Common Police OAC Mistakes Candidates Make (And Why They Happen)
A realistic, non-judgemental guide for police applicants.
Why this guide exists
Many capable, motivated candidates leave the Online Assessment Centre confused about what went wrong.
They often blame confidence, intelligence, or “not being good enough”.
In reality, most OAC difficulties come from predictable preparation gaps, not lack of ability.
This guide explains the most common mistakes candidates make, why they happen, and how to think about them more calmly.
Speaking confidently but saying very little
One of the most common issues is confident delivery with limited evidence. Candidates often think "sounding the part" is enough.
What Candidates Do
- ✓ Speak fluently and without pausing
- ✓ Sound enthusiastic and positive
- ✓ Use impressive "management" words
But Fail To Explain
- ✗ What they personally did
- ✗ Why they made those choices
- ✗ What they learned from it
The Reality: This happens because candidates mistake confidence for clarity. Assessors are listening for evidence, not delivery style.
Talking about intentions instead of actions
Many answers focus on what the candidate wanted to do rather than what they actually did. This is a subtle but critical error.
Candidates often say:
"I wanted to make sure everyone felt supported..."
"My aim was to resolve the situation fairly..."
Why this fails
Without explaining concrete actions, assessors have little to assess. Values must be demonstrated through behaviour.
"I calmed the situation by..."
"I demonstrated fairness by..."
Using vague "We" language
This makes it difficult for assessors to understand your personal role. Assessors are not criticising teamwork. They simply need to know:
- What you specifically did
- What decisions you influenced
- How you contributed
Rushing reflection or avoiding it altogether
Reflection is one of the most heavily weighted aspects across OAC exercises. Yet, fear often drives candidates to skip it.
"If I admit a mistake, I'll fail."
— Common Misconception
What Strong Reflection Looks Like
- 1Briefly acknowledging the challenge or error.
- 2Recognising the learning point.
- 3Explaining exactly what would change next time.
Overloading written answers
Candidates frequently include every detail and repeat background material because they believe “more is safer”.
Assessors are looking for judgment (what you filter out), not volume (how much you type).
Treating the briefing as a memory test
Trying to memorise all provided information leads to stress and rushed explanations. The briefing is not about recall.
It is about prioritisation, explanation, and decision-making under uncertainty.
Trying to guess what assessors want
Some candidates attempt to tailor answers to what they think is "correct". This often results in generic responses, loss of authenticity, and difficulty answering follow-ups.
Pro Tip
Assessors are trained to explore reasoning, not rehearsed answers. Honest, structured explanations are usually more effective than "perfect" ones.
Leaving preparation too late
Many candidates underestimate the OAC because it is “only” behavioural. This leads to limited examples and increased anxiety.
- ✓ Better reflection
- ✓ Clearer examples
- ✓ Reduced pressure
If you recognise several of these patterns, the free “Are You Ready for the Police Online Assessment Centre?” readiness check can help identify preparation gaps and prioritise next steps calmly.
Check My OAC ReadinessWhy these mistakes are so common
Understanding this helps remove unnecessary self-blame.
How to think about improvement without pressure
Improvement does not require perfection. It requires clearer structure, honest reflection, and calm explanation.
Small adjustments often have a significant impact.
Final reassurance
Most OAC mistakes are understandable and fixable. The assessment is not designed to reward perfection or confidence alone. It is designed to identify candidates who can think, reflect, and communicate clearly under pressure. Recognising common mistakes is often the first step toward stronger preparation.