The Situational Test, usually called the SIT test, is a BMT leadership assessment. You are given a mission, a team, and very little time to solve a problem.
The mission matters, but the assessors are mainly watching how you lead when the plan starts falling apart. And it probably will.
SIT test performance can help with command school selection, but it doesn't decide your posting by itself.
What happens during the SIT test
The SIT test usually takes place during or around field camp. The exact conduct can change between batches and companies, so listen to your commanders' briefing.
A typical station looks like this:
- You and another recruit are appointed as ICs.
- You lead a group of around 10 or more recruits.
- You receive a mission, rules, and a time limit.
- You get a short period to plan before starting.
- An assessor watches without giving you the answer.
- The situation may change while you are carrying out the mission.
You may need to move stores, bring a casualty across an obstacle, reach a location without touching restricted ground, or solve another physical problem as a team.
The missions vary. Don't waste time trying to memorise the "correct" solution from somebody else's batch.
What assessors look for
There's no public SAF SIT test marking sheet. In practice, focus on the leadership behaviours that the exercise is built to expose:
- Clear communication: your team understands the mission and their jobs.
- Decisiveness: you make a workable choice instead of discussing forever.
- Planning: you identify the main problem before everyone rushes in.
- Delegation: you use the whole team instead of doing everything yourself.
- Awareness: you track the time, rules, people, and changing situation.
- Adaptability: you change the plan when it is obviously not working.
- Morale: you keep people moving without blaming or panicking.
- Safety: you don't ignore instructions or create a dangerous situation to finish faster.
You don't need to act like a movie commander. Be loud enough to hear, calm enough to think, and clear enough that nobody needs to guess.
Don't wayang for the assessors. Actually do the work.
A simple plan that works
When you become IC, use this sequence.
1. Confirm the mission
Repeat the objective, rules, and time limit in your own words.
If you don't understand something, ask before the station starts. A confident plan for the wrong mission is still the wrong plan.
2. Identify the main problem
What is stopping the team from completing the mission?
It could be:
- A casualty who cannot move normally
- Heavy equipment
- Restricted ground
- Limited materials
- Too few people at one point
- A very short time limit
Solve the biggest constraint first.
3. Assign simple roles
Give people jobs by name or position.
For example:
- Two people handle the casualty.
- Two people prepare the equipment.
- One person watches the time.
- Everyone else moves into position and waits for the next instruction.
Avoid vague instructions like "somebody help him". Tell a specific person what to do.
4. Explain the plan briefly
Give the team the basic sequence, then start.
You don't need a perfect five-minute briefing. The clock is already running. A basic plan that gets tested is more useful than a brilliant plan that never starts.
5. Keep updating the team
Call out:
- What is happening next
- How much time is left
- What has changed
- Who needs help
Your team cannot follow a plan that only exists inside your head.
What to do when the plan fails
Don't keep forcing the same plan because you're scared to look indecisive.
If the team is stuck:
- Stop the unnecessary movement.
- State the problem clearly.
- Ask for one or two quick suggestions.
- Pick a new approach.
- Reassign roles and continue.
Listening to a useful suggestion doesn't make you a weak leader. Letting ten people argue without making a decision does.
If the assessor introduces an injury, enemy, missing item, or new restriction, acknowledge it immediately. Tell the group what changes and continue.
How to behave when you are not IC
You are part of somebody else's assessment, so don't switch off.
- Follow reasonable instructions quickly.
- Don't just eye power. Help carry, hold, or move.
- Repeat important instructions if the group didn't hear them.
- Offer short, useful suggestions.
- Point out safety problems or a forgotten rule.
- Encourage people when the group gets frustrated.
- Help the IC keep track of time.
Don't take over the station to prove that you're smarter. If you have an idea, give it to the IC and let them decide.
Also don't sabo someone because command school feels competitive. Your section mates will remember how you behaved during peer appraisal.
Common SIT test mistakes
Planning for too long
You do need a plan. You don't need to predict every possible problem before starting.
Set the objective, assign roles, and move.
Shouting without giving instructions
Volume is useful outfield. Random shouting is not leadership.
Use short commands that tell a person what to do and when to do it.
Doing everything yourself
Your job as IC is to coordinate the team. If you carry the heaviest item, solve every problem, and give every instruction yourself, you'll lose awareness of the station.
Ignoring quiet people
Somebody at the back may have spotted the solution. Make space for quick input, then make the decision yourself.
Blaming the team
If the plan fails, fix it. Scolding people wastes time and destroys morale.
Giving up when completion looks impossible
Keep leading until time is called. Even if the team doesn't finish, you can still show awareness, adaptability, and control.
Forgetting safety
Don't break a safety rule just to finish the mission. Follow the briefing and stop if you see an actual danger.
How to prepare
You can't study a fixed answer sheet, but you can practise the useful parts.
- Get comfortable giving short, loud instructions.
- Practise summarising a problem before proposing a solution.
- Learn to assign jobs by name.
- Track time during group activities.
- Volunteer for smaller IC roles during BMT.
- Help your section consistently before field camp.
Being physically fit also helps. It's easier to think and communicate when you're not completely shagged. Work on your IPPT, but don't neglect sleep, food, water, and foot care during field camp.
Does the SIT test decide OCS or SCS?
No. It's one part of a much larger assessment.
CMPB says selection after BMT considers organisational requirements, military performance, commanders' recommendations, education qualifications, and medical fitness. Recruits who perform well and show leadership potential may be selected for OCS or SCS.
Your performance across BMT still matters, including:
- Daily attitude and discipline
- Commander assessments
- Peer appraisal
- Soldiering performance
- IPPT and fitness
- Your interest in command school
- The SAF's manpower needs
One bad station doesn't automatically end your chances. One good station doesn't guarantee OCS either.
Read the full command school guide for the other parts of selection.
What if you don't want command school?
Tell your commanders honestly when they ask about your interest.
Depending on how your SIT test is conducted, you may be able to volunteer for sentry or another support role instead of taking an IC appointment. Don't assume this is guaranteed. Follow your commanders' instructions.
There's no need to deliberately perform badly. Do your part for the team and state your preference clearly.
Quick checklist
When your station begins:
- Confirm the mission and rules.
- Identify the biggest problem.
- Assign specific roles.
- Explain a short plan.
- Start early.
- Track the clock.
- Keep the team updated.
- Change the plan when needed.
- Stay useful until time is called.
Clear, calm, and decisive beats wayang.
More BMT guides
- Command school: how selection for SCS and OCS works.
- BMT guide: field camp, BTP, route marches, and POP.
- BMT hub: all BMT guides in one place.
- Tips for shouting commands: how to sound clearer as an IC.