Before the first assessment
Choose Line, Equitation, Engineer or Ordnance and check the appropriate entry conditions. The 2026 competition closed on 8 March. The next opening date was unconfirmed in the sources checked, so this is preparation for the journey rather than an invitation to submit to a closed campaign.
Organise contact details and documents. The online psychometric stage must be completed within the official timeframe. Familiarisation materials introduce the assessment format; PSP original practice is separate optional preparation.
The assessment phase
The 2026 booklet includes supervised psychometric verification and an assessment phase at the Curragh with fitness, group assessment and a realistic job preview. Performance under supervision can be compared with the earlier unsupervised result.
Prepare to perform your own work consistently. For the group activity, focus on a useful contribution to the actual task. For the job preview, arrive with informed questions about training and the role. Physical assessment has published standards and preparation guidance.
Questionnaire and interview
Candidates progressing from the assessment phase receive a personality questionnaire before the competency interview. Equitation applicants also have a practical equestrian requirement described in the terms.
The interview asks for evidence across a selection of published competencies. Prepare real examples and follow-ups, and check the document instructions, including the required birth certificate and relevant education evidence.
Conditions beyond a practice result
Medical and other induction conditions remain separate. Passing one assessment does not guarantee a place or remove later checks. Follow official correspondence for results, next actions and any review or feedback request.
A balanced preparation plan can combine reasoning methods, interview evidence, documents and appropriately guided physical work. It should display completed work and unresolved questions, not an invented readiness percentage. Use the next official booklet to update the plan when a new competition is announced.
Questions about this stage
Is this confirmed as the 2027 process?
No. It describes the published 2026 Army process. Recheck the next competition terms when issued.
Does passing online aptitude guarantee progression to training?
No. Further assessments and eligibility conditions remain.
Sources and current instructions
These guides explain the preparation process. Check your current competition booklet and invitation before relying on a requirement or date.
Official decisions, eligibility, medical clearance and assessment results belong to the recruiting organisation. A PSP practice score is not an official pass mark or selection prediction.