Last updated: 28 August 2026 | Trusted by thousands worldwide.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is one of three branches of the UK Armed Forces, with around 33,000 personnel across roles including pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers, intelligence analysts, and RAF Police.
To join, candidates must pass a series of assessments designed to evaluate cognitive ability and suitability for specific roles. The RAF psychometric test, officially known as the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA), is central to the RAF recruitment process and serves as the official aptitude test for airmen and most non-officer positions.
The RAF DAA test replaced the former Airmen Selection Test (AST) and measures verbal reasoning, numerical ability, spatial awareness, and problem-solving under strict time limits. Your score determines which RAF trades you qualify for, making focused preparation essential.
Our RAF DAA PrepPack covers every section of the Defence Aptitude Assessment RAF candidates need to pass, with realistic practice tests, timed simulations, and targeted drills to sharpen your accuracy and build confidence before test day.
Our RAF DAA PrepPack covers every section of the Defence Aptitude Assessment, from your first diagnostic score to the final section-specific drill.
You'll get to work on all sections of the intensive RAF aptitude test.
Get full-length simulations, targeted drills, and expert guidance, all built around the real DAA format.
⭐️ DAA/CBAT: While the DAA is used as the main entry exam for the Royal Air Force, you'll also come across it when applying for the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. If you're applying to the RAF for Pilot, Air Traffic Control, Weapon Systems Operator, or another aptitude-based branch, you'll sit the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) instead of the DAA.
The RAF Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) is a computer-based cognitive test that establishes candidates' suitability for specific airmen and non-officer roles within the Royal Air Force.
It's made up of six individually timed sections:
The core sections are the same for every candidate, but the number of questions in each section can very slightly depending on the role you've applied for. Most candidates complete around 100 - 110 multiple-choice questions in roughly 70 minutes.
Below, you'll find a breakdown of the 6 individual sections and what each one measures.
The RAF DAA Verbal Reasoning section evaluates how quickly and accurately you can process written information, drawing on attention to detail, logical thinking, and your ability to pick out key points.
You’ll face around 20 questions across four distinct scenarios, with 15 minutes to complete the section. Common question types include:
Performing well in the RAF DAA Verbal Reasoning section comes down to reading passages closely, filtering out what's relevant, and pacing yourself under time pressure.
Give the sample RAF DAA Verbal Reasoning question below a go before checking the explanation:
Take a look at the below sample text and answer the question that follows:
Rory started a new job. The office’s procedure regarding the work area are:
Desktop
Keep only essentials on your desktop: Computer, telephone, lamp, note paper, and your project. Telephone should be easy to answer and comfortable to use when talking and taking notes.
Supplies
Supplies should be in a supply drawer in easy reach of your desk, but for larger items such as file folders, ring binders, and envelopes, consider a cabinet, a closet, or a container. Similar supplies should be kept together. All containers should be labelled.
Workspace
The wastebasket should be within easy reach. Use one that is large enough for a week’s worth of trash. Line it with a plastic bag.
Make sure your workstation is neat when leaving the office for the night. Make sure to empty your wastebasket at the end of the week.
Question: Which one of the following statements is not a characteristic of an organised workplace?
Choose your answer before looking at the explanation below.
The correct answer is C: Ring binders and envelopes are grouped together.
When solving a negatively phrased question, it's sometimes helpful to rephrase the question positively, for example: “What characteristics of an organised workplace are mentioned in the passage?” Then, go through the distractors and locate the relevant information in the passage:
Therefore, the answer is C.
⭐️ Golden Tip: For negatively worded or “not stated” questions, try rephrasing the question positively in your own words before evaluating the options. You'll find plenty of RAF DAA test questions, including realistic verbal reasoning passages, timed drills, and step-by-step strategies in our PrepPack.
The RAF DAA Numerical Reasoning section assesses your ability to work with numbers, fractions, decimals, and formulae, as well as your ability to understand and interpret numerical information presented in tables and graphs under strict time limits.
You’ll face two main sub-sections:
You cannot use a calculator or smart watch, but paper and pencil are allowed for calculations, making mental arithmetic practice particularly valuable for this section.
Success in the RAF aptitude test numerical reasoning section depends on strong maths skills, methodical working, careful interpretation of data, and maintaining speed and accuracy under pressure.
Try our RAF DAA Numerical Reasoning sample question below to see what to expect:
The ferry is the most popular route to travel between Helsinki and Tallinn. Many tourists and businessmen prefer that route.
The table below shows the departure times of three ferry lines operating between Tallinn and Helsinki.
Question: Which of the following will allow Sven to leave Tallinn on Sunday morning to attend a Bar festival 15 minutes from the Helsinki dock that starts at 12:00, at the cheapest price?
Choose your answer before looking at the explanation below.
