Try the full study dashboard free, no signup: practice, flashcards and your Exam Readiness Score. Open it →
UKCivilServicePrep
Start free
Home / Practice tests / Probation Officer (PQiP)
Fire, Prison & Border · Last updated November 2026

Probation Officer (Trainee Probation Officer, PQiP, England and Wales): free practice test

Probation officers assess risk, write reports for courts and parole hearings, and supervise people on community sentences and licence to protect the public and reduce reoffending. Most enter as trainees on the fully funded Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP): an application with Success Profiles behaviour questions, an online values-based assessment, and a half-day online assessment centre (written test, role play, blended interview), then vetting. Training lasts 15 to 27 months full-time depending on your qualifications.

Start the free 15-question testRead the study guide

Premium: 3,000 practice questions, 6 full mock exams, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes, topic by topic. See the study path ·

Or open the free Probation Officer (PQiP) study dashboard: flashcards, notes and your Readiness Score, no signup →

About the Probation Officer (PQiP) exam

Probation officers assess risk, write reports for courts and parole hearings, and supervise people on community sentences and licence to protect the public and reduce reoffending. Most enter as trainees on the fully funded Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP): an application with Success Profiles behaviour questions, an online values-based assessment, and a half-day online assessment centre (written test, role play, blended interview), then vetting. Training lasts 15 to 27 months full-time depending on your qualifications.

What's on the exam

Probation Officer (PQiP)
The Probation Officer Role, PQiP and Eligibility
8 key facts
Application Form and Timeline
7 key facts
Values-Based Assessment and HMPPS Values
7 key facts
Assessment Centre Written Test
7 key facts
Assessment Centre Role Play
7 key facts
Vetting and Pre-Employment Checks
6 key facts
The Blended Interview
6 key facts
PQiP Training and Qualifying
8 key facts

Each branch is a topic in the official outline. Members see every key fact on the full mind map. Read the free study guide →

How to pass the Probation Officer (PQiP) exam

  • Check you meet the two key eligibility rules before a campaign opens: a level 3 qualification (with a certificate) and experience, paid or unpaid, of working with people in crisis or showing challenging behaviour.
  • Draft your three 250-word behaviour answers and the experience answer in a document first, using STAR and 'I'. HMPPS checks for plagiarism and AI-generated content, so write about your own experience in your own words.
  • Practise reading a short case file and writing a clear, factual response in limited time. The written test measures how well you understand information and write it up, the core of report writing.
  • For the role play, practise staying calm and respectful while being clear about rules and consequences. You will face a challenging person on probation, and the panel wants honesty and boundaries as well as empathy.

Save your results and get your Readiness Score

Create a free account after the test: your score by topic, a mistakes bank, the complete study notes for the first topic, flashcards and the UK Public-Service Hiring Process Cheat Sheet.

Take the test first

What's in the premium Probation Officer (PQiP) prep

Premium Probation Officer (PQiP) prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.

3,000practice questions, every answer explained
6full-length mock exams, 50 questions each, timed
800flashcards with spaced repetition, sorted by topic
60comprehensive key notes across 8 topics

Your step-by-step study path

  1. 1
    The Probation Officer Role, PQiP and Eligibility8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Notes free with an account
  2. 2
    Application Form and Timeline8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  3. 3
    Values-Based Assessment and HMPPS Values8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  4. 4
    Assessment Centre Written Test8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  5. 5
    Assessment Centre Role Play7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  6. 6
    Vetting and Pre-Employment Checks7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  7. 7
    The Blended Interview7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  8. 8
    PQiP Training and Qualifying7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  9. Final step: 6 full mock exams50 questions each, timed like test day. Pass them, then book your exam.
    Premium
Free with an account

Read the complete Probation Officer (PQiP) study notes for “The Probation Officer Role, PQiP and Eligibility”

Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 12 minutes of reading: What probation officers do · Eligibility checklist · Pay · Which programme length?, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.

