I did it in '96, don't expect it's changed much....
First Day is arrival / form filling, looking around at your fellow victims and thinking ohmigod they're far better than me. This is normal but remember you are not competing against any other person, only the benchmark set by the board. Don't lose sight of this, it will help when you're under pressure during the following days! However, first impressions count, so make sure you are dressed smartly, lose the chewing gum and turn your mobile phone off (you'll look like a berk if it goes off in the waiting room). Get to know your fellow candidates, certainly, but don't try second guessing their abilities from day one. The one gobbing off in the corner about his dad the Commander and all his hours on a cessna 152 will make him stand out as being a bit of a tool, and probably not really what the AIB are looking for. Invariably you'll go to the Cocked Hat Public House for a few drinks (the pub outside Sultan). A pub during AIB? if you speak to most front line aircrew, we all remember being the ones who went down the pub and had a good time.....
Day 2 is Testing Day, and does what it says on the tin ie you are being tested. Mathematics, English, Gen Knowledge and Psychometric Testing takes place, some negatively marked, some multi choice. They often give you less time than it takes to complete the paper to see how you work under pressure. The Maths multi choice usually has 2 very close answers, 2 definite wrong answers. English tests include punctuation, spelling, usage (miaow is to cat as bark is to...... dog / cow / pig / sheep) type questions. You have to precis a passage of text, ie bring out the pertinent points concisely, i think in less than 50 words. Useful practice is to precis a newspaper article. Psycometric tests are your basic IQ tests, so read an IQ quiz book. You also have to write an Essay on a given subject, once again time limited. Be concise, to the point, don't waffle, structure it as best you can (intro, middle, conclusion). If it asks for your opinion, do just that, don't try to second guess what they are looking for.
The Afternoon session is group discussion time, where you and your team of 5 sit round a table and go through a scenario. Usually of the "you, a vicar, a pregnant lady, old man, scientist are on a desert island, must leave one behind, who will it be?". With any group discussion, best thing is not to shout down everyone round the table to get your idea across nor sit in the corner saying nothing. Listen to what people have to say, then make a considered statement. Don't be afraid to stick to your guns or change your mind if someone comes up with a better idea. Shows you are a team player who listens. You will also get your ideas torn to shreds by the AIB staff. This is supposed to happen and assesses your reactions in this situation. Don't lose your calm, if you believe your team's idea is a good one and can be backed up by facts, stick to it - use what info you have been given and use common sense.
The Practical / Interview day is probably the day that scares people the most. Practical exercises are designed to assess your potential as a leader and as a team player. As team leader, they aren't looking for a leader straight out of the box - you are trained for that. They want to see you have potential, can think on your feet, can motivate a group of people and get your point across. When you're a team member, you're still being assessed. perhaps more so. How do you react to bad leadership? if you have a better idea, how do you put that across? do you try and take over? A good team player should let the team leader lead, and if he's struggling, guide and advise rather than dismiss: ("i like your idea, but how about putting this plank here instead? i think we'd get across quicker that way. What do you think?")
The interviews are quite daunting if you are unfamiliar. go in prepared (current affairs, Navy news, political events, UK politician's names, any hot topics basically from the last 6 months or so. Imagine what going in to the AIB on Sept 12th was like..). Look the questioner in the eyes when answering, but also be aware of the other 2 members on the interview panel - imagine you are public speaking to an audience of 3. Sit up straight, don't fiddle with watches, jewellery, etc. don't slouch or appear uninterested. TIP: if you are nervous, imagine the people sitting opposite you are sat on the loo - amazing how that image can make even the most scary interviewee seem less intimidating!! Be honest, don't waffle and if you don't know, say so. You'll be asked to point to places on a map (with the USA in the middle - not something we're used to in Europe) so geographical knowledge is useful too. Be prepared for the "could you kill someone in the line of duty" question as well - answer honestly!!
The Personal interview is a one-on-one with a Lieutenant who goes through your personal history. Drug taking, sexual preference was asked when i did it, so be aware of the odd curve-ball question!! Once again, be honest.
That covers most of it, i've probably left some bits out, but hope it helps. Good luck!
