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The Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) is the British Army selection process for candidates who want to train as officers at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Official Army Jobs guidance places AOSB at the selection centre in Westbury, Wiltshire, and describes a two-stage route for most Regular Officer applicants: AOSB Briefing, then AOSB Main Board.

AOSB assesses potential to develop through Sandhurst training. Official assessment tips stress that every aspect is assessed and that no single activity alone leads to non-selection. Exact scoring sheets, confidential marking and day-by-day itineraries remain under Army control and can change. Always follow your recruiter, invitation pack and the live Army Jobs pages:

This guide covers Briefing versus Main Board, Professionally Qualified Officer (PQO) and scholarship route notes, Reserve variation, published fitness values, ethical preparation and original practice exercises. It is not the soldier Army Cognitive Test pathway, not the RAF DAA, not Civil Service Fast Stream, and not a tactics or weapons manual.

The 45 practice exercises below are original educational drills for leadership judgement, planning logic, written communication, current-affairs style reasoning, memory and attention habits, group behaviour, interview framing and lecturette structure. They are not official AOSB, British Army, Ministry of Defence, Sandhurst or JobTestPrep items, and they do not reproduce live board briefs, confidential mark sheets or current testing screens.

For additional timed practice after you review the official invitation and format notes on this page, Army Officer Selection Board can help you build familiarity with common question formats. Third-party packs are not official employer or publisher materials.

Key Takeaways

  • AOSB is British Army officer selection at Westbury. It is not soldier Assessment Centre computer-based testing.
  • Most Regular Officer candidates attend Briefing, then Main Board if put forward. PQO / Specialist candidates usually attend Main Board (Short) without a separate Briefing.
  • Reserve Officer Briefing and Main Board timings differ from Regular routes. Confirm the Reserve Officer joining page.
  • Published officer fitness values on the Army Jobs officer assessment page currently include Mid Thigh Pull 76 kg, Medicine Ball Throw 3.1 m and MSFT level 7.10. Verify before your board.
  • Third-party AOSB packs are optional familiarisation. Commercial products may be Briefing-focused; they are not official Army materials.

Quick facts

AOSB officer selection snapshot (verify against your invitation)
Item Detail
Selection board Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB)
Location Westbury, Wiltshire
Typical Regular pathway Briefing (about 2 days), then Main Board if put forward
PQO / Specialist route Main Board (Short) of about 3 days; separate Briefing not normally required
Scholarship Board Separate scholarship assessment pathway with its own programme
Published fitness values (officer assessment page) Mid Thigh Pull 76 kg; Medicine Ball Throw 3.1 m; MSFT level 7.10
Focus Leadership potential and trainability for Sandhurst, not a finished officer product
Not the same as Soldier computer-based cognitive tests / ACT; RAF DAA

The current recruitment campaign controls. Role type (Regular Officer, Reserve Officer, PQO / Specialist, scholarship) can change which AOSB programme you attend.

Briefing vs Main Board

Official Army Jobs officer-selection guidance describes AOSB in two stages for most Regular Officer candidates. Both stages take place at Westbury.

AOSB stage comparison for common Regular and PQO routes
Stage What official guidance describes Who it usually applies to
Briefing About 2 days at Westbury with physical and practical exercises; teaches preparation for Main Board and assesses development needs Most Regular Officer applicants; not normally required for PQO
Main Board Residential assessment after Briefing for candidates put forward; demanding physical and mental tests Regular Officer candidates invited after Briefing
Main Board (Short) About 3 days covering Main Board assessments plus Briefing-style preparation elements Professionally Qualified Officer / Specialist applicants

AOSB Briefing (Regular)

According to the officer assessment page and Regular Officer joining steps:

  • About 2 days at the Westbury selection centre.
  • Includes physical and practical exercises.
  • Teaches how to prepare for Main Board and helps assessors understand development needs.
  • If Briefing performance shows you are ready, you can be put forward for a Main Board place.
  • Professionally Qualified Officer (PQO) applicants do not normally attend Briefing.

Treat Briefing as a real assessment, not a casual open day.

AOSB Main Board (Regular)

  • A longer residential assessment after Briefing for candidates who are invited.
  • The Main Board is a residential selection stage, but its schedule and duration can vary, so candidates should follow their current Army instructions.
  • You are expected to arrive physically and mentally ready. Recruiters may advise waiting between Briefing and Main Board so you can prepare properly.
  • Assessors look for leadership potential and trainability for Sandhurst, not a finished officer product.

