OASC Bulletin 4
During this submission we would like to briefly cover aptitude testing as conducted here at OASC.
Aptitude Testing
When assessing a candidate’s suitability to enter the RAF’s demanding and expensive training programmes, a badly-informed selection decision could lead to high risk of failure and associated costs. Consequently, minimising training failure is our top priority, accomplished through the early identification of those high-calibre applicants who possess the key abilities and raw talent to succeed. The Royal Air Force has a long and successful history of achieving success in training through the prior use of scientific ability measurement. This measurement is called aptitude testing.
How do Aptitude tests work?
An aptitude domain encompasses a broad collection of similar aptitudes. These domains have been chosen to pinpoint behavioural characteristics recognised as critical to success in the early stages of training. Domains are assessed in terms of a stanine (ie a scale of 1-9). To successfully pass an aptitude test battery, an individual must achieve the minimum stanine level in all domains within the battery and achieve the minimum index cut-off (ie the minimum overall score). Obviously, as technology evolves and develops, so to do the way in which we test for innate aptitude skills. The working set of domains currently adopted by the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC) at RAF Cranwell include the following areas:
Strategic Task Management (Situational Awareness)
Perception (Audio & Visual)
Short Term Memory and Capacity
Spatial Reasoning
Symbolic Reasoning (Verbal & Numeric)
Psychomotor
Central Information Processing (Attention Switching/Medium & Long-Term Memory)
Aptitude testing takes place in a purpose-built testing facility at RAF Cranwell. The 45 test stations are identical, with each computer screen adjusted to common settings of contrast, gain and colour. All candidates are given the same pre-test briefing. The degree of standardisation is such that there is a high level of confidence in the reliability of both the scores and the statistical analyses resulting from the data gathered at RAF Cranwell. As such the aptitude facility is also used by the Army, the Royal Navy, the Civil Police Service, as well as pilot candidate testing for certain civilian airlines.
How do I prepare?
Aptitude tests are designed to test an individuals innate abilities therefore no amount of preparation will change the outcome. However, our general advice would be to arrive as relaxed as possible having had a good night's sleep and make sure you have had a good breakfast as some of the aptitude batteries can take many hours to complete.
Please note that, although OASC will endeavour to answer generic questions that arise, we will not be engaging or commenting on individual cases. In those cases, the individual is advised to contact their nearest AFCO who will be able to deal with any queries. All information published is for information only.
Information regarding a career in the RAF can be found at http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers
Last edited by OASC; 18th May 2010 at 14:09.