If you are preparing for a fitness test as part of a job application or selection process, knowing your exact target level is not optional — it is the starting point for everything.
The beep test is used by police forces, military branches and emergency services across the UK and internationally. The required level varies significantly depending on the role, the organisation and in some cases the country. Standards also change. The information on this page is updated for 2026 and sourced from official and verified sources where available.
Use this page to find your specific target, then use the calculator to see where you currently sit and the training guide to build a plan that gets you there.
Always verify directly with the organisation you are applying to. Standards can change between recruitment rounds and role-specific requirements vary within the same organisation.
UK Police — Bleep Test Requirements 2026
The beep test is the standard fitness assessment for police forces across England and Wales. The required level varies by role.
Standard requirement for all police officers: level 5.4. This is the baseline for most constabularies and applies to both recruitment and annual fitness checks.
Note: Some forces have recently adjusted their standard requirement downward. West Yorkshire Police reduced their standard from 5.4 to 3.7 for regular officers as of April 2024, while keeping the 5.4 standard for new recruits in their first year of service.
Standard Officer
Baseline for most constabularies. Applies to recruitment and annual fitness checks.
Public Order Officers
Required for public order trained officers due to additional physical demands.
Firearms Officers
Good to Very Good bracket for most age groups. Requires structured preparation.
Specialist Firearms (SFO)
Very Good to Excellent bracket. The highest police standard in England and Wales.
Police Scotland operates under different standards. PSNI (Northern Ireland) uses a different assessment format. If you are applying to either, check their specific requirements directly.
The test is typically conducted annually for serving officers and at multiple points during the recruitment and training process for applicants.
Full UK Police Standards Page →
British Army — Bleep Test Requirements 2026
The British Army uses the beep test as part of its fitness assessment for recruits and serving personnel. Requirements vary by role and corps.
Entry level minimum for general roles: level 7.0 to 7.2 depending on corps.
General Entry (most corps)
Royal Logistics Corps, Army Air Corps, Royal Signals, Intelligence Corps.
Infantry / Combat Arms
Higher requirement reflecting the physical demands of combat roles.
Special Roles
Roles requiring forced entry. Train well above this target.
The Army has been transitioning its fitness testing framework. The Army Fitness Test (AFT) became the official test of record in June 2025, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test. The beep test (20 metre shuttle run) remains a component of this framework for aerobic fitness assessment.
Requirements for reserves differ from regular entry in some cases. Always confirm with your recruiting office.
If you are aiming for a combat arms role, training to reach and exceed level 8 should be your minimum target. Give yourself a buffer — test day conditions, nerves and unfamiliar surfaces can all affect performance.