diff --git a/search/classes/manager.php b/search/classes/manager.php
index 007c6695b9b..efabde9d46b 100644
--- a/search/classes/manager.php
+++ b/search/classes/manager.php
@@ -124,6 +124,11 @@ class manager {
      */
     protected static $phpunitfaketime = 0;
 
+    /**
+     * @var int Result count when used with mock results for Behat tests.
+     */
+    protected $behatresultcount = 0;
+
     /**
      * Constructor, use \core_search\manager::instance instead to get a class instance.
      *
@@ -690,6 +695,10 @@ class manager {
         } else {
             // Get the possible count reported by engine, and limit to our max.
             $out->totalcount = $this->engine->get_query_total_count();
+            if (defined('BEHAT_SITE_RUNNING') && $this->behatresultcount) {
+                // Override results when using Behat mock results.
+                $out->totalcount = $this->behatresultcount;
+            }
             $out->totalcount = min($out->totalcount, static::MAX_RESULTS);
         }
 
@@ -758,6 +767,12 @@ class manager {
                     $docs[] = $doc;
                 }
 
+                // Store the mock count, and apply the limit to the returned results.
+                $this->behatresultcount = count($docs);
+                if ($this->behatresultcount > $limit) {
+                    $docs = array_slice($docs, 0, $limit);
+                }
+
                 return $docs;
             }
         }
diff --git a/search/tests/behat/behat_search.php b/search/tests/behat/behat_search.php
index 206819de969..c7ca9478f31 100644
--- a/search/tests/behat/behat_search.php
+++ b/search/tests/behat/behat_search.php
@@ -135,4 +135,14 @@ class behat_search extends behat_base {
 
         set_config('behat_fakeresult', json_encode($outdata), 'core_search');
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Updates the global search index to take account of any added activities.
+     *
+     * @Given /^I update the global search index$/
+     * @throws moodle_exception
+     */
+    public function i_update_the_global_search_index() {
+        \core_search\manager::instance()->index(false);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/search/tests/behat/search_query.feature b/search/tests/behat/search_query.feature
index be0938449fe..1d7c87af489 100644
--- a/search/tests/behat/search_query.feature
+++ b/search/tests/behat/search_query.feature
@@ -6,22 +6,20 @@ Feature: Use global search interface
 
   Background:
     Given the following config values are set as admin:
-      | enableglobalsearch | 1 |
-      | searchengine | solr |
+      | enableglobalsearch | 1        |
+      | searchengine       | simpledb |
     And the following "courses" exist:
       | shortname | fullname   |
       | F1        | Amphibians |
     And the following "activities" exist:
-      | activity | name       | intro      | course | idnumber |
-      | page     | PageName1  | PageDesc1  | F1     | PAGE1    |
-      | forum    | ForumName1 | ForumDesc1 | F1     | FORUM1   |
+      | activity | name                        | intro      | course | idnumber |
+      | page     | PageName1 frogs amphibians  | PageDesc1  | F1     | PAGE1    |
+      | forum    | ForumName1 toads amphibians | ForumDesc1 | F1     | FORUM1   |
+    And I update the global search index
     And I log in as "admin"
 
   @javascript
   Scenario: Search from header search box with one result
-    Given global search expects the query "frogs" and will return:
-      | type     | idnumber |
-      | activity | PAGE1    |
     When I search for "frogs" using the header global search box
     Then I should see "PageName1"
     And I should see "PageDesc1"
@@ -32,15 +30,9 @@ Feature: Use global search interface
 
   @javascript
   Scenario: Search from search page with two results
-    Given global search expects the query "zombies" and will return:
-      | nothing |
     When I search for "zombies" using the header global search box
     Then I should see "No results"
-    And I set the field "id_q" to "Toads"
-    And global search expects the query "Toads" and will return:
-      | type     | idnumber |
-      | activity | FORUM1   |
-      | activity | PAGE1    |
+    And I set the field "id_q" to "amphibians"
     # You cannot press "Search" because there's a fieldset with the same name that gets in the way.
     And I press "id_submitbutton"
     And I should see "ForumName1"
@@ -54,9 +46,6 @@ Feature: Use global search interface
 
   @javascript
   Scenario: Search starting from site context (no within option)
-    Given global search expects the query "frogs" and will return:
-      | type     | idnumber |
-      | activity | PAGE1    |
     When I search for "frogs" using the header global search box
     And I expand all fieldsets
     Then I should not see "Search within"
@@ -64,9 +53,6 @@ Feature: Use global search interface
 
   @javascript
   Scenario: Search starting from course context (within option lists course)
-    Given global search expects the query "frogs" and will return:
-      | type     | idnumber |
-      | activity | PAGE1    |
     When I am on "Amphibians" course homepage
     And I search for "frogs" using the header global search box
     And I expand all fieldsets
@@ -78,9 +64,6 @@ Feature: Use global search interface
 
   @javascript
   Scenario: Search starting from forum context (within option lists course and forum)
-    Given global search expects the query "frogs" and will return:
-      | type     | idnumber |
-      | activity | PAGE1    |
     When I am on "Amphibians" course homepage
     And I follow "ForumName1"
     And I search for "frogs" using the header global search box
@@ -95,7 +78,10 @@ Feature: Use global search interface
 
   @javascript
   Scenario: Check that groups option in search form appears when intended
-    Given the following "groups" exist:
+    # Switch to mocked Solr search because simpledb doesn't support groups.
+    Given the following config values are set as admin:
+      | searchengine | solr |
+    And the following "groups" exist:
       | name    | course | idnumber |
       | A Group | F1     | G1       |
       | B Group | F1     | G2       |