Army Soldier vs Army Officer: which career suits you?
Both start online with the Army, but the selection is different. Soldiers go through the Army Assessment Centre: aptitude tests, a medical, a role-based fitness test (for infantry: mid-thigh pull 76 kg, medicine ball throw 3.1 m and a 2 km run in 10 minutes 15 seconds) and an interview, with regular entry from 16 to 35 years and 6 months for infantry. Officers go through the Army Officer Selection Board, which adds leadership tasks, planning exercises, a presentation and interviews, then the commissioning course at Sandhurst. Choose officer if you want to lead from the start and can show leadership potential; soldier if you want a trade and hands-on role.
Army Soldier vs Army Officer at a glance
| Army Soldier | Army Officer | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | British Army Soldier (Regular Army) | British Army Officer (Regular, via AOSB and Sandhurst) |
| Questions | Army Cognitive Test (ACT): several short, strictly timed computer-based sections; the Army does not publish the number of questions. A literacy and numeracy test is added if you lack GCSE grade 4/C (or equivalent) in English or maths, and some technical roles add further tests | AOSB is a selection board, not a single exam: computer-based aptitude tests (reasoning and numeracy), a timed planning exercise, interviews, a group discussion, command and individual tasks and fitness tests. The Army does not publish question counts |
| Time | Not published; each ACT section is timed separately | Briefing 2 days; Main Board about 3.5 days (Army Commissioning Regulations). Planning exercise: candidates report about 1 hour of individual planning, then a group discussion and individual questioning |
| Passing score | No single pass mark: your ACT score (with your fitness results and qualifications) decides which roles you can be offered | No published pass mark: assessors judge your overall potential to train at Sandhurst, and no single activity alone leads to non-selection. Fitness minimums: mid-thigh pull 76 kg, medicine ball throw 3.1 m, multi-stage fitness test level 7.10 |
| Format | Closed book, on screen at the Assessment Centre. You are assessed throughout the stay, not only in the tests. Bring the ID your recruiter asks for (photo ID, proof of address and proof of nationality) | Closed book. The planning exercise is done with pen and paper; no calculator is mentioned by the Army, so practise mental maths. Briefing teaches you the planning method before Main Board |
| Cost | No fee. The Army covers travel to the Assessment Centre | No fee |
| Languages | English | English |
| Where | Online application, then a 3-day / 2-night stay at an Army Assessment Centre with computer-based tests, medical, fitness tests, team tasks and an interview | Online application and senior recruiter interview, then AOSB Briefing (2 days) and Main Board (residential), both at Westbury, Wiltshire. Professionally qualified officers attend a 3-day Main Board (Short) |
| Level | Armed Forces | Armed Forces |
What each exam covers
Army Soldier
- The Soldier Job and Eligibility
- Army Cognitive Test: Reasoning and Number Fluency
- Army Cognitive Test: Attention, Rules and Orientation
- Literacy, Numeracy and Technical Selection Tests
- Role Fitness Test (Entry), Medical and BMI
- Assessment Centre Interview and Army Values
- Application Strategy and Timeline
- Basic Training and Your First Year
Army Officer
- The Officer Role and Eligibility
- AOSB Aptitude Tests: Verbal, Numerical and Abstract Reasoning
- The Planning Exercise
- Command Tasks, Discussions and Practical Leadership
- Fitness, Medical and Security
- AOSB Interviews and Army Values
- Application Strategy and Timeline
- Sandhurst and Your First Year
Which should you take?
Both start online with the Army, but the selection is different. Soldiers go through the Army Assessment Centre: aptitude tests, a medical, a role-based fitness test (for infantry: mid-thigh pull 76 kg, medicine ball throw 3.1 m and a 2 km run in 10 minutes 15 seconds) and an interview, with regular entry from 16 to 35 years and 6 months for infantry. Officers go through the Army Officer Selection Board, which adds leadership tasks, planning exercises, a presentation and interviews, then the commissioning course at Sandhurst. Choose officer if you want to lead from the start and can show leadership potential; soldier if you want a trade and hands-on role.
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FAQ
What is the difference between Army Soldier and Army Officer?
Both start online with the Army, but the selection is different. Soldiers go through the Army Assessment Centre: aptitude tests, a medical, a role-based fitness test (for infantry: mid-thigh pull 76 kg, medicine ball throw 3.1 m and a 2 km run in 10 minutes 15 seconds) and an interview, with regular entry from 16 to 35 years and 6 months for infantry. Officers go through the Army Officer Selection Board, which adds leadership tasks, planning exercises, a presentation and interviews, then the commissioning course at Sandhurst. Choose officer if you want to lead from the start and can show leadership potential; soldier if you want a trade and hands-on role.
Which is harder, Army Soldier or Army Officer?
Army Soldier: army cognitive test (act): several short, strictly timed computer-based sections; the army does not publish the number of questions. a literacy and numeracy test is added if you lack gcse grade 4/c (or equivalent) in english or maths, and some technical roles add further tests in not published; each act section is timed separately. Army Officer: aosb is a selection board, not a single exam: computer-based aptitude tests (reasoning and numeracy), a timed planning exercise, interviews, a group discussion, command and individual tasks and fitness tests. the army does not publish question counts in briefing 2 days; main board about 3.5 days (army commissioning regulations). planning exercise: candidates report about 1 hour of individual planning, then a group discussion and individual questioning. The longer exam covers more ground, but the harder one is the one further from your daily work. Take both free practice tests to see where you stand.
Can I hold both Army Soldier and Army Officer?
You can prepare for and apply to more than one, and many people do, because the judgement, verbal and numerical tests and the structured interviews overlap a lot. Each organisation runs its own process and vetting, and some roles can't be held at the same time (you can't be a serving regular police officer and a regular in the armed forces, for example), so check the eligibility rules in each job advert.
How do I prepare for Army Soldier and Army Officer?
Start with the free practice test for each, then study by topic. Premium is per exam (£45 a month each), so most people start with the exam they'll sit first and add the second when they're ready.
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Exam details are summarized from recruiting organisations' published information as of November 2026. Confirm with the recruiting organisation before you book. UKCivilServicePrep is an independent career-prep service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.