What Is the Technical Selection Test (TST)?
The Technical Selection Test, or TST, is used by the British Army to evaluate recruits interested in technical roles within the army. The recruits will usually be evaluated by Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the Royal Logistics Corp, or Royal Engineers. The results inform the recruiters of the candidate’s likelihood to be successful in particular positions and how suitable they are for different roles.
The TST will be administered and completed at Army Development and Selection Centre (ADSC). This assessment will be taken alongside the BARB test.
A recruit’s score is valid for up to two years. If the candidate is unsuccessful on their first try, they may retake the assessment after a twenty-eight-day waiting period.
What to Expect on the Technical Selection Test?
The TST has a total of fifty-five questions. The primary focus of the TST is the candidate’s proficiency in mathematics. It should be noted that the recruit is allowed to bring a simple calculator, but graphing calculators are not permitted.
The test taker is given forty-five minutes to complete the psychometric test. The questions involve the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), percentages and ratios, geometry and algebra, and the interpretation of numerical data. Some of the questions may be paired with a table or graph that must be analyzed for a resolution to the problems posed following the figures. Other questions include number series or word problems. All in all, the TST loosely resembles the mathematics portion of the GSCE’s.
The TST is taken in person and on paper. That allows the candidate some room to work out the problems. In some cases, the recruiters may review the candidate’s papers along with their answers to see how they solve problems and reach conclusions.
How to Prepare for the Technical Selection Test?
The Technical Selection Test is no walk in the park. Recruits have less than one minute to answer every question. Many recruits find themselves stressed out by the time limits and the number of questions. If you feel this way, you may benefit from some extra preparation.
A top recommendation for preparing for the TST is the utilization of online practice tests. Online practice tests are favorable because of how much they resemble the genuine TST. This way, you’re able to acquaint yourself with both the material on the test and the structure of the test. Additionally, you will be able to find a pace that helps you answer the questions both quickly and accurately.
Online practice tests are also important to your preparation because they give you the opportunity to see your results. The results of your practice test map out how well you may perform on the British Army’s TST. They also indicate how much more practice you should be putting in before the test. For example, if you find yourself below the army’s benchmarks, using a few more practice tests can be just what you need to get scores up to par.
How Is the TST Scored?
As previously mentioned, candidates will be eligible for certain technical roles depending on their results on the TST. The highest possible score is a fifty and the lowest is zero. Candidates must make a score of at least sixteen in order to qualify for any of the roles. The candidate will also be evaluated for a position based on their age. There are junior roles for recruits younger than seventeen years and six months and senior roles for recruits older than seventeen years and six months.
If the candidate wishes to retake the assessment for a higher score, they must wait twenty-eight days.
