AOSB Briefing is the first stage of Army officer selection. This guide explains what happens over the two days, what the psychometric tests involve and how to prepare so the tests do not hold you back.
What is AOSB Briefing?
The British Army describes Briefing as a 2-day trip to the selection centre in Westbury, Wiltshire. You are taught how to prepare for Main Board and assessed through practical and physical exercises. Candidates whose performance shows they are ready are put forward for Main Board.
The Army also says candidates applying for a Professionally Qualified Officer commission will not normally attend Briefing.
What happens over the two days
The Army lists the following activities:
- Day 1: a welcome brief, psychometric tests (with online practice sessions beforehand), a group discussion that starts with a two-minute introduction about yourself, a planning exercise tutorial with a practice exercise and a short interview with your group leader.
- Day 2: practical techniques training with a leaderless group task, then physical tests: a practice multi-stage fitness test (the beep test), a medicine ball throw, a measured weight lift and a short course of individual tasks.
The AOSB psychometric tests
The Army does not publish the question counts or time limits. Candidates and preparation sites widely report three timed tests:
| Test | Questions | Time | Answer format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal reasoning | About 40 | 15 minutes | True, False or Can't tell, based only on the passage |
| Numerical reasoning | About 36 | 15 minutes | Multiple choice, usually reported as 9 scenarios with 4 questions each |
| Abstract reasoning | About 70 | 12 minutes | Set A, Set B or Neither |
Treat these figures as a guide, not official rules. Use the online practice sessions the Army gives you before Briefing to see the real screens.
What that means for your pace
- Numerical reasoning: 15 minutes for about 36 questions is about 25 seconds a question. Speed with percentages, fractions, ratios and speed, distance and time matters more than advanced maths.
- Verbal reasoning: 15 minutes for about 40 statements is just over 20 seconds each. The skill is judging the statement from the passage alone, without your own knowledge.
- Abstract reasoning: 12 minutes for about 70 shapes is about 10 seconds each. You need a fast routine for spotting the rule that links each set.
How to prepare for the Briefing tests
- Start with the official practice. Learn the screens and the answer formats first, so nothing on the day is new.
- Build mental maths speed. Practise percentages, fractions, ratios and speed, distance and time with pen and paper until they are automatic.
- Learn the difference between False and Can't tell. False means the passage says the opposite. Can't tell means the passage does not give enough information. Many lost verbal marks come from mixing these up.
- Use a checklist for abstract reasoning. Check the same features every time: number of shapes, shape types, shading, size, position, angles and lines.
- Practise full timed sets. Single questions do not teach pace. Timed sets show you when to move on and when to make a sensible guess.
- Prepare for the rest of Briefing too. The group discussion, planning exercise, interview and physical tests are all part of the two days. The Army advises candidates to be aware of current affairs, especially on society and defence.
The fitness standards
The Army's officer assessment page lists these standards to pass as an officer:
| Test | Standard |
|---|---|
| Mid-thigh pull | 76 kg |
| Medicine ball throw | 3.1 m |
| Multi-stage fitness test (beep test) | Level 7.10 |
Frequently asked questions
How long is AOSB Briefing?
The Army describes it as a 2-day trip to the selection centre in Westbury, Wiltshire.
Are the psychometric tests the only thing that matters?
No. The Army says no single activity leads to non-selection. The tests sit alongside the group discussion, planning exercise, interview and physical tests.
Can I use a calculator?
Candidates and preparation sites report that the numerical test is taken without a calculator. Check your joining instructions, but practise without one so you are ready either way.
What comes after Briefing?
Candidates who show they are ready are put forward for Main Board, a longer residential assessment. The Army lists further psychometric tests, a short essay on current affairs, an interview, a planning exercise, a 5-minute lecture and outdoor command tasks.