The correct answer is D: 07:30 Viking Line
Looking at the table, focus on the Sat - Sun columns and the costs. The cheapest weekend option is the Viking Line, so we only need to consider answers that involve this ferry.
Therefore, the answer must be D.
⭐️ Golden Tip: Identify which sub-section a question belongs to before you start calculating, always check the units in tables or graphs, and work step by step so small errors don't creep in under time pressure. The RAF DAA PrepPack gives you realistic timed scenarios to build this instinct before test day.
The RAF DAA Work Rate section puts you under real time pressure, drawing on attention to detail, pattern recognition, and the kind of quick, correct decision-making many RAF roles demand.
Expect tasks such as:
This section contains 20 sequences to be completed in 4 minutes (just 12 seconds per question), so there's little room for hesitation. Each one demands careful scanning, correct application of the coding rules, and a quick eye for comparison.
This is one of the more unforgiving sections on time, so staying methodical and focused matters more here than almost anywhere else in the DAA.
Have a go at the RAF DAA Work Rate sample question below:
The correct answer is C: ✕ ✔ 3
According to the question, the letters are coded as follows:
To find the correct answer, look for the option that uses any combination of the possible codes for each letter.
Therefore, the only correct option is C.
⭐️ Golden Tip: Always check which column each element of the original code belongs to before comparing options. Work systematically across each row, and use our RAF DAA PrepPack to practise realistic timed grids until pattern-matching becomes easier.
The RAF DAA Spatial Reasoning section tests how well you can visualise, manipulate, and interpret 2D and 3D shapes under strict time pressure. It measures skills such as mental rotation, pattern recognition, and understanding how objects relate in space, all of which are essential for many RAF roles.
You’ll face two main types of questions:
This section contains 20 questions in total (10 for 2D orientation and 10 for 3D rotation) to be completed in 7 minutes (4 minutes for 2D and 3 minutes for 3D).
The tight time limit means you can't afford to second-guess yourself. Trust your first read of each shape, work through the rotation logically, and move on once you've committed to an answer.
Try our RAF DAA Spatial Reasoning sample question below to see what to expect:
The letters near the edges of each shape point out where they should be joined together. Which of the following options shows the correct joint shape?
The correct answer is C.
According to the question, the sides marked with letters are the “joint sides” of the shapes. These sides will be hidden when the shapes are joined together. The unmarked sides, however, form the external borders of the combined shape and will be visible.
It's highly recommended to sketch the assembly process as you mentally or physically join the three shapes along their marked sides.
Once assembled, compare the resulting outline with the answer options. The correct option is the one whose borders match the newly formed shape. In this case, the correct answer is C.
⭐️ Golden Tip: Draw or trace the joining process in your mind for 2D shapes, and always check the position of labelled sides or dots after rotation. Practising with our RAF aptitude test preparation pack will help this kind of visualisation become second nature well before test day.
The RAF DAA Electrical Comprehension section covers electrical principles roughly at GCSE level, testing whether you can read simple circuits, work with voltage, current, and resistance, and apply that knowledge to practical situations.
You’ll face multiple-choice questions covering topics such as:
You'll have 15 minutes to work through 22 questions.
This section rewards a systematic approach over guesswork. Rather than eyeballing a circuit, trace the current step by step and apply the relevant principle before committing to an answer.
Give the sample RAF DAA Electrical Comprehension question below a try:
The power factor of an AC power system may NOT be:
Choose your answer before looking at the explanation below.
The correct answer is C: 1.5
To understand the concept of power factor, it helps to first look at the three types of power in an AC system: real power, reactive power, and apparent power.
The power factor (PF) is defined as the ratio of real power to apparent power:
PF = Real Power / Apparent Power
Because real power is never greater than apparent power, the power factor must fall between −1 and 1, meaning it cannot be 1.5. Note that the power factor can be negative if the direction of power flow is opposite to the one defined.
⭐️ Golden Tip: Always trace the flow of current through the circuit before selecting an answer, and check whether the question is asking about voltage, current, or resistance. Practising with the RAF DAA PrepPack provides realistic, timed questions to help you master this section efficiently.
The RAF DAA Mechanical Comprehension section covers basic mechanical principles, including forces, levers, pulleys, gears, and motion, and tests how well you can apply them to practical problems under time pressure.
Multiple-choice questions come as diagrams or short written scenarios, covering topics such as:
You'll have 13 minutes for 19 questions.
Careful observation matters more than raw instinct here. Picture how the forces or components actually interact before you commit to an answer, rather than relying on what looks right at a glance.
Try our RAF DAA Mechanical Comprehension sample question below to see what to expect:
Look at the image below and answer the question that follows:
Question: If wheels 2 and 3 move in the directions marked in the image, will wheel 1 rotate in direction A or B?
Choose your answer before looking at the explanation below.
The correct answer is B.
