OAC Resit
Plan
Did not meet the standard at the online assessment? The College's resit rules, how to read your feedback report and a 12-week plan that works on the exercise you scored lowest while keeping the other two sharp. The free tracker turns the plan into dated weeks with calendar reminders.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 21 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
You can resit from three months after the start date of your previous assessment window, at most twice in 12 months and you redo all three exercises. Use the gap: read your feedback report, work on the exercise with the lowest score using new practice questions and do at least two full timed mocks before your new window. Check your force's own rules first.
For police constable candidates in England and Wales who did not meet the standard at the College of Policing online assessment process. The plan also works for a first attempt if you have about three months. It assumes you know the date your next window opens; your force gives you that and we do not calculate it here.
The College builds a three-month gap into its rules for a reason: its pre-employment guidance says the gap is there "to give people time to develop before reapplying", so that later success comes from development rather than familiarity with the assessments. Treat the next three months as preparation time, not lost time.
Free resit plan tracker
Enter the date your next assessment window opens. The tracker lays out up to 12 weeks of practice back from that date, each week with a focus, two tasks and a link to the right free tool. Tick weeks off as you go. Your date and ticks stay in this browser.
Free prep plan tracker
Your week-by-week OAC plan
Download the calendar file to get a reminder at the start of each week. It is created on your device; we do not send it or keep it. With less than 12 weeks to go, the tracker keeps the final weeks of the plan, which matter most.
The resit rules in one table
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Earliest resit | From three months after the start date of your previous assessment window. | College candidate guide, July 2026 |
| Attempts | Twice in a 12-month period. | College candidate guide, July 2026 |
| What you resit | All exercises: interview, written and briefing. | College candidate guide, July 2026 |
| Force discretion | Forces can decide locally, including longer waits. | College pre-employment guidance, 2024 |
| One force at a time | You may only sit the assessments with one force at a time. | College guide and pre-employment guidance |
| Severe inappropriate behaviour | No resit of that stage for at least two years. | College pre-employment guidance, 2024 |
Note the start point: three months from when your previous window opened, not from your result. Because results take time to arrive, the real gap between result and resit is often shorter than three months, which is another reason to start the plan as soon as you can. For every stage of the process, see our guide to reapplying after a rejection.
The first week: five things to do
- Save your feedback report. It gives an overall score for each exercise and describes what better-performing candidates did. Our feedback report guide has a free interpreter.
- Write down what you remember. Which questions felt hard, where you ran out of time, whether you added information in the written exercise. Memory fades fast.
- Ask your force three questions. Does it follow the College's three-month rule? Does your sift result still count? When is the next window?
- Set your date in the tracker. If you do not know it yet, use a provisional date three months after your last window opened and update it later.
- Rest for a few days. A short break before starting usually helps more than diving straight back in.
The 12-week plan, week by week
Three phases: understand what went wrong, rebuild the skills, then rehearse under real conditions. The tracker above uses exactly these weeks.
| Week | Focus | Main tasks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read your feedback report | Note each score; rewrite the better-performance descriptions in your own words; choose your focus exercise. |
| 2 | Build your example bank | List 6 to 8 real experiences and map them to the five interview areas. |
| 3 | Learn the 2024 CVF language | Read the level 1 behaviours; write one sentence of your own evidence for each, then put it away. |
| 4 | Timed interview answers | Three questions out loud at 60 seconds plus up to 5 minutes; listen back for "why". |
| 5 | Written exercise reading skills | Spot the gaps drills; list facts, conflicts and missing information before writing. |
| 6 | First timed written response | About 40 minutes, every question in one box, nothing invented. |
| 7 | Briefing basics | One community scenario: four questions at 60 seconds plus up to 3 minutes. |
| 8 | Future-focused questions | Two "how would you" questions backed by real examples, two past questions. |
| 9 | Your weakest exercise again | Three sessions on the lowest-scoring exercise, with feedback on at least one answer. |
| 10 | Full mock, real conditions | All three exercises in one day, in any order, no notes prepared beforehand. |
| 11 | Set-up and the day | Set-up check on your device; safe senders; plan a quiet room and time. |
| 12 | Light practice and rest | One timed answer of each type; no new material; sleep. |
If your focus exercise is the written or briefing exercise, swap weeks 4 and 8 for extra sessions on it. If it is the interview, do the reverse with weeks 5 and 6. Keep at least one session a week on each of the other two exercises: you resit all three.
