STUDENTS on Duchy College’s Military Academy course were put through their paces by Armed Forces recruiters when they took part in the Royal Navy recruit test.

With their studies aimed at preparing them for careers in the Armed Forces, taking part in the test allowed them to see if they were on the right track.

The psychometric test is split into four elements – spatial reasoning, verbal comprehension, mathematical comprehension and a mechanical reasoning test.

It is designed to assess which Royal Navy careers a student would best be suited for.

Student Matt Mitchell said he’d done much better than he thought he would.

‘With the insight we have into the Royal Navy on this course, it has made me realise what I’m capable of,’ he said.

Jamie Crisp, curriculum lead for Military Academy and public services at Duchy College, said the exercise had been a brilliant opportunity for the students to engage with the Royal Navy.

Some had already applied to the Royal Navy, but others were now considering applying as a result of doing well in the test. The recruit test, which remains valid for two years, is part of the application process for Royal Navy recruits.

‘Seeing the learners being tested on the Royal Navy Recruit test and having 40 learners achieve the grades required for the specific jobs they want to pursue in the future demonstrates the continuing curriculum focus of being a career led college,’ said Mr Crisp. ‘This has been reinforced last month with Rhys Hewett leaving the Military Academy to join phase one training at HMS Raleigh.’

Student Rhys Hewitt, from Liskeard, has been accepted for a place at the naval training centre HMS Raleigh at Torpoint.

‘The academic and vocational skills I learnt at college plus the monthly visits to HMS Raleigh really helped me to fast track my application for the Royal Navy and gain a January start date at HMS Raleigh,’ he said.

The college is holding a Courses and Careers Advice Event on Saturday, March 24 from 10am to midday for prospective students to find out more about the Military Academy and other courses.