100+ Free DAA Practice Questions
Pass your Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Work Rate: Using the key R=red, B=blue, G=green, which sequence matches the pattern 'B G B R'?
Explore More UK Armed Forces Aptitude Tests
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
Key Facts: DAA Exam
6 sections
Individually Timed Tests
Royal Navy / RAF Recruitment
~100
Multiple-Choice Questions
Royal Navy DAA
~70-90 min
Total Test Time
Royal Navy / RAF Recruitment
No fee
Cost to Candidates
UK Ministry of Defence
Role-specific
Required Score (no single pass mark)
Royal Navy DAA
14 days
Portal Link Validity
Royal Navy DAA
The Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) is the UK Armed Forces aptitude test for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and RAF, replacing the old RAF AST and Navy RT/NSRT. It has six individually timed multiple-choice sections — verbal, numerical, work rate, spatial, mechanical and electrical — plus a memory element, totalling roughly 100 questions in about 70-90 minutes. There is no single pass mark; required scores are set per role, and there is no fee.
Sample DAA Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your DAA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Passage: 'All Royal Navy engineering technicians complete a foundation course before joining their first ship. Petty Officer Hale is a Royal Navy engineering technician serving on a ship.' Based only on this passage, which conclusion must be true?
2Passage: 'The patrol departed at 06:00 and returned at 14:00. No member of the patrol ate during the operation.' Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
3Passage: 'Some recruits in the squad are qualified divers. Every qualified diver in the squad can swim 100 metres.' Based only on this, which statement is TRUE?
4Passage: 'The briefing stated that flights are cancelled whenever visibility falls below 800 metres. This morning visibility was recorded at 600 metres.' What can be concluded?
5Choose the word that most nearly means the same as 'COMMENCE'.
6Choose the word that is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to 'EXPAND'.
7Passage: 'Either the radio operator or the navigator must remain awake at all times. The navigator is currently asleep.' What must be true?
8Complete the analogy: HELMET is to HEAD as GLOVE is to ___.
9Passage: 'No member of the boarding team may carry a personal phone on operations. Lance Corporal Reed carried a personal phone on the last operation.' What follows?
10Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The sergeant's instructions were so ___ that no one misunderstood the plan.'
About the DAA Exam
The Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) is the UK Armed Forces aptitude test used by the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force to help match candidates to roles. It replaced the older RAF Airman Selection Test (AST) and the Royal Navy Recruit Test (RT/NSRT) with a single, common battery. The DAA is made up of six multiple-choice sections — verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension and electrical comprehension — each individually timed, with a short-term memory and recollection element. There is no single pass mark; instead, each profession and specialisation has its own required score, so a higher overall result opens up more roles.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Approximately 70-90 minutes across six individually timed sections
Passing Score
No single fixed pass mark — required scores are set per profession and specialisation
Exam Fee
No fee to candidates (UK Ministry of Defence, delivered for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force)
DAA Exam Content Outline
Verbal Reasoning
Reading short passages and evaluating written information — logical deduction, fact extraction, synonyms, antonyms and analogies under time pressure
Numerical Reasoning
Arithmetic, percentages, fractions, ratios, averages, speed-distance-time and interpreting tables and charts
Work Rate
Solving simple problems quickly and accurately, including coding, pattern matching and rate calculations against short timers
Spatial Reasoning
Working with 2D and 3D shapes — rotation, reflection, nets, symmetry and visualising shapes from different angles
Mechanical Comprehension
Levers and moments, gears, pulleys, simple machines, forces and fluids applied to practical problems
Electrical Comprehension
Circuits, batteries, switches, conductors and insulators, Ohm's law, power and series/parallel arrangements
Memory and Recollection
Recalling briefly shown sequences of letters or numbers and patterns of highlighted squares on a grid
How to Pass the DAA Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No single fixed pass mark — required scores are set per profession and specialisation
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Approximately 70-90 minutes across six individually timed sections
- Exam fee: No fee to candidates
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
DAA Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)?
The DAA is the UK Armed Forces aptitude test used by the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force to help match candidates to roles. It is a multiple-choice battery of six individually timed sections and replaced the older RAF AST and Navy RT/NSRT.
What sections are on the DAA?
The DAA has six sections: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension and electrical comprehension. It also includes a short memory and recollection element where you recall sequences and grid patterns.
How many questions are on the DAA and how long does it take?
Candidates typically answer around 100 questions in total across the six sections, completed in roughly 70 to 90 minutes. Each section is individually timed, so speed and accuracy both matter.
What is the pass mark for the DAA?
There is no single fixed pass mark. Required scores are set per profession and specialisation, so the mark you need depends on your chosen role. A higher overall score opens up more jobs across the services.
How much does the DAA cost?
There is no fee for candidates to sit the DAA. The only potential cost is optional third-party preparation materials, which are not required to take the test.
Can I take the DAA at home?
Yes. The DAA can be taken online at home using the link sent to your candidate portal, or you can arrange to take it at a local Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO). The test must be taken on a screen of at least 10.2 inches and completed in a single sitting.
Can I retake the DAA if I do not get the score I need?
Yes. Candidates can usually retake the DAA after a 28-day waiting period, subject to attempt limits set by their branch. The link issued in the candidate portal stays valid for 14 days from when it is sent.
Did the DAA replace the RAF AST and Navy RT?
Yes. The DAA replaced the RAF Airman Selection Test (AST) and the Royal Navy Recruit Test (RT/NSRT) with a single common assessment now used across the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and RAF.