If the interview was your lowest score
The interview assesses courage, public service, respect and empathy, we take ownership and we are innovative and open-minded. The common reasons interview answers fall short and what to practise:
| Likely gap | How to spot it | Drill |
|---|---|---|
| Answers too short | You finished well under three minutes | Pacing timer; add "because" after every action |
| "We", not "I" | You described what the team did | Retell one example using only "I" for actions |
| Wrong example for the question | A courage question answered with a customer service story | Example bank: map each example to an area first |
| No result or learning | You were cut off or stopped at the action | Reach the result with 45 seconds to spare |
| Future question answered vaguely | "I would do my best" with no specifics | Say what you would do and why, then back it with something you have done |
Tools: the pacing timer, the free interview in the full mock and a free scored answer in the mock interview.
If the written exercise was your lowest score
The written exercise assesses respect and empathy, we analyse critically, we support and inspire and we collaborate. It asks for an urgent written task for your line manager using four items of information, answering every question in one box, without adding or inventing information.
- Read for conflicts, not just facts. Before writing, list what the items agree on, where they disagree and what is missing. The spot the gaps drill trains this in ten minutes.
- Answer every question, in order. Use the question numbers as headings. A missed question cannot be credited.
- Write for a busy manager. Conclusions and recommendations first, then the reasons. Short paragraphs.
- Show the people. Respect and empathy shows in how you describe and plan for the people affected, including anyone the items might label unfairly.
- Name the partners. Collaboration means saying who you would work with and what you would ask of them.
- Time yourself to about 40 minutes. The limit is two hours, but practising to 40 minutes leaves room on the day.
Spelling and grammar are not assessed and pasting from another application may mean automatic failure, so practise typing straight into the box. The written exercise examples show four worked tasks.
If the briefing exercise was your lowest score
The briefing exercise assesses public service, we are emotionally aware, we take ownership and we are innovative and open-minded. The College asks you to consider the issues raised and how the police can build positive relationships.
- Use the preparation stage. List everyone affected, separate safety from nuisance and note potential partners.
- Answer the question asked. Briefing questions are narrow. Lead with your first step and why.
- Respond to emotions. When the scenario includes anger, fear or criticism, acknowledge it before explaining.
- Follow up. Leave the last 30 seconds for how you would keep people informed and check it worked.
- Adapt to new information. In parts two and three, say what has changed in your plan.
Run full scenarios in the briefing exercise simulator; the first scenario is free and each question has a marking checklist.
Full mocks: when and how
Single questions build skills. Full mocks build stamina and judgement about order and timing. Two full mocks before your resit is a good minimum:
- Around week 6 or 7: a diagnostic run. Does the score pattern match your feedback report?
- Around week 10: a dress rehearsal. Same device, same room, same order you plan to use, no notes prepared in advance.
Review each mock against the checklist and pick one change per exercise. Do not spend the final week doing a third full mock unless you are well rested: tired practice can dent confidence.
Fitting the plan around work and life
Most candidates prepare around a job. A realistic week, about 3 to 4 hours in total:
| Day | Session (about 30 to 40 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Monday | The week's focus task from the tracker |
| Tuesday | One timed interview answer and review |
| Wednesday | Written reading drill or part of a written response |
| Thursday | Four briefing questions |
| Friday | Rest |
| Weekend | One longer session on your focus exercise |
This is our suggestion. Shift workers can run the same pattern across their rest days. Short, regular sessions beat one long session the weekend before.
Interview and assessment centre updates
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What changes the second time and what does not
- The format stays the same. The same three exercises and timings, unless the College updates its guide. Check the guide's "updated" date before your window.
- The content is different. Do not expect the same questions or scenarios.
- Assessors start fresh. The College says assessors know only your name and email and do not know whether you have applied before.
- Your examples can be reused. If an example was strong, keep it and tell it better. If it was thin, replace it.
- Adjustments are considered per assessment. If you had a reasonable adjustment, ask your force whether it carries over or needs a new request.
- Your sift result may or may not count. The College's guidance does not say. Ask your force.
On the day of your resit
Nerves can be stronger the second time. A few things help: do the exercises in the order you rehearsed, take breaks between exercises (you can, as long as you finish each one you start), skip thinking time only when you are ready and remember the practice question at the start of each spoken exercise is there to settle you.
Run the free set-up check the day before, add support@tazio.co.uk and police.assessments@notifications.service.gov.uk to your safe senders and note the deadline: 11.59pm on the date your force gives you. If something goes wrong technically, stop and contact support rather than finishing the exercise.
Paid practice for the three-month gap
Everything in this plan can be done with free tools. If you want two full timed papers, extra briefing scenarios and AI feedback in 2024 CVF language for the whole gap, the 90-day Mock Interview Pass (£39.99) covers a typical resit wait; the 6-month toolkit (£69.99) suits a longer one. Both also include unlimited scored interview answers and the written trainer's full feedback. Full refund within 14 days, no reason needed.
