'I tried the Garda pre-entry fitness test to find out whether it really was too demanding'

I was invited down to the Garda College in Templemore to try out the pre-entry fitness test along with other media outlets on Tuesday.

In 2023, it was in the headlines after Fianna Fail TD Jim O’Callaghan said it was “too demanding”. He said he believed the level required was too high and was becoming a roadblock to recruitment.

So when the opportunity presented itself, I was only too delighted to give it a go. I had about two weeks’ notice to train for it so I dusted off my running shoes and got to work on the treadmill at the gym.

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The pre-entry fitness test is comprised of three stages – the dreaded bleep test, a muscular endurance test encompassing push-ups and sit-ups followed by an obstacle course that aims to simulate some real-life scenarios.

Tuesday was D-Day. Apprehensively, I packed up my gym bag. Filled the car with fuel and took off for Templemore. The required results to pass the bleep test along with the push-up, and sit-up challenges are based on the age and gender of each candidate.

Danny De Vaal

I will turn 26 during the summer but that was no good to me yesterday because it meant I fell into the 18-25 year old age bracket which means I needed the highest results in each category to pass.

The first test of the day was the bleep test. Candidates are required to run between two cones 20 metres apart. They need to reach the other side before the next bleep. Every minute, the level increases, and the time between the bleeps gets shorter meaning those participating need to pick up the pace until they can’t keep up anymore.

I needed an 8.8. This would involve a candidate running 1.4 km in under nine minutes. After six minutes of running back and forth, I couldn’t keep up anymore. I knew my race had been run and I bowed out at level six.

Danny De Vaal

Next up was the muscular endurance test, candidates in my age bracket have to complete 35 sit-ups in one minute before doing 25 push-ups. I finished the sit-ups with time to spare but I had to be corrected on my push-up form with a number of mine not actually counting.

After a short break, I had to face the obstacle course. It aims to mimic real-life scenarios Gardai could face on a day-to-day basis.

Candidates are required to sprint, navigate through multiple cones at speed, walk across a plank to test balance, carry a wheel, duck under a low metal beam, move a weighted mannequin body between two points, scale a set of stairs, and climb over a gate. The obstacle course must be completed three times in under three minutes and 20 seconds.

Danny De Vaal

While it was tough, I managed to complete the circuit and had time remaining.

Overall, for somebody who didn’t train for too long or too seriously – I think I gave it a good go. It was certainly an interesting experience, to say the least, and I was glad I got to try it out.

I failed both the bleep test and the push-up challenge. If I had actually been applying to join the Gardai, I would be allowed to repeat those elements of the test.

There would be a couple of weeks in between to allow me to improve my fitness. If I failed again, I could appeal but I’d have to redo the entire test – even the elements I passed.

Danny De Vaal

While I fully accept that I failed the test, I don’t think I was that far away – a couple of hundred metres, three more minutes of sprinting, and keeping my head up while doing a push up to be exact.

More than 30% of hopeful candidates ended up falling short and failing in 2022 but hard work, consistency, and determination in my opinion would be enough for most people to get over the line if they really wanted it.

I’m just unfortunate that my failure was photographed and documented across two pages in a national newspaper. My editor will be happy to know there is no fear of me quitting the day job and packing my bags for Templemore anytime soon. For now, I think I’ll just continue to report on crime rather than investigate it.

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