Originally Posted by DMan

Also, when you initially recieve you briefing date email, its includes a link to example MAP tests. I have been doing a few of these today and they seem pretty straight forward, however are they much harder compared to the ones you will do on briefing or main board?

Dman.

The briefing one is quite easy - it is designed to introduce the idea of planning exercises to you and then see how you do with a simple one. you are NOT given enough time to come up with a full idea, the idea is to test how you do under pressure

Just make sure you meet your Essential aims and that you have at least shown consideration for your Desirable aims (the terms will be clearer once you are given initial instructions), pay clear attention to ALL of the tools at your disposal, ensure you are capable of working out Speed/Distance/Time accurately, don't avoid what seems the 'obvious' route just because it seems too simple. Sometimes the straightest route is the fastest.

As a final note on the plan-ex, don't be afraid to give your justifications for certain decisions. I.e a guy on my briefing chose to leave a family at the roadside to die and said that having a chance of saving their lives was not worth the risk of putting hundreds of lives at risk if he didn't get the supplies to the village on time. It doesn't matter if we agreed with him, what mattered was that he had a real reason rather than just overlooking their lives.



** I just realised you were talking about the mental aptitude profile and I was talking about the planning exercise... I guess it's stil handy info though.

Originally Posted by Yorkshire Lad

The briefing one is quite easy - it is designed to introduce the idea of planning exercises to you and then see how you do with a simple one. you are NOT given enough time to come up with a full idea, the idea is to test how you do under pressure

Just make sure you meet your Essential aims and that you have at least shown consideration for your Desirable aims (the terms will be clearer once you are given initial instructions), pay clear attention to ALL of the tools at your disposal, ensure you are capable of working out Speed/Distance/Time accurately, don't avoid what seems the 'obvious' route just because it seems too simple. Sometimes the straightest route is the fastest.

As a final note on the plan-ex, don't be afraid to give your justifications for certain decisions. I.e a guy on my briefing chose to leave a family at the roadside to die and said that having a chance of saving their lives was not worth the risk of putting hundreds of lives at risk if he didn't get the supplies to the village on time. It doesn't matter if we agreed with him, what mattered was that he had a real reason rather than just overlooking their lives.



** I just realised you were talking about the mental aptitude profile and I was talking about the planning exercise... I guess it's stil handy info though.

Yes I was talking about the MAP tests, bu this is still useful.

Guys,

Don't get too caught up on the group discussion and do not try to guess what the topics are! They will often throw you a really vague question and you are to construct a discussion around it. For example, 'are the Olympics fair?' Discuss. It will not be something like 'Discuss the conflict in Libya from start to finish highlighting all the important dates, political figures and outcomes'. Although it helps to have a good knowledge of all current affairs and every little detail, it is better to have a grasp of the issue, why it is importnat and have an opinion about it. Whether your opinion is right or wrong, it doesn't matter! Provided you can argue your stance, you will be fine.

Finally, if you have an opinion/point of view on something, pipe up and say it. The DS cannot assess you if they have nothing to go on. Do not get overwhelmed......the group discussion is a lot of fun!!

PS. There are the personal thoughts of the author - nothing is implied, promised or guaranteed - no advice is intended

Originally Posted by Sweeters2004

Guys,

Don't get too caught up on the group discussion and do not try to guess what the topics are! They will often throw you a really vague question and you are to construct a discussion around it. For example, 'are the Olympics fair?' Discuss. It will not be something like 'Discuss the conflict in Libya from start to finish highlighting all the important dates, political figures and outcomes'. Although it helps to have a good knowledge of all current affairs and every little detail, it is better to have a grasp of the issue, why it is importnat and have an opinion about it. Whether your opinion is right or wrong, it doesn't matter! Provided you can argue your stance, you will be fine.

Finally, if you have an opinion/point of view on something, pipe up and say it. The DS cannot assess you if they have nothing to go on. Do not get overwhelmed......the group discussion is a lot of fun!!

