CNC
Selection Pack
Original practice for the stages only the Civil Nuclear Constabulary runs: the Values Based Interview and the weapons handling assessment at the Recruitment Day, plus the CNC's strict medical standards. 50 questions with model answers, timed mocks, instruction drills, a primer and a medical action plan. £24.99 for 12 months.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 23 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
After the National Sift and the online assessment centre, CNC applicants attend a Recruitment Day: a CNC insights presentation, a firearms briefing and weapons handling assessment that tests dexterity and following instructions and the CNC Values Based Interview. Then comes a medical where, for example, glasses cannot be used to meet the eyesight standard. This pack prepares you for all three with PolicePay's own material, not the CNC's.
The CNC Recruitment Day
| Part | What the CNC says | In the pack |
|---|---|---|
| CNC insights presentation | Part of the morning or afternoon session | A CNC primer with sources, so you arrive knowing the force |
| Firearms briefing and weapons handling assessment | Tests your dexterity and ability to follow instruction whilst handling a firearm | Instruction-following drills at three levels (read or spoken) plus a checklist for approaching it calmly |
| CNC Values Based Interview | For transferees: suitability against the CVF and the AFO role profile, the Code of Ethics, policing principles and respect for race and diversity | 50 questions, timed mocks and model answers |
The CNC does not publish the format, length or scoring of either assessment, which weapon is used or where Recruitment Days are held. The pack prepares the skills the CNC names and says plainly where it is our advice.
What is inside
- Values question bank: 50 questions in ten areas: integrity, fairness, public service, openness, the Code of Ethics, diversity, the armed role, protecting a nuclear site, motivation and transferees.
- For every question: what the assessor is trying to find out, the points a strong answer shows (tick them to mark yourself), follow-ups, pitfalls and a model answer.
- Timed mocks: our own format of six questions with a five-minute clock each and an optional recording that stays on your device, then a review.
- Instruction drills: hear or read a multi-step instruction once, then carry it out in order on a grid. Unlimited rounds at three levels.
- Medical action plan: every CNC medical standard from eyesight to mental health, with the step to take before your medical.
- Checklists: the Recruitment Day, the weapons handling assessment, the values interview and the weeks before your medical.
A two-week plan
- Day 1: work through the medical action plan. Book an optician test now if you wear glasses: the CNC says glasses cannot be used to meet the standard.
- Days 2 to 4: read the primer and the CNC's own pages. Know your site, its local force and why the CNC protects it.
- Days 5 to 10: five values questions a day out loud, one area at a time. Run one instruction drill a day, moving up a level when you get five in a row right.
- Days 11 to 12: two timed mocks, marked honestly. Redo your two weakest answers.
- Days 13 to 14: the Recruitment Day checklist. Keep training for the 7.6 bleep test throughout: the CNC can test your fitness at any point in the process.
The earlier stages
Before the Recruitment Day, CNC applicants sit the College of Policing National Sift (a situational judgement test and a behavioural questionnaire) and the Online Assessment Centre (a competency interview, a written exercise and a briefing exercise). This pack does not cover them. Start with our free National Sift guides and online assessment centre guides.
What we do not claim
The CNC does not publish its Values Based Interview questions or the format of the weapons handling assessment. This pack is independent practice built from what the CNC does publish. It is not a medical opinion and no product can promise a pass. PolicePay is not connected to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these real CNC interview questions?
No. Every question, model answer and drill was written by PolicePay. The CNC does not publish its Values Based Interview questions, its length or how it is scored. Our questions cover what the CNC says it assesses: the Competency and Values Framework, the AFO role profile, the Code of Ethics, policing principles and respect for race and diversity.
Does the pack teach firearms handling?
No. The CNC says its weapons handling assessment tests your dexterity and your ability to follow instructions while handling a firearm, after a firearms briefing on the day. It does not publish the format. Our drills train the listening and following part with no firearm content. You are never expected to have used a firearm before.
Does it cover the National Sift and the online assessment centre?
No. The CNC uses the College of Policing National Sift and Online Assessment Centre, which the rest of PolicePay covers in its own free tools and packs. This pack is for the stages only the CNC runs: the Recruitment Day and its medical standards.
I am a serving officer transferring. Is it useful?
Yes. The CNC says transferees have a Values Based Interview at a recruitment day. The firearms assessment is waived only for current AFO and ARV officers. The pack marks the questions written for transferees and rejoiners.
How long do I have access?
12 months from the day you buy, for one payment of £24.99. Nothing renews. Your marks and drill scores are kept in the browser you use.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. Ask within 14 days for a full refund, no reason needed: reply to your receipt or email andrew@policepay.co.uk.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 23 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.
- CNC careers: Applying for a role : the stages; the Recruitment Day with the CNC insights presentation, firearms briefing, weapons handling assessment and CNC Values Based Interview (accessed 23 October 2026)
- CNC careers: Police officer transferees : what the Values Based Interview assesses; the firearms assessment waived for current AFO and ARV officers (accessed 23 October 2026)
- CNC careers: Police officers : every officer is an AFO; conduct assessed throughout; the 7.6 fitness standard (accessed 23 October 2026)
- CNC AFO pre-employment medical guidance v8 (PDF) : every medical standard in the action plan (accessed 23 October 2026)
- CNC Policing Professional Role Profile, PC AFO (PDF) : the six CVF competencies at Level 1 (accessed 23 October 2026)
On this topic elsewhere
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Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with the Ministry of Defence Police, the Ministry of Defence, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority, the Defence Police Federation, the Civil Nuclear Police Federation, the College of Policing or any other force. It does not recruit, vet or assess applicants. Every fact here comes from the force's own pages, GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk or the other sources listed, read on the date shown. Each force sets and changes its own process and pay: check its current pages and your own invitation before relying on anything here. Our practice questions are original PolicePay material, not questions used by either force. Details are as checked on 23 October 2026.