What Happens If You Fail the Police OAC
A clear, reassuring explanation of what happens next, what it means for your application, and what options you have.
First, an important reassurance
Failing the Online Assessment Centre does not mean you are unsuitable for policing.
Every year, large numbers of capable, motivated candidates do not pass the OAC on their first attempt.
This is not a reflection of intelligence, character, or potential. It usually reflects preparation gaps, unfamiliarity with the format, or difficulty communicating evidence under pressure.
Understanding what happens next can help remove unnecessary panic and self-blame.
What “failing” the OAC actually means
When candidates say they have “failed” the OAC, it usually means one of the following:
- • They did not meet the required standard across the assessment overall
- • They did not demonstrate sufficient evidence in one or more exercises
The OAC is made up of multiple exercises:
Each exercise is assessed independently. An unsuccessful outcome does not mean you failed everything. It means the overall evidence did not reach the required level at that time.
How you are told the result
Results are usually communicated via your recruiting force or the assessment platform used for the OAC. Feedback is often limited or general.
Note: This does not mean the assessment was vague or rushed. It reflects the standardised nature of large-scale recruitment processes.
Why feedback can feel frustratingly brief
Many candidates expect detailed, personalised feedback.
In reality, OAC feedback is often:
- • High-level
- • General
- • Focused on broad areas
This can feel unsatisfying, but it does not mean assessors lacked clarity.
It means feedback must be consistent across thousands of candidates.
Can you reapply after failing the OAC?
In most cases, yes.
However, candidates are usually required to:
- • Wait a specified period before reapplying
- • Complete the assessment again in full
The waiting period exists to allow:
- • Reflection
- • Further experience
- • Improved preparation
Exact reapplication rules can vary by force and recruitment route.
Unsure where you lost marks?
If you’re unsure where things may have fallen short, the free “Are You Ready for the Police Online Assessment Centre?” readiness check can help you identify preparation gaps before deciding next steps.
Review My OAC ReadinessWhat happens to your current application
If you are unsuccessful at the OAC stage:
- • Your current application will usually end
- • You will not progress to later stages such as vetting or offers
This can feel abrupt, but it is a normal part of structured recruitment.
It does not prevent future applications.
Common emotional reactions (and why they’re normal)
Candidates often feel:
These reactions are understandable.
The OAC requires personal reflection, which makes outcomes feel personal even when they are procedural.
Allowing time to process the result is often helpful before making decisions.
Why some candidates pass on a second attempt
Candidates who are successful on a later attempt often:
- ✓ Understand the format more clearly
- ✓ Prepare examples more deliberately
- ✓ Improve structure and reflection
- ✓ Feel less overwhelmed by the process
Experience of the OAC itself can be valuable learning.
Should you reapply or step away?
This is a personal decision.
Some candidates benefit from:
- • Gaining more life or work experience
- • Allowing time before reapplying
- • Reflecting calmly rather than rushing
Others decide policing is not the right path for them at this time.
Neither choice is a failure.
What matters is making an informed decision rather than reacting emotionally.
How to approach a future attempt differently
Candidates who reapply successfully often:
- • Focus on clarity over confidence
- • Prepare structured examples in advance
- • Practise verbal explanations aloud
- • Spend time reflecting on past experiences
They rarely rely on memorisation or scripts. Understanding how the OAC is marked can also help realign preparation.
Final reassurance
The Online Assessment Centre is a snapshot, not a judgement of your worth or potential.
An unsuccessful result does not close the door on policing forever. It simply means that, at that point in time, the evidence presented did not meet the required standard.
Many strong officers today did not pass on their first attempt. What matters is how you choose to move forward.