Main Board (Short) for PQO / Specialists

If you are joining as a Professionally Qualified Officer (PQO) or Specialist, official guidance describes a Main Board (Short) programme of about 3 days. Role pages for medical and other specialist commissions may also publish different fitness thresholds. Verify your role page.

Reserve Officer pathway (different timings)

If you are applying as a Reserve Officer, do not assume Regular timings. Use the Reserve Officer application process for that route.

Scholarship Board

Separate Army Scholarship Board activity exists for scholarship pathways. Official messaging notes scholarship assessments are designed so candidates do not require rehearsal or pre-board training, while still expecting candidates to be physically fit and mentally alert. Do not treat Scholarship Board tips as identical to Regular Main Board preparation.

Where AOSB sits in officer joining

Official Regular Officer joining steps commonly describe recruiter contact, AOSB Briefing and Main Board at Westbury, then further checks and pre-commissioning steps toward Sandhurst after success. Officer entry options also outline age windows, bursaries/scholarships and Sandhurst commissioning in outline. Exact eligibility and age limits can change: confirm on the live role and joining pages.

Officer selection is not the same pathway as soldier recruitment cognitive testing. If you are applying as a soldier, use the Army Cognitive Test (ACT) guide. If you are comparing Defence aptitude routes, see the RAF DAA guide.

Physical readiness (without medical or training prescriptions)

Official Army officer assessment guidance publishes fitness tests that officer candidates need to meet, currently listed as:

  • Mid Thigh Pull: 76 kg
  • Medicine Ball Throw: 3.1 m
  • Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT / beep test): level 7.10

Source: the fitness section on the Army officer selection page. Verify before your board, because published standards can change and some professionally qualified role pages list different figures.

This page quotes published standards for orientation only. It does not provide injury advice, training prescriptions, medical interpretation or methods to conceal conditions. Follow Army Jobs links that explain how each fitness test is performed, and seek appropriate professional advice if you have a health concern.

What candidates commonly prepare for

The themes below combine official Army Jobs tips and common third-party preparation topics. Only the Army invitation and official guidance define your live board.

Written communication

Clear written answers under time pressure. Practise organising a short argument with a conclusion first, then supporting points.

Knowledge and current affairs

Official tips ask candidates to be aware of current affairs, especially about society or defence. Build a habit of reading reliable news summaries; do not invent political opinions you cannot defend.

Planning exercises

Individual or group planning problems that test structured thinking, prioritisation and communication. Practise stating assumptions, constraints and a clear recommendation.

Leadership and group tasks

Command tasks and group exercises where assessors watch how you lead, follow, listen and recover from setbacks. Use genuine examples from your own experience. Do not fabricate leadership stories.

Interview and lecturette-style communication

Structured interviews and short spoken presentations. Practise clear structure, honest examples and calm delivery.

Commercial materials may also describe psychometric or memory drills. Treat those mixes as third-party study orientation unless your invitation names that exact product.

How to prepare

  1. Read the official Regular Officer, officer assessment and (if relevant) Reserve Officer pages before buying anything.
  2. Confirm which AOSB programme you will attend: Briefing plus Main Board, Main Board (Short), Scholarship Board or Reserve timings.
  3. Train toward the published fitness tests with margin, using official technique guidance - not forum “secret standards”.
  4. Practise planning structure, group contribution habits and honest interview examples.
  5. Keep assessment integrity: do not share live briefs, mark schemes or invitation details.
  6. Use commercial drills only as supplemental familiarisation after official guidance.

Optional third-party AOSB practice

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

If you want additional familiarisation after reading official Army Jobs material, independent UK AOSB Briefing practice can help candidates practise comparable planning, interview and board-style formats.

JobTestPrep UK is an independent third-party preparation provider. It is not the British Army, Ministry of Defence, Sandhurst or official recruitment administrator. The linked commercial destination is primarily Briefing-oriented in its product framing; it is not a complete official Main Board simulation and does not reproduce live board materials. Check access terms on the live product page before purchase. Preparation cannot guarantee selection, Sandhurst entry or a commission.

Practice exercises

Educational practice only. Not official AOSB content. Formats and standards on the live board are controlled by the Army.

Leadership and command-task judgement

1. Your section is behind on a timed planning task. One confident teammate talks over quieter members. What is the most constructive first action?

