Prison Officer vs Probation Officer (PQiP): which career suits you?
Both are HM Prison and Probation Service careers, but they work at different points of a sentence. Prison officers work inside prisons: up to 2 online tests (judgement and numerical skills, then a values-based situational judgement test if the advert says so), an online assessment centre of about 2.5 hours, a medical and fitness test and vetting; HMPPS says the process averages 6 to 7 months. Probation officers supervise people on licence and community sentences and write court reports; most qualify through the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP), which includes degree-level study while you work. Choose prison officer for a faster start; probation for a qualification-led, casework career.
Prison Officer vs Probation Officer (PQiP) at a glance
| Prison Officer | Probation Officer (PQiP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Prison Officer (HM Prison Service, England and Wales) | Probation Officer (Trainee Probation Officer, PQiP, England and Wales) |
| Questions | Stage 1 scenario-based test (SBT): behavioural and numerical scenarios a prison officer might face. Stage 2 values-based assessment (VBA): a variety of question styles covering three behaviours, one technical area and one strength. HMPPS does not publish question counts | Application: 3 behaviour-based questions and 1 experience question, 250 words each, scored against Civil Service Success Profiles. Values-based assessment: a variety of question styles; HMPPS does not publish the number of questions |
| Time | SBT about 25 to 40 minutes; VBA up to about 20 minutes with no time limit. Online assessment centre about 2 hours 30 minutes: interview up to 30 minutes, 10-minute role play, 25-minute written exercise | Values-based assessment about 30 minutes, with no time limit. Online assessment centre half a day |
| Passing score | No pass mark is published. You must pass each stage. For 'merit' vacancies, offers go in order of online assessment centre performance; a pass is valid for 12 months. Fitness: grip 25 kg in both hands, 7 kg shield at shoulder height for 1 minute, 15 m bleep test to level 5.4 (35 shuttles), agility run within 34 seconds | No pass mark is published. The values-based assessment decides who progresses; placements are allocated by fair and open competition on merit from assessment scores, with a 12-month reserve list |
| Format | Unsupervised online tests; HMPPS offers a free official SBT practice test and example VBA questions. The written exercise is typed into an incident form in 25 minutes. Our practice questions are single-best-answer with four options | Unsupervised online stages. HMPPS warns that plagiarised applications are rejected and applications may be screened for AI-generated content. Our practice questions are single-best-answer with four options |
| Cost | No fee. Travel to the medical and fitness test can be claimed back up to £100 (UK travel only) | No fee. The PQiP qualification is fully funded and you are paid while you train |
| Languages | English (spoken and written English are assessed at the online assessment centre) | English |
| Where | Online: application on Prison and Probation Jobs, a scenario-based test and a values-based assessment at home, then a video online assessment centre (laptop with webcam). The medical and fitness test is in person at Swindon, Cambridge, South London (Croydon), Rugby (Newbold Revel), Leeds or Manchester | Online: application on Justice Jobs, an online values-based assessment, then a half-day online assessment centre (written test, role play and blended interview). Campaigns open periodically; when closed you can register interest |
| Level | Fire, Prison & Border | Fire, Prison & Border |
What each exam covers
Prison Officer
- The Prison Officer Role, Eligibility and Pay
- Scenario-Based Test: Numeracy and Behaviour
- Values-Based Assessment and HMPPS Values
- Online Assessment Centre: Role Play and Written Exercise
- Medical, Fitness Test and Vetting
- The Blended Interview: Strengths and Behaviours
- Application Strategy and Timeline
- Foundation Training and the First Year
Probation Officer (PQiP)
- The Probation Officer Role, PQiP and Eligibility
- Application Form and Timeline
- Values-Based Assessment and HMPPS Values
- Assessment Centre Written Test
- Assessment Centre Role Play
- Vetting and Pre-Employment Checks
- The Blended Interview
- PQiP Training and Qualifying
Which should you take?
Both are HM Prison and Probation Service careers, but they work at different points of a sentence. Prison officers work inside prisons: up to 2 online tests (judgement and numerical skills, then a values-based situational judgement test if the advert says so), an online assessment centre of about 2.5 hours, a medical and fitness test and vetting; HMPPS says the process averages 6 to 7 months. Probation officers supervise people on licence and community sentences and write court reports; most qualify through the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP), which includes degree-level study while you work. Choose prison officer for a faster start; probation for a qualification-led, casework career.
Try both, free
Each free practice test takes about 10 minutes and shows your score by topic. No signup.
FAQ
What is the difference between Prison Officer and Probation Officer (PQiP)?
Both are HM Prison and Probation Service careers, but they work at different points of a sentence. Prison officers work inside prisons: up to 2 online tests (judgement and numerical skills, then a values-based situational judgement test if the advert says so), an online assessment centre of about 2.5 hours, a medical and fitness test and vetting; HMPPS says the process averages 6 to 7 months. Probation officers supervise people on licence and community sentences and write court reports; most qualify through the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP), which includes degree-level study while you work. Choose prison officer for a faster start; probation for a qualification-led, casework career.
Which is harder, Prison Officer or Probation Officer (PQiP)?
Prison Officer: stage 1 scenario-based test (sbt): behavioural and numerical scenarios a prison officer might face. stage 2 values-based assessment (vba): a variety of question styles covering three behaviours, one technical area and one strength. hmpps does not publish question counts in sbt about 25 to 40 minutes; vba up to about 20 minutes with no time limit. online assessment centre about 2 hours 30 minutes: interview up to 30 minutes, 10-minute role play, 25-minute written exercise. Probation Officer (PQiP): application: 3 behaviour-based questions and 1 experience question, 250 words each, scored against civil service success profiles. values-based assessment: a variety of question styles; hmpps does not publish the number of questions in values-based assessment about 30 minutes, with no time limit. online assessment centre half a day. The longer exam covers more ground, but the harder one is the one further from your daily work. Take both free practice tests to see where you stand.
Can I hold both Prison Officer and Probation Officer (PQiP)?
You can prepare for and apply to more than one, and many people do, because the judgement, verbal and numerical tests and the structured interviews overlap a lot. Each organisation runs its own process and vetting, and some roles can't be held at the same time (you can't be a serving regular police officer and a regular in the armed forces, for example), so check the eligibility rules in each job advert.
How do I prepare for Prison Officer and Probation Officer (PQiP)?
Start with the free practice test for each, then study by topic. Premium is per exam (£45 a month each), so most people start with the exam they'll sit first and add the second when they're ready.
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Exam details are summarized from recruiting organisations' published information as of November 2026. Confirm with the recruiting organisation before you book. UKCivilServicePrep is an independent career-prep service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.