Aptitude Tests

[steggers]

Hi,

I wonder if someone could help me out. I've been selected to go for interview with CTC and so far I've downloaded the Latest Pilot Jobs - CTC interview perpetration and also I have read I should download the Cockpit Web preparation as well. Is it really worth it for the price or is latest pilot jobs just as good?

[Gally2]

Would love to know about this too if anyone can reply with info?

[Up North Like]

'Get a head for the sky' is an excellent reference for the CTC selection day. It costs about £25 if I remember rightly, however you won't find a better walkthrough out there.

It is available online and is delivered to your house.

[baldopilot]

I know the guys at AirlinePrep are very good at preparing people for CTC assessments and they also have an Ipad app too. :)

[Lord Spandex Masher]

It's funny when people want to practice aptitude tests. Either you have adequate aptitude or you don't.

Save your money, you'll need it.

[speed_alive_rotate]

Ridiculous statement Lord S.M. So if people aren't great at aptitude tests they should just give up and say ah well!! Even if you are good at aptitude tests, the practice keeps the brain sharp!

[Lord Spandex Masher]

If you don't have the aptitude to pass the aptitude test you're not going to pass the aptitude test.

[speed_alive_rotate]

And can your aptitude not be improved through practice??? You must be a HERO at them!!!! All the publishers and millions of aptitude books must have just been written for a laugh!

[Lord Spandex Masher]

Dunno, never practiced them. There's nothing heroic about having aptitude, many people have it.

I highly suspect that the practice tests are not the same as the real tests, you might get good at repeating the same test over and over again but have a go at different one...

I doubt they were written for a laugh, more likely to cash in on someone's doubt about their ability because, let's be honest, they aren't particularly onerous are they.

[pilotchute]

I have worked for a company that administered aptitude tests for a 3rd party client. What we found was no matter how many times people did the test, they never improved more than 2 or 3 points (with the odd exception). They weren't allowed to repeat it within 6 months and could only do it a maximum of 3 times.

Dramatic improvement were only made by people who ignored the clock the first time but worked to a time limit per question the next time (the exceptions). It is astounding how many people would sit down for a 100 question test with a 60 minute limit and wouldn't get past the first 20 questions. As you move through the topics the level of difficulty increases. They don't understand this and don't move on after 30 or so seconds or pondering.

You can read all the prep books in the world but if you don't have it up top to start with, you probably won't get it from an ipad app.

[LastMinuteChanges]

@steggers:

Check previous forum posts, there are a few which are recommended:

CockpitWeb.com

PilotAptitudeTest.com

LatestPilotJobs.com

AirlineAptitudeTests.com

SkyTest.com

And there is an 'AirlinePrep' one also, but quite costly?

Good luck.

[The Runge Kutte Kid]

They all look roughly the same price, but offering varying subscription options based on either content or time that you want to use them.

The only recommendations I can find are here: http://www.pprune.org/interviews-jobs-sponsorship/542341-good-aptitude-test-websites.html

Anyone got any others?

[QaisPilot]

Actually iv done the assessment one month ago and i have field, after that experiment i strongly recommend the SkyTest® - Preparation Software (http://www.skytest.com/SkyTest-Preparation-Software-for-UK-Pilot-Aptitude-Screenings.htm).

[The Runge Kutte Kid]

Thanks QaisPilot,

Seems like Skytest is dependable so I've also got that and the AirlinePrep app.

I like Skytest for the Pilapt, it is very good and I like the AirlinePrep App for the really good guidance on handling those tricky "tell me about a time questions" and group exercise tips. The two make a good combo.

Cheers for the advice.

[Stage5]

I am with LSM on this (in part). Save your money and purchase a book from WHSmiths or Waterstones on cognitive/mental maths/English comprehension tests et al. Those will sharpen your skills.

For the advocates of spending lots of money on practice COMPASS/PAT tests, the following may be of interest. http://www.iata.org/publications/Documents/pilot-aptitude-testing-guide.pdf

[STUDENT PILOT 001]

Up North Like

Hi, I've been selected for the CTC Wings Phase 2. I'd love to PM you for some help as I see you were a former cadet and now employed!

thanks!

[Budding]

Ok to hopefully clear this up.

You have a certain amount of aptitude but i'd say it sits in a rather wide bracket. There are many stories, just ask around, of people in the RAF failing the aptitude tests only to retake once, even TWICE and passing (you must allow a certain amount of time before re-trying the RAF aptitude tests). So aptitude can and i'd argue, will improve. If you're getting 0 out of 100 and failing miserably every time then you're probably not going to pass no matter how much you do. However if you're close to the line the practice WILL help, there are also lots of other ways to practice aptitude as opposed to these test that cost a ton of money. Sit and do a flight sim route, do some quick maths papers and the same time and maybe re-arrange some coloured blocks. Hands on a flight sim and maths will get you most of the way there.

[Budding]

QaisPilot,

Who did you do your assessment with?
As I understand it CTC and OAA both use different aptitude software.

[caravandriver_pl]

I used PilotAptitudeTest.com and passed Compass test on my interview in 90%

[RedBullGaveMeWings]

There are several books about aptitude test with focus on verbal and numerical reasoning. SkyTest.com sell them.

Also look for mental math tricks on the Internet.

[Benjordan]

Hello

I am quite new to the forum. Am planning to attend the CTC PILAPT in May16. I have attended it previously, but could not get through. I struggled with the group exercise and interview. Is it possible to get any help with that.

[JButler]

Hi Ben,

AirlinePrep provide group exercise and interview preparation skills development that can help.

[gbotley]

Hi BenJordan,

Interviews and Group Tasks are looking for you to shine as an individual. I don't know how old you are, but sometimes the best thing to improve people's experience in this area is simply having life experience as they often ask you to call on past situations etc.

With that said, it may not have been all that bad. It could just been that you weren't as confident as the others.

My two recommendations on books would be:


Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions by Martin John Yate.
Another good book is Why You?: 101 Interview Questions You'll Never Fear Again by James Read.


They really put in to perspective key parts of any interview. Specifically subliminal body language which you don't ever consider until you've read Martin's book. I once feared interviews too. The good news is they get easier with practice, like anything. The fact you previously attended CTC once before is another advantage for you.. as you know what to improve on :-)