Admiralty Interview Board: Complete AIB Tests & Preparation Guide (2026)
Updated: 24 June 2026
The Admiralty Interview Board (AIB) is the gateway to a Royal Navy officer career, open to candidates applying to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Maritime Reserves, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Conducted entirely online across two stages, the AIB identifies those with the potential to lead, inspire, and serve at the highest level.
Thorough preparation is essential to making that impression.
What Is The Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)?
The Admiralty Interview Board has been selecting officers for the Royal Navy for over 120 years.
Today, the AIB process is conducted entirely online and consists of two distinct stages, the Pre-Recorded Interview (PRI) and the Group Planning Exercise (GPE), facilitated by the Royal Navy's contracted partners, SSCL.
The AIB process is designed to establish whether you have the personal qualities needed to be an effective Royal Navy officer. You're not competing against other candidates, and there is no quota to fulfil. Instead, your performance is measured against six set core criteria:
- Motivation & Awareness: Demonstrating commitment to joining the Royal Navy as an officer and understanding of what that entails
- Communication: Expressing yourself clearly and confidently, both verbally and in written form
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively with others to achieve a shared goal
- Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Analysing situations and making sound decisions under pressure
- Confidence & Resilience: Maintaining composure and determination in challenging situations
- Effective Intelligence: Applying common sense and logical thinking to solve complex problems
There is no single ideal candidate profile.
The Royal Navy is looking for ambitious, driven individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, and both outgoing and reserved personalities are welcome, provided they demonstrate the potential to lead and inspire others.
⭐️ The AIB Has Changed: The AIB was historically conducted as a 2.5-day residential assessment centre, including aptitude tests (verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning), a writing exercise, a service knowledge test, group exercises, and a final interview with a panel of three assessors. The AIB transitioned to its current fully online two-stage format following a redesign in conjunction with occupational psychologists. Candidates researching the AIB may encounter references to the older format. This page reflects the current process as published by the Royal Navy.
The AIB Process: Two Assessment Stages
The AIB process is conducted in two stages within a 3 - 4 week period.
Let's take a closer look:
Stage 1: Pre-Recorded Interview (PRI)
The PRI is an online interview completed via a dedicated portal.
It gives the Royal Navy the opportunity to assess your motivation to join as an officer, your awareness of Initial Officer Training and the specialist training associated with your chosen role, and your broader understanding of Royal Navy operations.
You'll be asked a series of questions and given two minutes to provide each answer.
Overall, the PRI is assessed on two of the six AIB criteria:
- Motivation & Awareness
- Communication
The Pre-Recorded Interview is available for seven days from the date the link is sent, and you can complete it at a time that suits you within that window. Once submitted, your responses are assessed and moderated by SSCL and AIB staff before you progress to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Group Planning Exercise (GPE)
The GPE is a collaborative online exercise conducted via Microsoft Teams. Working against the clock, you and a group of fellow candidates must read a series of briefs, identify the key issues, and agree on the best available solution using the assets and resources described in the scenario.
At the end of the group session, you'll be moved into a separate virtual room for individual questioning. These questions focus on the scenario and introduce new information requiring dynamic decision-making under time pressure.
The AIB Group Planning Exercise is assessed on the remaining criteria:
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Problem-Solving & Decision-Making
- Confidence & Resilience
- Effective Intelligence
You'll have a window to book your GPE slot, and sessions typically take place Tuesday to Friday at set times (09:00, 11:00, 131:0, or 15:00).
⭐️ A Note On Technology: You'll need a laptop or PC with Microsoft Teams installed and either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (latest versions) to complete the AIB process. Tablets and smartphones are not compatible. If you don't have the required equipment, speak to your Careers Adviser as you may be able to complete both stages at your local AFCO.
AIB Scoring
Each stage of the AIB process is scored individually by AIB staff and SSCL assessors, with both stages carrying equal weight in your overall result.
Your performance across the PRI and GPE is assessed against the six core criteria (Motivation & Awareness, Communication, Teamwork & Collaboration, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making, Confidence & Resilience, and Effective Intelligence) and together these scores determine your final AIB Pass or Fail outcome.
It's important to note that passing the AIB does not guarantee a place at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) Dartmouth or Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) Lympstone.
All successful AIB candidates are subsequently assessed by a Royal Navy Fleet Selection Board, which considers both AIB scores and the specialisations the Royal Navy currently requires. Only those selected at Fleet Selection Board level will receive a formal offer of officer training.
Your AIB outcome letter and feedback are distributed via the RITS system to both you and your Careers Adviser once AIB staff have finalised your scores following the GPE stage.
