THE APTITUDE TESTS

The only real way to prepare fully for these tests is to carry out practice questions, and plenty of them. The exercises take approximately 70 minutes in all to complete and will be carried out on a computer. You should start off by working on your verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning skills.

AOSB ESSAY

It is very important that your essay is relevant, concise, neat and follows a logical sequence. Follow this format to improve your essay writing skills:

Define: Identify and state the key factors relating to the essay subject.

Evaluate: Assess the value or significance of the subject and provide a viewpoint which you are capable of backing up with fact.

Explain: Make a topic as clear and understandable as possible by offering reasons, examples, and so on.

Summarise and conclude: State the major points concisely and comprehensively.

ARMY OFFICER LECTURETTE

Each candidate gives an informal five-minute talk to the group on a specified subject. There will be five topics (taken from your CV) to choose from and you will be given time to prepare. At the end of each lecture the speaker answers questions from the group. During your preparation for the Army Officer AOSB tests you should study your CV and be able to give a lecture on all of the relevant topics listed. For example, if your CV contains details of where you have travelled around the world, you should be able to deliver a lecture/presentation on your experiences.

Whilst the lecture is informal it is important to communicate effectively as you are being assessed.When delivering your lecture consider the following points:

• Be confident but not arrogant.
• Speak clearly.
• Speak concisely.
• Think about your bearing and appearance.
• Practise speaking in front of friends and family.

PLANNING EXERICSE

This theoretical written exercise tests your ability to use people, equipment and time effectively. You are given an hour to study the narrative and write up your solution. Then, each group discusses the problem with the aim of reaching an agreed plan. Importance is attached to individual contributions and your reaction to the ideas of others. Finally you will be asked questions about aspects of the exercise to test whether you can think on your feet.

During the Planning Exercise consider the following points:

• Make sure you take part and contribute. This is very important! If you sit on the fence you will fail the AOSB.
• Listen carefully to other people’s contributions and demonstrate effective listening/communication skills.
• Involve others in the Planning Exercise.
• Offer a solution(s) to the problems you are faced. Remember that you are being assessed against your potential leadership skills.

GROUP DISCUSSION

This will last for approximately 40 minutes depending on how the exercise develops and how people contribute. Try to consider the following points during the Group Discussion:

• Have a good knowledge of current affairs.
• Read a good quality newspaper in the weeks leading up to the AOSB.
• Have a view and opinion on each subject.
• Communicate effectively.
• Involve others.
• Use non-verbal communication skills during the exercise.
• Do not argue or shout people down.
• Do not dismiss people’s opinions.