15m Police Bleep
Test Simulator
Practise pacing, shuttle timing and rhythm based on the published 15m protocol used for the UK police fitness test, including Level 5.4 and the College of Policing specialist levels.
Level 5.4
15m
3m 35s
Level 6.1+
6.3 - 10.5
Practice aid, not medical advice. Warm up first, stop if you feel pain, dizziness or chest discomfort, and see a GP before you start if you have a health condition.
What This Simulator Does
Real 15m Pacing
Pacing based on the published 15m protocol, unlike standard 20m school tests. Speeds run from about 7.9 km/h at level 1 to about 9.9 km/h at level 5.
Police-Specific Timing
Uses the College of Policing levels for 5.4 and for specialist roles, with shuttle counts matching our levels chart. It is a practice aid, not an official test.
Specialist Targets
Lets you choose targets such as PSU (6.3), AFO (7.6), ARV (9.4) and Dynamic Intervention AFO (10.5), the College of Policing recommended levels.
Pacing Familiarisation
Helps you practise the common tip of not running ahead of the slow early levels.
Confidence Building
Lets you do dry runs and get used to the timing, which many people find reduces nerves.
Turn Rhythm Training
Helps you practise arriving at the line on the beep and turning smoothly.
Who This Is For
Why People Fail The Bleep Test
Fitness is only part of the picture. These are commonly cited mistakes:
Running ahead of the bleeps early on because Level 1 feels slow uses energy you will need at Level 5.
Running 'loops' rather than turning on the line adds extra distance to every shuttle, which builds up over the test.
Missing a beep and panicking. Nerves can raise your heart rate and make the next shuttles harder.
Not knowing when the pace steps up. Practising with the simulator makes the level changes familiar.
Breathing quickly and shallowly under stress. Dry runs can help you practise staying calm as the tempo rises.
Braking hard at every turn can tire the legs. Practising controlled turns helps.
How To Use The Simulator Properly
- Measure exactly 15 metres with a tape between two lines on a flat, non-slip surface.
- Warm up, for example with light jogging, leg swings and slow turns.
- Turn the volume up (or use a speaker you can hear at both ends) and press "Launch Simulator".
- Arrive on the beep: place a foot on or over the line as it sounds, turn and go. Do not rush the early levels.
- Turn on the line, not in a wide loop.
- Stop if you feel unwell, and note the level and shuttle you reached.
Setting up at home for the first time? Our guide to practising the bleep test at home covers space, surface, shoes, sound, a first session and what differs from the real hall. Comparing this simulator with phone apps and audio files? See police bleep test apps and audio compared.
Bleep Test Target Levels
Milestones on the 15-metre multi-stage fitness test (College of Policing recommended levels, plus our practice suggestion):
College of Policing standard for officers who undertake Personal Safety Training.
A practice margin many people like to aim for. Our suggestion, not an official target, and no guarantee.
College of Policing recommended level for Police Support Unit officers.
College of Policing recommended level for Authorised Firearms Officers (AFO).
College of Policing recommended level for Armed Response Vehicle officers.
College of Policing recommended level for Dynamic Intervention AFOs.
What should YOU target?
If you are a regular PC candidate, the pass mark is 5.4. Some people like to reach around Level 6.1 in practice to leave a margin for nerves, slippery flooring or an off-day. That is our suggestion, not an official target, and it cannot guarantee a pass on the day.
Unprepared for the 15m Bleep Test?
Three tools built from your own answers for the police 15m bleep test (Level 5.4): a 6-week plan, a pass predictor and a weakness analysis. Practice aids, not a guarantee of a pass.
General training information, not medical advice. Stop if you feel pain, dizziness or chest discomfort, and see a GP before you start if you have a health condition, an injury or are pregnant. No tool can guarantee a pass.
Why the 15m Test Feels Harder
School and many other bleep tests use a 20-metre track. The College of Policing standard uses a 15-metre track.
The shorter track means you turn about 33% more often over the same distance (20 divided by 15). Many people find the extra braking and restarting tiring on the legs, even if their breathing feels fine.
Your Fitness Training Flow
A suggested pathway for preparing. It cannot guarantee a pass:
Review speeds, shuttle counts and the College of Policing levels to map your target.
Practise with our pacing tool to get used to the bleep rhythm.
Use our suggested 6-week training guide to build your fitness gradually.
Consider aiming a little beyond 5.4 in practice to leave a margin for nerves and slippery floors.
Run your pacing plan on assessment day.
Simulator FAQ
Answers to common questions about 15m bleep test simulation and pacing.
Is this the real police pacing?
It is based on the published 15-metre multistage protocol, with shuttle counts and seconds per shuttle matching the level chart on this site, cross-checked against the College of Policing figures for Level 5.4 (35 shuttles, 525 metres, about 3 minutes 35 seconds). It uses a synthesised beep, not the official recording, so treat it as a practice aid.
Is the police test 15m or 20m?
The College of Policing police fitness test uses a 15-metre track. School and many other bleep tests use a 20-metre track, which has different pacing speeds.
How long is Level 5.4?
Reaching Level 5.4 takes about 3 minutes and 35 seconds of total running, according to the College of Policing. It is a test of aerobic capacity.
How many shuttles is 5.4?
It requires 35 shuttles of the 15-metre course: 7 in level 1 and 8 in each of levels 2 to 4 (31 shuttles), plus the first 4 shuttles of level 5.
Can I practice at home?
Yes. Measure out 15 metres on a flat, non-slip surface using cones or tape, turn up the volume and practise matching your turns to the beeps. Our guide to practising the bleep test at home covers space, surface, shoes, sound and a first session.
What level should I aim for?
There is no official practice target. Many people like to be comfortably beyond 5.4, for example around Level 6.1, to leave a margin for nerves or pacing mistakes. That is our suggestion and cannot guarantee a pass.
Is 6.1 good?
It is 6 shuttles beyond the 5.4 pass mark, which can leave a margin on the day. It does not guarantee a pass.
What level do firearms officers need?
The College of Policing recommends Level 7.6 for Authorised Firearms Officers, 9.4 for Armed Response Vehicle officers and 10.5 for Dynamic Intervention AFOs. Your force sets the requirement for your role.
Why does the 15m test feel harder?
Because you turn more often. Braking and restarting every 15 metres can tire the legs more than running in a straight line.
Can beginners use this simulator?
Yes. You can choose a target and stop at any time. Take medical advice first if you have health concerns.
Can serving officers use this?
Yes, it can help with pacing practice ahead of an annual JRFT. Your force administers the actual test.
Is the audio accurate?
The beep is a synthesised tone and the intervals are calculated from the published protocol timings. It is not the College of Policing audio file, so use it for practice.
Continue Your Fitness Preparation
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Sources: level 5.4 and the specialist levels from the College of Policing job-related fitness standards; 15m level timings from the 15m multistage protocol table (topendsports.com), cross-checked against the College of Policing figures. This simulator is a practice aid, not the official test or recording, and cannot guarantee a pass.