Upcoming Exams

• Sergeants - 13 March 2012
• Inspectors - 2 October 2012

2012 Rules & Syllabus

 The Chair of the PPEB has approved the 2012 Rules & Syllabus document for publication.

The document becomes effective in January 2012 and supersedes all rules and syllabus previously published.

• Please continue to refer to the 2011 document for the forthcoming Inspectors' Part I and Sergeants' Part II.
• The first batch of candidates affected by the 2012 Rules & Syllabus are those registering for the Sergeants' Part I 2012.
  

The document has been amended in a number of areas, and therefore it is recommended that you read the document thoroughly.

OSPRE® Part I Blueprint Survey

The Examinations & Assessment business unit of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) are currently conducting blueprint research into the current syllabus for the OSPRE® Part I Examinations to ensure that they are relevant and fair for potential sergeants and inspectors. 

In order to take part in this research, please click on the link below which is relevant to your current rank:

Sergeants Blueprint Survey

Inspectors Blueprint Survey

We are also asking for volunteers to take part in 30 minute interviews to support the survey. If you would like to get involved please send an email with your name, contact details and area of work.

Many thanks for your assistance.

The Assessment Process

The Objective Structured Performance-Related Examination (OSPRE®) was introduced nationally in 1991, as the primary means through which police officers in England and Wales are selected for promotion to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector. It is designed to test knowledge and understanding of the law and procedure of the future sergeants and inspectors.
The examination involves 150 multiple-choice questions over a three-hour period. Questions used in the examination are prepared by trained writers who have extensive policing experience and knowledge of the relevant legislation. During the development period, all questions are extensively quality assured by a team of internal and independent experts.

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How To Apply

For information on how to apply please refer to the Rules and Syllabus document. 

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Candidate Guidance

To help you prepare for OSPRE Part I candidates are provided with the following:

• Rules and Syllabus - This booklet contains the rules for OSPRE® and the National Police Promotion Framework and the syllabus for the qualifying OSPRE® examinations for promotion to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector to be conducted from January 2011.
• Candidate Information Booklet - This booklet provides general information on the OSPRE® Part I Examination process.
• Sergeants' 2011 Subject Area List - This document provides the Subject Area List for which candidates were tested during the 2011 Sergeants OSPRE® Part I Examination.
• Inspectors' 2011 Subject Areas List - This document provides the Subject Area List for which candidates were tested during the 2011 Inspectors OSPRE® Part I Examination.
  Note: the subject area lists are only a general guide to the type of topics that have been tested in the past and are not an indication of the content of any future examinations.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - This page provides a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
  

If you have a query, please read the FAQ first and / or contact your Force Examinations Officer (FEO). If you have a specific query that cannot be resolved either by the FAQ or FEO you may contact NPIA Examinations and Assessment on the email address:  Exams.OSPRE@npia.pnn.police.uk

Entry Forms

Candidates are required to keep a photocopy of their entry form, a record of the date the form was sent back to their force and for whose attention it was addressed - for forwarding on to NPIA Examinations and Assessment.

It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure, via their own force, that their completed entry form has been submitted and received by NPIA Examinations and Assessment by the closing date. Late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Crown Prosecution Service

You should notify the Crown Prosecution Service that you will be unavailable for court on the day of the Part I examination.

Withdrawal

Please note that if you withdraw from the Part I, you cannot be reinstated under any circumstances.

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Disabilities

For information on how to apply for Reasonable Adjustment arrangements please refer to the Rules and Syllabus document and the Reasonable Adjustment Policy.

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Results and Feedback

Candidates will receive notification of their examination result following the Reports and Debrief Panel which authorises their release.  Detailed performance feedback will then be released to candidates. The detailed feedback is aimed to maximise the amount of developmental information candidates gain from the examination process.

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Force Results and Feedback

In addition to the performance feedback provided to candidates, a report is provided to forces, detailing the overall performance of their candidates compared to the national candidate group. This information is designed to assist force management in identifying the overall strengths and development needs in their officers' knowledge and understanding, which can inform future in-force training programs. Moreover, it enables the force to benchmark the performance of their officers against those within other forces.
The force feedback report does not identify the performance of individual candidates.