A. Let the loudest person decide everything to save time B. Pause the group, restate the aim and time left, then invite two quieter members to give one constraint each before decisions continue C. Leave the room so others will miss you D. Mock the teammate in front of the group

Correct answer: B Explanation: Good board behaviour restores structure and inclusion without discarding pace. Dominating voices and walk-outs both damage team performance.

2. A peer suggests a risky shortcut that breaks the published exercise safety rule to “win” a practice race. Best response?

A. Agree because speed is everything B. Refuse the shortcut, state the safety rule briefly, and propose a compliant plan that still meets the aim C. Film them for social media D. Stay silent and hope assessors notice later

Correct answer: B Explanation: Integrity and safety matter more than theatrical “wins”. Clear, calm challenge is stronger than silence or humiliation.

3. Mid-task, new information voids part of your plan. Best leadership habit?

A. Pretend nothing changed B. Acknowledge the change, re-prioritise constraints out loud, assign the next two actions, and check understanding C. Blame the messenger D. Restart from zero without telling the team why

Correct answer: B Explanation: Adaptive leaders update the shared plan visibly and keep the team oriented.

4. You are not in charge of the practice group, but the nominated leader is frozen. Most useful contribution?

A. Seize control aggressively and ignore them for the rest of the task B. Offer a calm prompt (“Time check: we still need X and Y. Shall I take the kit count while you assign roles?”) and support their decision C. Criticise their personality D. Disengage and sit out

Correct answer: B Explanation: Supportive initiative shows leadership potential without destroying the nominated structure.

5. Two teammates start arguing about kit. Time is short. Best intervention?

A. Escalate the argument to “win” B. Separate the issue from the people: state the remaining time, name the decision needed, and set a short limit for each view before you decide C. Walk away with the kit D. Tell both they are useless

Correct answer: B Explanation: Time-boxed, issue-focused facilitation keeps the group moving and professional.

6. You realise you gave the group an incorrect grid reference. Best action?

A. Hide the error hoping nobody notices B. Correct it immediately, explain the impact in one sentence, and reset the next action C. Blame another candidate D. Rewrite the whole plan in silence

Correct answer: B Explanation: Own mistakes quickly. Concealing errors destroys trust.

7. A quieter teammate has the correct map reading but is spoken over. What should you do?

A. Ignore them to keep momentum with the loudest voice B. Explicitly invite them to finish and integrate the accurate information C. Take the map without listening D. Joke that quiet people never lead

Correct answer: B Explanation: Pulling accurate input into the plan is both inclusive and mission-focused.

8. After a failed practice command task, assessors ask what you would change. Best style of answer?

A. Blame the kit and the weather only B. Name one concrete leadership action you would change next time (briefing clarity, time checks, role allocation) and what you learned C. Claim you were perfect D. Refuse to answer

Correct answer: B Explanation: Reflective, specific learning demonstrates trainability for Sandhurst.

Planning exercises

9. You must deliver water to three checkpoints and return by 16:00. It is 14:30. Each checkpoint takes 20 minutes including travel between them, and return from the last checkpoint takes 25 minutes. What is realistic?

A. Attempt all three and ignore the return time B. Sequence two checkpoints and return with a buffer, or re-plan with justification if all three are mandatory under a changed constraint C. Sit still until 16:00 D. Send nobody anywhere

Correct answer: B Explanation: 3 x 20 + 25 = 85 minutes from 14:30 overruns 16:00. Constraint mathematics should drive a clear prioritised plan.

10. A bridge is marked unsafe. Alternate route adds 15 minutes. Mission is “arrive intact with full section”. Best priority order?

A. Speed above safety B. Safety and integrity of the section, then revised timing communicated clearly C. Hide the unsafe bridge from the team D. Split up without a plan so someone may get lucky

Correct answer: B Explanation: Arrive intact beats reckless speed. Communicate the timing impact.

11. You have limited radio battery. Which information is highest priority for a concise transmission?

A. A long personal story B. Location, status, request / intention, and next check-in time C. Every rumoured nearby landmark D. Silence forever

Correct answer: B Explanation: Short structured transmissions preserve battery and shared awareness.

12. Team of five, one injured walking-wounded, one stretcher, one safe path that takes longer. Aim: evacuate to RV by last light. Best planning step first?

A. Sprint away alone B. Confirm time to last light, casualty capability, stretcher plan, and path choice against remaining light C. Abandon the casualty to save time D. Argue about kit brands

Correct answer: B Explanation: Time, casualty care and route risk must be assessed before movement.

