Does anyone else on here have their AIB coming up? I've got mine at the end of May and I'd be interested to hear any top tips (yes i have used the search function, mods) or just start a general AIB thread for those of us studying for it.
Just to get the ball rolling -as give to me by my Liaison Officer- :
For current affairs buy a large page to a day diary, split the world into main regions and then everyday fill out a couple of paragraphs about what's happening in that region. Use newspapers (quality ones) and good quality news websites such as the bbc. Then a couple of days before your AIB you'll have a really good reference to revise from.
Share This Page:
AIB anyone?
Goffer, all the AIB stuff I know about is on the 'Joining Royal Marines' forum. Have a scan through that, there are blokes about to go to the AIB on there at present.
viewtopic.php?t=4874
viewtopic.php?t=4874
You should talk to somebody who gives a f**k.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Robiz/movie_star_wars_yoda.gif[/img]
El Presidente
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Robiz/movie_star_wars_yoda.gif[/img]
El Presidente
AIB
I've passed the AIB on three occasions and sponsored twice so i can speak with confidence and authority on the subject. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
Some Tips:
You can only prepare for some parts of the AIB so put things like the medical out of your mind and concentrate on the main parts.
Watch Channel 4 news and newsnight, the sort of depth they are looking for is provided by these programmes. Read the Times and the Telegraph, dip into the Independent and Guardian too. Look for military-politico-economic defence related stories.
Know where the RN is deployed permanently and on operations and what the Navy's roles are eg. the NATO STANAV forces, Atlantic patrol north and south, protection of sea lines of communication The average guy on the street doesnt have a clue what the RN is for outside of fighting naval battles, they are looking for someone who knows this stuff. Also try and know your aircraft, ships and missiles stuff as well as possible. All of this is available on the RN website and these are things that can easily get you extra marks.
Get yourself and your board fellas down to the pub in the evening. Its imperative that you try and 'bond' with them. You may have top notch people and you may be put with wasters. Either way you need to get to know them in a short space of time so make an effort. The best boards in the leadership exercises are the ones that get on like a house on fire. DO NOT GET PISSED AT THE PUB (come on, its easily done...) You are not competing with the other people on you board, you will be more successful if you work for each other. Having said that if during the leaderless parts of the board such as the planning ex and PLTs you have a good idea for gods sake have the confidence to speak up, you will get alot of credit for leading your group during leaderless parts!!!!!!!
Make your sleeping pattern is right before you get there (this is surprisingly important!!!!) You will be getting up at about 6. If you usually hit the sack at 1am and get up at 10 then you wont get enough sleep when youre at the AIB. Try to adjust the few days before you go to getting up at 6 and eating breakfast. A military day is soooooo much longer than a civvy day so get used to it before you go.
Eat and drink loads when youre there.
Read the profiles of the people who will be assessing you. Gather intelligence on the buggers, My last one had just come back from NATO HQ so that was his own personal subject; so he grilled me about NATO.
Know about the UN security council and NATO.
Shower in the evenings and unless your a hairy mongrel shave in the evenings, saves time in the morning.
Practice some mental arithmetic for the phsycometric tests. GCSE level maths.
The importance of being able to do speed distance time sums quickly in your head is high, you will look VERY good if when being grilled during the planning ex you can give these answers correctly.
Be confident, during the PLT speak up and make it known that you are the boss, listen to suggestions if you need them but be in charge. When you give your brief make sure its loud and get the order of what you are going to say right in your head. I think 75% of people screwed up the briefs so get it right.
Get a decent suit and shoes, too many people look like a bag of shite from Burtons.
Thats all i can think of at the mo, There are lots of general tips on these pages. If you have any questions, feel free.
If you think youve messed up one part terribly, pick yourself up forget about it and get on with the next part of the board. You do not fail if you screw up one section.
BTW: before my first AIB i was not given the video guide by my AFCO, get hold of it, light a fire under you careers people.
Good luck!!!! enjoy it.
Some Tips:
You can only prepare for some parts of the AIB so put things like the medical out of your mind and concentrate on the main parts.
Watch Channel 4 news and newsnight, the sort of depth they are looking for is provided by these programmes. Read the Times and the Telegraph, dip into the Independent and Guardian too. Look for military-politico-economic defence related stories.
Know where the RN is deployed permanently and on operations and what the Navy's roles are eg. the NATO STANAV forces, Atlantic patrol north and south, protection of sea lines of communication The average guy on the street doesnt have a clue what the RN is for outside of fighting naval battles, they are looking for someone who knows this stuff. Also try and know your aircraft, ships and missiles stuff as well as possible. All of this is available on the RN website and these are things that can easily get you extra marks.
