What is the physical test?
Clear the written and you run - literally. The physical test is conducted at the Selection Centre ground, usually the same day or the following morning. It measures the endurance and strength a soldier’s life demands.
Standards - male candidates (soldier & officer entries)
| Exercise | Standard | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 km run | ~8 minutes | Complete distance within time - the make-or-break event |
| Push-ups | 15 in 2 minutes | Chest near ground, full arm extension each rep |
| Sit-ups | 20 in 2 minutes | Knees bent, elbows to knees, feet held |
| Chin-ups | 3 in 2 minutes | Dead hang, chin clearly over the bar |
| Ditch crossing | 7′6″ jump | Clean jump across a marked ditch |
Note: exact figures change with each advertisement, and female candidates have separate modified standards. Always confirm against the latest official advertisement before your test.
A 4-week preparation plan
- Week 1: build the running base - 2 km easy runs, 4 days a week. Learn correct push-up form.
- Week 2: interval training - 400 m fast, 200 m walk × 6. Push-ups and sit-ups daily, 3 sets.
- Week 3: full simulation - run 1.6 km against the clock, then max-effort push-ups, chin-ups and ditch jumps.
- Week 4: taper. Light runs, stretching and sleep. Test day: light breakfast, hydrate, warm up 10 minutes before the run.
Failing one event usually fails the day. The run decides most candidates’ fate - if you can clear 1.6 km in under 7 minutes in practice, the test feels easy.