LadyL; some people have suggested that in the aptitude tests they are actually looking to see how much you improve from one try to the next, rather than your total score. But, while there may be some truth in that, I highly doubt they don't consider the total scores as well as your rate of improvement. However, (if even partially true - which is likely) it does highlight that an important aspect of the process is assessing your natural ability to learn and improve, which really isn't something you can (or need) to train for. But training will improve you in other desirable ways, so it's still worthwhile doing.
So to answer your question (in my opinion); does having a PPL or engineering degree etc help? Undoubtedly. It's only logical that someone with greater flying experience/maths and physics knowledge etc will perform better in tests where such skills are being tested. Do the assessors take your qualifications into consideration when assessing you? I don't know, but I doubt your qualifications etc come into the equation until an interview. It wouldn't be very pragmatic to say;
he did well but then again he's a PPL holder; she did poorly but then again she's only just out of school. The qualifications you've got contribute to what makes you you; and therefore contribute to the person that BA might (or might not) be looking for.
But does that rule someone out of the process who doesn't have a PPL or engineering degree? Definitely not! Lots of people have (and will again) be successful without such qualifications. But how do they outperform people whom one might consider to be a specialist? They understand that the process is about more than just a few aptitude tests, and prepare accordingly.
Hope it's helpful. Good luck!