Get yourself and your board fellas down to the pub in the evening. Its imperative that you try and 'bond' with them. You may have top notch people and you may be put with wasters. Either way you need to get to know them in a short space of time so make an effort. The best boards in the leadership exercises are the ones that get on like a house on fire. DO NOT GET PISSED AT THE PUB (come on, its easily done...) You are not competing with the other people on you board, you will be more successful if you work for each other. Having said that if during the leaderless parts of the board such as the planning ex and PLTs you have a good idea for gods sake have the confidence to speak up, you will get alot of credit for leading your group during leaderless parts!!!!!!!
Make your sleeping pattern is right before you get there (this is surprisingly important!!!!) You will be getting up at about 6. If you usually hit the sack at 1am and get up at 10 then you wont get enough sleep when youre at the AIB. Try to adjust the few days before you go to getting up at 6 and eating breakfast. A military day is soooooo much longer than a civvy day so get used to it before you go.
Eat and drink loads when youre there.
Read the profiles of the people who will be assessing you. Gather intelligence on the buggers, My last one had just come back from NATO HQ so that was his own personal subject; so he grilled me about NATO.
Know about the UN security council and NATO.
Shower in the evenings and unless your a hairy mongrel shave in the evenings, saves time in the morning.
Practice some mental arithmetic for the phsycometric tests. GCSE level maths.
The importance of being able to do speed distance time sums quickly in your head is high, you will look VERY good if when being grilled during the planning ex you can give these answers correctly.
Be confident, during the PLT speak up and make it known that you are the boss, listen to suggestions if you need them but be in charge. When you give your brief make sure its loud and get the order of what you are going to say right in your head. I think 75% of people screwed up the briefs so get it right.
Get a decent suit and shoes, too many people look like a bag of shite from Burtons.
Thats all i can think of at the mo, There are lots of general tips on these pages. If you have any questions, feel free.
If you think youve messed up one part terribly, pick yourself up forget about it and get on with the next part of the board. You do not fail if you screw up one section.
BTW: before my first AIB i was not given the video guide by my AFCO, get hold of it, light a fire under you careers people.
Good luck!!!! enjoy it.
Great post TN201, BZ!
Just a couple of more specific questions :
1. On the planning exercise are all the plans carried out in KM and KMPH , Miles and MPH or a combination of both?
2. In my pre-aib pack it mentions an "arts " test on day one ( I don't have the booklet with me now but I think it's an art and literature test). What type of questions did you get for this part? in your opinion is there anything you can revise for it?
3. Also there is an essay element to the tests on day one, what sort of essay titles did you get? I presume they are current affairs/military related?
Cheers
Just a couple of more specific questions :
1. On the planning exercise are all the plans carried out in KM and KMPH , Miles and MPH or a combination of both?
2. In my pre-aib pack it mentions an "arts " test on day one ( I don't have the booklet with me now but I think it's an art and literature test). What type of questions did you get for this part? in your opinion is there anything you can revise for it?
3. Also there is an essay element to the tests on day one, what sort of essay titles did you get? I presume they are current affairs/military related?
Cheers
AIB
I think on the planning ex the speeds were in miles. I dont think they give you a combination thats just cruel... Dont go by the example they send you, the real one is alot more complex. Prepare yourself mentally for a grilling, most people do not enjoy this part of the AIB but if you know what to expect and prepare yourself for lots of quick questions being thrown at you, you wont turn red and get flustered. If you think you have a good idea stick to it, they are looking partly for coolness and resilience under pressure. Dont BS them, its easily done and they can see through it.
Before you go just get the Speed distance time equation set in your mind so you can bring up what you need to work out instantly. Make yourself some practice questions. When your in a car driving along look for a roadsign giving a mileage to a location and figure out how long it will take to get there. They really like it if you can do these sums in front of them.
I never did a specific arts test. In the general knowledge test there were several questions on arts and literature but there was no standalone test that i remember. Difficult to prepare for to be honest. The questions were things like who wrote Great Expectations, what was Turner famous for? I was lucky as i did English lit A-level but i struggled on the arty stuff. At the time the arts were not a significant part of the questioning but they may have enhanced that section since 2002. In the interview you do get asked a bit about arts too, they will ask what books you have read recently and ask you what it was about. Tip: obviously it doesnt have to be recent, it could be a book that you had to study to death at school. Pick an opera eg. Romeo & Juliet or Carmen and find out what its all about so can speak about it briefly. Pick a classical composer Tchaikovsky is a great one, they will ask something like 'what piece is he famous for?'- 1812 overture. If you are genuinely interested in art and ballet, opera and the classics then fair enough, you'll have all the info you need, but if not do some research to get you through.
