Physical Aptitude Tests
Core concepts
Recruitment includes physical tests assessing endurance, speed, strength, and agility: typically a long-distance run, sprints, push-ups, sit-ups, and sometimes an obstacle course or jump. The aim is to verify that the candidate can sustain the physical demands of training and service.
Traps in questions
- Overtraining close to the test: injuries from sudden intense training in the final week. Taper instead.
- Neglecting technique: poorly executed push-ups or sit-ups are not counted; practise strict form.
- Pacing errors: starting a distance run too fast and failing to finish within the time limit.
- Ignoring hydration and sleep: performance drops sharply without recovery.
- Misreading instructions: candidates sometimes perform the wrong number of repetitions or miss the start signal.
Rule of thumb
Train progressively: build an aerobic base early, add interval work, then reduce volume in the last week while keeping intensity light. On test day, warm up thoroughly and pace evenly.
Worked example
For a timed run, divide the distance into equal splits. If the target is 12 minutes for 2,400 m, aim for 3 minutes per 600 m and check the split at each lap rather than sprinting from the start.