Psychological test used in selection of conscript leaders revised to meet present-day requirements

The Defence Forces has revised the psychological test used in the selection of conscript leaders, the so-called P2 test, to better meet the requirements of a conscript leader’s tasks today and to match the more comprehensive understanding of leadership. The new aptitude test is a better tool for collecting information about conscripts’ leader potential and suitability for different tasks and duties. The new test was used for the first time with the conscripts starting their service in July 2025.

The P2 test is a standardized method used in psychological testing of conscripts. The final score of the test can be used as an indicator of the conscript’s ability to carry out leadership duties or demanding rank and file duties. The revised test has 322 questions which aim at exploring, for example, personality traits, interpersonal skills and behavioural patterns.

The need for revision arose from the new, more comprehensive understanding of leadership and the requirements set by present-day battlefield. The old P2 test was designed to identify “old-school” leader types. In the past, leadership in conscript service was more focused on authority and issuing orders, whereas today, it is more about being able to motivate people and leading by example. Moreover, modern warfare and technological developments have changed the requirements for conscripts’ tasks and duties.

The new test has been designed to assess precisely those qualities that are needed in the present-day conscript duties, leadership and rank and file alike. The ultimate goal of the revision was to improve identification of those with leadership potential and also to find the most suitable tasks and duties for all other conscripts. Finding suitable tasks for conscripts adds to service motivation, in addition to which the information collected by the new test supports the Defence Forces’ capability and readiness in the changing security environment.

- Modern warfare requires different types of leaders, and the new test recognises this diversity better than the old one. The information we get from the revised P2 test allows us to benefit from the diversity of the leadership potential that we have, and what’s more, we are now able to assess conscripts’ suitability for other than leadership duties as well, says Research Manager Petteri Simola from the Human Performance Division of the FDF Defence Research Agency.

Thorough revision based on requirements for conscript duties

The revised P2 test is based on several years of research and development. Before the actual test was revised, researchers need to review and map the qualities that the test is meant to assess. These qualities were determined on the basis of studies and surveys carried out by the Defence Forces. 

The revised test assesses, among other things, a person's behaviour under pressure, decision-making, ability to lead people, cooperation skills and action in different scenarios as well as qualities related to these. According to observations, the revised test also helps identify those with a higher risk of discontinuing their service.