What Is The ADF YOU Session Test?
YOU stands for Your Opportunities Unlimited and refers to the part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) recruitment process that happens after your initial application. There are three parts to a YOU Session:
- Finishing outstanding paperwork.
- Taking the aptitude evaluation tests
- Job interviews with the Careers Coach
- You may also have medical checks with a nurse during the session.
The ADF YOU session is a preliminary screening tool that allows recruiters to assess candidates cognitive abilities and whether or not they are suitable for the job that they have applied for. It is also a chance for you to find out more about the different job roles to pursue a military career and what is required of you by the ADF.
After attending a YOU Session and submitting your documents, you may be invited to an Assessment Session. It typically consists of a medical assessment, a psychological interview, and an ADF interview. Following your YOU Session, your Case Manager will guide you through the application process consisting of an Assessment Session, Officer Selection, Fitness Assessment, and Enlistment Day.
How Is The ADF Assessment Formatted?
ADF YOU General Ability Test
The general ability test is part of the psychological testing portion of the ADF YOU session. These assessments are used to gauge different cognitive skills and competencies in order to give recruiters a better understanding of which occupation you are best suited for. This means that the General Ability test will have a huge impact on which jobs you are qualified for as some roles require higher scores than others.
ADF YOU Numerical Reasoning Test
The numerical reasoning test helps assess your ability to work with numbers and interpret numerical information. Typically they are of high school level maths, covering concepts such as graphs, ratios, algebra, and probability.
Example numerical reasoning question:
Which country had the largest increase in GDP per capita from 2020 to 2022?
A) UK B) USA C) Japan D) Germany
Solution:
Simply subtract the 2022 GDP figure from the 2020 GDP figure Germany had the largest increase.
2022 = $44,558 2020 = $40,152
44,558 - 40,152
= $4,406 increase
ADF YOU Verbal Reasoning Test
The verbal reasoning test assess your language and communication skills. You will have to answer questions on word meanings, identify grammar errors, and decipher simple word codes.
ADF YOU Abstract Reasoning Test
The abstract reasoning test evaluate your logic skills and how well you identify patterns and work with non-verbal information. Commonly questions will be structured as a series of shapes/pictures and you will be asked to identify the odd one out or choose the image that would come next in the sequence.
For more examples, the ADF provides an online booklet which gives you practice questions.
ADF YOU Mathematical Ability Test
The mathematical ability test is more in-depth than the numerical reasoning test, and will assess your knowledge and application of more mathematical concepts. These will be topics covered during High School in year 11-12 such as:
- Circle theorem
- Triangles
- Indices
- Fractions and percentages
- Factorisation
To learn more about the ADF YOU Session Mathematical Ability Test, take a look at our full guide.
What Happens if You Fail the ADF Aptitude Test?
If you fail to meet the requirement for the occupation that you were hoping for you will be advised by the career coach on other pathways available to you, or you can choose to retake the test in 12 months.
Want to know more about the ADF YOU Session General Ability Test? Click here for our full page.
Top Tips To Pass The Australian Defence Force Tests
1. Identify your weaknesses
If there is a section that you are more apprehensive about then you should spend more time practising those skills to make sure that you score well across the board.
2. Practice in exam conditions
Practice tests can have a huge impact on how well you perform in the day, especially if you have not practised under timed conditions. Set up a quiet space with as few distractions as possible, this will make the real thing less daunting and help you get in the right headspace on the day.
3. Be rested
While it may seem obvious that you need to be in good health for the physical aspects of the job, being well rested for the assessment day and looking after your body can affect your mental capabilities as well.
4. Get organised
The ADF wants to see that candidates are proactive and organised, so make sure that you bring all of the necessary paperwork and are well-informed about what to expect on the day. This will not only give a good impression to the recruiters but will also help you feel less stressed so you can perform at your best.