PS. There are the personal thoughts of the author - nothing is implied, promised or guaranteed - no advice is intended

That's very true ^

We had random questions like "what are your thoughts on the suggested raising of the motorway speed limit to 80mph and do you think it will increase fatalities" It was aimed to make us think on the spot, as everyone had been expecting to be asked about the middle-east or current military affairs.

+1

The Group Leader could think of topics from the morning newspaper! Don't try to predict it, just read general news stories. The main aim is to influence the debate, come to the fore and have natural presence while doing so. I received a CAT3 for not doing this (as well as in the outdoor tasks).

Having natural presence, determination, and enthusiasm are the desired elements. Fitness, MAP, and current affairs are only the required elements. I base this on my results, so please only take this as one man's advice.

Originally Posted by theagogo

+1

The Group Leader could think of topics from the morning newspaper! Don't try to predict it, just read general news stories. The main aim is to influence the debate, come to the fore and have natural presence while doing so. I received a CAT3 for not doing this (as well as in the outdoor tasks).

Having natural presence, determination, and enthusiasm are the desired elements. Fitness, MAP, and current affairs are only the required elements. I base this on my results, so please only take this as one man's advice.

Thanks for sharing theagogo.

I just keep telling myself to relax otherwise I'm going to get too worried. Everyone seems to say they had fun at the briefing so I'm sure it will be fine. Im going to keep going to the gym 4-5 times a week for the next 3 weeks, and going to read a news paper everyday, and just do some example MAP and PlanEx questions. I'm sure we will be fine.

Dman.

Originally Posted by DMan

Thanks for sharing theagogo.

I just keep telling myself to relax otherwise I'm going to get too worried. Everyone seems to say they had fun at the briefing so I'm sure it will be fine. Im going to keep going to the gym 4-5 times a week for the next 3 weeks, and going to read a news paper everyday, and just do some example MAP and PlanEx questions. I'm sure we will be fine.

Dman.

Good advice I'm going to take the same approach, as soon as my medicals back I can send my docs off to Westbury and get on your date.

Did anyone here have trouble getting their medical back from their doctors mines been there for nearly a fortnight so I popped in yesterday and they said they wont complete it till the MOD reimburse them the £65 and it's taking a while to come through, arrg!! Going this rate I'll end up on the march briefing, gives me more time to prepare I suppose.

For my medical I had it done straight away during my appointment with my doctor. I couldn't risk leaving it there because they always take ages. Instead during my appointment I had him fill in eveything. It was quite easy as I've never been to my GP for anything lol.


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Originally Posted by theagogo

+1

The Group Leader could think of topics from the morning newspaper! Don't try to predict it, just read general news stories. The main aim is to influence the debate, come to the fore and have natural presence while doing so. I received a CAT3 for not doing this (as well as in the outdoor tasks).

Having natural presence, determination, and enthusiasm are the desired elements. Fitness, MAP, and current affairs are only the required elements. I base this on my results, so please only take this as one man's advice.

Originally Posted by Habayeb

Good advice I'm going to take the same approach, as soon as my medicals back I can send my docs off to Westbury and get on your date.

Did anyone here have trouble getting their medical back from their doctors mines been there for nearly a fortnight so I popped in yesterday and they said they wont complete it till the MOD reimburse them the £65 and it's taking a while to come through, arrg!! Going this rate I'll end up on the march briefing, gives me more time to prepare I suppose.

Arrseholes wanting paying first... do they think the MOD will screw them? idiots.

My medical took half an hour to be done, I walked in and handed them the doc and asked them to text me once it had been completed and posted... was getting off the bus near home and got a text to say it was complete and heading out.

Some doctors are just a pain in the backside though.

Good luck with yours, I'm on B704 desperatly trying to improve my fitness! It is reassuring to know that the current affairs discussion do not involve knowing every detail of a conflict etc, but are designed so that everyone can engage and have an opinion.