13. You are given five tasks but only capacity for three before the deadline. Best method?

A. Do easy fun tasks first regardless of impact B. Rank by mission criticality and dependency, do the top three, and state what will be deferred C. Start all five and finish none D. Wait for someone else to choose

Correct answer: B Explanation: Explicit prioritisation and deferred work show mature planning.

14. New fuel estimate shows you are 10% short for the preferred route. Best response?

A. Ignore maths and hope B. Recalculate options: shorter route, reduced load, cache plan, or request support, then choose and brief the team C. Accuse the brief writer of sabotage D. Hide the shortage

Correct answer: B Explanation: Resource shortfalls require recalculation and transparent options.

15. Two teams need the same rope for staggered tasks. Best coordination approach?

A. Seize the rope permanently B. Agree a time window and hand-over point, confirm both tasks still meet the overall aim C. Cut the rope in half without checking lengths needed D. Refuse to talk to the other team

Correct answer: B Explanation: Shared-resource planning is a core leadership habit.

Written communication

16. Which opening produces the clearest written note to a receiving team?

A. “Anyway stuff happened and maybe go somewhere later.” B. “Aim: collect water cans from Store B by 10:30. Constraints: two people max, do not enter Store A. Next action: leave now via north path.” C. A page of jokes with the aim buried in the last sentence D. All capital letters with no punctuation

Correct answer: B Explanation: Aim, constraints and next action make written work usable under time pressure.

17. You must report a delay caused by an unsafe ford. Best written tone?

A. Blame individuals with insults B. State the fact, the risk, the decision taken, and the new ETA C. Hide the reason and invent a different cause D. Write only “Delayed.” with no context

Correct answer: B Explanation: Clear, factual, decision-oriented writing supports command awareness.

18. Which sentence is the most precise?

A. “We might somehow eventually maybe move.” B. “Team 2 will leave Checkpoint Red at 14:10 and arrive at Bridge 4 by 14:40 if the north track stays open.” C. “Soonish.” D. “Everyone should do their best out there somehow.”

Correct answer: B Explanation: Precision about who, when and contingency beats vague optimism.

19. You have 90 seconds left and two paragraphs half-finished. Best recovery?

A. Keep writing unfinished sentences until time expires B. Stop expanding; write a short conclusion that states the recommendation and one reason C. Cross out everything and leave a blank page D. Argue with the invigilator about the clock

Correct answer: B Explanation: A complete recommendation is more useful than an elegant incomplete draft.

20. Which practice habit improves written communication most for board-style tasks?

A. Copying dense jargon from random blogs B. Planning for 20 seconds (aim, three points, close), then writing simply C. Writing the longest possible essay every time D. Avoiding any structure so writing feels “natural”

Correct answer: B Explanation: Lightweight planning protects clarity when the clock is running.

Knowledge and current-affairs style reasoning

These items train calm, balanced reasoning habits. They are not an official AOSB knowledge bank.

21. For a defence or society topic you know only partially, best approach in discussion or writing?

A. Invent statistics to sound expert B. State what you know, mark uncertainty, and give a balanced view of trade-offs C. Claim total expertise you do not have D. Attack anyone who disagrees

Correct answer: B Explanation: Honest scoped analysis shows judgement. Fabrication destroys credibility.

22. Two candidates argue politics heatedly during a current-affairs style discussion. Best contribution?

A. Escalate personal attacks B. Reframe to shared facts, name two competing priorities, and invite a constructive next point C. Dominate with volume D. Withdraw completely and sulk

Correct answer: B Explanation: Assessors typically value calm facilitation more than partisan victory.

23. Official assessment tips encourage awareness of current affairs especially about society or defence. Which preparation habit matches that guidance best?

A. Reading only one partisan account and memorising slogans B. Following reputable reporting over weeks and practising short two-sided summaries C. Ignoring news until the night before D. Treating social-media rumours as proven fact

Correct answer: B Explanation: Steady, balanced awareness beats cramming and rumour.

24. A teammate asserts a sensational claim with no source. Best response?

A. Amplify it as certainty B. Ask calmly what source supports it and separate confirmed facts from speculation C. Mock them personally D. Change the subject to sport forever

Correct answer: B Explanation: Source discipline is part of mature current-affairs reasoning.

25. Which statement best describes service knowledge preparation?

A. You should claim secret operational details you were never given B. Learn openly published Army structure themes from official careers material and be honest about limits of knowledge C. Memorise confidential mark sheets from unofficial sellers D. Pretend you already completed Sandhurst

Correct answer: B Explanation: Use official public material. Do not invent insider status.

