AFD Written Exam Guide

Key Topics

As an Advanced Foot Drill examination candidate, you should be a potential leader, commander, or even instructor in your unit. You should have, at the very least, familiarized yourself with the following topics:

• Timing
• Length of pace
• Structure of a command
• Foot on which command executives should be given
• Parade diagram key
• Rundown of a parade
• Parade layout

The real examination does not necessarily include all of the above topics, nor is it limited to them. However, as a cadet who should be somewhat experienced at this point, you are expected to be familiar with these.

Test Yourself

The following are some sample questions. They are not from any real exam paper - usually all questions in a real paper are all multiple-choice, and in fact these are all made-up questions just for the purpose of this guide - but they will give you a taste.

1. The command "STEP-SHORT" is given on ( ) when marching in quick time.
2. In CLOSE COLUMN OF SQUADRONS, the distance between the Flight Commander and the Supernumerary-Officer rank with 2 ranks in Open Order is ( ).
3. In COLUMN OF ROUTE, Distance between the Parade Commander and the first file of No 1 Flight is ( ).
4. The symbol below denotes a/an ( ).

If you cannot answer any of the question without peeking, it may mean that you have some studying to do. Go back to your drill manual, then come back some day and try again, can you? ;)

If you are interested in the model answer, try to find it yourself first. After you have your try, scroll to the bottom of this page to check.

Final Words

People say that the Advanced Foot Drill exam is the hardest gate to a promotion to a Cadet Corporal, and there is some truth to it - the passing rate has always been low and the syllabus seems enormous. Remember: there is no shortcut - recalling your training practice, studying your drill manual, and paying your full effort are the way to go.

If you, after all that, still feel that you are not at all ready for the exam, maybe you need to take up the role of a leader more often in Squadron meetings, or, maybe, you just need to attend more meetings. ;)

Good luck then. See you on parade ground.