Aptitude Testing
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Aptitude Testing
hey ppl.. I've been reading pprune now for quite a few years but haven't as yet posted a topic myself. Its just that all these airline aptitude tests are really frustrating me and I wanted some clarification on how to best prepare for these tests. I havent applied for a pilots position b4 but I have applied for an engineering job with both qantas a a few years ago with ansett as well. On both occasions I have failed the aptitude tests. I have been led to Believe that they are quite similar to the pilot tests. I wasnt able to get any feed back from either airline and to this day I'm still not sure what it means to have failed those tests. Does it mean that ur basically no good for the job or does it just mean there is someone better than u out there?? Anyway.. I was hoping to apply for the Qantas cadet program which has been approved for 2003. Is there anyone out there or maybe even a company that teaches the proper techniques for doing well on these tests or is it basically a matter of how smart u are?? by the way .. I'm 21 years old, degree in Aerospace eng and currently doin Masters .I Went solo in 6 hours and GFPT in approx 22 hours I think it was. ohh and I also got about 15 hours in the B777-200 Sim (doesnt really mean much without an CPL/ATPL but it still was great fun 
and a great learning experience) Any information relating to Qantas(and airlines in general) recruitment process/aptitude tests would be much appreciated ....
and a great learning experience) Any information relating to Qantas(and airlines in general) recruitment process/aptitude tests would be much appreciated ....
Last edited by RAM750; 31st Jul 2002 at 00:44.
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Airline testing
ram750,
from some psch friends that i have spoke to these tests have not been proven to be conculsive. Your results can change vastly on different days. It is a easy method of quickly reducing applicant numbers. I would not lose hope, i know of a guy who failed the phyc test 2 times and passed well on the 3rd go. The other thing as far as the personality stuff is concerned , apparently consistancy in answering is a big key. They are looking for a pattern in the way you answer those Qs. The comapny that QF uses is SHL direct, you can do some Qs on the website www.shldirect.com Good luck
from some psch friends that i have spoke to these tests have not been proven to be conculsive. Your results can change vastly on different days. It is a easy method of quickly reducing applicant numbers. I would not lose hope, i know of a guy who failed the phyc test 2 times and passed well on the 3rd go. The other thing as far as the personality stuff is concerned , apparently consistancy in answering is a big key. They are looking for a pattern in the way you answer those Qs. The comapny that QF uses is SHL direct, you can do some Qs on the website www.shldirect.com Good luck
Whispering "T" Jet
No correct answers!
There are no correct answers for an aptitude test - only matching ones. Back in the '70s, Ansett consulted a company named Chandler & McLeod and gave them the details of what Ansett expected (temperament, motor skills, educational standard etc,.)to be the minimum requirements for pilot employment with their Company.
C&M then went about designing an aptitude test that would determine if the potential AN pilots met this prerequisite. You were advised to answer all questions honestly and not try to guess how you thought Ansett may want you to answer the question. This is the best advice I can give you when it comes to aptitude tests - be yourself.
I don't agree with this type of testing but I am told it has a success rate of 92%. A couple of my good mates missed out on AN because of that test but one was employed by TAA just two months later.
Good luck for yours!
C&M then went about designing an aptitude test that would determine if the potential AN pilots met this prerequisite. You were advised to answer all questions honestly and not try to guess how you thought Ansett may want you to answer the question. This is the best advice I can give you when it comes to aptitude tests - be yourself.
I don't agree with this type of testing but I am told it has a success rate of 92%. A couple of my good mates missed out on AN because of that test but one was employed by TAA just two months later.
Good luck for yours!
There are books available on doing these tests ("How to win at aptitude tests", "Test Your Own IQ" etc). I think it helps to practice these tests so you get use to them.
Good Luck
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Wow, thanks batch, that link is really useful. Would you (or anyone else for that matter) know of any other similar websites that offer aptitude/personality type questions? I found one at http://keirsey.com that gives a pretty unique insight.
Cheers
Cheers
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Aptitude Testing
Over the years I have seen postings quite frequently on the topic of psychological testing. Usually I have a wry smile and move on to the next topic.
But this time
Most of the postings are meant with the best of intentions to share personal experience or... "scary"... discuss others experiences who have supposedly beaten the system, unfortunately this means perpetuating some of the myths surrounding this aspect of the selection process.
batch's comment "apparently consistency in answering is the big key" in the personality inventory... worried me a bit.
Ram 750.. its important that you approach this part of the interview with a clear head and no preconceived expectations as to what is required by the Company in answering the questions.
During the pre-testing stage the Psychologist will explain the process and ask if you have any questions.. you need to clarify at that point any concerns you have about "consistency" in your responses to test items. The Personality Inventory is not admnistered to trip you up and the psychologist will want to make sure you have the opportunity to do your best on the day.
This is your career, your opportunity.. be authentic in your responses listen carefully to instructions and you will have given yourself the best opportunity for a successful outcome..
Good Luck
But this time
Most of the postings are meant with the best of intentions to share personal experience or... "scary"... discuss others experiences who have supposedly beaten the system, unfortunately this means perpetuating some of the myths surrounding this aspect of the selection process.
batch's comment "apparently consistency in answering is the big key" in the personality inventory... worried me a bit.
Ram 750.. its important that you approach this part of the interview with a clear head and no preconceived expectations as to what is required by the Company in answering the questions.