Open the free dashboard

Study tools included

3,000 practice questions

3,000 exam-style questions per exam, organized topic by topic in sets of 25. Every answer explained, with the rule it comes from.

6 full mock exams

6 full-length timed mock exams per exam, with real question counts and time limits, so test day feels like practice day.

Exam Readiness Score

One 0 to 100 number that tells you when you're ready to book. Reach 80 and you're covered by our Pass Guarantee.

800 flashcards + spaced repetition

800 flashcards per exam, in a deck for each topic, that come back right before you'd forget them. Five minutes a day keeps every number fresh.

60 comprehensive key notes

60 key notes per exam, split across its topics and each explained in full: the concepts, worked exam examples, the traps examiners use and a quick recap. Your first set is free with an account.

Mind maps

See the whole exam on one screen: every topic and the facts under it.

Sample questions with answers

These are the questions in the free test above, with answers. Try the test first. You'll learn more by getting some wrong.

1. Which applicant meets HMPPS's eligibility rules for the trainee probation officer programme (PQiP)?
Answer: A 24-year-old with a level 3 diploma who has volunteered for two years with a homelessness charity. You must be at least 18, have the right to work in the UK, hold at least a level 3 qualification in any subject, and have paid or unpaid experience of working with challenging individuals whose lives are in crisis. HMPPS cannot sponsor trainee probation officers on the Skilled Worker route.
2. For the March 2027 PQiP intake, what starting salary does HMPPS state, before London weighting?
Answer: £28,064. Trainees start on £28,064, plus a London weighting allowance of £4,505 where it applies. On qualifying as a probation officer the salary rises to £37,238 plus allowances. Trainees are employed on permanent probation services officer contracts.
3. What written evidence does the PQiP application form ask for?
Answer: 3 behaviour-based questions and 1 experience question, each with a 250-word limit. HMPPS assesses the application against Civil Service Success Profiles: three behaviour questions and one experience question, 250 words each. Drafting in a separate document first is HMPPS's own suggestion, and STAR is the recommended structure.
4. Which opening to a behaviour answer best follows the STAR method within a 250-word limit?
Answer: "While volunteering at a night shelter, a resident became angry because his bed had been given away. I had to calm him and find him a place that night.". STAR starts with a specific Situation and Task. The second option sets the scene in two short sentences and makes clear what you had to do, leaving room for your Actions and the Result. Generic claims, 'we' answers and statements about the job do not give assessors evidence of your own behaviour.
5. A man on probation tells you he missed two appointments because he has been sleeping in his car since losing his flat. What is the best response?
Answer: Listen, check he is safe, record what he has told you, explain the importance of attending, and refer him for accommodation support while following enforcement guidance. HMPPS values include Humanity (treat others as we would like to be treated) and Purpose (justice matters). Good practice combines care with accountability: understanding the cause, recording it, being clear about expectations and tackling the underlying need. Ignoring the missed appointments or acting without listening both fall short.
6. At the end of a supervision session, a woman you supervise tries to give you a £20 gift card to say thank you. What should you do?
Answer: Politely decline, explain that you can't accept gifts, and record the offer in line with policy. HMPPS professional standards expect integrity and clear professional boundaries. Accepting gifts can compromise, or appear to compromise, your judgement about risk. A warm but firm refusal, with the offer recorded, protects both of you.
7. Reading a colleague's case notes, you notice a new partner of a man convicted of domestic abuse has young children, and nothing has been done about it. What should you do?
Answer: Raise it promptly with your colleague or manager so the risk can be assessed and acted on. Public protection comes first, and the HMPPS value Openness includes being courageous. Raising a possible gap in risk management with the case holder or manager means it can be assessed properly and shared with the right agencies. Acting alone, outside procedures, could cause harm.
8. Case extract: "Mr K, 32, was convicted of theft from shops. He says he steals to fund heroin use. He lives with his mother and has no previous violence. He has missed one drug service appointment." Which factor most directly links to his offending?
