Perhaps one of the points I made needs clarifying.
I say you cannot guess or learn 'right' answers. That is because the answers aren't 'right' and 'wrong', 'yes' or 'no' or 'correct', 'incorrect'. They are all just preferences and sure you can alter what you put down to alter your profile. My point is that if the average wannabe is sitting these tests for the first time and has not studied them in any depth then I think they are better off just putting the truth because without a little thought on the subject the danger is you alter your profile into something less desirable. As Pprune Towers says, I am sure individuals can be taught to answer questions in whatever way they need to in order to achieve a desired profile. Just needs a bit of time and thought like any other test. I would be very interested to read his thoughts on the subject hearing his background.
HWD
I agree totally, perhaps they haven't been around long enough to get long term quality feedback, but I suspect that the F/O population within airlines that have used them are all pretty reasonable people (from my experience) who will go on to make decent captains when the time comes, with exceptions, just like those career F/Os who will never make captain due to unsuitability who were recruited prior to these tests.
strafer
Again, I see exactly where you are coming from and don't disagree. I think recruiters should be able to spot extreme personalities at interview or on an MCC course (incidently, something that most airlines don't run and that the individual has purchased) and I feel that they just use these tests as another tool to either confirm what one sees at interview or counter it.
I am sure some individuals who would have made excellent pilots have failed selections based on their results from these tests. But again I am sure guys have failed interviews when they would have made great pilots too. I must admit I think it comes down to individuals preparing fully for any selection procedure. I know 2 or 3 guys who would have made excellent pilots who have just failed Britannia selection, not on these tests or their interviews (which they prepared for) but on the sim assessment where they didn't put any practice in and just learnt the calls, not expecting a 757 to be so difficult to fly acurately compared to their Seneca......................
My advice is to prepare for ALL the selection tests one is likely to encounter in the process. Who would sit an IR without practice/ instruction and expect to pass? It seems strange to me that guys don't do enough homework to fully understand what hoops they will be asked to jump through given the opportunity (which seems about the hardest thing at the moment!) These tests and all the others are IMHO all about control, your control of your performance.
PP