How To Prepare For The AIB
The AIB process assesses qualities that are difficult to fake and impossible to acquire overnight, but thorough, focused preparation makes a genuine difference to how confidently and clearly you present yourself across both stages.
- Know your motivation inside out: The PRI will probe your reasons for wanting to join the Royal Navy as an officer. Be specific, honest, and prepared to explain what steps you've taken to confirm your decision. Vague or generic answers will not stand out.
- Research your chosen role thoroughly: You'll be assessed on your awareness of Initial Officer Training and the specialist training for your chosen role. Read the official Royal Navy website, speak to serving officers if possible, and stay current with Royal Navy news and operations.
- Practise answering questions to time: The PRI gives you two minutes per answer. Practise speaking clearly and concisely to a timer. Two minutes is longer than it feels but shorter than you think.
- Prepare for the GPE format: The Group Planning Exercise requires you to read briefs quickly, identify key issues, and contribute constructively to a group discussion under time pressure. Practising case study and planning exercises in advance will help you structure your thinking.
- Work on your communication style: The AIB assesses how clearly and confidently you express yourself. Avoid jargon, speak in plain terms, and focus on being understood rather than impressive.
- Demonstrate teamwork, not dominance: In the GPE, candidates who dominate the discussion at the expense of others score poorly. Active listening, building on others' contributions, and helping the group reach a conclusion are all valued.
- Sort your technology in advance: Ensure you have a suitable laptop or PC, Microsoft Teams installed, and a reliable internet connection well before your assessment date. Technical issues on the day will not earn you sympathy.
Preparation across all of these areas, combined with genuine self-awareness and a clear understanding of why you want to serve as a Royal Navy officer, will give you the strongest possible foundation going into the AIB process.
Admiralty Interview Board FAQs
The AIB is the formal selection process that determines whether you have the qualities needed to serve as a Royal Navy officer. Conducted entirely online, it consists of two stages, a Pre-Recorded Interview (PRI) and a Group Planning Exercise (GPE), and assesses candidates against six core criteria including motivation, communication, teamwork, and effective intelligence. The Admiralty Interview Board is open to candidates applying across the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Maritime Reserves, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The AIB is required for all candidates applying to join as officers across the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. It's not required for ratings or non-officer roles - those candidates follow a different recruitment pathway involving the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA).
The AIB is conducted across approximately three to four weeks from start to finish. Stage 1, the Pre-Recorded Interview (PRI), is available for seven days from the date the link is sent. Stage 2, the Group Planning Exercise (GPE), typically takes place two weeks after the PRI window closes. AIB outcome letters are distributed once scores have been finalised following the GPE.
The AIB is considered a demanding but fair assessment. It doesn't test academic knowledge or physical fitness but, rather, assesses the personal qualities and potential you demonstrate across the PRI and GPE. Candidates who prepare thoroughly, know their motivation clearly, and can communicate and collaborate effectively under pressure consistently perform better than those who go in unprepared.
The Royal Navy doesn't publish official AIB pass rate statistics. What is known is that passing the AIB doesn't automatically guarantee a place at officer training. Successful candidates are subsequently assessed by a Royal Navy Fleet Selection Board, which considers AIB scores alongside the specialisations the Royal Navy currently requires. Speak to your Careers Adviser for the most current guidance on selection rates for your chosen branch and role.
If you don't achieve a pass at the AIB, your Careers Adviser will provide personalised feedback and guidance on your next steps. Depending on your performance and the board's assessment of your potential, you may be invited to re-attend after a minimum waiting period. Speak to your Careers Adviser directly for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance on reapplication. Policies can change and your adviser is best placed to advise on your individual circumstances.
Both stages of the AIB are formal assessments and you should dress as you would for a face-to-face interview. The following are considered unsuitable: Sports clothing, vests or beachwear, anything with offensive graphics or slogans, ripped clothing, and any form of uniform.
You'll need a laptop or PC with Microsoft Teams installed and either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (latest versions) as your internet browser. Tablets and smartphones are not compatible due to the requirement for a keyboard. You'll also need a reliable internet connection and a quiet, professional environment for both stages. If you don't have the required equipment, speak to your Careers Adviser as you may be able to complete both stages at your local AFCO.
Yes, the AIB is a recruitment assessment for candidates joining the Royal Navy as officers.
Serving officers being considered for promotion or senior appointments are assessed using a separate suite of psychometric tools, including SHL assessments such as the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ32) and the Motivational Questionnaire (MQ).
These are used to inform assignment and promotion decisions rather than initial recruitment, and are entirely separate from the AIB process.
If you're a serving Royal Navy officer preparing for a promotion or assignment assessment, our SHL OPQ32 PrepPack and SHL Motivational Questionnaires will help you get started.
Kemi, Army Tests Developer
