Defence Aptitude Assessment Cheat Sheet

Verbal Reasoning

Not published of exam
20 Q in 15 min Verbal Reasoning Method Quantifier Rules Conditional Logic Closed-system answers

Numerical Reasoning

Not published of exam
27 Q across two parts Arithmetic Shortcuts Fraction to Decimal Rate and Work Problems Charts and Tables

Work Rate

Not published of exam
20 Q in 4 min Work Rate Coding Same column, same order 12 seconds per question

Spatial Reasoning

Not published of exam
20 Q across two parts Spatial Part 1: 2D Spatial Part 2: 3D Cube Net Drills Rotation vs reflection

Electrical Comprehension

Not published of exam
22 Q in 15 min Electrical Core Facts Series vs Parallel Conductors and Insulators Ohm's law

Mechanical Comprehension

Not published of exam
19 Q in 13 min Levers and Moments Pulleys and Gears Pressure, Fluids, Springs Mechanical Advantage

Quick Facts

Exam Defence Aptitude Assessment
Services Royal Navy, Marines, RAF
Structure Six tests, eight timed parts
Questions 128 total
Timers 69 minutes total
Allow Around 90 minutes
Pass mark None published; role-dependent
Cost No fee to candidates
Link valid 14 days, single sitting
Screen 10.2 inches minimum
Calculator Banned; paper and pencil allowed
Where At home or AFCO

Six Tests in Order VE

Verbal, Numerical, Work rate, Spatial, Electrical, Mechanical
Numerical splits in two Spatial splits in two Eight timed parts total

Some vs All VE

Some

At least one
Never proves some not
Supports no individual claim

All

Every member included
Transfers to any member
Contrapositive always valid
Weak versus total evidence

Verbal Answer Picker VE

Asked what is true → Only guaranteed statements ( Reject the plausible )
Option says always → Find absolute wording ( Else reject it )
Table with conditions → Apply footnote first ( Then read across )
Some A are B → One overlap only ( Proves nothing further )
Effect given, cause asked → Check the converse ( Usually invalid )
Two synonyms look close → Substitute into sentence ( Check direction first )

Verbal Reasoning Method VE

Load 20 questions, 15 minutes
Layout Four scenarios per test
Pace About 45 seconds each
Source of truth Answer only from text
Read order Question first, then hunt
Definitely true Must hold in every case
Footnote row Special conditions override table
Elimination Cut on strictest requirement first
Scenario reuse Map facts once, reuse

Quantifier Rules VE

All A are B Every A is B
Some At least one; maybe all
No A are B Reversible in both directions
Most More than half
Some vs some not Some still allows all
Always, never, only Needs absolute text support
May, often, typically Easier to justify

Conditional Logic VE

If A then B A guarantees B
Contrapositive Not B, so not A
Converse Invalid: B never proves A
Inverse Invalid: not A, not B
Chain A to B to C
Two some premises No valid conclusion

Percent Blocks NU

Ten percent, then halve, then a tenth
10% = move decimal 5% = half of ten 1% = tenth of ten

Mean vs Median NU

Mean

Total / count
Uses every value
Dragged by outliers

Median

Middle of ordered list
Average middle two if even
Resists outliers
Average versus middle

Numerical Method Picker NU

Percentage of a value → 10% blocks ( Halve for 5% )
Fractions to subtract → Common denominator ( Check divisibility first )
Fraction and decimal options → Convert to decimal ( Learn the table )
Unknown in an equation → Reverse the operations ( Substitute to check )
Total and quantity given → Divide for unit rate
Speed, distance, time → Cover the triangle ( Convert decimal hours )
Two workers, one job → 1/a + 1/b = 1/t ( t = ab / (a+b) )
Chart carries a multiplier → Scale every reading ( Check units first )

Arithmetic Shortcuts NU

Load 12 questions, 4 minutes
Pace 20 seconds per question
Percent blocks Build from 10%, 5%, 1%
15% of 240 24 + 12 = 36
35% of 60 18 + 3 = 21
Subtracting fractions Match denominators, then subtract
5/6 - 2/3 1/6
3/5 as decimal 0.6
Decimal multiplying Multiply digits, count places
1.4 x 0.35 0.49
Estimate first Kills misplaced-point distractors