Answer: His heroin use. The extract states he steals to fund heroin use, so substance misuse is directly linked to the offence and is the obvious target for intervention. The written test measures how well you understand presented information; base your answer on what the text actually says.
9. Which statement in a report is opinion rather than fact?
Answer: Ms L is clearly not serious about changing.. "Clearly not serious about changing" is a judgement without evidence. The other three report what happened or what she said. In reports, keep facts and sources clear, and if you give a professional view, support it with evidence.
10. Which sentence is most suitable for a report to court?
Answer: Mr R has three previous convictions for similar offences and has not yet engaged with alcohol treatment, which increases the likelihood of reoffending.. Court and parole reports must be evidence-based, balanced and professional. The second sentence links facts (previous convictions, non-engagement with treatment) to a reasoned assessment. Insults, feelings and hearsay have no place in a report that a court may rely on.
11. Extract: "The order requires 120 hours of unpaid work and a 6-month curfew from 19:00 to 07:00. Unpaid work must be completed within 12 months." Which summary is accurate?
Answer: 120 hours' unpaid work within 12 months, and a 6-month curfew from 7pm to 7am. An accurate summary keeps every requirement and number in the right place: 120 hours within 12 months, plus a 6-month curfew from 19:00 to 07:00. The other options swap the periods or drop a requirement. Accuracy with numbers and dates is essential in probation work.
12. In the role play, a man on licence is angry about an exclusion zone that stops him visiting his local pub. What is the best approach?
Answer: Stay calm, let him explain, acknowledge his frustration, explain why the condition exists and the consequences of breaching it, and agree what he can do. The role play presents a challenging scenario. Assessors look for calm, respectful communication with clear boundaries: you listen and acknowledge feelings, explain the reason for the condition and the consequences, and focus on what he can control. Promises you cannot keep, threats or walking away do not resolve the situation.
13. During a session, a woman on probation says she will tell you something only if you promise to keep it secret. What should you say?
Answer: "I can't promise that. If what you tell me suggests someone is at risk of harm, I would have to share it with the right people, but I'll be open with you about what I do.". Probation staff cannot promise confidentiality where there is a risk of harm. Being honest about the limits before she speaks respects her and protects others. Promising secrecy, or deciding afterwards without telling her the rules, is misleading.
14. Why does HMPPS require trainee probation officers to have lived in the UK for the last 3 years?
Answer: To pass the level of vetting (NPPV level 2) needed to access secure multi-agency IT systems. Trainees need HMPPS enhanced level-2 vetting with an enhanced DBS check, and Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) level 2 once in post. Proof of 3 years' UK residence is needed for NPPV2, which gives access to the multi-agency databases the role relies on. Previous convictions do not automatically rule you out.
15. An applicant has A levels but no higher qualification. How long is her full-time PQiP programme?
Answer: 27 months. With a level 3 qualification you follow the 27-month non-graduate route: a level 4 module and four knowledge modules in the first 12 months, then the level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, Diploma of Community Justice and level 6 PQiP in the final 15 months. Level 5 holders take 15 months (with 3 of the 4 relevant modules) or 21 months.

Get the full Probation Officer (PQiP) prep

Most popular · cancel anytime

Premium Monthly

£45/month
per exam
About £1.48 a day · for the career you'll spend years in, with every selection stage covered
  • One career of your choice: any Civil Service, police, armed forces, fire, prison, border or intelligence career on this site
  • 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
  • 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
  • Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
  • Readiness Score & detailed reports
  • Video lessons as they release
  • Content updates during your access
  • 5 bonuses: hiring process cheat sheet, STAR interview answer builder, vetting and checks guide and more
  • Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back

Renews monthly until you cancel. Cancel in two clicks from your account; you keep access until the end of the month you've paid for. No minimum term.

