Met Police Exam
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Cheat sheet
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Metropolitan Police entrance assessment is the selection stage used by London's Metropolitan Police Service to decide whether applicants move forward to interview and pre-employment checks. It is aimed at people seeking to become police constables, including new recruits and, where routes allow, transferees and specials. The assessment is designed to test whether you can think like an officer rather than simply recall facts. It typically combines situational judgement, where you choose the most and least effective response to a policing scenario, with numerical reasoning based on tables and short data sets, verbal reasoning over dense written passages, written communication tasks such as drafting a statement or report, and elements of logical problem solving and checking accuracy under time pressure. Preparation works best when it is active and spaced: practise full sections under timed conditions, review every wrong answer to understand the reasoning, and build a habit of reading police-style material for precision. The official recruiter publishes current details of format, booking, eligibility and any preparation materials, so check its site before you apply and treat third-party guides as practice only. This page is independent study support and is not affiliated with the Metropolitan Police.
What you'll study
About Met Police Exam preparation
What does the Met Police entrance assessment actually test?
It tests applied judgement and reasoning rather than police knowledge. Expect scenario-based questions on prioritising, communicating and handling conflict, plus numerical and verbal reasoning, a written task, and accuracy checks. You are not expected to know the law in detail; you are expected to show sound, proportionate decision-making and clear written English.
How long is the assessment and how many questions are there?
The official recruiter sets and periodically revises the structure, so question counts and time limits are not fixed here. Check the Metropolitan Police recruitment site for the current format before you book. For practice, time yourself at roughly a minute per reasoning question so you build pace regardless of the live format.
How difficult is it, and what score do I need?
Most candidates find the timing, not the content, the hard part. Situational judgement has no single right answer, so you are judged on the quality of your reasoning. Passing thresholds are set by the recruiter and are not published as a fixed figure here; consult the official site for current standards and any feedback policy.
Can I retake it if I do not pass?
Retake rules, waiting periods and any limits on attempts are set by the recruiter and can change. Do not assume you can immediately re-sit. Confirm the current policy on the official Metropolitan Police recruitment pages before applying, and if you are unsuccessful, ask what feedback is available so your next attempt is targeted.
What is the most common reason candidates fail?
Poor time management and misreading the question. Candidates spend too long on one numerical table or answer the scenario they imagined rather than the one written. Others write reports that are accurate but disorganised. Practise under strict timing, read each stem twice, and structure written answers with a clear opening, chronological account and concise conclusion.
In what order should I study the sections?
Start with situational judgement, because it shapes how you approach everything else and is heavily weighted. Then build numerical and verbal reasoning through short daily timed sets. Add written communication once your reading speed is comfortable, and finish with accuracy drills and full mixed mocks in the final weeks to rehearse switching between task types.
How should I answer situational judgement questions?
Read the scenario for role, risk and immediate safety first. Rank options by whether they are proportionate, lawful in spirit, and focused on protecting people while gathering information. The best answer is rarely the most dramatic or the most passive. Eliminate options that ignore a risk, escalate unnecessarily, or defer a decision you could reasonably make.
How can I improve numerical reasoning quickly?
Relearn percentages, ratios, averages and currency conversions, then practise reading tables before calculating. Estimate the answer first so you can spot an obviously wrong option. Do ten minutes of timed questions daily rather than one long weekly session, and keep a log of error types so you stop repeating the same mistake.
Does the written task need perfect spelling and grammar?
It needs to be clear, accurate and professional. Minor slips matter less than a confused structure, missing facts or an unclear timeline. Practise writing short statements from a set of facts, keeping to the point, using plain English, and checking names, times and dates before you finish.
Is this page official, and where do I confirm details?
No. This is independent study material and is not affiliated with the Metropolitan Police. Always confirm eligibility, format, booking, fees and results policy on the official recruitment website, as these details change. Use practice questions here to build skills, not as a substitute for the recruiter's current guidance.