Police Sergeant Exam (NPPF Step 2)
The legal knowledge exam every aspiring sergeant must pass — syllabus, format, study planning, materials.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
What the exam is
The NPPF Step 2 (sergeant) legal knowledge exam — universally called "the sergeant's exam" — is the multiple-choice exam an officer must pass before becoming eligible to apply for substantive promotion to sergeant under the National Police Promotion Framework. It tests recall and application of UK policing law and procedure at the level expected of a first-line supervisor.
Format and pass standard
- Format: multiple choice, computer-based, sat at a designated commercial test centre.
- Length: approximately 150 questions across approximately 3 hours.
- Pass mark: set by the College of Policing for each sitting based on item-response analysis. It is not a fixed percentage; recent sittings have tended around the 55–65% mark, though this varies.
- Sittings: held twice annually (typically spring and autumn) — see the College of Policing for the current dates.
- Result release: usually 4–6 weeks after the sitting.
Syllabus areas (overview)
Refer to the College of Policing's annual exam information document for the canonical syllabus. The core areas are:
- General principles, evidence and procedure (PACE, ABE, disclosure, Code C, witness handling)
- Serious crime and other offences (homicide, kidnapping, assault, blackmail)
- Property offences (theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, criminal damage)
- Sexual offences (Sexual Offences Act 2003 framework, consent, vulnerability)
- Child protection and safeguarding
- Drugs (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, schedules, powers)
- Firearms (Firearms Acts, prohibited and Section 1 weapons, certificates)
- Public order (POA 1986, breach-of-peace powers, processions/assemblies)
- Road and traffic offences (RTA 1988 / RTOA 1988, driving offences, vehicle examination)
- General police duties (police powers, stop and search, PACE codes, code G)
Study planning
Most successful candidates study 12–24 weeks at 8–12 hours per week. A practical pattern:
- Weeks 1–4: read each Blackstone's chapter once for understanding; mark unfamiliar areas.
- Weeks 5–10: question-bank practice in the morning, re-read weak chapters in the evening.
- Weeks 11–16: full timed mock papers weekly; focus revision on weakest 3 topics.
- Final 2 weeks: light revision, mocks under exam conditions, no new material.
Use our NPPF Study Planner to model a schedule from your exam date.
On the day
- Arrive at the test centre 30 minutes early with ID.
- Use the question-marking tool to flag uncertain answers for review at the end.
- Don't dwell on individual questions — the time budget is approximately 1 minute per question.
- Eliminate clearly wrong options before guessing; there is no negative marking on missed answers.
After Step 2 — Step 3 and the board
Passing Step 2 gives you eligibility but is not promotion. To become a substantive sergeant you must also complete Step 3 (work-based assessment) and a force-led promotion board. The CVF framework underpins the board — see our CVF guide.
Related
Official sergeant-exam sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
College of Policing — Sergeants' and inspectors' NPPF step two legal exams
Authoritative source for exam regulations, syllabus and sittings.
Last checked: May 2026 - Verify on official source
Blackstone's Police Manuals — Police Service
Canonical study text for the NPPF Step 2 exams.
Last checked: May 2026 - Verify on official source
PFEW — Promotion guidance
Federation member-facing promotion resources.
Last checked: May 2026
Frequently asked
- What is the sergeant exam?
- The sergeant exam — formally NPPF Step 2 (sergeant) — is the legal knowledge exam an officer must pass before being eligible to apply for substantive promotion to sergeant under the National Police Promotion Framework. It tests knowledge of UK policing law and procedure relevant to a sergeant's role.
- How is the exam structured?
- Multiple-choice, computer-based, sat at a designated test centre. There are typically 150 questions covering core policing law areas. The pass mark is set by the College of Policing each sitting based on item-difficulty analysis (it is not a fixed percentage). Candidates have a set time limit per question; total exam time is approximately three hours.
- What's in the syllabus?
- Core areas: General principles of evidence and procedure, serious crime and other offences, property offences, sexual offences, child protection, drugs, firearms, public order, road and traffic offences, general police duties. The exact syllabus and weightings are published by the College of Policing in the annual exam information.
- What study materials should I use?
- Blackstone's Police Manuals (the canonical four-volume reference and the Police Service title) are the primary study material. Blackstone's also publish a Question Bank used by most exam candidates. Many officers supplement with online courses (Police-Pass, Police Inspire, force study groups). Pick one main course and stick with it rather than buying everything.
- How long should I study for?
- Most successful candidates study 12–24 weeks at 8–12 hours per week. Use our NPPF Study Planner tool to model a realistic schedule from your exam date.
- Can I sit the exam more than once?
- Yes — there is no fixed cap on attempts but each retake requires a fresh application and fee, and force policy may set internal limits or cooling-off periods. Check with your force learning and development team.