Fraction to Decimal NU

1/8 0.125
1/5 0.2
1/4 0.25
1/3 0.333
3/8 0.375
1/2 0.5
5/8 0.625
2/3 0.667
3/4 0.75
7/8 0.875

Algebra and Formulae NU

Solve 3x + 7 = 25 x = 6
Method Undo operations in reverse
Check Substitute the answer back
Unknown over denominator Multiply both sides first
Negative sign slip Commonest algebra error
Formula substitution Replace letters, then calculate

Rate and Work Problems NU

Speed distance / time
Time distance / speed
Distance speed x time
250 km at 100 km/h 2 hours 30 minutes
Half the speed Double the time
One worker rate Job / time
Combined work 1/a + 1/b = 1/t
Two-worker shortcut t = ab / (a+b)
4 h and 6 h Together 2.4 hours
Man-hours Workers x hours = constant
Ratio parts Divide total by part sum
Unit rate Divide down to one

Charts and Tables NU

Load 15 questions, 11 minutes
First check Axis labels, units, multiplier
Figures in thousands Scale every value read
Percent of a value Compute target, then look up
70% of 40,000 28,000
Blank cell Derive the unit rate
Total vs per item Check the column header
Question types Value, trend, or difference
0.5 hours 30 minutes, not 50
0.25 hours 15 minutes
Mean Total / count
Median Middle of ordered list
Range Highest minus lowest

Same Column, Same Order WO

Same columns, same order - nothing else matters
Translate the code first Order beats raw speed Symbols mean nothing

Work Rate vs Rate Maths WO

Work Rate test

Coding and matching grids
No arithmetic required
20 questions, 4 minutes

Rate problems

Speed, work, unit rates
Sit in numerical reasoning
Real calculation required
Matching versus calculating

Work Rate Picker WO

New grid appears → Read the code first ( Three items only )
Code given in letters → Find each column ( Then swap rows )
Options look similar → Check the order ( Order decides it )
Value outside code columns → Eliminate that option ( Column trap )
You lose your place → Re-read code only ( Not the grid )
Past twelve seconds → Guess and advance ( No carry-over time )

Work Rate Coding WO

Load 20 questions, 4 minutes
Pace 12 seconds per question
Grid rows Letters, numbers, pictures
Code Three items, three columns
The only rule Same columns, same order
Method Translate code, then scan
Worked Code letters -> column numbers
Order trap Right values, wrong sequence
Column trap Value from an unused column
Symbols Meaningless labels; seek no pattern
Lost your place Re-read the code only
Stuck Guess, move, never linger

Two Dots Rule SP

Both dots right, or the option is wrong
Easy object first Eliminate three options Then check the hard one

Rotation vs Reflection SP

Rotation

Turning only
Clockwise order preserved
Can be a valid option

Reflection

Mirror image
Clockwise order reversed
Never reachable by turning
Turned versus flipped

Spatial Elimination Picker SP

Pieces carry letter edges → Match same letters ( Rotate as needed )
Option looks oversized → Reject on size ( Check longest edge )
Extra bump or notch → Reject that option ( No piece supplies it )
Two objects, two dots → Judge easier object ( Eliminate, then check )
Features run anticlockwise → Reject as mirror ( Rotation preserves order )
Dot on wrong faces → Reject that option ( Faces never change )

Spatial Part 1: 2D SP

Load 10 questions, 4 minutes
Task Join labelled edges, form shape
Labels Match x to x
Pieces shown Three or four shapes
Rotation allowed Turn pieces to align
Joined edges Vanish inside the outline
Size check Longest edge caps the answer
Area check Pieces must total the shape
Extra spike No piece supplies it

Spatial Part 2: 3D SP

Load 10 questions, 3 minutes
Pace 18 seconds per question
Task Two objects, dotted corners
Correct option Both dots in original corners
Order of work Judge the easy object
Anchor Which faces meet the dot
Rotation Preserves clockwise feature order
Reflection Reverses it; never a rotation
Mirror trap Sizes match, handedness wrong

