Overview
The Naval Service Recruiting Test (NSRT) is the psychometric aptitude test used as part of the recruitment process for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, assessing reasoning and comprehension skills relevant to naval roles.
Exam pattern
The test takes around 44 minutes and has 120 questions, split into four timed sections of 30 questions each: abstract reasoning, verbal ability (around 9 minutes), numeracy (around 16 minutes), and mechanical comprehension (around 10 minutes).
Marking and results
Scoring requirements vary by role: for most Royal Navy branches a score of around 50% is generally considered sufficient, while candidates applying for Officer entry are typically expected to score higher, around 75%, on each section.
Preparation tips
Because each section is separately timed and covers a distinct skill (reasoning, verbal, numeracy, mechanical knowledge), practising each type individually under time pressure, rather than treating the test as one block, helps build the speed the test requires.
How many sections does the NSRT have?
Four: abstract reasoning, verbal ability, numeracy, and mechanical comprehension.
Is the pass mark the same for all Royal Navy roles?
No, lower-tier roles typically require around 50% per section, while Officer entry typically expects a higher score, around 75% per section.