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.
The mistakes the College of Policing itself warns about
Before the answer habits below, these are the errors the College's candidate guide (updated 21 July 2026, read 1 October 2026) names. Some can end your assessment regardless of your scores.
- Using notes or scripts prepared beforehand. Any evidence of this may result in an automatic fail, which cannot be appealed. You may make notes on the platform during each exercise.
- Copying and pasting into the written exercise. A response pasted from another application is not accepted and may result in an automatic fail. Type it into the Tazio answer box.
- Having a second device nearby. No phone, tablet, second laptop or monitor, smartwatch or smart speaker within sight, within reach or switched on.
- Adding or inventing information. In the written and briefing exercises the College says to use only the information provided.
- Starting an exercise before you are ready. Once you click start you cannot restart, and it counts as your attempt.
- Leaving rough notes in the written answer box. Everything in the box when you submit is assessed, so delete working notes first.
- Finishing an exercise during a technical fault. The College says stop, contact technical support and do not complete the exercise; a retake may be offered.
- Not answering every question. The guide asks you to answer all five interview questions and all 12 briefing questions.
- Sharing your notes afterwards. The candidate declaration requires notes to be destroyed and not shared; sharing is treated as a breach of integrity.
Spelling and grammar are not assessed in the written exercise, so do not spend your time on them. Format details: OAC explained; device and adjustment rules: technical requirements and reasonable adjustments.
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
The College's STAR guidance asks you to finish with the result: what the outcome was and what you learned. Yet fear often drives candidates to skip it. (How much reflection is worth in marking is not published.)
"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
OAC answers are recorded, so nobody can ask a follow-up question. Say your reasoning out loud. Honest, structured explanations are usually more useful than answers that sound rehearsed.
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.
Why 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.
FAQ
Are these mistakes reasons people fail the OAC?
Do confident candidates still make these mistakes?
Can mistakes be corrected during the assessment?
Is it normal to feel unsure after the OAC?
Can preparation reduce these mistakes?
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