This article will reveal what to expect from a pilot aptitude test and how to prepare for and practice the test questions.
What Are Pilot Aptitude Tests?
Simply put, they are a way for airlines to filter through potential candidates to find those who are most likely to succeed through the training and development programmes. Flight school training can cost more than £100,000 (even more if you have no prior flight experience) so it’s vital that airlines feel confident that they have a robust selection process. A pilot aptitude test isn’t about your flight experience or your knowledge of how to fly an aircraft. It’s about testing a potential candidate’s aptitude, potential and ability to work under pressure. Those who score highly on pilot aptitude tests will be highly sought after by airlines looking to invest in a new generation of pilots. If you do well, the airline may subsidize your flight school training.
Are Pilot Aptitude Tests Only for Commercial Pilots?
If you are serious about becoming a pilot, you will likely need to take a pilot aptitude test, regardless of whether you plan to become a commercial airline pilot, a freight pilot or even a member of the RAF. As flying is such a competitive field, you must prepare for and score highly on the aptitude test to give yourself opportunities for greater flexibility and employability.
The Skills Assessed by Pilot Aptitude Tests
With so many different pilot aptitude tests available, it can be difficult to know exactly what examiners are looking for. A pilot aptitude test is a form of psychometric testing that allows potential employers to assess the key skills required to be a pilot. These might include:
Reasoning Literacy Numeracy How you react under pressure Spatial and situational awareness Hand to eye coordination Long-term memory Multi-tasking
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Cut-e PILAPT COMPASS Advanced COMPASS Talent Q
Each airline uses its own criteria so, during your preparation, you may find a wide range of potential test questions. However, you can feel confident that the tests covered below will be included within your chosen pilot aptitude test.
1. Cognition Testing
This is where you’ll likely be tested on your cognitive functionality, most notably through numbers and reading.
Numerical Reasoning. Pilots need to accurately understand and interpret data, so you will be tested on your numerical and analytical reasoning skills. Information may be in charts, graphs or tables; you will be expected to answer questions based on the data provided. Some airlines will add time pressure to the numerical reasoning section of the pilot aptitude test, so you will need to ensure that you have allocated enough time to complete as much of the test as possible. In some scenarios, different questions may have different weighting – so it’s important to read the questions thoroughly and work out which ones merit spending more time on. Verbal Reasoning. Pilots need to excel at communication. Therefore, the verbal reasoning section will explore your English language skills. Like most such tests, you will be expected to read a paragraph or statement and answer questions based on that text. Often questions may be posed as true or false, or you will need to determine which statement is correct based upon the text. Perceptual and Spatial Awareness. Another key part of the testing process will be monitoring your perception and spatial awareness. You may have to look at a series of patterns, shapes or colours and find the odd one out or the next in the sequence. Or you could be asked to play a 3D pursuit game that assesses your spatial awareness, or take memory tests.
Some airlines will add time pressure to the numerical reasoning section of the pilot aptitude test, so you will need to ensure that you have allocated enough time to complete as much of the test as possible. In some scenarios, different questions may have different weighting – so it’s important to read the questions thoroughly and work out which ones merit spending more time on. a) 700 b) 535 c) 380 d) 420
You will get access to three PrepPacks of your choice, from a database that covers all the major test providers and employers and tailored profession packs. “The first successful aeroplane flight was made by Orville and Wilbur Wright, also known as the Wright brothers, in 1903. This plane was made of spruce wood, a favourite of the brothers. They were also responsible for inventing various control systems that helped pilots steer and control the aircraft. “The three-axis control system was the most important of their designs and is still used today. Although planes are now mostly made of aluminium, the technical advancements made by the Wright brothers revolutionised the 20th Century and beyond.” Aircraft are built in the same way as they were in 1903 a) True b) False c) Cannot say
2. Psychomotor Testing
This is where you’ll be tested on your hand-to-eye coordination. You could be asked to complete a task using a joystick, which will track your movement and reaction times. You may also have to focus on two simultaneous tasks so examiners can see how you react to multiple situations, much like pilots have to do for real.
3. Physics Knowledge
Another core part of the pilot aptitude test is to assess your knowledge of basic physics. As a pilot, you will need to understand space, time, movement and force – it is after all the driving function of how the aeroplane works.
