Royal Navy Rating vs RAF Aviator: which career suits you?
Both services now use the Defence Aptitude Assessment: 6 multiple-choice tests sent to your candidate portal, with role-dependent score requirements. After that, each has its own interview, medical and fitness test, then basic training. Royal Navy ratings serve at sea and ashore in warfare, engineering, logistics and medical branches; RAF airmen and airwomen work in engineering, logistics, intelligence, force protection and support trades, mostly from UK bases. Pick the service whose trades and lifestyle suit you: the test is shared, the careers are not.
Royal Navy Rating vs RAF Aviator at a glance
| Royal Navy Rating | RAF Aviator | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Royal Navy Rating (Regular, Non-Commissioned Sailor) | RAF Enlisted Aviator (Airman / Airwoman, Regular) |
| Questions | Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA): six timed multiple-choice tests (verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension, electrical comprehension). Question counts are not published | Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA, formerly the Airmen Selection Test): six timed multiple-choice parts (verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension, electrical comprehension). Question counts are not published |
| Time | Not published per section; the Royal Navy advises setting aside 30 to 40 minutes for the practice version | At least 25 minutes (RAF familiarisation page); each part is timed separately |
| Passing score | No single pass mark: required scores differ by Profession and Specialisation, so you do not need every answer right. You must attempt all six sections | No single pass mark: each RAF role requires different DAA scores, so getting some questions wrong does not by itself rule you out |
| Format | Closed book; take it in a quiet place with notifications off. The real test must be taken on a screen of at least 10.2 inches (practice is fine on a phone) | Closed book, on screen. Take it in a quiet place; the Royal Navy's guidance for the same test requires a screen of at least 10.2 inches |
| Cost | No fee | No fee |
| Languages | English | English |
| Where | Defence Aptitude Assessment online at home (link valid 14 days, one sitting, screen of at least 10.2 inches) or at an Armed Forces Careers Office; Selection Interview by video; 4-day Candidate Preparation Course for fitness and medical | Defence Aptitude Assessment online on your own device or at an Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO); selection interview; medical; Pre-Joining Fitness Test on a treadmill at a local gym |
| Level | Armed Forces | Armed Forces |
What each exam covers
Royal Navy Rating
- The Rating Role and Eligibility
- DAA: Verbal and Numerical Reasoning
- DAA: Work Rate and Spatial Reasoning
- DAA: Mechanical and Electrical Comprehension
- Fitness Test, Medical and the Candidate Preparation Course
- Selection Interview and Royal Navy Values
- Application Strategy and Timeline
- Initial Naval Training at HMS Raleigh
RAF Aviator
- The Aviator Role and Eligibility
- DAA: Verbal and Numerical Reasoning
- DAA: Work Rate and Spatial Reasoning
- DAA: Mechanical and Electrical Comprehension
- Fitness Test, Medical and Security Clearance
- Selection Interview and RAF Values
- Application Strategy and Timeline
- Basic Recruit Training at RAF Halton
Which should you take?
Both services now use the Defence Aptitude Assessment: 6 multiple-choice tests sent to your candidate portal, with role-dependent score requirements. After that, each has its own interview, medical and fitness test, then basic training. Royal Navy ratings serve at sea and ashore in warfare, engineering, logistics and medical branches; RAF airmen and airwomen work in engineering, logistics, intelligence, force protection and support trades, mostly from UK bases. Pick the service whose trades and lifestyle suit you: the test is shared, the careers are not.
Try both, free
Each free practice test takes about 10 minutes and shows your score by topic. No signup.
FAQ
What is the difference between Royal Navy Rating and RAF Aviator?
Both services now use the Defence Aptitude Assessment: 6 multiple-choice tests sent to your candidate portal, with role-dependent score requirements. After that, each has its own interview, medical and fitness test, then basic training. Royal Navy ratings serve at sea and ashore in warfare, engineering, logistics and medical branches; RAF airmen and airwomen work in engineering, logistics, intelligence, force protection and support trades, mostly from UK bases. Pick the service whose trades and lifestyle suit you: the test is shared, the careers are not.
Which is harder, Royal Navy Rating or RAF Aviator?
Royal Navy Rating: defence aptitude assessment (daa): six timed multiple-choice tests (verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension, electrical comprehension). question counts are not published in not published per section; the royal navy advises setting aside 30 to 40 minutes for the practice version. RAF Aviator: defence aptitude assessment (daa, formerly the airmen selection test): six timed multiple-choice parts (verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension, electrical comprehension). question counts are not published in at least 25 minutes (raf familiarisation page); each part is timed separately. 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 Royal Navy Rating and RAF Aviator?
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 Royal Navy Rating and RAF Aviator?
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.