The Student Room Group

RCB - Army Officer Selection

This is taken from a NATO report written in 2001 http://www.pmfhk.cz/Katedry/RTO/TR-034/TR-034-$$ALL.pdf

Most officers are recruited by means of a complex network of school and university liaison officers. Their role is to act as a focal point for those interested in an Army career. School liaison officers, in particular, are proactive in identifying potential candidates and nurturing their interest. Generally speaking, officer candidate recruitment is centred around the individual Regiments and Corps. All Candidates attending the Regular Commissions Board (RCB) are usually sponsored by a Regiment or Corps. Those who cannot obtain Regimental support are still entitled to apply and can be sponsored directly by, for example, a university liaison officer.

All candidates are entitled to two Regimental familiarisation visits. Here potential candidates are interviewed and often given short detachments with the regiment, which serves the purpose of providing a realistic job preview. The visit also gives the Regiments the opportunity to see potential candidates in an appropriate milieu. Candidates thought to be unsuitable might be discouraged but also might be to another Regiment or Corps that might be more suited to their interests. However, all candidates have a right to enter an application even if they cannot obtain a Regimental sponsorship. Regiments take a great interest in their candidates.

Following a formal application the next stage is that all candidates must attend a RCB Briefing. The purpose of the Briefing is not primarily a selection process but is designed to familiarise all potential candidates with the type of activity they will encounter tat the RCB main board and thus create a level playing field for all candidates.

The candidates undergo an interview, undertake physical fitness assessment in the form on an obstacle course and gain some experience of practical leadership exercises.

During the RCB briefing, the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Tests are administered. The OIR consists of three computer administered psychometric tests:

The ARCOM test, which is a more advanced version of the BARB soldier recruit tests. It is composed of 4 sub-tests and is designed as a measure of general (fluid) intelligence.

A numerical reasoning test designed to measure a candidate’s ability understand and draw inferences from numerical data presented in graphical and tabular form.

A verbal reasoning test designed to measure a candidate’s ability to comprehend and draw inferences from written information.


Although the main purpose of the briefing is familiarisation, those candidates who fail to meet a minimum score on the OIR are eliminated from further consideration. Candidates are also graded on their potential likelihood of success at the main board. Some candidates are actively discouraged, others are counselled on potential weaknesses and are told to delay their application. However, candidates who meet the minimum OIR but are discouraged for some other reason still have the right to proceed to the main board.

The next stage is attendance at the RCB main board. This is a three-day assessment centre based on the original WOSB concept. It is a common procedure for all officer candidates including in-Service candidates, although some professional groups, e.g. lawyers and doctors, take a shortened version.

Day one consists of administrative briefings and written tests consisting of: general knowledge, Service knowledge, current affairs and a written essay.

The second day consists of group activities and interview. The group activities consist of: outdoor tasks requiring co-ordinated physical effort and sense of urgency. These are leaderless tasks in that no one is nominated as leader. Three interviews are also conducted by the Vice-President (a Colonel), the Deputy board President (a Lt Col) and a senior education officer. Finally, candidates participate in group discussions

Day 3 consists of group exercises:

The command task which is a group outdoor task where each candidate is appointed in turn as the leader. He or she must solve a problem, devise a plan and execute the plan by briefing and directing the team.

A planning project. Candidates are given a written problem, and candidates are required, individually, to undertake a written analysis and derive a plan. The second part of the exercise is a group discussion in which candidates are required to arrive at an agreed group solution to the problem. Finally candidates are individually questioned on aspects of their own plan, which often involves solving time/distance problems under time pressure.

An individual obstacle course is used to measure physical fitness.

A lecturette. The candidate has to prepare a five minute presentation on a topic of their own choice which must be presented to the group.


All exercises are rated using Behavioural Anchored Rating Scales against a number dimensions.

The final board consists of a discussion of the candidates and all assessments are reduced to a final selection rating of the candidate’s intellectual potential, practical and planning ability and personality and character.

Successful candidates then proceed to a common officer training course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (RMAS). Some candidates, generally the younger ones, considered to possess rectifiable weaknesses can attend a variety of pre-RMAS preparatory courses.

A pass is valid for a number of years. Some candidates can be offered university sponsorships and will first complete their university courses before taking up their training place. Other candidates may also attend university unsponsored before RMAS. Additionally, the Army has a sixth-form college (senior high school) where potential candidates for the technical arms can study for university entrance qualifications. Selection is via an analogous system to the main board and is also conducted by RCB staff. Successful pupils are guaranteed a place at Sandhurst and a full career regular commission.

After Sandhurst, many are also offered in-house degree courses at the Royal Military College of Science, which is mainly a post-graduate institution offering specialist technical training courses for serving officers.
interesting reading....thanks
Nice to read, it's a shame it makes you feel like it's harder to get a place at Sandhurst but it's worth the effort. My fitness must be improving so much and trying to put on weight will increase my tolerance for viruss and such aswell. How super! I'm thinking of sending in my potential officers form in about a month if I am improving at a rate I feel is sufficient.
Daibhidh