Myths about OAC resits
"You only resit the exercise you failed." You complete all the exercises again.
"The three months run from your result." They run from the start date of your previous assessment window.
"Failing once counts against you." Assessors do not know you have applied before. We found no rule penalising a previous unsuccessful attempt, apart from the limits on attempts and the two-year bar for severe inappropriate behaviour.
"Memorise your answers this time." Prepared notes or scripts can mean automatic failure and scripted answers rarely fit new questions.
"Another force will let you resit sooner." You can apply elsewhere, but the College says you cannot sit the online assessment within three months of your last attempt unless your force says otherwise.
Who to ask
- Your force recruitment team: its resit rule, your next window, whether your sift result still counts and whether your adjustment carries over.
- recruit@college.police.uk: questions about the online assessment process your force cannot answer. Put your force in the email header.
What we could not verify
- How the 12-month period for the two-attempt limit is counted. The College's guides do not say.
- Whether a failed online assessment means retaking the national sift. Not stated by the College; forces decide.
- Whether any force currently sets a longer resit wait than three months. Forces can and some may; we have not checked all 43.
- How much a resit candidate's scores typically improve. No figures are published.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I resit the police OAC?
The College of Policing says you can resit the online assessment process from three months after the start date of your assessment window, no more than twice in a 12-month period. Forces can set their own rules, so confirm with your recruiting force before you reapply.
Do I have to redo all the OAC exercises if I fail?
Yes. The College's candidate guide says you will be required to complete all exercises in the assessment process again, including any you scored well on. Plan your practice so all three stay sharp.
How many times can you fail the OAC?
The College limits attempts to twice in a 12-month period. We found no lifetime limit on applications. The College also says severe inappropriate language or behaviour during an assessment means you cannot resit that stage for at least two years.
How do I pass the OAC the second time?
Use your feedback report to find the exercise with the lowest score, practise the specific habits it describes on new questions, keep the other two exercises in practice and do at least two full timed mocks under real conditions before your new window.
Should I use the same examples in my OAC resit?
You can, if they were strong and relevant, but tell them better: more of what you did and why and a clear result. Assessors do not know you have applied before. Avoid turning a reused example into a memorised script, which the College treats as an automatic fail risk.
Do I need to retake the national sift if I fail the OAC?
The College's guidance does not say. It sets resit rules for the sift and for the online assessment process separately and forces decide how they handle reapplications. Ask your force whether your sift result still counts.
Is three months long enough to prepare for an OAC resit?
For most people, yes, if the time is used deliberately. Thirty to forty minutes a day of targeted practice over 12 weeks adds up to far more spoken and written practice than most first attempts get. The College says the gap exists to give people time to develop.
Can I resit the OAC with a different force?
You can apply to a different force, but the College says you may only sit the assessments with one force at a time and you cannot sit the online assessment again within three months of your last attempt unless your force says otherwise.
Can I appeal instead of resitting?
Only within 24 hours of taking the assessment, in writing to your force, on grounds of extenuating circumstances or procedural concerns. Appeals made after you receive your result are not considered and an automatic fail cannot be appealed.
What does the free resit plan tracker do?
You enter the date your next assessment window opens (your force gives you this). It lays out up to 12 weeks of practice back from that date, lets you tick off each week in your browser and downloads a calendar file with a reminder for each week.
Which paid option fits a three-month resit gap?
The 90-day Mock Interview Pass (£39.99) covers a typical three-month gap and includes the full timed OAC mock, AI feedback, unlimited scored interview answers and the written trainer's full feedback. The 6-month toolkit (£69.99) suits a longer wait.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 21 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- College of Policing: Online assessment process candidate guide (updated 21 July 2026) : resit from three months after the start of the window, twice in 12 months, all exercises again; feedback report; appeals within 24 hours; extenuating circumstances; prepared notes (accessed 21 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Police constable pre-employment guidance (April 2024) : reapplying three months after rejection unless the force says otherwise; the gap is to give people time to develop; one force at a time; two-year bar (accessed 21 October 2026)
- College of Policing: National sift candidate guidance (updated 1 June 2026) : the separate sift resit rule (accessed 21 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Reasonable adjustments and accommodations guide for online assessments candidates (updated 25 August 2026) : adjustments are considered for each assessment (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police (Amendment) (Recruitment Standards) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/154) : passing the online assessment process is a legal requirement for constable candidates other than transferees (accessed 21 October 2026)
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Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with the College of Policing, the Home Office or any police force and it does not recruit, vet or assess applicants. Recruitment standards, assessment formats and vetting decisions are set by the College of Policing and each force and change from time to time: check the force you are applying to before relying on anything here. Details apply to England and Wales unless stated. Details are as checked on 21 October 2026.