Example Question:
a) Gravity b) Thrust c) Heat d) Air resistance e) Magnetic In a competitive environment, examiners are looking for those who show a passion and commitment to the aviation industry. Common subjects include law, aerodynamics and aircraft instrumentation.
Example Question:
a) Code 1555 b) Code 7600 c) Code 7511 d) Code 9587 e) Code 6744 You may also wish to look at the websites of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or the RAF, to see what they say about taking the aptitude tests. There are numerous resources online which will help you to prepare in full for the pilot aptitude test. Here are a few practical tips which may help: Because it is a competitive job market, the big airlines can choose the pick of the crop and will pay salaries accordingly. It may help to focus your mind and allow you to get a much higher score. Some practice tests will be available free of charge, whilst others (such as those from JobTestPrep) offer a paid-for service which will not only help you study but will offer practice exam questions, allowing you to monitor your progress. Alternatives include the popular PilotAptitudeTest.com website. We recommend trialling a few different products and establishing what works best for you. Before you start looking at specific questions, you should feel confident that you understand the format of these different tests. As well as using our in-depth articles and making use of our wide range of free aptitude tests is a valuable tool to ask questions. The test is not about flying skills or knowledge of aviation; instead, it is an assessment of your potential, your thinking processes, natural aptitude, and most importantly how you perform under pressure. Pilot aptitude tests are used as part of the application process for roles with commercial and freight airlines, as well as for military pilots. As part of the pilot aptitude test, you will face several different types of psychometric tests, including:
Logical Reasoning Numerical Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Spatial Awareness Memory Multi-tasking Mechanical Comprehension Hand-Eye Coordination
One of the most well-used is COMPASS. Both the standard COMPASS and the Advanced COMPASS test are used by major commercial airlines like Virgin Australia. Another pilot aptitude test is PILAPT, which is used by both military and commercial flight operators throughout the world. You might also face pilot aptitude tests created by popular test publishers like Cut-E and Talent Q. The pre-employment screening of pilots through the pilot aptitude test is designed to be challenging so that only the best applicants can make it through. For the most part, the content of the tests themselves is not all that hard. However, the pressure of a time limit and demonstrating the aptitudes that are needed against exam conditions make them hard to complete. Knowing that you will have to not only pass the test but also be compared against other test takers to be considered for a role as a pilot, it is in your best interests to get the very best score in all sections that you are capable of. What this means in practice is that when you are preparing for the pilot aptitude test, make sure that you take all the opportunities to revise and practice so that you know what you need to do to score highly. In either case, the tests are a one-time thing, and you are not usually allowed to retake them during the application. However, if the employer allows, you might be able to retake the test if you reapply at a later date for the same position. To make the most of the opportunity to score highly, you should revise and practice the sections of the aptitude tests, then you don’t need to worry about whether you are going to be able to resit the assessment. To give yourself the best chance for success, preparation is key. One of the most important ways you can be prepared is to take practice tests, which will have several benefits for your performance in the real thing. Firstly, dealing with pressure is one of the aptitudes that are being assessed in the test – and you can reduce the pressure for yourself by getting familiar with the test. Knowing what you are going to face when you sit down to complete the tests will make you feel more comfortable. You will recognize the structure and the layout and see what types of questions you are likely to face. By taking the practice tests, you can also find out where you might need some extra revision. It is perfectly normal to have parts of the multi-faceted test that you are less comfortable in answering – and this is the perfect time to learn about your weaknesses. Use the responses to create a study plan and brush up where you need to. The next place you should look for practice pilot aptitude tests is on the official website of the test publisher. The questions here are demonstrations of the real test, with similar content and test conditions. For even more practice, and excellent revision resources, sites like Wikijob have example questions and lots of information available, or you can try the free (and paid) practice tests and Prep Packs at JobTestPrep. In this way, the skills that are tested in pilot aptitude tests include:
Logical thinking Numerical ability including mental arithmetic Spatial awareness Multi-tasking Long-term memory and recall Performance under pressure Hand-eye coordination Mechanical comprehension Reaction time Personality traits and behavior at work Accuracy Situational judgment Verbal ability
Make sure you’re clear on what you need to study and do the maximum preparation before you book your final test date. The more confident you are in your subject matter, the higher your final score will likely be. Good luck.
