Paul Connor

NIE CANDIDATES (THEORY QUESTION) Imagine there's a 22 page chapter in the syllabus on 'Forgery and Counterfeiting' which, over the last 12 exams, was worth 1 mark in six of the exams and 0 (zero) in the other six. Based on those exam stats, would you study/revise it?

NOV 2026 INSP CANDIDATES - GUESSING IS PART OF THE GAME Whatever plan you've used, sooner or later you're going to have to guess an answer. Personally I would have gone the Plan B route - in doing so I accept that the chapters I've excluded from study & revision would typically be worth in the region of 23 marks. As I'm not studying/revising them I don't expect to get all of the MCQs on Plan B chapters right - so I'm not worried about them in the exam. When they crop up (as I expect them to) I'll take my best guess and move on - I don't waste time on them. What I do expect is that I'll guess a number of them correctly. If there were 23 MCQs on Plan B chapters in November 2026, I know the the chances of guessing them all incorrectly is 0.13% (vitually nil). The chances of guessing 6 correctly is the most likely outcome (53% chance of that). I'm also reasonably confident that I'll actually know the answer to 1 or maybe 2. But lets say I'll get 6 right - they'd be part of my overall performance in the exam.

INSP 2026 CANDIDATES - NO MORE MCQs There's no 'right' way so if your preparation involves answering MCQs at this late stage then do it. My advice is that candidates should avoid them at this late stage - do something else that doesn't involve them (online mocks are out as well).

INSP EXAM NOV 2026 - EXAM MINDSET (TARGETS/AIM) I'm expecting an exam dominated by Crime and GPD (because that's how it's been for the last 18 years). I'm strong in Crime and GPD and 'average' in E&P (I'm aware of my strengths and weaknesses). I'll make mistakes/there are gaps in my knowledge (nobody ever scored 100% because nobody knows everything and matched that with a perfect exam performance). I'm not going to be 'exceptional' (85% isn't required). I'm aiming to pass (65% or more will do just fine). Think about what YOU expect next week. What are YOUR strengths? What are YOUR weaknesses? How do YOU expect to perform? Be realistic about what YOU are going to do. Set YOUR targets accordingly. What is YOUR aim?

ANALYSE YOUR FEEDBACK AND GO AGAIN I know this is disappointing, but I sincerely hope you’re going to have another go in March 2027. A lot of people are in a similar position (failing by 1–5 marks) and will know exactly how you feel. In my opinion, being only 2 marks from passing means you were doing a lot of things right. You don’t score 75/140 by luck. My advice is to look at my Revision Plan and identify where you can realistically improve next time. You’ll probably spot a number of chapters where targeted work for 2027 will pay off. You’re not looking for 100% on every chapter—you just want to perform well enough that a few extra marks tip you over the line. Many of the chapters in the Revision Plan are short (highlighted in yellow). Spreading your efforts across a broad selection of frequently tested topics will raise your chances far more effectively than trying to mine a few extra marks out of something like a weak Code C or Code D performance (needles in haystacks).

OCTOBER 2026 SGT EXAM 2674 candidates took the exam. Almost certainly the lowest number since the current 150 MCQ exam system began in 2002. The fact that the exam is held two times a year is a significant factor of course.

SGT EXAM PASS RATES Since the syllabus change in 2023.

OCTOBER 2026 SGT EXAM - NATIONAL PASS RATE 67.2%

NOV 2026 INSP EXAM - CRIMINAL DAMAGE Look at that grid! This is the 5th most efficient chapter in the syllabus. If you don't know 'Simple Damage' how do you expect to answer any other CDA71 MCQs? You engage with EVERYTHING to give yourself the best chance for 4-5 marks.

NOV 2026 INSP EXAM 7-9 days (depending on when you're taking the exam) to go. It's up to you what you concentrate on in that remaining time. Personally, you couldn't pay me to engage with the inefficient chapters at this stage.

THERE IS NO ‘RIGHT’ WAY This survey (and a previous one where 324/379 preferred selective study) shows most candidates would advise a strategic, targeted approach (PLAN B, DROP 4 or DROP 7) over studying everything. The pass mark isn't 100% - all that matters is you pass.

NO Blackstone's is unequivocal in this regard. DC FRY can't seize property using s. 19 PACE84 on his way out - he's no longer 'lawfully' on the premises. Being given a reasonable opportunity to leave is exactly that - to LEAVE - not to do anything else eh?

ORB invites DC FRY into his house. They argue & ORB tells DC FRY to 'leave my house now!'. On his way out, DC FRY sees property he believes is evidence of an offence he's investigating & to stop it being lost, the officer seizes it (under s. 19 of PACE84). Was this right?

I've posted lots for November 2026 INSP candidates Shami - here are the links to the most relevant posts - hope that this helps you & other candidates. xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/… xitter.cf/checkmatetrain/status/…

SEIZE IT (s. 19 PACE84) This is explained in the extremely thorough Keynote to s. 19 PACE84 in the Blackstone's GPD Manual.

STUDY EVERYTHING vs SELECTIVE STUDY I have an opinion about what is best but what do YOU say? If you were advising someone taking the NIE, SGT or INSP exam, would you advise them to study everything or to be selective (to drop certain chapters)? Comment if you wish.

OCT 2026 SGT EXAM....NOV 2026 INSP MAYBE? I suggested it might be worth your while having a look at these mirror offences. Hey presto! 2 marks in the SGT exam. ...INSP candidates...take notice!

PC HAYTHORPE has just arrested BOWEN for an offence of robbery and is searching a shed that BOWEN was in immediately before his arrest using the power under s. 32(2)(b) of PACE84. If PC HAYTHORPE finds property he believes is evidence relating to the offence, what should he do?

OCT 2026 SGT EXAM - DID YOU STRIKE IT RICH? ....or did you strike out? Code C (89 pages) = 4 marks (2.85%) My version of Hit for Six (71 pages) = 35 marks (25%)