Mental Aptitude Tests

As part of the Army Officer selection process you will be required to pass a psychometric test which forms part of the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB). The test itself includes numerical reasoning tests, verbal reasoning tests and abstract reasoning tests.

The key to success in these tests is to practice. This practice will enable you to familiarise yourself with the tests, build a strategy and manage the short amount of time you have for each wisely. I have provided some information on each test, as well as some links below so you can begin your preparation and practice.

Look through some UKCAT textbooks, videos and websites. The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is an admissions test used by a consortium of UK Universities for their medical and dental degree programmes. The test format includes the verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests, which are similar to those sat at the AOSB.

I have compiled some great advice, tips and strategies on all the Mental Aptitude Tests in 'HOW TO PASS THE AOSB. A Candidate's Perspective'.

This is Probably a good time to also talk about Speed Distance Time. My advice is thoroughly practice your SDT before your AOSB; improve your mathematical agility and it’ll help you in your numerical reasoning test, one of your interviews and your planning exercise. The website http://www.speeddistancetime.info/ is a fantastic way to practice.

As accuracy and agility in ‘Speed, Distance, Time’ calculations will help you perform well in the AOSB I have dedicated a section to it in the 'HOW TO PASS THE AOSB. A Candidate's Perspective' guide. The best way to improve at SDT calculations is to firstly improve your general arithmetic and mathematic agility. You should also spend time learning some methods to calculate SDT and then it’s a case of just practising and practising until you can quickly calculate SDT questions in your head, as well as be able to write them down.

VERBAL REASONING

The Verbal Reasoning test looks at your ability to think logically about written information. In this test, you will see passages of text, followed by statements relating to the text. You have to read each passage of text carefully and then decide whether each statement follows logically from the information in the passage.

Each Question is a short statement relating to the passages of text. Your task is to say, based purely on the passage provided, whether the statement is ‘True’ or ‘False’, or if you ‘Can’t Tell’.

You will have 40 questions to answer in 15 minutes.

Make sure you get some practice in, especially against the clock. Trust me, the time will fly by in the verbal reasoning test.

NUMERICAL REASONING

In the Numerical Reasoning Test, you will be presented with nine scenarios. Each of these scenarios contains four associated questions. This gives a total of 36 questions. Each question has five answer options. You have 15 minutes in which to complete all 36 questions.

The test is the most time pressured of the MAP tests, but if you revise and practice you can find yourself breezing through some questions. This test I believe is very important, as a good score here may well be weighted against a low score in your planning exercise. Get your head in a good book that teaches you how to pass the test.

The level of mathematical knowledge required is quite basic. Focus your revision on the following areas:

Basic arithmetic
Fractions & decimals
Rates (inc. Speed Distance Time)
Percentages
Ratios and Proportions
Geometrical formulas

Two other areas which will require some thought are also:

Data interpretation – using the basics to reason with data in charts, table and graphs
World Problems – tests your analytical skills as much as your numerical skills

Due to the time pressure you have on average 40 seconds per question but some questions inevitably will take far longer to answer. A time management strategy therefore plays an important role in the test. You may be able to gain time by answering easy questions quickly so that more time can be spent on the challenging ones.

ABSTRACT REASONING

Abstract Reasoning tests your ability to recognise patterns among distracting material. You are presented with two ‘sets’ of shapes (Set A and Set B) followed by five ‘test shapes’. You need to decide if the test shape fits into Set A, Set B or Neither Set.

People say you can't practice for the Abstract Reasoning Test, and that you can either do it or you can't - this is not true. Practice as much as you can, and learn to read the likely patterns that tend to exist when you see particular trends in the sets. I talk about two very good techniques in the guide 'HOW TO PASS THE AOSB. A Candidate's Perspective'.

You will have 70 questions to answer in 12 minutes. It is imperative that you keep an eye on the timer! If you have not found the pattern within 45 seconds, you must select answers according to your gut instinct, ‘flag’ the question, and move on. Otherwise, you risk running out of time to complete the Abstract Reasoning section. If you have time to spare after completing the section, you can then attempt flagged questions again.

WikiJob recently published (2022) an in-depth article regarding abstract reasoning. In their article, they discuss the core values of abstract reasoning tests, what you may face while taking the test, question types, etc.

Their guide provides immense value and is a worthy read as part of your preparation:

https://www.wikijob.co.uk/aptitude-tests/test-types/abstract-reasoning

USEFUL LINKS

Recommendations for practising aptitude tests:

http://www.psychometric-success.com/downloads/download-practice-tests.htm

https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/index.htm

https://www.profilingforsuccess.com/kogan-page/

https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/free-aptitude-test

https://www.shldirect.com/en/practice-tests/

https://practicetests.cubiks.com/ability-tests/advanced

http://practice.ukcat.ac.uk/pages/menu.aspx?pack=ce630588-89fd-40a6-b325-4c55070e9fb5

https://www.wikijob.co.uk/content/aptitude-tests