Cube Net Drills SP

Why drill these Trains part 2 rotation
Cube net Six squares, one solid
Opposite faces Separated by one square
Row of four Wraps into a band
Ends of that row Meet each other when folded
Adjacent faces Share a folding edge
Square count More or fewer fails

Ohm's Law Triangle EL

V on top, I and R below
Cover V: I x R Cover I: V / R Cover R: V / I

Series vs Parallel EL

Series

Resistances add up
Same current throughout
One break stops all

Parallel

Total below smallest resistor
Full voltage each branch
One break, others run
One path versus many

Electrical Question Picker EL

Two of V, I, R → Ohm's law ( V = I x R )
Watts asked → P = V x I ( Or I squared R )
Resistors end to end → Add the resistances ( Current shared )
Resistors side by side → Lower total resistance ( Voltage shared )
Meter inside one branch → Reads branch current
Meter before the split → Reads total current
A switch opens → Trace the path ( Series kills all )
Worst conductor asked → Choose the non-metal

Electrical Core Facts EL

Load 22 questions, 15 minutes
Current Flow of charged particles
Current unit Ampere (A)
Voltage Potential difference, in volts
Resistance Opposition to current, ohms
Ohm's law V = I x R
12 V, 4 ohm I = 3 A
Power P = V x I
Power form 2 P = I squared x R
Power form 3 P = V squared / R
Ammeter In series, reads current
Voltmeter In parallel, reads voltage

Power Triangle EL

P on top, V and I below
P = V x I I = P / V V = P / I

Ammeter vs Voltmeter EL

Ammeter

Wired in series
Reads current, in amps
Very low resistance

Voltmeter

Wired in parallel
Reads potential difference
Very high resistance
Through versus across

Series vs Parallel Circuits EL

Series resistance Add them: R1 + R2
Series current Same at every point
Series voltage Splits across the components
Two 6 ohm, series 12 ohms total
12 V across 12 ohms 1 A drawn
Parallel resistance Below the smallest resistor
Identical pair, parallel Half of one resistor
Two 6 ohm, parallel 3 ohms total
12 V across 3 ohms 4 A drawn
Parallel voltage Full supply each branch
Switch opens, series Everything stops
Switch opens, parallel Only that branch stops
Meter after the split Reads one branch only
Meter before the split Reads the total current

Conductors and Insulators EL

Best conductor Silver, then copper
Why copper wiring Balances cost and conductivity
Good conductors Metals with free electrons
Insulators Rubber, glass, plastic, ceramic
Worst conductor asked Pick the non-metal
Pure water Poor conductor
Salty water Conducts well
Fuse Melts and breaks the circuit
Cell vs battery Battery is joined cells

Lever Classes 1-2-3 ME

1 pivot, 2 load, 3 effort - in the middle
Class 1: seesaw Class 2: wheelbarrow Class 3: tweezers

Small Driver vs Big Driver ME

Small gear drives

Big gear turns slower
More torque delivered
Ratio from tooth counts

Big gear drives

Small gear turns faster
Less torque delivered
Same ratio inverted
Speed traded for force

Mechanical Principle Picker ME

Beam balanced on pivot → Moments equation ( Distance from pivot )
Ropes lifting a block → Count supporting ropes ( That is MA )
Two meshed gears → Tooth count ratio ( Directions alternate )
Middle gear in train → Ignore for ratio ( Idler only )
Piston squeezing gas → Pressure rises ( Volume falls )
Two hydraulic pistons → Same pressure throughout ( Force follows area )
Force on small area → Pressure formula ( P = F / A )
Machine seems free → Reject the option ( No extra energy )

Levers and Moments ME

Load 19 questions, 13 minutes
Moment Force x perpendicular distance
Balance rule Effort x distance = load x distance
200 N at 0.5 m 50 N at 2 m
Measure from The pivot, not the end
Class 1 Pivot between effort, load
Class 2 Load between pivot, effort
Class 3 Effort between pivot, load
Class 1 examples Seesaw, crowbar, scissors
Class 2 examples Wheelbarrow, nutcracker, bottle opener
Class 3 examples Tweezers, tongs, fishing rod
Longer effort arm Less force, more movement