Memory and attention habits

26. Memorise then answer from memory: callsign Fox-2 moves to bridge Alpha at 09:10, carries four stretchers, reports on channel 7. What channel?

A. 2 B. 4 C. 7 D. 9

Correct answer: C Explanation: Encode the critical fields (who, where, when, kit, channel), then retrieve without re-reading.

27. Sequence shown for 8 seconds: blue-red-green-blue-yellow. Which matches?

A. blue-green-red-blue-yellow B. blue-red-green-blue-yellow C. blue-red-green-yellow-blue D. red-blue-green-blue-yellow

Correct answer: B Explanation: Exact order matters. Swap errors are common under time pressure.

28. Brief extract: “Do not cross the railway before 11:40. Rendezvous is barn south of the church. Team lead is Patel.” Who is team lead?

A. Barnes B. Church C. Patel D. Railway

Correct answer: C Explanation: Separate constraints from people and places when encoding.

29. Codes to compare: WR-190-K vs options. Which is an exact match?

A. WR-190-R B. WR-109-K C. WR-190-K D. VR-190-K

Correct answer: C Explanation: Check letter and digit positions character by character.

30. Remember the rule: odd numbers mean “left path”, even means “right path”. For marker 17, which path?

A. Right B. Left C. Either D. Neither

Correct answer: B Explanation: 17 is odd, so left path under the stated rule.

Group discussion

31. The group is circling without a decision three minutes before time. Best action?

A. Let chaos continue B. Propose a decision framework (“Option A vs B, one reason each, then vote or leader decides”) and drive a finish C. Leave the table D. Insult slower thinkers

Correct answer: B Explanation: Closing a discussion under time is a leadership skill.

32. Someone presents a minority view with a solid safety point. Best response?

A. Dismiss it because the majority already decided B. Acknowledge it, test it against the aim, and adjust if it improves the plan C. Talk over them until they stop D. Change subject to an unrelated story

Correct answer: B Explanation: Good groups protect safety and quality over ego.

33. You notice you have spoken more than anyone else. What should you do next?

A. Keep talking so you stay visible B. Pause, invite two quieter members specifically, then synthesise C. Leave the room for effect D. Mock others for being quiet

Correct answer: B Explanation: Visibility without inclusion looks like dominance, not leadership.

34. The group agrees an unethical shortcut “because everyone does it”. Best stance?

A. Join in to fit in B. State the ethical concern briefly, propose a compliant alternative, and hold the line C. Stay silent and hope someone else objects D. Report privately later while smiling support in the room

Correct answer: B Explanation: Integrity under social pressure is a core officer quality signal.

Interview framing

35. Best structure for a leadership example in interview?

A. Vague claim with no details B. Situation, task, actions you took, result, and what you learned C. Only praise others so you say nothing about yourself D. Invent a dramatic combat story

Correct answer: B Explanation: Specific, ownable examples beat fiction and vagueness.

36. Asked why you want to be an Army officer, weakest answer pattern?

A. Linking values, role research and realistic understanding of responsibility for soldiers B. “I just want to boss people around and look cool on social media.” C. Discussing leadership, service and growth with concrete preparation steps D. Showing you understand Sandhurst is training, not a finished status

Correct answer: B Explanation: Motivation focused on ego and appearance is a poor officer signal.

37. Interviewer challenges an inconsistency in your timeline. Best response?

A. Double down on a false version B. Correct the record calmly, explain how the dates fit, and move on C. Attack the interviewer’s memory D. Change the subject to sport

Correct answer: B Explanation: Honest correction under challenge shows integrity and composure.

38. How should you discuss a past failure?

A. Deny it happened B. Own it, show learning and the changed behaviour since C. Blame everyone else only D. Claim failures never teach anything

Correct answer: B Explanation: Reflective ownership is stronger than denial or blame.

Lecturette outline practice

39. Best opening for a 3-minute lecturette on “Why teamwork matters in difficult conditions”?

A. A 2-minute apology for being nervous B. One clear definition of the problem, why it matters, and a preview of three points C. Reading a phone screen word for word with no structure D. Attacking a political party

Correct answer: B Explanation: A crisp frame helps assessors follow your argument.

