UK Police Sift (SJT) exam-day guide
UK Police Sift (SJT) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID (original, not a copy)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. Accepted forms vary (commonly a passport or photocard driving licence), and the name must match your application - confirm the exact accepted ID with the recruitment provider before the day.
Booking confirmation and candidate/reference number
Have the confirmation email and any candidate number to hand, whether you are logging in remotely or reporting to a venue. Check which email address it was sent to, including spam folders.
Test login details or venue address and arrival time
For an online sift, confirm the platform link and login work in advance. For an in-person session, confirm the address, which entrance to use and the arrival time stated in your invitation.
Written confirmation of any reasonable adjustments
If you requested extra time, a different format or other adjustments, bring or have ready the confirmation so it can be applied without delay. Contact the provider well before the test if you have not had it confirmed.
A quiet, private room with a stable internet connection
For online sittings, choose a room where you will not be interrupted, with a reliable connection and a backup option such as a mobile hotspot.
Charged device, power cable and a checked browser
Test your laptop or computer on the day before: power, browser version, webcam and microphone if the platform uses them. Confirm the technical requirements with the provider rather than assuming.
Contact details for the recruitment/technical support team
Save the phone number and email from your invitation so you can report a technical problem immediately rather than guessing what to do.
Clarify in advance whether rough paper and a pen are allowed
Some online sittings prohibit notes or rough paper. Ask the provider before the day so you are not caught out; if permitted, have a blank sheet and pen ready.
Water and a clock or watch
Keep water nearby and be able to see the time so you can pace yourself through timed sections.
Read your invitation and any familiarisation material
Check the format, number of sections, time limits and response style (for example rating effectiveness). Use only official practice material supplied or signposted by the provider.
Travel plan with a time margin (in-person sittings)
Check routes, parking and journey times, and aim to arrive with spare time so a delay does not affect your start.
Phone silenced and stored as instructed
Keep your phone off or silenced and out of reach during the test unless the provider's instructions say otherwise.
Plan the day
Re-read the invitation in full: confirm the format, sections, time limits, ID requirements and any adjustments. Check the venue or platform, and email the provider now if anything is unclear or unconfirmed.
Do one or two short familiarisation sessions using official practice items so the response scale feels natural. Stop there - last-minute cramming tends to make your answers less consistent, not more.
Sort logistics: travel, parking, childcare, a quiet room for an online sitting, and let household members know you must not be disturbed.
Complete a full technical check if testing online: log in to the platform, test the browser, webcam, microphone and speakers, and confirm your login works. Charge devices and locate cables.
Lay out your ID, confirmation email, candidate number and support contact details. Check the start time in your own time zone and set two alarms.
Get a normal night's sleep and avoid trying to memorise 'correct' policing answers. The sift measures judgement across many items, so a rested, consistent approach serves you better.
Eat, hydrate and avoid rushing. Re-check the start time and login link or travel plan.
For online sittings, clear the room of notes and devices not permitted, close other applications and silence notifications. For in-person sittings, arrive early and follow staff instructions.
Read each scenario carefully, note who is involved, what the risk is and what a competent, proportionate response looks like, then answer. Do not overthink single items - keep pace with the timer.
Answer every question; do not leave blanks, and do not spend disproportionate time on any one item. If a section is timed, watch the clock rather than the question count.
If something technical goes wrong, note the time, take a screenshot if you can, and contact the provider's stated support route immediately. Do not restart or refresh repeatedly unless they tell you to.
Note down the reference number and any incident you reported, and keep the provider's correspondence in case you need to follow up.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID specified by the provider, with your name matching your application. If you are unsure which forms are accepted, confirm with the provider before the day - turning up with the wrong document may prevent you sitting the test.
Treat the content of the test as confidential. Do not photograph, record, copy or discuss specific scenarios or questions afterwards; sharing test content is likely to breach the provider's rules and could affect your application.
Follow the instructions on permitted materials exactly. In an online sitting this usually means no notes, no second screen and staying in view of the camera if proctoring is used; confirm the specifics with the provider rather than assuming.
Expect the test to be timed and continuous. Do not assume you can pause for a break mid-section; ask the provider in advance whether any breaks are built in.
Answer honestly and consistently as yourself. Situational judgement and behavioural styles questions typically include consistency checks, and answers that look tailored rather than genuine can work against you.
Aim for the response that reflects proportionate, ethical and safety-conscious policing - consider risk to the public and to colleagues, the law, and the values expected of officers - rather than the answer that seems most lenient or most dramatic.
If a technical failure interrupts your sitting, stop, record what happened and contact the provider straight away using the details in your invitation. Do not attempt workarounds that could be treated as a breach of test conditions.
Do not rely on this guide for any specific rule of the assessment. Any detail about ID, timing, breaks, adjustments or scoring should be confirmed with the assessment provider or your recruiting force.