The essay is nothing to worry about in knowledge terms, they are looking more for opinions, arguments and how you write- structure, grammar, vocabulary. The questions are very general not really topical or military, i remember one like; 'why is sport important for the school syllabus?' There was also one on global warming. If you are no good at essays practice structure and grammar. If you can write and form opinions on a range of subjects you will be fine.
Hope this helps, Regards .TN
Before you go just get the Speed distance time equation set in your mind so you can bring up what you need to work out instantly. Make yourself some practice questions. When your in a car driving along look for a roadsign giving a mileage to a location and figure out how long it will take to get there. They really like it if you can do these sums in front of them.
I never did a specific arts test. In the general knowledge test there were several questions on arts and literature but there was no standalone test that i remember. Difficult to prepare for to be honest. The questions were things like who wrote Great Expectations, what was Turner famous for? I was lucky as i did English lit A-level but i struggled on the arty stuff. At the time the arts were not a significant part of the questioning but they may have enhanced that section since 2002. In the interview you do get asked a bit about arts too, they will ask what books you have read recently and ask you what it was about. Tip: obviously it doesnt have to be recent, it could be a book that you had to study to death at school. Pick an opera eg. Romeo & Juliet or Carmen and find out what its all about so can speak about it briefly. Pick a classical composer Tchaikovsky is a great one, they will ask something like 'what piece is he famous for?'- 1812 overture. If you are genuinely interested in art and ballet, opera and the classics then fair enough, you'll have all the info you need, but if not do some research to get you through.
The essay is nothing to worry about in knowledge terms, they are looking more for opinions, arguments and how you write- structure, grammar, vocabulary. The questions are very general not really topical or military, i remember one like; 'why is sport important for the school syllabus?' There was also one on global warming. If you are no good at essays practice structure and grammar. If you can write and form opinions on a range of subjects you will be fine.
Hope this helps, Regards .TN
Essay
No idea how often it comes up mate. I got it on my second AIB when i was studying climate change for Geography A-level. like you say: bonus
I dont think many people have a problem with the knowledge side as the questions are fairly broad and general. They are looking for a good set of arguments, well presented.
I dont think many people have a problem with the knowledge side as the questions are fairly broad and general. They are looking for a good set of arguments, well presented.
One last question TN (I promise! 
)
Could you briefly explain the scenario you had for your planning exercise (if you can remember it). I'm revising my Speed/Distance/Time calculations and I just want to get an idea of what sort of numbers you had to play with for your calculations? Also where the majority of questions time based questions? (I.e. how long would it take if travelling at X mph to cover Y miles) or was there a mixture?
I know this might sounds slightly random, I just want to make sure my revision is encompassing the right areas.
Thanks again,
Goffer
)Could you briefly explain the scenario you had for your planning exercise (if you can remember it). I'm revising my Speed/Distance/Time calculations and I just want to get an idea of what sort of numbers you had to play with for your calculations? Also where the majority of questions time based questions? (I.e. how long would it take if travelling at X mph to cover Y miles) or was there a mixture?
I know this might sounds slightly random, I just want to make sure my revision is encompassing the right areas.
Thanks again,
Goffer
planning ex.
Cant honestly remember the scenarios, there are a few different variants. Its usually a situation where you are part of a group and something has gone wrong, you have casualties and you also have to achieve another task like getting information to a specific place and time. The personalities in the situation will have individual skills and its up to and your board to devise a plan to achieve the tasks in the best time, whilst ensuring the safety of your team.
As far as the Speed distance times sums, i think the bias was on timings. I dont want to say any more about this part of the AIB because it really does sort the stallions from the donkeys and i think they intend to catch you slightly off guard and deliberately dont give you a decent brief on the ex. Just dont get flustered and go quiet. Be confident not arrogant, give others a chance to speak but get your own opinions in if they are viable.
Its a cliche but expect the unexpected, its the way the military works.
Just try to enjoy it, i loved it first time around.
As far as the Speed distance times sums, i think the bias was on timings. I dont want to say any more about this part of the AIB because it really does sort the stallions from the donkeys and i think they intend to catch you slightly off guard and deliberately dont give you a decent brief on the ex. Just dont get flustered and go quiet. Be confident not arrogant, give others a chance to speak but get your own opinions in if they are viable.
Its a cliche but expect the unexpected, its the way the military works.
Just try to enjoy it, i loved it first time around.