Both wheels 2 and 3 are moving in a clockwise direction, and therefore wheel 1 will move in a counterclockwise direction.
⭐️ Golden Tip: Visualise how forces, gears, and pulleys interact before selecting an answer. Our RAF DAA PrepPack gives you timed practice across realistic scenarios, so these judgement calls start to feel automatic rather than something you're reasoning through from first principles each time.
The DAA covers a lot of ground across its six sections, but it's worth knowing what's changed since the older AST format, particularly if you've come across prep material that still references it.
Realistic practice tests, timed simulations, and expert guidance covering all six sections, so nothing on test day catches you off guard.
⭐️ Memory Test: The RAF previously included a short memory section as part of the Airmen Selection Test (AST). It's no longer part of the current DAA, so candidates only need to focus on the six main sections.
The old RAF AST memory test covered two skills, recalling the order of letters in a sequence and working out how many letters sat between two given letters, and remembering patterns across a series of grids before recognising the combined arrangement in a more complex grid afterwards.
Some RAF DAA test preparation materials still include practice for this older section, useful as extra training if you want it, though it won't come up in the current test.
The Defence Aptitude Assessment RAF scores candidates across each of the six main sections: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Mechanical Comprehension, and Electrical Comprehension. Your RAF DAA results show each section separately rather than one combined score, and your recruiter will talk you through what they mean for the trades you're eligible for.
There is no single RAF DAA pass mark or precise RAF aptitude test score requirements that apply to all candidates, and the RAF does not publish an official pass rate for the assessment.
Instead, the thresholds are role-dependent, with higher-demand trades such as Weapons Systems Operator or Air Traffic Controller generally requiring stronger scores to be considered competitive. Your DAA performance is combined with your interview, fitness assessments, and other selection elements to determine overall eligibility.
The stronger your RAF DAA scores across the board, the more trades you'll have open to you, so it's worth taking every section seriously rather than leaning on just your strongest ones.
The DAA is one of the earliest formal stages of the RAF recruitment process, which takes candidates through a series of RAF suitability assessments before a conditional offer is made.
Here is an overview of the full RAF entry test process, covering each RAF selection test and stage from application through to conditional offer:
After the DAA, candidates meet with a recruiter to talk through potential career paths based on their results. It's worth going in with an open mind, as plenty of applicants end up considering trades they hadn't thought about before this conversation.
Let's take a look at some of the other important RAF recruitment steps:
Once you pass the RAF Defence Aptitude Assessment, you'll be invited to a formal RAF Selection Interview, held either at your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) or the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC), depending on your trade.
The interview generally lasts 30 - 45 minutes and covers your motivation, understanding of the RAF, and suitability for the trade you've chosen. Interviewers will typically ask about your education, work experience, hobbies, teamwork, resilience, and awareness of current affairs or RAF operations, alongside competency-based questions where you'll need structured examples from your own experience.
Sample questions you might encounter include:
Working through these in advance, out loud rather than just in your head, makes a real difference to how confident and structured your answers sound on the day.
It's also worth getting familiar with the RAF's core values - Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence (RISE) - since interviewers often work these into their questions.
If you want more structured practice, try our AI-Driven Interview Prep to help you rehearse and refine your answers before the real thing, available as an add-on to any of our PrepPacks or for free as part of our Premium RAF DAA PrepPack.
Candidates must complete the RAF fitness test at two points during the RAF recruitment process.
The first is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT), covering basic aerobic fitness and strength. It includes a timed 1.5-mile run on a treadmill and a set number of push-ups and sit-ups, usually performed in one minute each. Standards vary by age and gender but proper technique is essential, so training in advance is recommended.
The second comes later, at the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC), as part of final selection. This assessment confirms your fitness for your chosen trade and is conducted alongside medical evaluations.
After the DAA, interview, and fitness test, there are a few further steps that may apply depending on the role you're going for:
Once these are done, you're typically looking at a conditional offer, subject to background checks and security clearance.
Together, these steps give the RAF a rounded picture of whether you're ready for your chosen role before making a final decision.
Passing the RAF DAA comes down to preparation, strategy, and time management. Here are some key tips to help you succeed:
Our RAF aptitude test preparation package gives you full access to realistic practice questions, timed mock simulations, and expert strategies so you have everything you need to approach your RAF exam confidently and perform at your best.
Consistent, targeted practice with realistic timed mock tests is what actually moves your DAA score, not last-minute cramming.
The RAF Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) is the official cognitive aptitude test for airmen and non-officer candidates, made up of six timed sections covering verbal reasoning, numerical ability, work rate, spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension, and electrical comprehension.
DAA stands for Defence Aptitude Assessment, the test now used across all branches of the UK Armed Forces in place of the older, RAF-specific AST.
