About the British Armed Forces Aptitude Tests
Each branch of the British Armed Forces uses its own cognitive aptitude test to assess candidates before selection. Your score determines which roles and trades you are eligible for, a higher score opens more career pathways. The three main tests are the BARB (British Army), the AST (Royal Air Force), and the RT (Royal Navy).
The British Army Recruit Battery (BARB) covers five sections:
- Reasoning: identifying logical relationships between words and concepts
- Letter Checking: spotting matching and non-matching letters across pairs of sequences under time pressure
- Number Distance: identifying which of two numbers is closer to a target number
- Odd One Out: selecting the item that does not belong in a group of words or shapes
- Symbol Rotation: mentally rotating shapes and identifying matches, tests spatial awareness
The RAF Airmen Selection Test (AST) covers seven sections including verbal, numerical, spatial reasoning, and mechanical comprehension. The Royal Navy Recruit Test (RT) covers verbal, numerical, and spatial reasoning with mechanical reasoning for technical trades.
Important: Your aptitude score determines which roles you can apply for. A low BARB score does not just mean rejection, it permanently limits your trade options for that application. The minimum BARB score for Infantry is 26; technical trades such as Royal Signals or REME require scores of 55–100+. You can retake the BARB after 6 months. Preparation the first time maximises your choices.
Key Armed Forces Aptitude Test Facts to Know
- BARB minimum scores by role: Infantry 26, Royal Military Police 50, Royal Signals 55, REME 55, Army Air Corps 100+
- BARB retake: Candidates must wait 6 months before retaking the BARB
- RAF AST: Seven sections; minimum score varies by branch (e.g. pilot, navigator, and engineering roles require higher scores)
- Royal Navy RT: Results determine eligibility across Ratings, Warfare, Engineering, and Logistics branches
- No calculator: All three tests are completed without a calculator
- Timed sections: Each section has a strict individual time limit, speed and accuracy both matter
- Score permanence: Your score history follows your application; improvement requires waiting the full retake period
- Physical tests and medical assessment: Separate from the aptitude test, passing the cognitive test is just the first hurdle
The official armed forces recruitment websites provide no cognitive practice tests and no worked examples. Practice Tests UK fills that gap with 100+ realistic questions covering all the core reasoning types used across BARB, AST, and RT formats with step-by-step explanations for every answer.
| Feature | Official Armed Forces Recruitment | Practice Tests UK |
|---|
| Practice questions | None | 100+ questions |
| Answer explanations | None | Every question |
| Instant feedback | No | Yes |
| Progress tracking | No | Yes |
| Drill by section | No | Yes |
Free sample: Try 10 free questions below. Use Drill Mode to focus on the section you find hardest.
