British Army Assessments

Prepare for the British Army recruitment process with tailor-made practice materials.

What Is The British Army Aptitude Test?

The British Army Recruitment Battery (BARB) test, or the Army Cognitive Test (ACT), is a computer-based psychometric test and the first standardised test you'll take if you're looking for a career in the armed services. Taken on a computer at a test centre, the BARB test examines everything from your numerical fluency to your aptitude with words and orientation skills.

The results of the test will determine which roles within the army you're eligible to apply for, so it's important to put as much preparation and practice into it as possible as it can increase the opportunities available to you.

The tight time limit and challenging questions are designed to put you on the spot, assess your critical thinking skills and determine how good you are at keeping calm under pressure — all key skills for any role in the army.

What to expect in the British Army cognitive test

The cognitive exam contains five different sections (see below for more details) and is designed to assess your strengths and weaknesses across different crucial areas to build a better picture of which roles and responsibilities you're likely to be suited to in the armed forces.

British Army Error Detection Test

This error checking test assesses your strength at processing information quickly, to point out errors.

Typically you'll be required to memorise different combinations of symbols or images, before answering questions on what you've seen and identifying errors in what's being shared with you.

For more information on the British Army Error Detection test, check out our full page.

British Army Orientation Test

Your mental agility is under scrutiny in this section of the test.

You'll be asked to memorise a series of rules, before using these rules to solve various problems. In doing so, you'll showcase how well you react under pressure, how strong your memory is, and whether you're a natural logical thinker.

Want to know more about the British Army Orientation test? Click here for our full page.

British Army Number Fluency Test

Just as its name suggests, this section of the test assesses your numerical ability.

You'll also need to exercise your memory again, as you'll be required to memorise a mathematical rule and then apply it to the numerical challenges on the test.

Practising numerical reasoning questions is a great way to sharpen up your skills and help you to prepare for this part of the test.

Click here to find out more about the British Army Number Fluency test.

British Army Word Rules Test

Here, you'll be asked to identify the rule that governs different combinations of three words.

In doing so, you'll give the examiner a better idea of your overall literacy and communication skills, which can be crucial for many different roles within the army.

Check out this full guide to find out more about the RAF mechanical reasoning test.

British Army Deductive Reasoning Test

Deductive reasoning is a vital skill for any army recruit. Essentially, you can process information and draw logical conclusions from it.

The questions may ask you to read statements about different relationships and then make a deduction based on what you've read.

Want more information on this test? Take a look at our British Army Deductive Reasoning test page.

Additional British Army Aptitude Tests

British Army Literacy Test

Good communication skills are essential in the army. This section of the test is designed to assess yours (but it's only necessary if you don't have A-C/9-4 GCSEs, or equivalent, in English).

Covering grammar, punctuation, and reading and writing skills, it's a good idea to brush up on the basics before taking this test.

British Army Numeracy Test

This section is only mandatory if you don't have A-C/9-4 GCSEs (or equivalent) in maths.

Much like the literacy test, this is designed to assess your basic mathematical skills and will require you to show you're comfortable with basic numerical calculations and principles.

British Army Technical Selection Test

This part of the test is only necessary if you want to take on a technical role.

As the name suggests, the test covers technical skills from basic calculations through to data interpretation. Set at roughly GCSE level, the questions can be challenging if you haven't given yourself the head start of practising numerical reasoning questions before the test.

Top Tips To Pass British Army Aptitude Tests

1. Practice, practice practice

Practicing past tests and various types of questions is the single best way you can improve your speed, sharpen your accuracy and ensure you feel comfortable and confident with anything you might face on the day.

2. Test your memory

Many of the questions you'll encounter on the test require you to memorise key pieces of information to carry out tasks. Playing memory games and finding new ways to test your memory can help you hone your mental strength for the test.

3. Focus on speed and accuracy

Knowledge isn't the only thing you're being tested on the assessments. It's essential to find a balance between speed and accuracy. Make sure you time your practice tests and work through any questions you got wrong to understand why, and how you can improve.

4. What works for you?

Solving tricky problems is a personal thing and what works for you won't necessarily work for someone else. If you need to make up a song or a silly saying to memorise statements or principles, then do it!

5. Read the questions carefully

It sounds obvious, but not reading the questions properly trips a lot of people up. When you're against the clock it's tempting to skim-read the question, but that can lead to mistakes.

Sample British Army Assessments question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

Choose the sentence that best describes the main idea of the following passage: 'The responsibility of command is to make decisions that ensure the success of a mission while safeguarding the welfare of subordinates. A good leader must be willing to take calculated risks and bear the outcome of those decisions, whether they result in success or in failure that offers lessons for future operations.'

  • A good leader avoids taking risks to protect subordinates.
  • Leaders should focus solely on mission success, regardless of risks.
  • Taking calculated risks and learning from the outcomes is essential for leadership.
  • The welfare of subordinates is not as important as mission success.

A squad has supplies worth three times the value of the equipment carried by the private. If the corporal carries twice as much as the private, and the total value of the equipment and supplies is $1,200, what is the value of the goods carried by the squad?

  • $900
  • $800
  • $600
  • $300

Which statement is true if the conclusion 'All soldiers require discipline' is true?

  • If someone is disciplined, they are a soldier.
  • Anyone without discipline cannot be a soldier.
  • Only soldiers have discipline.
  • Discipline is not required in other professions.

When engaging in a field navigation exercise, a commander instructs a unit to turn 90 degrees right after 100m, walk straight for 150m, then turn 45 degrees left and proceed for 200m. For the unit to return to the starting point, in what direction and for what distance must they travel?

  • 225 degrees left for 100m
  • 135 degrees right for 200m
  • 135 degrees left for 300m
  • 45 degrees left for approximately 254m

A supply truck accelerates at a constant rate from rest and reaches a speed of 20m/s in 10s. What distance does the truck cover in this time?

  • 200m
  • 100m
  • 150m
  • 250m

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British Army Assessments Tips

Know What to Expect

Understanding the format of the Army Cognitive Test (ACT) is a critical step in your preparation. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions and the subjects that will be covered. At Military Aptitude Tests, we provide a comprehensive overview of the test structure to make sure there are no surprises on the big day.

Practice Under Exam Conditions

Simulating the exam environment can greatly improve your performance. This means timing yourself as you would be during the actual test and working through our practice questions without distractions. This kind of prep helps you manage time effectively and conditions you for the real test atmosphere.

Brush Up on Essential Skills

The British Army looks for well-rounded individuals with a variety of cognitive skills. Spend time strengthening your logical reasoning, numerical ability, and verbal skills. We've curated a suite of practice tests that target these fundamental areas so you can tackle the ACT with confidence.

Rest and Relax Before Test Day

A fresh mind is your greatest asset. Ensure you get a good night’s sleep before the test day and avoid cramming. A relaxed state of mind can lead to improved concentration during the test and better overall performance.

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British Army Assessments FAQs

Is the British Army aptitude test hard?

All of the military services have high standards. Like any exam, the British Army aptitude test is challenging — but less so if you study, practice and prepare as much as you can beforehand.

What do I need to complete the British Army aptitude test?

The assessments are usually carried out on a computer at your local test centre. You may be allowed a pen and paper to work through the mathematical problems, but it's best to check with your test centre whether they'll provide that for you or not.

How long is the British Army aptitude test?

The test is usually 30 minutes long.

How is the British Army aptitude test scored?

The British army cognitive test scores are based on the number of correct answers you got and presented as a General Trainability Index (GTI). To progress any further, the minimum score requirement for every candidate is a GTI of 26 or more. The highest possible score on the BARB test is 60 and the average score is 50.