Start with how the exam is marked
You need 55% to pass the Sergeants' exam and 65% for Inspectors, across 150 scenario based questions in three hours. Most candidates know the law broadly. The questions are written to catch people who are almost right: the wrong rank, the wrong time limit, "suspects" instead of "believes". Your revision should train you to spot those small differences.
1. Give yourself enough time
Many candidates allow 12 to 16 weeks. Short, regular sessions work better than occasional long ones, especially around shifts. Even 20 to 30 minutes a day adds up. Check the 2027 exam dates and count back.
2. Prioritise the big topics
The College of Policing publishes a breakdown of which subject areas appeared in previous sittings. It does not tell you the questions, and it is only a guide, but some areas come up again and again:
- PACE Code C is consistently the largest single area.
- In Crime: Theft and Related, Non-fatal Offences, Sexual Offences and Misuse of Drugs.
- In General Police Duties: Road Policing, Public Order and Hatred and Harassment.
Do not ignore the smaller topics, though. Every topic can appear, and the smaller ones are often quicker marks to secure.
3. Use active recall, not just reading
Reading and highlighting feels productive but is one of the least effective ways to learn. Testing yourself, and then checking why you were right or wrong, makes the law stick far better. This is called active recall, and multiple choice practice is a natural way to do it.
It also suits people who find long reading sessions hard, including many people with dyslexia or ADHD. If textbooks have not worked for you before, a question-led approach may.
4. Learn from every wrong answer
When you get a question wrong, do not just note the right letter. Ask:
- What is the exact rule, word for word?
- Why did the option I chose look right, and what made it wrong?
- Is there a similar rule I am confusing it with?
Keep a short list of the points you keep getting wrong and revisit it every few days.
5. Practise under exam conditions
In the final four to six weeks, sit full timed mock exams: 150 questions in three hours, about 72 seconds each. This builds stamina and shows whether your timing is right. Aim to finish with time to go back over any questions you flagged.
6. Use the current law
The 2027 exams are based on the 2027 edition of the Blackstone's Police Manuals. Older material can be out of date on points such as pre-charge bail, Code C and new offences, so check anything you rely on.
A simple 12-week plan
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | Work through Evidence and Procedure, starting with PACE Code C. Short topic-based practice every day. |
| 5 to 8 | Crime and General Police Duties, prioritising the most frequent topics. Keep revisiting earlier weak areas. |
| 9 to 10 | Mixed questions across all three volumes. Target your weakest topics. |
| 11 to 12 | Full timed mock exams, then review every wrong answer. Light revision the day before. |
Want to see the question style? Try free worked questions on every topic, or the 5-question sample.