The DAA is an online aptitude test used in the Royal Navy recruitment process to evaluate key cognitive skills such as verbal and numerical reasoning, spatial awareness, and technical comprehension. It ensures candidates have the right aptitude for service roles.

It is a mandatory part of the application process. The results help determine your suitability for the role you’ve applied for and whether you move on to the next stage of selection.

The assessment comprises six timed multiple-choice tests covering: Verbal Reasoning – understanding and interpreting written information Numerical Reasoning – basic calculations and logic Work Rate – speed and accuracy under time pressure Spatial Reasoning – visualising shapes and patterns Electrical Comprehension – basic electrical concepts Mechanical Comprehension – understanding mechanical principles. Each section is designed to reflect skills needed in Royal Navy roles.

Once your application is progressing, you’ll receive a link to the assessment via your candidate portal. You can sit it: - At home (online) - At a Careers Office (AFCO) using their equipment. You have a limited window (often up to 14 days) to start it after receiving the link.

Official guidance does not specifically mention calculators. However, community discussions strongly advise practising without a calculator and not relying on external tools; time pressure and work rate scoring mean mental calculation and efficient strategies are best.

No. Requirements differ by role. You don’t need every question correct; you need a balanced performance that meets the standard for your chosen specialisation.

If you don’t achieve a sufficient score, you may be eligible to resit after a waiting period (often 28 days). The specifics depend on recruitment policy and the role applied for. Candidates commonly report needing to improve particular section scores before resitting.

The DAA is optimised for use on a desktop or laptop with a screen size of at least 10.2 inches. Make sure you’re in a quiet, distraction-free environment with stable internet.

After you complete the assessment, your recruiter will contact you about the results and next steps in 24 - 48h. Exact timelines may vary.