About the UK Police SEARCH Test
The Standard Entrance Assessment for Recruitment of Constables (SEARCH) is the primary cognitive aptitude test used by most UK police forces for officer recruitment. It is used by the Metropolitan Police, Greater Manchester Police, West Midlands Police, Thames Valley Police, Hampshire Constabulary, and the majority of other forces across England and Wales.
The test covers three sections:
- Verbal Reasoning: reading comprehension passages with True / False / Cannot Say questions, vocabulary, word analogies, and drawing logical conclusions from written rules
- Numerical Reasoning: percentages, ratios, number sequences, and data interpretation from tables and charts, no calculator permitted
- Abstract Reasoning: identifying patterns in sequences, shape grids, and mixed symbol series, tests spatial and logical thinking under time pressure
The assessment is delivered online and consists of approximately 60 questions across the three sections under timed conditions.
Important: Individual police forces set their own re-application policies. Many forces impose a 6-month wait before a candidate can reapply if they fail the assessment stage. Failing the cognitive test and re-attempting too soon can also flag your application. Prepare thoroughly the first time.
Key SEARCH Test Facts to Know
- Who uses it: Most UK police forces including the Met, GMP, West Midlands, Thames Valley, Hampshire, and many others
- Question count: Approximately 60 questions across three sections
- Calculator: Not permitted in the numerical reasoning section
- Verbal format: True / False / Cannot Say, "Cannot Say" means the passage neither confirms nor denies the statement
- Abstract reasoning: The section most candidates underestimate, pattern types include rotating shapes, mirror sequences, and odd-one-out grids
- No national pass mark published: Forces use the score to rank candidates; the threshold varies by intake and vacancy numbers
- Retake policy: Varies by force, most impose a minimum 6-month wait between applications
- Physical tests: Separate from the cognitive assessment, passing the SEARCH does not mean passing the full selection process
The official police recruitment pages provide no practice questions and no worked examples. Practice Tests UK fills that gap with 100+ realistic questions across all three sections with step-by-step explanations for every answer.
| Feature | Official Police Recruitment Site | Practice Tests UK |
|---|
| Practice questions | None | 100+ questions |
| Answer explanations | None | Every question |
| Instant feedback | No | Yes |
| Progress tracking | No | Yes |
| Drill by section | No | Yes |
Free sample: Try 10 free questions below. Use Drill Mode to focus on the section you find hardest.