No Free Lunch ME

Gain force, lose distance - never gain energy
MA = load / effort Friction costs efficiency Work in = work out

Springs: Series vs Parallel ME

Series springs

Extensions add up
Softer overall
Same force in each

Parallel springs

Load shared between them
Stiffer overall
Same extension each
Softer versus stiffer

Pulleys and Gears ME

Fixed pulley Changes direction only
Fixed pulley MA 1
Movable pulley Halves the effort
What to count Ropes supporting the moving block
Four ropes, 400 N 100 N effort
Rope pulled Four metres per metre lifted
Meshed gears Turn in opposite directions
Gear speed Inversely proportional to teeth
20 teeth drives 60 One third the speed
Torque trade Slower means more torque
Idler gear Reverses direction, ratio unchanged
Odd gear count Last matches first direction
Belt, uncrossed Same direction as driver
Belt, crossed Reverses the driven pulley

Pressure vs Force ME

Force

Measured in newtons
A push or pull
Independent of area

Pressure

Force / area
Measured in pascals
Area changes it
Push versus push spread

Pressure, Fluids, Springs ME

Pressure P = F / A
Smaller area Higher pressure, same force
Sealed gas compressed Pressure rises
Halve the volume Pressure doubles
Liquids Effectively incompressible
Hydraulic rule Pressure acts equally throughout
Bigger output piston Bigger output force
Hydraulic trade More force, less movement
Hooke's law Extension proportional to force
Springs in series Softer, extends more
Springs in parallel Stiffer, extends less
Upthrust Weight of displaced fluid

Tools, Scales, Friction ME

Spanner Tightens nuts and bolts
Scale 1:4 Drawing is quarter size
Scale 1:1 Drawing at full size
Micrometer Measures small thicknesses precisely
Vernier caliper Measures internal, external, depth
Friction depends on Materials and normal force
Contact area No effect on hard surfaces
Static vs sliding Static friction is greater
Wide tyre Spreads load on soft ground
Inclined plane Less force, longer distance
Screw Inclined plane wrapped round

Mechanical Advantage ME

MA Load / effort
Velocity ratio Effort distance / load distance
Efficiency Work out / work in
Work Force x distance
Force gained Distance always lost
No machine gives Extra energy or work
Friction Loses energy as heat

Common Traps

Work rate is not maths

Coding grids ≠ Not rate calculations

Rotation versus mirror

Turning preserves order ≠ Mirroring reverses it

Ammeter versus voltmeter

Series reads current ≠ Parallel reads voltage

Series versus parallel resistance

Series adds up ≠ Parallel drops below smallest

Decimal hours versus minutes

0.5 hours ≠ 30 minutes, not 50

Some versus some not

Some allows all ≠ Never proves an exception

Idler gear versus ratio

Changes direction only ≠ Never changes the ratio

Force advantage versus energy

Machines multiply force ≠ Never create energy

Beam length versus pivot distance

Measure from pivot ≠ Not the whole beam

Practice screen versus test screen

Phone fine for practice ≠ 10.2 inches for real

Paper allowed versus AI banned

Pencil and paper fine ≠ ChatGPT counts as cheating

Published counts versus unpublished rules

Section loads published ≠ Pass mark not published

Last Minute

1. Six tests, eight timed parts
2. 128 questions, 69 timed minutes
3. No pass mark; roles set scores
4. Work rate = coding, not arithmetic
5. Some means at least one
6. Percentages: build from 10% blocks
7. 0.5 hours = 30 minutes
8. Combined work: t = ab/(a+b)
9. Mirror image is never rotation
10. Both 3D dots must match
11. Ohm's law: V = I x R
12. Series adds; parallel drops resistance
13. Ammeter series; voltmeter parallel
14. Moments: force x distance from pivot
15. Pulley MA = supporting rope count
16. Meshed gears turn opposite ways
17. Idler changes direction, not ratio
18. No calculator; paper and pencil
19. AI tools count as cheating
20. Link 14 days, one sitting
21. Real test needs 10.2-inch screen
22. Guess before leaving any blank

Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)

Practice Questions 110 questions Study Guide 22 topics Cheat Sheet 202 facts Flashcards 50 cards Shorts 2 short s