Police Online Assessment Centre Written Exercise Explained
What the exercise is, what the College says about it, and how to plan your time and structure your answer.
Short answer
Last reviewed 1 October 2026The written exercise is one of three police OAC exercises. You act as a police constable completing an urgent written task for your line manager using four items of information: about 10 minutes reading the instructions, about 40 minutes writing, 120-minute limit. Use only the information provided. Spelling and grammar are not assessed. It assesses respect and empathy, analysing critically, supporting and inspiring, and collaborating.
Type straight into the platform (pasting from elsewhere is not accepted) and you cannot return once you press continue. Want something to practise on? Try our four original written exercise practice scenarios with planning outlines, or the free trainer below.
Sources: College of Policing candidate guide (updated July 2026). The College does not prescribe a report layout.
What is the Written Exercise?
The written exercise puts you in the role of a police constable. You are given four items of information to help you complete an urgent written task.
The task is for your line manager. The College does not set a required format, so read the instructions carefully and answer every question in the same response box.
- It assesses how you analyse critically (CVF).
- It assesses how you collaborate (CVF), and how you show respect and empathy.
- It assesses how you support and inspire (CVF).
Crucially, use only the information provided and do not add or invent any. You do not need legal knowledge or knowledge of police procedures.
Practise a Written Report
Read the candidate information pack, then type your report exactly as you would on the real exercise. AI reviews structure, clarity and CVF evidence — entirely by typing.
17 original practice scenarios — plenty to work through over 6 months.
Email 1 (resident, Beckett Row): 'This is the fourth time this month I've called about the flat above mine. Loud music until 2am on weeknights. I have work at 6am and I'm exhausted. Nobody ever comes.' Email 2 (neighbourhood team log): Two prior visits logged. Both times the occupant, a 22-year-old tenant, was cooperative and turned the music down immediately. No further action taken either time. Memo (landlord): 'Tenant has been there 8 months, rent always paid on time, no other issues reported.' Note (control room): Three separate addresses on the same street have now called about unrelated, lower-level anti-social behaviour concerns this month, suggesting wider tension on the street, not just this one flat.
Write a short report for your Sergeant recommending how this should be handled next, given it keeps recurring despite the tenant being cooperative each time. Recommend a specific next step and explain your reasoning using only the information above.
This is self-paced practice, not a timed exam simulation — the College of Policing says the real written exercise takes about 10 minutes to read the instructions and about 40 minutes to complete, with a 120-minute time limit; always check your own candidate instructions.
Where the written exercise fits in the OAC
Your feedback report gives an overall score for each exercise; no pass mark is published. The published guidance does not say whether strong performance elsewhere can offset a weaker exercise, so ask your force if you need to know. For a full overview, see: Police Online Assessment Centre (OAC) Explained.
A suggested pace (you have up to 120 minutes)
The College expects around 40 minutes to complete the exercise after about 10 minutes reading the instructions, and sets a 120-minute limit so you do not have to rush. This split is our suggestion, not an official one. If time runs out, whatever is in the answer box is submitted.
Read the instructions and items
Read the task first, then the four items. Note what is being asked and who is asking. Use only what is provided.
Plan
Group related points, decide your recommendations and priorities. You can jot notes in the answer box, but delete them before you submit, because everything in the box is marked.
Write
Answer each question in the same response box. Focus on why, not just what.
Review
Check you answered every question and that your points are clear. Spelling and grammar are not assessed. Only press continue when you are happy: you cannot go back.
Illustrative Example (not a College template)
This is our own invented scenario, and the College does not prescribe a layout. Imagine you are asked to review an increase in Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) at a local park. You have emails from residents complaining about noise, a report from a youth worker about lack of facilities, and a report from the council confirming that some street lights are broken.
1. Introduction
"Sir/Ma'am, the purpose of this report is to review the recent increase in ASB at Green Park and recommend partnership interventions to reduce incidents while maintaining community trust."
WHY IT WORKS: Sets scope immediately.
2. Key Issues Identified
- Resident Distress: 5 emails indicate fear of walking alone at night.
- Youth Engagement: Youth worker reports local teenagers have nowhere else to go (Document C).
- Lighting: Council report confirms 3 lights are broken (Document A).
WHY IT WORKS: Uses evidence from specific documents.
3. Options & Recommendations
Option A: Full Enforcement. Zero tolerance
patrols.
Risk: May alienate
local youth and displace problem.
Option B: Partnership Approach (Recommended).
I recommend we partner with the council to fix
lighting immediately to address fear of crime.
simultaneously, I propose we work with the youth
team to identify a safe alternative space.
WHY IT WORKS: Shows "Critical Analysis" and "Collaboration".
4. Conclusion / Next Steps
"I will arrange a meeting with the council representative next week to agree funding for the lights. I will also update the residents to provide reassurance."
WHY IT WORKS: Names concrete next steps and who is involved, which links to "We collaborate" and "We support and inspire", two of the four areas the College lists for this exercise.
Competency Checklist
Worth including (our view)
- ✓ A Clear Recommendation Don't sit on the fence. Decide.
- ✓ Evidence References "As seen in Email B..."
- ✓ Consideration of Risk What could go wrong with your plan?
- ✓ Community Impact How does this affect public trust?
Avoid Completely
- ✗ Assumptions "I assume the youths are criminals." (Unless evidence says so).
- ✗ Copying Text Use your own words, don't just copy-paste the brief.
- ✗ Slang or Text Speak It's a professional report. Use full sentences.
If you’re unsure how confident you are with the written exercise, the free “Are You Ready for the Police Online Assessment Centre?” readiness check can help highlight preparation gaps before assessment day.
What happens after the written exercise
Assessment
Your written exercise is assessed alongside your interview and briefing exercise.
Results
Your recruiting force tells you when to expect results. You then get an automated email from police.assessments@notifications.service.gov.uk with instructions to view your outcome and feedback report.
Final reassurance
The written exercise is not designed to catch you out. It is designed to see whether you can think clearly, prioritise sensibly, and communicate effectively under time pressure. Those skills can be practised and improved with calm preparation.
FAQ
How long is the OAC written exercise?
Is spelling and grammar assessed in the OAC written exercise?
What is the written exercise task?
Do I need police knowledge for the written exercise?
Can I use notes or paste text in the written exercise?
Should I use headings or bullet points?
What happens if I do not finish the written exercise?
Can I fail the OAC because of the written exercise alone?
Interview and assessment centre updates
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Sources used on this page
- Online assessment process candidate guide (College of Policing, updated July 2026): written exercise task, timings, competencies, spelling and grammar, notes and submission rules.
- College candidate FAQs v2.2 (2022, older guidance): no retake after an incomplete submission; what it said about pass marks.
Independent guidance, not affiliated with the College of Policing. "Our view" and "our suggestion" mark our own advice.