What are Pilot Aptitude Tests?

Pilot aptitude tests are a way for airlines to filter through potential candidates to see which of those are most likely to succeed through the training and development programmes that the airlines have to offer. It’s often stated that flight school training can cost around $100,000 (rising even higher if you do not have any prior flying experience). So it is very important that airlines have a strict selection process.

The aptitude test is not about your flight experience or your knowledge of how to fly an aircraft, it’s all about testing your aptitude as a candidate. What is your future potential and your ability to work under pressure. Those who are seen to score high on the pilot aptitude test will be highly sought after by airlines who are keen to invest in the new generation of pilots.

What to expect from your Pilot Aptitude Test

Each airline uses their own criteria, whilst you are preparing you might look to find a wide range of potential questions in order to be completely ready for your test. Pilot assessments, typically include a series of psychometric, aptitude, and psychomotor skills tests. These are tests which are all used during the recruitment process. Whilst they don’t examine your knowledge, they do examine your potential job skills, assessing whether or not you would be a good pilot.

The common types of assessments used for pilot roles

The assessment tests that you may have to take depend on the Company for which you are applying to. You may have to take any of the following assessments:

Pilot Personality Test

Airlines are also likely to ask you to undertake a pilot personality test at some point during the process of recruitment. The aim of this personality test is to be able to assess your personality against the characteristics that the airline have said they are looking for in their pilots.

Your main task is to give as good an account of yourself as you possibly can. One of the ways to do this is to go into the test being familiar with how it works, including all of the differing types of questions that you may come up against.

Numerical Reasoning

Pilots need to be able to accurately read and interpret data. The Numerical Reasoning Tests information may be presented to you in the form of charts, graphs, or tables and you will be expected to provide answers based on the data that is given. In your day-to-day job, you will need to be able to read and understand numerical information and make calculations quickly and accurately.

Verbal Reasoning

Pilots also need to excel at communication. The verbal reasoning section of your aptitude test will explore your English language skills. You will be expected to read a paragraph/ statement and answer questions that are based on that text. This test also examines how well you are able to follow the instructions that are given to you in a written format and act on them accordingly.

Perceptual and Spatial Awareness

A key part of the testing process will be monitoring your perception and spatial awareness. This will likely involve looking at a series of patterns, shapes, or colours and finding the odd one out or the next sequence.

Group Exercises

During your recruitment process, you may also be invited to take part in several different group exercises. These are designed to identify specific selection criteria. During the group exercise, you will face challenging and complex tasks within the pilot framework, in groups of around 8-16 people. The members in your group may be applying for the same position as you or applying for others, showing the recruiters how well you are able to work with those who are similar to you and those who are different.

Aviation Knowledge

The final part of the pilot aptitude test will comprise of many general knowledge questions that relate to the aviation field. You will also likely face questions like this when it comes round to your pilot’s interview so it’s important to nail them here too.

Psychomotor Testing ­

This is where you will be tested on your hand-to-eye coordination. You will be asked to complete tasks using a joystick, which will track your movements as well as your reaction times. As well as this, you will be asked to focus on two simultaneous tasks so that the examiners can see how you react to multiple situations.

Improve your score on all segments of the Pilot Aptitude Tests, with our full preparation tests.

The Pilot bundle pack includes lots of tests as well as many individual practice questions that you can use to ensure that you will nail your Pilot Aptitude Test first time round. We will also be able to provide you with lectures in order to prepare for tests with detailed answers as well as feedback to help you to understand the missed questions.