September 09, 2025 | Human Resources , Officer and Staff: Recruitment and Promotion
Request: FOI/00013486
Category: Human Resources - Promotion
Subject: Inspector & Sergeants Exams 2024
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold the information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.
We further consider the information you seek in request numbers 2 and 5 are exempt by virtue of Section 31(1)(g) by virtue of Section 31(2)(d) of FOIA and have detailed our rationale as to why this exemption applies. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request 1
In the 2024 Inspectors promotion exam what was the pass mark and how was this determined?
Answer 1
There are no pass marks set in advance for the PSNI promotion exams. Strategic Promotion and Examination Board (SPEB) determine in advance the number of candidates they wish to take forward to interview and therefore that number progress. For the Inspectors exam 2024 this was set at 250.
Request 2
In the 2024 Inspectors promotion exam what percentage of candidates who sat the exam selected the correct answer for each question. This could simply be answered in the following format Q1. 60 percent of candidates selected the correct answer. Please provide the percentage for every question.
Answer 2
See 'Answers 2 and 5' section below.
Request 3
In the 2024 Inspectors promotion exam process, how many candidates sat the exam and how many complaints were received.
Answer 3
376 candidates sat the exam. A total of 101 emails were received by the Exam Team in line with the query process.
Request 4
In the 2024 Sergeants exam what was the pass mark and how was this determined?
Answer 4
There are no pass marks set in advance for the PSNI promotion exams. Strategic Promotion and Examination Board (SPEB) determine in advance the number of candidates they wish to take forward to interview and therefore that number progress. For the Sergeants exam 2024 this was set at 700.
Request 5
In the 2024 Sergeants promotion exam what percentage of candidates who sat the exam selected the correct answer for each question. This could simply be answered in the following format Q1. 60 percent of candidates selected the correct answer. Please provide the percentage for every question.
Answer 5
See 'Answers 2 and 5' section below.
Request 6
In the 2024 Sergeants exam process how many candidates sat the exam and how many complaints were received.
Answer 6
1710 candidates sat the exam. A total of 205 emails were received by the Exam Team in line with the query process.
Request 7
What qualifications are required to set PSNI exam questions/papers?
Answer 7
Questions are written by officers of Inspector rank who have participated in the College of Policing Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) writing course to enhance skills, knowledge and guidance on recommended practice when creating exams.
Answers 2 and 5
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
a. states that fact,
b. specifies the exemption in question and
c. states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
The exemption, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 31 (a)(b)(g) – by virtue of 31(2)(d) Law Enforcement
Section 31 is a prejudice based qualified exemption. This means that the public authority is required to provide harm that could occur following disclosure of the requested information and must consider the balance of the public interest in releasing the information against the public interest in withholding it. Particular attention should be made to Sec 31(1)(g) by virtue of Sec 31(2)(d).
“The purpose of ascertaining a person’s fitness or competence in relation to the management of bodies corporate or in relation to any profession or other activity which he is, or seeks to become, authorised to carry on”.
The summary of the Harm and Public Interest considerations for Section 31 is provided below:
Harm
PSNI considers the disclosure of this information could prejudice and undermine the current PSNI promotion process. If this information was released it could provide persons with a snapshot of information that, without context, could be misconstrued. It has the potential to compromise the exam process along with the integrity of the question bank. Questions may be part of a live, closed exam database and any disclosure would compromise the effectiveness of future examinations. This has the potential to allow any candidates to subsequently equip and prepare themselves, providing an unfair disadvantage when undertaking these promotion exams and therefore distorting the effectiveness of the examination and, by extension, the assessment of a person's fitness or competence to carry out their law enforcement role.
A disclosure under FOI is considered a release to the world in general and not just to the applicant requesting the information. Once information is disclosed by FOI, there is no control or limits as to who or how the information is shared with other individuals.
Factors Favouring Release - Section 31
The police service is becoming more accountable in the delivery of a professional service to its customers. Poor performance and misconduct issues often lead to criticism regarding the quality of police officers and therefore the publication of any information, would assist the public to have a better understanding of current promotion material used by PSNI and other police forces.
Factors Favouring Retention - Section 31
PSNI and all Police forces invest substantial resources in the promotion and retention of staff by providing continuing development and training in ensuring a professional delivery of police services to the public. Any disclosure of information which undermines the assessment process in deciding whether prospective applicants are suitable in attaining promotion would carry substantial risk to a forces ability to carry out their law enforcement role.
Decision
The PSNI considers that the factors favouring withholding the information are stronger and outweigh those in favour of disclosing the requested information. In this case the public interest favours withholding the information as there is evidence to suggest the Law enforcement capabilities of the Service would be affected in relation to applicants not being selected from a level playing field with this disclosure.
For the reasons provided above this information should remain withheld and unpublished in the public domain.