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Psychometric testing (ie J* / QF Stage 1) courses

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Old 24th Nov 2006, 10:50
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Psychometric testing (ie J* / QF Stage 1) courses

Hello there,

Am after feedback from people that have / have not done a Psychometric preparation course prior to J* / QF stage 1. Is it worth the money??

I have heard of a provider in Melbourne that was touted as very valuable and on the money. If anyone could provide details that google can't that would be great.

Cheeeeers
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Old 24th Nov 2006, 12:21
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Hi. I know a guy who missed out on stage 1 QF and then went to a consultant in Melbourne. He then went back and did stage 1 six months later and blitzed.

He said the techniques taught were extremely helpful and he had no problems at all the second time around.

Unfortunately I do not know who the consultant was other than a female from Melbourne.

Good luck
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Old 25th Nov 2006, 05:35
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You don't get two shots at the Stage 1 within 6 months. If you fail that they put you out to pasture for one to two years.


Often wondered what the point of pyschometric testing is if everyone these days is getting schooled up on it.
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Old 25th Nov 2006, 09:18
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Applicants who failed stage 1 aren't offered another shot within 6 months. Unless things have changed drastically in the last 12 months i'd suggest maybe this person wasn't completely honest.
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Old 25th Nov 2006, 09:23
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This person was a very experienced Check Captain from another company and we are talking a few years ago. I don't think he would have any reason to lie. Furthermore I think admitting something like this is being very honest.

The important thing is not whether it was 6 months or longer - but that the training helped. Spend the money and you will never wonder 'what if'.

Last edited by kellykelpie; 25th Nov 2006 at 11:16.
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Old 26th Nov 2006, 11:47
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"don't think he would have any reason to lie. Furthermore I think admitting something like this is being very honest."


Ever considered that this guy might be getting kickbacks (as in $$) from this woman to spread the word about how good her course was??? Or that he is related, has invested in the business, his brother's invested in the business etc etc etc

There's a few possibilities.

On top of all that not sure why QF would be that keen to hire a C & T from another airline as he'll never be able to do that in QF as he'd be very lucky to even get a command due to the amount of years that has to be spent in the RH seat.

Last edited by neville_nobody; 26th Nov 2006 at 11:57.
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Old 26th Nov 2006, 13:06
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The tests are not designed to be learned. They are designed to test your skills, how quick and adaptable your learning style is (though it is possible to learn techniques etc). In my experience with this particular facet; testing is in place to ensure applicants will be able to cut the mustard in the training phase of the game. If one honestly cannot get through stage 1 on ones natural ability (no training), and 'blitzs' it with training, I doubt said person has the money in the bank to have been a serious c&t capt (mind you I could be wrong). I haven't heard of any applicants in the past few years who had c&t experience and missed out first go success on second . Perhaps this was a long time ago.
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Old 26th Nov 2006, 16:48
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Perhaps this person had his second go with the JetStar arm of Qantas???
Ex say Ansett C&T, possibly good at his job, they'd want his skills from what I've seen.

The tests are not designed to be learned
Perhaps, but the can be. At the very least techniques can be learnt which will greatly improve your score.

The tests are a crock anyhow, go to the pub or coffee shop and talk to the applicant and you will probably have a better idea.

Far too many good applicant have missed out with Qantas by this rubbish. They have then gone on to having great careers with Cathay etc, get rid of the shrinks....
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Old 26th Nov 2006, 21:47
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The interesting thing about the tests is the built in lie scales. They are designed to catch the people who trained or attempt to fool the system. Now if you are completely consistent you may get away with it but it's not that easy after 2+ hours to maintain the myth. A good forensic Psych will be able to spot the attempt and it's actually a personality profile.

Best thing would be to be honest, not super honest but just give an accurate portrayal of yourself and see if they are after someone like you.
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 02:16
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Perhaps this person had his second go with the JetStar arm of Qantas???
Ex say Ansett C&T, possibly good at his job, they'd want his skills from what I've seen.
Indeed, I was only talking of the red stuff.

Perhaps, but the can be. At the very least techniques can be learnt which will greatly improve your score.
Yes techniques can be learnt as I alluded to. However as wog said, consistency is a very important measure.

The tests are a crock anyhow...
get rid of the shrinks....
With all due respect; it doesn't take a genious to drive an ac, but it takes a certain personality/s to operate in a healthy multicrew environment. Many airlines lack this. QF, for the most part, does not. The psych is more than just a silly IQ test, which seems to be a widely held perception.
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 02:51
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but it takes a certain personality/s to operate in a healthy multicrew environment. Many airlines lack this. QF, for the most part, does not.

Geez you are kidding aren't you!! hello bangkok incident, yep working beautifully. Keep telling yourselves this as you watch your airline being syphoned off.
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 04:33
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Originally Posted by dodgybrothers
Geez you are kidding aren't you!! hello bangkok incident, yep working beautifully. Keep telling yourselves this as you watch your airline being syphoned off.
As I said clearly FOR THE MOST PART. It would be impossible for an airline this size to have a seamless perfect CRM culture. As someone who has dealt with aforementioned company and others, i'm drawing comparison.

