About online tests

We use online tests to help us shortlist candidates. We usually use them for larger courts and tribunals exercises, as well as some non-legal roles.

Judges who work in roles like the one being advertised devise the tests and the marking criteria. The tests help us assess how well you can:

• understand and analyse information
• identify key issues
• understand and apply the law correctly
• make sound decisions
• explain your reasoning clearly

We use two main types of online test:

• qualifying test
• scenario test

We regularly publish reports evaluating these online tests and how candidates have performed during them.

Scheduling of tests 

To help you plan, we publish the dates of any online tests on the selection exercise’s information page.

As we run many exercises throughout the year, we cannot always avoid school holidays, judicial holidays, or religious festivals.

If you cannot sit the test on the scheduled date due to exceptional circumstances (such as a religious holiday) please contact the selection exercise team as soon as possible. If appropriate, we will offer an alternative test date, usually one to two weeks after the original date.

Before the test

You’ll get an email at least one week before your online test. This will include:

• instructions for the test
• any pre-reading material
• the links you need to access the test
• details of test times

If you don’t receive this email by the expected date, contact the selection exercise team as soon as possible.

Scoring the tests

Qualifying test

The qualifying test usually has two elements – situational judgement and critical analysis. These are scored automatically. You’ll need a minimum score of 30% on both tests to be considered for the next stage.

We convert your marks from each part of the test into a standard score. This shows how well you did compared to other candidates who took the same test.

We then combine your two standard scores using a weighted average:

• 60% of the score comes from the situational judgement test
• 40% comes from the critical analysis test

This combined result is called a composite score. Candidates are ranked by their composite scores. A cut-off score is then set, based on how many places are available in the next stage.

Read more about how we calculate these different scores and rank candidates.

Scenario test

For the scenario test, judges from the relevant area mark the tests without seeing candidates’ names. The marking is also checked to make sure it is fair and consistent.

Everyone is ranked by their score. A cut-off point is then set based on the number of places available at the next stage.

Scores for both kinds of online tests are not carried forward once shortlisting is complete.