Always confirm requirements with your Army Careers Centre. Standards vary by role and corps and may change between recruitment intakes.
The British Army uses the 20 metre shuttle run (beep test) as a core component of its fitness assessment for recruits and serving personnel. The required level varies by role and corps.
The Army Fitness Test (AFT) became the official test of record in June 2025, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test. The beep test remains a component of this framework for aerobic fitness assessment.
Entry Requirements by Role
General Entry (most corps)
Royal Logistics Corps, Army Air Corps, Royal Signals, Intelligence Corps.
Infantry and Combat Arms
Higher requirement reflecting the physical demands of frontline combat roles.
Special Roles
Roles requiring forced entry capability. Train well above this as a minimum target.
Training to Meet the Standard
For general entry at level 7.2: most candidates with a reasonable fitness base will reach this within 6 to 8 weeks of specific training. The full 6 week plan on this site will take most people from a standing start to level 7 or above.
For combat arms roles at level 7.9 to 8.2: build additional weeks onto the plan after completing the 6 week cycle. By week 8 or 9, most candidates who started near level 6 will be approaching this range.
For all Army roles: train to exceed the target, not just to reach it. Test day conditions — nerves, unfamiliar surfaces, group dynamics — can all affect performance. A training maximum of level 9 gives you a meaningful buffer above an 8.2 requirement.
Requirements for Army Reserve entry differ from regular entry in some cases. Confirm with your recruiting office.