Written exercise – you can make notes in the answer box, but please ensure you
delete any content you do not want to submit.

 Briefing exercise – you can make notes during the preparation phase and after
receiving the question.

You can refer to notes that you have written during the exercises.

In line with the candidate declaration, please ensure all notes are securely
destroyed. Notes must not be shared with anybody, including potential candidates or
other parties. This would be considered a breach of integrity and could impact your
potential to be recruited in the role.

What is the Red Flag policy?

You are expected to act in line with the principles and standards of behaviour, as set
out in the Code of Ethics, at all times during the assessment. A copy of the Code of
Ethics can be found here: Code of Ethics

If you are believed to have acted in contravention of the Code, been inappropriate to
others, or acted in a way that would provide you an unfair advantage over other
candidates, the Quality Assurance (QA) team will be notified. The QA team will
independently review any evidence in relation to your behaviour and decide if there
is sufficient evidence to award you an automatic fail. As the independent verification
by the QA team allows us to be confident of the decision made, you cannot appeal
against an automatic fail received at the assessment.

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You should treat all exercises at the assessment as you would treat any other tests
or examinations. You must not note or record the assessment material in any way.

How am I assessed during the exercises?

A fair and transparent recruitment process is important to us. Our assessors will
assess you solely on your performance in the exercises you take. To ensure this, we
will have a team who are responsible for quality assuring the performance of
assessors to ensure a fair process.

We have designed the assessment to make sure that we assess each of the
competencies and values relevant to the role of a police constable.

You do not need to know about the law or procedures relating to police work to be
successful at the assessment.

Who are the assessors?

The assessors are police officers, police staff or people who have been specifically
chosen from the community, many of whom have supported previous police
constable recruitment campaigns. All assessors have received specific training in
relation to the online process and they are continually monitored to assess
performance.

What information do the assessors have about me?

The assessors will only know your name and email address. They will not have seen
any other information about you and they will not know whether you have applied
before.

How often will I receive email reminders to complete

exercises?
Once you have been invited to complete an exercise, you will receive daily
reminders from the system. This is to ensure as a candidate, you do not miss your
opportunity to complete the process. Although you will receive the reminders on a
daily basis, there is no pressure to complete as long as the exercises are completed
before your set deadline.

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What accommodation or reasonable adjustment can be

provided?
Should you have any condition, temporary or otherwise, that might cause you to be
disadvantaged during the assessment – for example pregnancy, injury or disability,
including dyslexia – you may be entitled to an accommodation or reasonable
adjustment.

If you believe you may have a condition that could disadvantage you at the
assessment, please contact the force you are applying to, who can assist you with
your application for an accommodation or reasonable adjustment.

Any accommodation or reasonable adjustment provided for the assessment will be

based on the information provided to us in a relevant report produced by an
appropriately qualified professional. Reasonable adjustments may include additional
time, speech to text software or other adjustments as recommended by a specialist.

Can I change the background colour of the device I am

using?
If you experience visual stress, it is acceptable to change the background colour of
the device you are using. This can be achieved by either changing the preferences
on your browser or by downloading an app from your device’s app store that allows
you to customise the background on your device. You are not required to seek
permission from the College of Policing or recruiting force before making these
changes to your device.

Can I use a coloured overlay on my device’s screen?

If you experience visual stress, it is acceptable to use a coloured overlay and place it
on your device’s screen. You will be required to provide your own coloured overlay to
ensure the colour is suitable for you. You are not required to seek permission from
the College of Policing or recruiting force before using a coloured overlay.

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Can I use coloured lenses/glasses?

If you experience visual stress, it is acceptable to use coloured lenses or glasses.
You will be required to provide your own lenses/glasses to ensure they are suitable
for you. You are not required to seek permission from the College of Policing or
recruiting force before using these.

How will you give me my results?

Your final outcome will be received at a later date, on completion of all exercises and
after marking. Your recruiting force will provide you information on the timeline of
when to expect results. You will receive an email with notification and instructions
how to access your results.

How do I give feedback about the online assessment

process?
As part of the monitoring and development of the police constable recruitment
process, we would like to hear your views on your experience. You may be given a
link following the assessment that invites you to take part in a candidate feedback
questionnaire.

Any feedback you can provide will be valuable. However, please note that we cannot
treat any feedback you provide in this questionnaire as a formal appeal. You should
therefore not expect a response to issues raised through this channel.

When can I resit the online assessment process?

If you wish to resit the online assessment process, you may do so in three months’
time from the point you receive your results.

You will be limited to attempt the assessment twice in a 12-month period. You will be
required to complete all exercises in the assessment process again.

What happens if I encounter technical difficulties?

If you encountered technical difficulties during your assessment, please contact
[email protected] to resolve the issue before the assessment deadline. You

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may also contact [email protected] if your assessment was affected

by technical issues.

Can I apply to more than one force?

Please note if you have an application with more than one force, you are only
permitted to sit the online assessment process with one force. You must inform us
immediately if you have already completed the assessment process with another
force: [email protected]

What is the appeals procedure?

Our aim is to ensure that you have a positive experience of our online process and
that you are provided with the opportunity to perform at your best. If you have a
concern about an issue that occurs during the assessment, then you should raise it
with your recruiting force who can escalate to the College if required.

If you feel that the matter has not been resolved after initial communication, and if
you still wish to report any extenuating circumstances or procedural concerns that
you believe may have negatively impacted your performance, you must do so in the
form of a written appeal to the force to which you are applying. To support your
appeal, you will need to provide supporting evidence.

You must submit the appeal to the force recruiting department within 24 hours of
undertaking the assessment. Reports received after this date will not be considered.
You therefore cannot appeal after receiving your final result from the assessment.

If you have met the standard in the assessment, your appeal will not be considered
further. Your appeal will only be considered if you have not met the standard.
Procedural issues, however, will still be investigated as they may have important
implications for the assessment as a whole.

Extenuating circumstances
Extenuating circumstances are likely to be a serious event or series of events, such
as illness, accident or injury, or the death or serious illness of a family member. We
recognise that lack of preparation and/or a heavy workload prior to attendance at the

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assessment may not allow you to perform at your best. However, these are not
considered to be extenuating circumstances.

If you are aware of any extenuating circumstances prior to the assessment relating
to its online nature, you may request to complete the assessment at a later date. If
the assessment is due to expire, you should notify your force to explain and request
an extension, as these will not be grounds for appeal after the assessment. It will be
your decision as to whether you continue with the assessment or withdraw and
attend at a later date.

We provide all candidates with this opportunity as we recognise that it is important

for candidates to feel ready and able to take the assessment stages, so they can
perform to the best of their ability.

If you have any further concerns or queries related to the online application process
that cannot be answered by Outmatch or your recruiting force, please contact
[email protected]

Please only direct your query to one inbox so that we can make sure the issue is
addressed and properly tracked. Please also make it clear in the header of the email
which force you are applying to, so your issue can be directed as quickly as possible.

Good luck with your application!

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About the College

We’re the professional body for the police service in

England and Wales.

Working together with everyone in policing, we share

the skills and knowledge officers and staff need to
prevent crime and keep people safe.

We set the standards in policing to build and

preserve public trust and we help those in policing
develop the expertise needed to meet the demands
of today and prepare for the challenges of the future.

college.police.uk

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