Stage 2 Reassurance
Although I've often read this thread, I've never bothered to post. But today, I felt like a change. I just wanted to add a few thoughts about stage 2 as reassurance to peeps going through it. I did mine ages ago, but I still remember it quite vividly, mainly for the emotional high I got from getting through it. For me, that day was a great day, full of different emotions. Not to mention the build up to it, which was a mini-rollercoaster in itself for a variety of reasons!
I won't repeat what's been said about S2 elsewhere if I can avoid it, as what I've read on here turned out to be accurate. Thanks to those who took the time to provide support to us all, it's greatly appreciated and helped me get where I am today.
Overall, the S2 maths test was easier than I thought it was going to be. The difficulty of the test is the time constraint you are under. 15 questions in 15 minutes suggests 1 min per question, but the reality, as with most tests, isn't that straightforward (or bad). The early questions are easy, and can be done in seconds. The later questions are harder and need a bit more time. However, provided you are good enough at maths to do simple arithmetic in your head or on the paper to arrive at an answer close enough to the correct muli-choice answer, you can still pass the test. Listen to whatever advice you are given on the day, it's good advice.
That's not to say that you shouldn't bother doing any practice. A pilot needs to handle numbers, so if you can't or you have trouble, practise, practise, practise. This will alleviate your nerves, improve your performance on the day and set you in good stead should you be successful. Passing selection is the beginning, not the end of the process. The end of the process is becoming gainfully employed by an airline, and anything you can do to improve your chances now is an investment in your future.
Numeracy test workbooks are good sources of general maths practice that have relevance to the real world. The Bill Handley Speed Mathematics book is good too, if you have enough time to absorb and practice the techniques. Don't be fooled though. That book requires as much learning of a new technique as it confers a benefit having done so. If you don't have time to properly learn the techniques, you could work against yourself. Stick to the maths techniques you know and concentrate on improving those if you are short of prep time. If you have no technique or are dire at a particular aspect e.g. division, research and practice a technique that you can get comfy with. I only came across the book well after I did S2, and it's a real insight into mathematical calculations. In many ways, it illustrated in black and white what many of us do in our heads but have never bothered to express to ourselves. There are many techniques in there, and a lot to remember, but time with the techniques is time well spent if you don't have successful calculation strategies already.
The PILAPT test can be a daunting prospect. I understand why. Stage 2 is a totally quantitative pass/fail situation, and there's a fear of the unknown. If you can't do the maths, or you can't meet the PILAPT grade, you are out (maths test resit allowed). That's a frightening prospect, but it's no reason to not try.
Some people on here have stated that it's not possible to train for PILAPT. That's simply not true. Sure, there are some people in the population who would just be rubbish at the tests regardless, but such people probably won't be entertaining thoughts of a career in flying anyway, and probably don't meet the academic standards of CTC. The idea that the ability to fly a plane is something that one is born with is utterly arrogant and seriously ill informed. The idea that we are born with the ability to do something totally un-natural is flawed. This is borne out by the fact that pilots go through extensive training, period! Of course, your background will influence your performance or ability in the tests, but anyone can improve their chances in any test by direct or indirect training. These tests are not about flying per sé. They are about the skills we have developed throughout our life and will continue to use. It's possible to acquire and develop them all, without ever setting foot in a plane.
To me, PILAPT is more than the test itself. Sure, it's about hand-eye co-ordination, concentration, visual acuity, visual and audible alertness and mental and physical muti-tasking. But, it's also about intelligence and the strategic mindset you take towards the test. You can train for this test by either using the software mentioned elsewhere in this and the other thread, and also by doing things in everyday life. Play flight simulators of some description. Practice manual landings on whatever flight sim you have (doesn't have to be MS FS, you could get Falcon 6, USAF Navy fighters and do carrier approaches etc). Play more complex video games requiring stick control (Rogue Leader et al). Whatever gets you into the mindframe and the practice along these lines. You don't have to cane it day in, day out, just some here, some there, in order to develop your touch and the ability think about a few things at once and get your plane safely on the deck. Personally, I always loved playing flight sims and particularly pulling off carrier landings. Incredibly satisfying and quite demanding.
Another thing to be sure to check for yourself is your ability to handle audio, visual and physical stimuli at once. Can you hold a reasonable conversation while driving, particularly when doing 60 on a winding country road, holding accurate speeds at the same time? If not, have a practise. How much of the radio 4 news can you remember 5 minutes after it was on when you are driving in heavy motorway traffic? The alternative to this is using the practice software. I had a go with PILAPT Prep. It's not a replica of the PILAPT test, but it sure helps and it's cheap. It's not without its niggles though. If you want more, check out the cockpitweb thingy, but you need time for it to come through.
When it comes to PILAPT itself, the test is incredibly clear about what you need to do. Take all the time you need to read and understand the tests. As mentioned, it's about meeting baseline performance criteria and showing the ability to get better, even if you start off badly. There is no upper time limit to the overall PILAPT test. It ends when you get to the end.
Deviation is one thing that is performed multiple times. You get another chance.
Take all the opportunities in the test to use the practice time.
Where you have a max time within which to provide a decision, use it if you need to. Get the answer right, as quick as you can. Don't get it wrong as quick as you can! Use your head - consider when in real life you'd see a scenario that relates to this test.
Self-induced stress in this environment will hamper your ability. That's mental or physical stress. Mental stress induces a lock up in your brain. Physical stress can do the same and reduces your ability to, say, use a joystick smoothly, or hit the right keys. Take time between tests to rest and relax. During tests, keep breathing. Don't grip the joystick really tight, there's no need. And so on.
Go to the S2 day without too much emotion. Accept that by the time you get there, you can only do what you can do. Stay calm, be switched on and have faith in yourself. Sleep & breakfast are important, as is good hydration throughout the day.
One more thing. Don't even bother trying to compare yourself with other candidates. It's a total waste of time. Everyone's different in background and personality. Ignore the temptation to feel superior, inferior or in competition with these people. You are competing with CTC Standards, not the other candidates. If you meet that standard, you are going through. Arrogance is a killer in any selection process. Eliminate it from your own mind and be extremely wary of those who openly display such a trait, be it during selection or during training.
I hope this is of some value to someone. The best of luck to you all, I hope you are successful.
Trust me, it's all worthwhile.