Preparation for Army Aptitude Tests

The armed forces of English-speaking countries often use psychometric and ability tests to sift through candidates and make decisions on appropriate placements. Since there is such a variety of positions and job profiles in the army—each demanding a certain set of skills—army aptitude tests can help recruiters make wiser decisions with regard to matching requisites to abilities.

• UK – Royal Navy Recruitment Test (RT), Royal Air Force Aptitude Test (RAF), Army Officer Selection Board tests (AOSB), Admiralty Interview Board (AIB), British Army Recruit Battery (BARB), Technical Selection Test (TST), British Army Numeracy and Literacy Tests
• USA – Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
• Australia – Australian Defense Force Aptitude Test (ADF)
• Canada – Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT)
• New Zealand – New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), also uses psychometric tests for Navy, Army, Air Force, and Air Crew
• South Africa – Psychometric evaluation as part of the Military Skills Development System
• Ireland – Irish Army Psychometric Test

Not surprisingly, a substantial overlap exists when comparing the content of the tests used by the aforementioned armies. Of course there are some differences, but, in general, the following subjects are always included:

1. Numerical literacy
2. Verbal literacy
3. Spatial reasoning
4. Mechanical/technical reasoning
5. Speed/accuracy/memory
6. Higher level reasoning and critical thinking.

Our research shows that the Canadian CFAT is in fact a mixture of the UK's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force aptitude tests.