40. Which lecturette structure is most effective for timed talks?

A. Opening, three supported points, balanced limit or counterpoint, short close B. Fifty disconnected facts C. Only jokes D. One point repeated thirty times with no evidence

Correct answer: A Explanation: Simple structure beats volume.

41. You are asked to speak on a topic you know lightly. Best approach?

A. Invent fake statistics B. Stay within what you can honestly support, define terms, use one reasoned example, and note uncertainty where needed C. Refuse entirely without explanation D. Speak only in jargon to hide gaps

Correct answer: B Explanation: Honest scoped analysis is stronger than bluffing.

42. Strong close for a lecturette?

A. “That is all” while walking off mid-sentence B. Restate the core judgement in one sentence and link it to a practical leadership implication C. Introduce three brand-new topics D. Ask assessors for the “right answer”

Correct answer: B Explanation: Close with judgement and application.

43. During a practice lecturette someone in the audience looks bored. Best recovery?

A. Stop and apologise for 60 seconds B. Keep structure, slightly increase clarity and eye contact, finish on time C. Abandon the talk and start a comedy routine D. Ask that person to take over immediately

Correct answer: B Explanation: Composure and clarity under distraction matter more than chasing approval.

44. Which lecturette prep habit is most useful the week before Westbury?

A. Memorising a rigid speech you panic if interrupted B. Practising outline cards: opening, three points, counterpoint, close, under a timer C. Writing a 20-minute essay and reading it aloud too fast D. Avoiding any rehearsal so it “stays natural”

Correct answer: B Explanation: Outline fluency survives nerves better than brittle scripts.

45. Best use of examples in a short lecturette?

A. One concrete example that supports the point, then return to the argument B. Five long personal stories that overrun the time C. No examples at all, only abstractions D. Examples that contradict your own conclusion without notice

Correct answer: A Explanation: Short, purposeful examples support the argument without eating the clock.

Psychometric-style familiarisation notes

If you use commercial psychometric or memory practice as part of a broader plan, keep expectations sober:

  • Practise timed accuracy, not “secret official screens”.
  • Do not assume third-party question counts or section names match live AOSB software.
  • Keep personality-style questionnaires honest if you use them for self-awareness; gaming answers can produce inconsistent patterns.
  • Prioritise fitness, real leadership examples and invitation instructions above any vendor catalogue.

For optional commercial familiarisation, candidates sometimes review a dedicated third-party AOSB Briefing and Main Board PrepPack after reading official Army Jobs material. Check current UK access terms on the pack linked earlier on this page before purchase.

AOSB vs Army ACT vs RAF DAA

Pathway What it is Who it is for How it differs
AOSB Officer selection board at Westbury Officer candidates (Regular / Reserve / some PQO routes) Multi-day leadership and selection board, not a soldier cognitive substitute
Army Cognitive Test (ACT) Soldier cognitive aptitude battery Soldier recruitment Fast cognitive modules for trainability / role matching; not officer Main Board leadership selection
RAF DAA Defence Aptitude Assessment RAF and wider UK Armed Forces aptitude contexts Six-section Defence battery (verbal, numerical, work rate, spatial, electrical, mechanical). Related Defence aptitude family, not AOSB

Use the right guide for the right route. Practising DAA electrical items will not replace AOSB command-task behaviour, and AOSB planning drills will not replace soldier ACT speed practice.

FAQ

Is Briefing the same as Main Board?

No. Official Regular guidance separates a shorter Briefing focused on assessment plus preparation teaching from a longer residential Main Board. PQO / Specialist candidates often skip separate Briefing and attend Main Board (Short). Reserve Officer timings differ again: confirm the Reserve Officer joining page.

Where does AOSB take place?

Official Army Jobs materials place AOSB at the selection centre in Westbury, Wiltshire.

Do I need to be a finished officer already?

No. Official messaging emphasises potential to develop through Sandhurst training, not a finished product.

Are commercial psychometric details official?

No. Treat commercial descriptions of exact verbal / numerical / abstract / memory / personality mixes as third-party orientation unless your invitation expressly names that product.

Which official pages should I read first?

Start with the Regular Officer process, the officer assessment page, and (if relevant) the Reserve Officer process. Then follow your recruiter invitation.

Does preparation guarantee selection?

No. Preparation can help familiarisation and performance habits. It cannot guarantee AOSB selection, Sandhurst entry or a commission.

Official sources

Return to the UK Assessment Tests hub. Compare soldier computer-based cognitive testing on the Army Cognitive Test page and Defence aptitude batteries on the RAF DAA page when relevant.