How the Police OAC Is Marked
A detailed, plain-English explanation. Learn what assessors actually look for, how evidence is judged, and why structure matters more than polish.
Why understanding marking matters
Many candidates leave the Online Assessment Centre unsure how their performance was judged. This uncertainty often leads to unnecessary anxiety, speculation, and misinformation.
Understanding how the OAC is marked does not give you an "unfair" advantage. What it does do is help you prepare realistically and avoid common doubts.
The Golden Rule
The OAC is not marked on confidence, polish, or personality. It is marked on evidence of behaviour.
Who marks the OAC?
OAC exercises are marked by trained assessors using structured criteria. Assessors do not rely on gut feeling or personal opinion.
They follow defined assessment frameworks and look for specific behavioural indicators linked to the entry-level Competency and Values Framework (CVF).
- Listen objectively
- Assess evidence, not intention
- Apply criteria consistently
What "Evidence" Actually Means
| Zero Evidence (Fluff) Examples of what scores nothing. | High Evidence (Score) Examples of what scores points. |
|---|---|
| "We handled the situation well." Vague. Who is "we"? What did you do specifically? | "I took the lead by..." Specific ownership of the action. |
| "I would normally check everything." Theoretical. Assessors need to know what you actually did in the example. | "I checked X because I was concerned about Y..." Action + Reasoning = Strong Evidence. |
| "It was a difficult day." Descriptive commentary. Adds no value to competency scoring. | "I recognised the team was stressed, so I..." Emotional Awareness + Action. |
*The OAC marks you on what you did, not on what happened to you.
How marking works across exercises
Marked on: Spoken evidence, reflection, values.
Marked on: Analysis, written clarity, decisions.
Marked on: Prioritisation, verbal clarity, logic.
Each OAC exercise is assessed independently. Assessors look for evidence relevant to that exercise only. A weaker performance in one exercise does not automatically mean overall failure if other exercises demonstrate sufficient evidence. This is why balanced preparation matters.
The 5 Pillars of OAC Evidence
Can you explain thinking clearly?
Is your decision making reasonable?
Do you show honesty & fairness?
Do you consider others' needs?
Can you learn from mistakes?
Assessors are not expecting perfection. They are looking for credible, proportionate responses.
Why structure matters more than confidence
Confident delivery does not equal strong evidence. Many candidates speak confidently but provide little detail. Others speak more slowly but give clear, structured explanations.
Assessors prioritise:
• Clear structure
• Logical flow
• Relevant detail
Nerves vs Pauses
Assessors expect candidates to feel nervous.
Pauses, hesitations, or self-correction do not automatically reduce marks. What matters is whether you eventually provide:
- Clear actions
- Logical reasoning
- Relevant reflection
What does NOT affect marking (Myths)
Candidates are not compared to each other. You are assessed solely against the criteria.
If you’re unsure whether your answers currently provide clear evidence across all exercises, the free “Are You Ready for the Police Online Assessment Centre?” readiness check can help highlight preparation gaps calmly.
Check My OAC ReadinessWhy candidates are sometimes surprised by outcomes
They felt confident but lacked structure.
They focused on intention ("I would do") rather than action ("I did").
They underestimated the importance of reflection learning.
They misunderstood what assessors were actually marking.
Understanding marking helps align preparation with what is actually assessed.
How preparation influences marking
Preparation does not guarantee outcomes. However, preparation helps you structure answers clearly, provide relevant evidence, avoidance common pitfalls, and communicate calmly under pressure.
These factors make it easier for assessors to identify your evidence. That is the role preparation plays.
What happens after marking
Results are combined across all three exercises.
Outcomes are sent via your recruiting force or provider.
Feedback is often general due to high candidate volumes.
Final reassurance
The OAC marking process is designed to be structured, consistent, and fair. It is not designed to catch candidates out or reward confidence alone. If you focus on explaining what you did, why you did it, and what you learned, you are aligning your preparation with how the OAC is actually marked.