UK Reserves aptitude tests

The Royal Naval Reserve, the RAF Reserves and the Royal Marines Reserve all list an aptitude test early in the joining process. Army Reserve officer candidates go through the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB). This guide shows which test you will sit, the steps around it and how to prepare when your time is short.

Which test will you sit?

Tests and steps can change and can differ by role. Always check the official page for your role and the joining instructions you are sent.

How to apply: the steps around the test

Royal Naval Reserve

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, the Royal Navy lists these steps:

1. Presentation. An Initial Maritime Reserves Presentation at your nearest unit, where you can look around, meet the team and ask questions.
2. Interview and DAA. An interview at your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office, where your eligibility is checked and the joining process is explained. You then sit the DAA.
3. Join your local unit. At Attestation you swear allegiance to the King and sign the Official Secrets Act. You become a Phase 0 recruit and attend weekly drill nights. Formal training starts only once you pass your medical and fitness test.
4. Medical and fitness assessment. Up to 2 days at a Candidate Preparation Centre for a face-to-face medical examination and the Pre-Joining Fitness Test. Your eye test is done with a local optician.
5. Phase 1 training. You are now a signed-up member of the Royal Naval Reserve as a Phase 1 recruit. You are given your Royal Navy identification card and uniform and can start formal basic training.
6. Training. Your Phase 1 training takes place on weekly drill nights. You also spend two weekends learning about life in the military and at sea.

Applying as a Royal Naval Reserve officer? The Royal Navy's General Entry Officer Reserve page lists the same early steps. It then adds the Admiralty Interview Board, a two-day competency-based assessment, after Phase 1 training. A confirmation course comes after training.

RAF Reserves

The RAF lists these steps:

1. Squadron information event. In person or online.
2. Aptitude test. The "Defence Aptitude Test", at the local squadron you applied to or in some cases at a local Armed Forces Careers Office.
3. Selection interview. The RAF says some roles need a second interview, a further test or both. These are normally run over one to three days at an RAF base.
4. Health assessment. An occupational health assessment, including your hearing, eyesight and body mass index.
5. Fitness test. The Pre-Joining Fitness Test: a 2.4 km run at a local gym.
6. Acceptance. You attest into the RAF Reserves at your chosen squadron.
7. Training. Basic recruit training at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire over 15 days. Training for your role follows in your spare time.

Royal Marines Reserve

The Royal Navy lists these steps:

1. Application form. Your full application in the Recruitment Portal.
2. Visit your local unit. An Initial Maritime Reserves Presentation at your nearest unit.
3. DAA. A multiple-choice test that all recruits sit.
4. Interview. A formal interview to assess your suitability for your chosen role.
5. Medical and eye tests. With a Ministry of Defence approved doctor, arranged by your local Armed Forces Careers Office.
6. Join your local unit. Attestation, then weekly drill nights as a Phase 0 recruit. Formal training starts only once you pass the medical and fitness test.
7. Basic Fitness Test. A three-mile outdoor run in under 22 minutes 30 seconds.
8. Potential Royal Marines Course. A two-day introduction to life in the Royal Marines Reserve, with a number of physical tests you need to complete to progress.

Army Reserve officers

The British Army lists these steps: apply online, meet your chosen unit, medical checks, a face-to-face medical at an assessment centre, then the Army Officer Selection Board at Westbury. Briefing is described as a 24-hour session to assess your officer potential and teach you the skills you need for Main Board. Candidates who pass Briefing are invited back for Main Board, where they are tested mentally and physically over 3½ days. The Army also runs background checks.

The Army's page for Regular officers describes a 2-day Briefing and a 4-day Main Board. Check your own joining instructions for the times that apply to you.

How to prepare around a job or studies

1. Start with the official practice. The Royal Navy says its DAA practice questions are in the same format as the real test. The RAF says its familiarisation questions are designed to be as close to the real test as possible. The RAF Reserves page links to an online practice test.
2. Find your weakest sections first. A short timed check of every section shows where your marks are going, so your limited time goes where it counts.
3. Practise little and often. In my experience, twenty focused minutes on most days does more than one long session at the weekend.
4. Learn the core facts for electrical and mechanical comprehension. Circuits, gears, pulleys and levers need knowledge as well as speed. You do not need an engineering background.
5. Practise without a calculator. The RAF says you cannot use one in the DAA. Paper and a pencil are allowed.
6. Sit a full timed mock before the real test. The RAF's familiarisation test gives the real-test timing for each section. Together they add up to 128 questions in 69 minutes. A full mock shows whether you can keep your pace to the end.
7. Check your joining instructions. Test arrangements can differ by Reserve and by role.

For every DAA section with its questions and timings, see my DAA test guide.

Officer candidates and the Army Reserve

• Royal Naval Reserve General Entry officer candidates sit the DAA too, so the Reservist DAA Pack is open to you.
• Army Reserve officer candidates: the Reservist AOSB Pack covers the psychometric tests, interview practice and the planning exercise. Try the free AOSB mini-mock and the free planning exercise first. For the format of the tests as candidates report them, see my AOSB guide.
• Army Reserve soldier candidates: my Army coaching is for officer selection. I do not coach the 2-day soldier assessment.

Frequently asked questions