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Military Language Aptitude Test
Having got through the April sift and being told I am being considered as WSOp(Linguist), I am now faced with taking the MLAT. Anyone got any experience of this pr any general ideas/advice?
Reply 1
What languages do you have already Romper, and to what standard?
I know that doesn't answer your questions, but I'm still mulling over that answer!
I know that doesn't answer your questions, but I'm still mulling over that answer!
Reply 2
Romper
OP
My degree is Chemistry with French, but that's not like having a French degree on its own. It was more of an ancilliary subject, but I'm fairly fluent. I got an A in GCSE German too.
Reply 3
Try searching online for the MLAT, Modern Languages Aptitude Test - I know Cambridge University use it during their selection process, so you might start there. The test will be similar, if not identical ie that is what they use I think. However, NB that the military priority is to have linguists in the more difficult languages, namely those that use another script, Cyrillic, Arabic languages, Far Eastern languages etc. On that basis you might expect to also be tested on things that look more like codebreaking, ie trying to work out small quizzes with different shapes/letters etc.
I'll keep looking, see if I can find/recall more.
I'll keep looking, see if I can find/recall more.
Reply 4
Romper
OP
Cheers. When I googled it, I didn't get much much. The worldwide search seemed to find lots about US army linguists, but I'm not sure I trust US language standards having worked there!
Reply 5
What they are looking for is more than just an aptitude for languages, although a degree level capability will show something, the military element is that the useful languages happen to be those that don't have a western script, so they are also very keen that you can show a facility for 'codebreaking' ie having to learn a different script as well as sounds isn't going to be a stopper for you. Not that I think you deal with much if any text operationally, but you need to be able to learn to an extremely fluent level, ie able to detect regional accents in some strange eastern language you haven't currently even heard of!!
See if you can get anything out of the Defence School of Languages at Beaconsfield (sp?)
See if you can get anything out of the Defence School of Languages at Beaconsfield (sp?)
Reply 6
Hey Romper,
There is a guy on Air Cadet Central who is a WSO(L), I have PM'd him and asked if he can offer any advice on this.
There is a guy on Air Cadet Central who is a WSO(L), I have PM'd him and asked if he can offer any advice on this.
Reply 7
Romper
OP
Rotters
Hey Romper,
There is a guy on Air Cadet Central who is a WSO(L), I have PM'd him and asked if he can offer any advice on this.
There is a guy on Air Cadet Central who is a WSO(L), I have PM'd him and asked if he can offer any advice on this.
Nice one. If he gets back to you, please let me know. Of all the tests I've ever done, I've never had one on which so much depends, so any hints/tips/info would be sooooo welcome. From what 3PortDrift says and from what I've read, it's something you can't prepare for, but just to know what to expect would be so useful. First thing Monday, I'll be on the phone to Waddington organising a station visit.
Anyone been on a base visit to Waddington? (51sqn???)
I've PM'd Rizza Razzu to see what he can add, but he might be sheltering in a trench full of mud at the mo.
Cheers for the efforts
Reply 8
Hi Romper, guys,
Just got the message from Rotters to pop in! I'm the WSOp(L) he mentioned.
the MLAT eh? well what can I say....there is nothing you can do to prepare for it, just like the aptitude tests at OASC. You can either do it or you can't. The test will determine whether you have the aptitude to learn languages at speed. It uses a semi made up language for the test, and involves words and numbers.
The reason you found lots of references to US Army etc is that it is an American test. But despite your reservations it is a fair test of aptitude.
If i can remember it lasts a full morning, maybe longer (i did mine in 1987) and you can only ever take it once. (as there is only 1 test!)
When doing it try not to get stressed, relax and let the information you are given soak into your head.
Not sure what else to add, if you have anymore questions just post here, i'll keep this in my bookmarks.
As for organising a trip to Waddington, i'm not too sure how much you would get out of it due to the security classification, but worth a try i guess. We have a small recruiting section within the Sqn to help people out if we can. We're a freindly bunch...we have to be there aren't many of us
Hope that helps a bit, let me know if you need anymore info,
Cheers
Ricey
Just got the message from Rotters to pop in! I'm the WSOp(L) he mentioned.
the MLAT eh? well what can I say....there is nothing you can do to prepare for it, just like the aptitude tests at OASC. You can either do it or you can't. The test will determine whether you have the aptitude to learn languages at speed. It uses a semi made up language for the test, and involves words and numbers.
The reason you found lots of references to US Army etc is that it is an American test. But despite your reservations it is a fair test of aptitude.
If i can remember it lasts a full morning, maybe longer (i did mine in 1987) and you can only ever take it once. (as there is only 1 test!)
When doing it try not to get stressed, relax and let the information you are given soak into your head.
Not sure what else to add, if you have anymore questions just post here, i'll keep this in my bookmarks.
As for organising a trip to Waddington, i'm not too sure how much you would get out of it due to the security classification, but worth a try i guess. We have a small recruiting section within the Sqn to help people out if we can. We're a freindly bunch...we have to be there aren't many of us
Hope that helps a bit, let me know if you need anymore info,
Cheers
Ricey
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