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Ministry of Justice Assessment Practice

Preparation guide for the Civil Service Verbal and Numerical Tests used when applying for Ministry of Justice roles

Assessment Format

Computer adaptive

Question difficulty adjusts as you answer

Test Supplier

Talogy

Formerly known as Cubiks

Stage

Online sift

Taken via Civil Service Jobs

About the Ministry of Justice's Online Tests

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), one of the UK's largest government departments responsible for courts, prisons, and the probation service, recruits through Civil Service Jobs and, like other Civil Service employers, uses the Civil Service Verbal and Numerical Tests at sift stage for many roles. A gov.uk Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard record published in December 2025 confirms that these tests are supplied by Talogy, the company formerly known as Cubiks, which provides the computer adaptive testing (CAT) platform behind them. This is a Civil Service-wide arrangement rather than an MoJ-specific contract, so the same test technology is used across many government departments.

What the Tests Measure

  • Verbal reasoning: understanding and evaluating written passages and statements
  • Numerical reasoning: interpreting figures, tables, and simple calculations
  • Question difficulty adapts to your responses, so each candidate sees a tailored set of questions
  • Judgement and decision-making, assessed separately via the Civil Service Judgement Test at sift stage for many roles
  • Alignment with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, which also covers behaviours, strengths, ability, and experience

Ministry of Justice Roles Using These Tests

Graduate & Early Careers

  • Civil Service Graduate Fast Stream
  • MoJ Direct Entry Roles
  • Policy Graduate Scheme
  • Digital & Technology Graduate

Professional Roles

  • Prison & Probation Service
  • Courts & Tribunals Service
  • Legal Policy
  • Finance & Commercial

How CogniPrep Helps

The Civil Service Verbal and Numerical Tests use item response theory to select questions matched to your ability level, so the test you sit is unique to you. Practicing beforehand helps you get comfortable with the format, question types, and adaptive pacing, so you can focus your effort on answering accurately rather than working out how the test behaves on the day.

Top Tips

Success Profiles, not just tests

Civil Service recruitment, including at the MoJ, is based on the Success Profiles framework, which looks at behaviours, strengths, ability, experience, and technical skills alongside test scores. The verbal and numerical tests are one part of a wider assessment picture.

Expect the test to adapt

Because the test is computer adaptive, questions get harder after correct answers and easier after incorrect ones. Do not be alarmed if the questions feel tougher as you progress; that is a sign the system is estimating your ability accurately, not a sign you are failing.

Practise both verbal and numerical formats

Depending on the role, recruiters may request the verbal test, the numerical test, or both. Practising each format separately builds the specific reading and calculation speed each one requires.

Find a quiet environment

The tests are timed and completed online without supervision. Interruptions cost you time you cannot get back, so set aside an uninterrupted block before you start.

Start Practicing for the Ministry of Justice Today

Practice Talogy (Cubiks) verbal and numerical reasoning questions with free limited practice

Begin MoJ Assessment Practice

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Ministry of Justice use Arctic Shores?

No. There is no verified evidence that the MoJ uses Arctic Shores. The best documented evidence, a gov.uk Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard record published in December 2025, confirms that the Civil Service Verbal and Numerical Tests, used across MoJ and other Civil Service recruitment, are supplied by Talogy, formerly known as Cubiks.

Which tests will I be asked to sit?

This varies by role and grade. Some roles ask for the verbal test, some for the numerical test, some for both, and many sift stages also include a separate Civil Service Judgement Test. Check your invitation email or the job advert on Civil Service Jobs for the exact process for the role you are applying to.

Is there a pass/fail score?

Your raw score is converted to a percentile and compared against a cut-score set for the recruitment campaign. Scoring above the cut-score means your application is considered further by the hiring manager; the exact cut-score is not published and can vary between campaigns.

Continue Preparing for Ministry of Justice

Practice the tests themselves

Later stages