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Police Sergeant
Exam Explained (UK)

Syllabus, Pass Marks, Format & Professional 2026 NPPF Strategy

2026 NPPF Technical Standard • Definitive Guide

Direct Answer

The Police Sergeant Exam in England and Wales is a national legal knowledge examination under the National Police Promotion Framework (NPPF). It is a multiple-choice test covering criminal law, PACE, evidence, police conduct, regulations and leadership principles.

Passing the exam satisfies Step 2 of the 4-stage NPPF. It places you on a five-year eligibility list but does not guarantee substantive promotion or the immediate offer of a board.

The Sergeant Exam At A Glance

Core Format

  • Legal knowledge test
  • Multiple-choice only
  • Time-limited (3 hours)
  • Nationally standardised

Legal Status of a Pass

  • Grants eligibility for Step 3/4
  • No automatic promotion
  • No override of local selection
  • 5-year validity period

Section 1:
National Standing

The Sergeant Exam (officially NPPF Step Two) is the only nationally standardized gateway for rank progression in the 43 forces of England and Wales. It is designed and overseen by the College of Policing.

Note for Scotland & PSNI: This guide strictly covers the England & Wales NPPF. Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland operate separate, distinct promotion frameworks with their own examination structures.

View Hub: How Police Promotion Works (UK) →

Section 2:
Structure & Scoring

The MCQ Model

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (usually 150) under a "Single Best Answer" model. This means that while several options may seem plausible, only one is technically correct under the strict letter of the legislation.

There are no essays, no leadership interviews (at this stage), and no scenario-writing requirements. It is a pure test of legal knowledge application.

Standard Setting

The pass mark is not a fixed percentage. Instead, the College uses 'Standard Setting'—a statistical method that adjusts based on the difficulty of the questions on that particular day's paper.

"You do not need to be top scorer.
You need to meet the national pass threshold."

Section 3:
The Syllabus

Criminal Law

Theft, Robbery, Burglary, Assault, Sexual Offences, Public Order, Drug Offences, Fraud.

PACE 1984

Arrest Powers, Code G Necessity, Search & Seizure, Detention Limits, Interviews.

Evidence Rules

Hearsay, Bad Character, Burden of Proof, Standard of Proof, Disclosure.

Conduct & Regulations

Standards of Professional Behaviour, Misconduct thresholds, Duty Hours, Rest Days, Overtime rules.

Leadership & Ethics

Code of Ethics, National Decision Model (NDM), Accountability principles.

Misconduct Hub → Rights & Regs Hub →

Section 4:
The Failure Reality

The Sergeant exam has a historically high failure rate for two primary reasons: Time Pressure and Legal Nuance. It is not an memory test; it is an application test.

Top Reasons For Failure

Surface Revision Memorising offence names without understanding the specific 'Points to Prove'.
PACE Negligence Underestimating the complexity of detention clocks and stop codes.
Poor Time Management Spending too long on difficult criminal law questions and rushing the 'easy' regs.
The 'In My Force' Trap Answering based on how your current team does it, rather than what the law says.

Section 8:
Preparation Strategy

A successful Sergeant exam campaign is rarely achieved through "cramming". We recommend a structured 12-week framework leading up to the sitting.

Weeks 1–4
Core Criminal Law (Violence, Property, Drugs, Public Order).
Weeks 5–6
PACE 1984 & Evidence (Search, Arrest, Detention, Hearsay).
Weeks 7–8
Police Conduct, Regulations, Ethics & Human Rights.
Weeks 9–10
Full-length timed practice exams and weakness analysis.
Weeks 11–12
Recall sessions on memorised lists (e.g. Schedule 1 PACE).

Section 9:
Readiness Checker

Use the diagnostic tool below to determine if your current revision trajectory is sufficient for the NPPF technical standard.

Performance Diagnostic

Sergeant Exam Readiness Checker

12-Week Revision PlanYou have a structured plan covering all core legal modules, not just 11th-hour cramming.
75%+ Mock ScoreYou are consistently scoring above 75% in random timed mock exams from reputable question banks.
Police RegulationsYou have revised the often-neglected areas of duty hours, leave, and overtime regulations.
Conduct ProceduresYou understand the legal thresholds for misconduct vs gross misconduct and the 2020 regulations.
Time ManagementYou have practised at least 3 full-length timed tests to manage the 3-hour pressure.
Readiness Level
Not Ready

The Sergeant exam has a high failure rate for a reason. Structure your revision and hit the mocks before sitting.

NPPF Stage 2 Diagnostic • Unofficial Technical Review

Exam Essentials FAQ

How many questions are in the Sergeant exam?

Typically 150 multiple-choice questions over a 3-hour period.

What is the pass mark?

There is no fixed percentage. It is statistically adjusted (standard set) based on paper difficulty.

How long is the pass valid?

An exam pass is generally valid for 5 years before it expires.

Can you fail and retake?

Yes, though most forces only allow one attempt per annual recruitment cycle.

Is the exam harder than Inspector?

It is broader and more legalistic; Inspector is more strategic and focused on critical incidents.

Step 2
Knowledge Grid

How Police Promotion Works How to Get Promoted to Sergeant Inspector Promotion Guide Police Pay Hub Police Pension Hub Misconduct Hub
Educational Standards Disclaimer

All guidance on this page is for educational purposes only and reflects the National Police Promotion Framework (NPPF) Step 2 technical standard. We do not provide exam preparation materials, question banks, or official legal training. All scores and readiness results are indicative only.