The RAF Airmen Selection Test (AST) was the non-commissioned aptitude test before the DAA came in. It covered largely the same ground as today's DAA, minus the memory section, which was dropped when the format changed.
Most applicants to the Royal Air Force (and RAF Police) must take the DAA, including non-commissioned roles, some specialist roles, and officer candidates in non-aptitude-based branches. Candidates applying for aptitude-based branches, such as Pilot, Air Traffic Control, or Weapon Systems Operator, sit the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) instead. Your recruiter will confirm which applies to your chosen career path.
Yes, RAF Police candidates sit the standard Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA), the same test used for most non-commissioned and non-aptitude-based roles across the Royal Air Force. There's no separate RAF Police aptitude test. As with other trades, the score you need depends on the specific role requirements, so confirm current thresholds with your recruiter.
Yes. The Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) is used across multiple branches of the UK Armed Forces, including the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.
While the structure of the DAA is the same, the required scores vary depending on the role and service you apply for. Royal Navy applicants must achieve the score threshold for their chosen branch, just as RAF candidates must meet the standards set for their specific career pathway.
Read more about our Royal Navy PrepPack.
Basic eligibility requirements for joining the Royal Air Force include:
Each role has specific academic and medical requirements, so always check the official RAF role page.
For many roles, yes. Most positions require at least GCSEs (or equivalent) in English, Maths, and, sometimes, Science.
Officer roles typically require A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
However, some entry-level roles may have flexible academic requirements depending on aptitude scores.
Common disqualifiers include serious medical conditions, untreated mental health issues, certain criminal convictions, and failure to meet nationality or residency requirements. Minor issues do not automatically disqualify you, and each case is assessed individually. We are not medical or legal professionals, so we recommend checking the latest eligibility guidance on the official RAF recruitment website or speaking directly with a recruiter.
The total number of questions in the RAF DAA varies slightly depending on the role you are applying for. However, candidates typically complete around 100 - 110 multiple-choice questions across six timed sections (Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Mechanical Comprehension, and Electrical Comprehension) in approximately 70 minutes.
Once your full application has been accepted, you'll be invited to take the DAA test RAF candidates complete online using your own device. You may also opt to visit your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) if you prefer. Your recruiter will confirm the details ahead of your assessment.
There's no dress code for the RAF DAA, as it's completed online using your own device, wherever suits you, including at home. If you choose to sit it at your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) instead, your recruiter can confirm anything you should know beforehand.
The RAF DAA is challenging but not impossible. Most candidates find the numerical and spatial reasoning sections hardest, especially under strict time limits, but how hard you find it comes down to your current maths level, how used to timed tests you are, and how well you've prepared.
RAF aptitude test practice is essential. You should:
Consistency is more important than cramming.
You'll find ample RAF DAA test questions and study materials in our comprehensive PrepPack.
Most candidates benefit from 2 - 6 weeks of preparation, depending on their starting level.
If maths isn’t your strength, allow more time to build confidence and speed.
Our RAF DAA practice materials are delivered through your online PrepPack account rather than as a downloadable PDF, so you can access RAF mock tests and revisit explanations whenever you need. This format also lets us keep questions and guidance updated as the DAA changes, which a static PDF can't offer.
There is no single RAF DAA pass mark or RAF aptitude test score requirement. Instead, different RAF roles require different minimum scores. Higher-demand roles (e.g., engineering or aircrew) require higher scores, and if you don’t qualify for your first choice, you may qualify for alternative roles.
If you don't achieve the required scores for your chosen trade, your recruiter will discuss your options with you. You may be eligible to apply for alternative trades that match your DAA results, or you may be able to retake the assessment after a waiting period. The RAF uses DAA scores to identify the best fit for each candidate, so a lower score does not necessarily end your application entirely.
Yes, but there is usually a waiting period before you can retake the test. Policies can change, so always confirm current retake rules with your recruiter.
Founded by David Meshulam in 1992, JobTestPrep has built more than three decades of experience helping candidates navigate competitive recruitment processes, including thousands preparing for the Royal Air Force and the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA). Our preparation materials are developed by experts and regularly updated to reflect the latest test formats, helping candidates approach every stage of recruitment with greater confidence. With more than 220 preparation courses and over one million candidates supported worldwide, we offer professionally designed PrepPacks alongside advanced tools, including our AI-powered CV Analyser and Interview Prep platform. Together, these resources help candidates across the UK and beyond strengthen their applications, improve their performance, and achieve outstanding results.
Kemi, Army Aptitude Tests Expert at JobTestPrep
Hi, I’m Kemi! I hold a B.Sc. in Psychology and an M.Sc. in Organisational Psychology, and I have extensive experience in education and test development. If you have a question about our RAF DAA Aptitude Test PrepPack, please contact me at:
If you're preparing for Royal Air Force assessments, you may also find our RAF CBAT Preparation and RAF OASC Preparation pages helpful.
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