Best value · 3 months free

Premium Yearly

£405/year
per exam
Pay for 9 months, get 12. Save £135 against paying monthly.
  • One career of your choice: any Civil Service, police, armed forces, fire, prison, border or intelligence career on this site
  • 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
  • 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
  • Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
  • Readiness Score & detailed reports
  • Video lessons as they release
  • Content updates during your access
  • 5 bonuses: hiring process cheat sheet, STAR interview answer builder, vetting and checks guide and more
  • Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back

Renews once a year until you cancel. We email you before each renewal. Cancel any time from your account; you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.

Pass Guarantee. Complete the full prep, sit your exam within 60 days, and if you don't pass we refund 100% of your subscription payments. See the requirements
Secure checkout by Stripe Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay Pass Guarantee

Certification guide

Public-service interview questions and how to answer them: UK public-service interviews are structured: every candidate is asked the same questions and scored against a published framework, such as the Civil Service [Success Profiles](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles) or the police [Competency and Values Framework](https://www.college.police.uk/career-learning/competency-and-values-framework). That makes them predictable. If you know the framework and have the right examples ready, you can prepare for almost every question you'll be asked.

Probation Officer (PQiP) exam FAQ

How many questions are on the Probation Officer (PQiP) exam?

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, with a time limit of values-based assessment about 30 minutes, with no time limit. online assessment centre half a day. Format: 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.

What is the passing score for Probation Officer (PQiP)?

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.

How much does the Probation Officer (PQiP) exam cost?

No fee. The PQiP qualification is fully funded and you are paid while you train. Most UK public-service applications are free. The police promotion and investigators' exams are arranged through your force, and degree routes may have tuition costs, so check the job advert or your force before you start.

Which languages is the Probation Officer (PQiP) exam offered in?

English.

Where do I take the Probation Officer (PQiP) exam?

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.

Is this Probation Officer (PQiP) practice test free?

Yes. The 15-question practice test on this page is free, with an explanation for every answer and no signup. A free account also unlocks the complete study notes for the first topic. The full Probation Officer (PQiP) prep is Premium at £45 a month for this exam.

What's in the premium Probation Officer (PQiP) prep?

3,000 practice questions organized topic by topic (The Probation Officer Role, PQiP and Eligibility: 375; Application Form and Timeline: 375; Values-Based Assessment and HMPPS Values: 375; Assessment Centre Written Test: 375; Assessment Centre Role Play: 375; Vetting and Pre-Employment Checks: 375; The Blended Interview: 375; PQiP Training and Qualifying: 375), 6 full-length timed mock exams of 50 questions, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes split across all 8 topics, plus a mistakes bank and the Readiness Score.

Compare Probation Officer (PQiP) with other public-service careers

Related practice tests

Fire, Prison & Border

Firefighter (UK Fire and Rescue Services)

Firefighters respond to fires, road traffic collisions, floods and rescues, and spend much of their time on prevention work such as home fire safety visits.

15 free questions3,000 premium Qs · 6 mocks · 800 flashcards · 60 key notes
Start free test →
Fire, Prison & Border

Prison Officer (HM Prison Service, England and Wales)

Prison officers keep prisons safe, secure and decent while supporting prisoners to change.

15 free questions3,000 premium Qs · 6 mocks · 800 flashcards · 60 key notes
Start free test →
Fire, Prison & Border

Border Force Officer (Home Office)

Border Force Officers run immigration and customs controls at UK ports and airports, interview and search passengers, goods and vehicles, protect vulnerable people and use powers of arrest and detention for border offences.

15 free questions3,000 premium Qs · 6 mocks · 800 flashcards · 60 key notes
Start free test →

Exam details are summarized from the official candidate information available in November 2026. The recruiting organisation changes formats and fees, so confirm with HM Prison and Probation Service (Probation Service), Ministry of Justice before you book. UKCivilServicePrep is an independent career-prep service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.

Start the free test