One test for three services
The Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force use the same aptitude test: the Defence Aptitude Assessment, or DAA (Royal Navy). The RAF describes it as the test that used to be called the Airmen Selection Test (AST) (RAF), so older AST practice books do not follow the current format.
The six tests
The DAA has six tests: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, electrical comprehension and mechanical comprehension. Numerical and spatial reasoning are each split into two separately timed parts (RAF). Work rate measures how quickly and accurately you complete routine tasks, so the time per question is very short.
How you take it
- Once your application is accepted you are invited to take the DAA online with your own IT, or at an Armed Forces Careers Office on their computers (RAF).
- The Royal Navy sends the link to your candidate portal; it stays valid for 14 days (Royal Navy).
- Once you start, you finish the assessment in a single sitting – plan a quiet slot without interruptions.
- You can practise on a phone, but the real assessment needs a screen of at least 10.2 inches, such as a laptop or larger tablet.
No single pass mark
Requirements differ by role (profession and specialisation), so you do not need every answer right. A higher score keeps more roles open to you (Royal Navy).
Our Defence Aptitude Assessment course lets you practise all six sections – step by step first, then timed, then as a full mock test.