I think it is a bit rich to comment on the operational culture of an airline you do not work for.
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 05:02
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Hey pod and others,

I am just curious to know, do you think there is a possibility of an advert slipping in here from someone with more than one account?

The tutorials are design to make money, supposed to help a bit, but for the cost involved it is absolutely rediculous.

To justify that it is an 'investment' and 'what if' factor. What a joke.

It would be a better investment to pay a year 10 maths/english teacher to help you. Cut some shapes out for cubes from an A4 piece of paper and use the resources of books and the internet. You can be tutored for 2-3 weeks by a teacher for the price that is being asked by certain business' for the a 2-3 day 'course'.

It is a 'niche' that exists in our market because of the desperation of the pilot group.

It is interesting though, if information was released that exists in these ' i know the what you will get in the test tutorials' and available on the internet, then the 'niche' that preys on pilot desperation would be gone!

Pod, your thoughts???
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 05:09
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Mr Neville Nobody,

Given that we were both in Qantas I'm not sure his telling me would boost revenue via kickbacks. But who knows? I can't even remember if he mentioned the company.

Last edited by kellykelpie; 27th Nov 2006 at 10:03.
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 08:32
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Kellykelpie,


What was written was not a shot at anyone that is already in QF, but you did respond quite quickly?

I was trying to see what the thought's of others out there were. I have seen in other threads people claiming they are someone else, a person who has recieved training from these programs designed to enhance their ability for the test, but infact they sound very much like they are either the instructor themselves or someone investing in a business as such.

In another recent thread, i posted that the company (SHL) conducting the psych tests could be updating it next year.

I am all for preperation for the test as I have heard it can further develop ones skills and understanding of the way that it is conducted.

Although, if i am to have a go I think I would consider an alternative method rather than spending my cash so quickly on an 'investment'. If it was the intention of these people to help you, they wouldn't rob you blindly would they?

Since you are in QF, have you seen the post on morale in QF. Is it worth dying for to get into QF these days. What do you think???
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 10:17
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Hi 32MP. My post was not directed at you.

As for people dying to get into QF - that is up to the individual. If being a pilot is what you want to do and you are an Australian, I think Qantas is the best option. Things are not on the up and up at the moment but things change.

If it is what you want then spending some money on coaching is not a bad idea. If it improves your performance by 5% - that may be the 5% you needed to get in. You want to give yourself the very best chance. If you don't get in - so what. Something better will come along. But you wont die wondering.

I do not have shares in any company linked in any way to recruiting. But I do believe in the ability to improve in these things by making the most of what you have.
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 11:58
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Originally Posted by kellykelpie
If being a pilot is what you want to do and you are an Australian, I think Qantas is the best option.
So why are you living in Singapore working for Jetstar Asia if QF is the best option for Aussies??
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Old 27th Nov 2006, 12:10
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Because I'm old!

Too old to want to watch the action from the back!
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Old 28th Nov 2006, 01:48
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Originally Posted by 32megapixels
It would be a better investment to pay a year 10 maths/english teacher to help you. Cut some shapes out for cubes from an A4 piece of paper and use the resources of books and the internet. You can be tutored for 2-3 weeks by a teacher for the price that is being asked by certain business' for the a 2-3 day 'course'.
The spatial, numerical and verbal reasoning tests resemble that of any IQ tests. Techniques can be learnt to help you work faster, thats where I see the buck stop. Go to a library and you'll find plenty of books which will aide you in working faster for tests like these.

The motovational questionaire isn't something you can train for. It draws a potrate of your personality, to answer what you think they want is a sure way to exit at stage 1. The extent of advice anyone can give for this is for the applicant to be honest.

So where does the 3K go?

I cannot fathom how someone could 'blitz' it after failing it. Furthermore, since QF do not release information on how well one went (as scores), I can't imagine how someone could have obtained that knowledge. Please prove me wrong.
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Old 28th Nov 2006, 03:26
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So did this guy, who was a bit older, know where to research for questions of the type that would be in the psych test itself.

You have suggested that it has helped this guy and it probably has. It probably has because the first time around he walked into QF and had not even looked into researching any books or internet resources.

For the younger pilot who knows how to use their skills to research, an 'investment' of 3K is rediculous or 5K or 10K, whatever these courses cost it sounds very expensive.

For 3K i can do so much more myself. If I can't get through it then I can say there is no 'what if' I have researched and still have 2.5k. Any more than 500 bucks on books and other research, even the test itself that costs money at QF could be included in this.

Did anyone notice that it now seems that Jet* and QF psych tests are now being pushed. It used to be QF psych test were being pushed only, even when Jet* was using them. Perhaps the 'clients' are drying up and prices will soon to fall. Supply and demand again I guess. Save your money. Do your own research, there is no 'what if' about it unless you walk into QF with absolutely no idea.
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