During the pre-testing stage the Psychologist will explain the process and ask if you have any questions.. you need to clarify at that point any concerns you have about "consistency" in your responses to test items. The Personality Inventory is not admnistered to trip you up and the psychologist will want to make sure you have the opportunity to do your best on the day.
This is your career, your opportunity.. be authentic in your responses listen carefully to instructions and you will have given yourself the best opportunity for a successful outcome..
Good Luck
Last edited by Skylark; 30th Jul 2002 at 06:39.
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For the skills testing, cubes cubes cubes,
As for the psych, go and have a big lunch then while feeling sleepy, happy , full.......whatever, answer the first thing that comes into your head. Best advice given to me!!!
As for the psych, go and have a big lunch then while feeling sleepy, happy , full.......whatever, answer the first thing that comes into your head. Best advice given to me!!!
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Skylark - good advice!
Sometimes the best answer may not be the one that looks like the response 'they' are looking for... An example might be something like "do you like sitting still for great lengths of time?". When applying as a pilot you might think answering 'yes' (or close to it) is the 'best' response... However the correct answer is the honest one, and I certainly don't like sitting still for great lengths of time! Noone is 'perfect' - I think the test knows that, and the airlines do too
Lancer
Sometimes the best answer may not be the one that looks like the response 'they' are looking for... An example might be something like "do you like sitting still for great lengths of time?". When applying as a pilot you might think answering 'yes' (or close to it) is the 'best' response... However the correct answer is the honest one, and I certainly don't like sitting still for great lengths of time! Noone is 'perfect' - I think the test knows that, and the airlines do too
Lancer
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A r$e. Bear all.
P oint
T ilt
I nhale
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U nleash
D estruction
E xcrement
That is about how relevant these moronic tests are. They have proven time and again to be a worthless waste of company money.
Give me 10 minutes at the bar with a prospective new recruit and I can soon tell you if they are suitable or not.
Psyco garbage!
P oint
T ilt
I nhale
T une
U nleash
D estruction
E xcrement
That is about how relevant these moronic tests are. They have proven time and again to be a worthless waste of company money.
Give me 10 minutes at the bar with a prospective new recruit and I can soon tell you if they are suitable or not.
Psyco garbage!
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I also think that actually talking to someone can tell you in 10 or 15 min wether they will be any good or not, instead of a test that may take hours. People (can) become very good at interpreting others and you can tell VERY quickly wether someone is, honest, hard working, safe and good around people. Then there is probably the most important thing that you can tell - are they arrogant or not, do they think that they are invincible???
I too have failed aptitude tests but this was for entry into the RAAF. I was sent a letter the following year asking me to reapply and I decided not to. I didnt feel like going through the whole process just to have another "NO" response. It took me a good while to get over failing those tests because, without blowing my own trumpet, I am generally not a stupid person and can find solutions to most problems very easily.
This brings me to the main part of my question.
I started reading about aptitude tests (not psych) and found that you can get better at doing them by practice and knowing what they are looking for when answering questions about squiggly lines. It makes me wonder if they are therefore a good guide to someones "aptitude" since if you study them you can end up with much better scores. To me the way of defining someones aptitude is seeing if they - having an ability to continue to learn - not just be at a point and happy with that.
Like others out there, if there are any books that can be recommended for the aptitude testing then that would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers all,
Twin
I too have failed aptitude tests but this was for entry into the RAAF. I was sent a letter the following year asking me to reapply and I decided not to. I didnt feel like going through the whole process just to have another "NO" response. It took me a good while to get over failing those tests because, without blowing my own trumpet, I am generally not a stupid person and can find solutions to most problems very easily.
This brings me to the main part of my question.
I started reading about aptitude tests (not psych) and found that you can get better at doing them by practice and knowing what they are looking for when answering questions about squiggly lines. It makes me wonder if they are therefore a good guide to someones "aptitude" since if you study them you can end up with much better scores. To me the way of defining someones aptitude is seeing if they - having an ability to continue to learn - not just be at a point and happy with that.
Like others out there, if there are any books that can be recommended for the aptitude testing then that would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers all,
Twin
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One good book I have come by (and I've seen heaps on this subject) is called Military Aptitude Tests (or similar) it's published by a company called 'AVCO'. Lots of examples similar to that of the qantas tests.
As for the phyc test. It's all good in saying 'be honest' but from experience I've found it difficult to do that. But the one bit of advice that help me get past that was that they don't read the answers to each individual question. so when you get a question like "do you like sitting still for long periods" it has an underlying meaning which, unless your a phycologist, will have no idea what they are getting at. So be honest, after all you are the right type of person... aren't you?
As for the phyc test. It's all good in saying 'be honest' but from experience I've found it difficult to do that. But the one bit of advice that help me get past that was that they don't read the answers to each individual question. so when you get a question like "do you like sitting still for long periods" it has an underlying meaning which, unless your a phycologist, will have no idea what they are getting at. So be honest, after all you are the right type of person... aren't you?
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Many years back a certain well known international carrier, (not Australian), wanted to introduce such tests and invited the exisitng pilot workforce to have a go at the papers anonymously, 77% of those that did the exams failed!
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One area that hasn't been discussed is the hand-eye coordination aptitude tests. I would recommend playing lots of computer games involving driving, flying and shooting. I found this helped me a lot with the computer tests and simulator test and to this day I reckon it helps with my simulators.
Of course I have no concrete evidence to back this up. Its probably just my excuse to justify playing computer games all the time!
Of course I have no concrete evidence to back this up. Its probably just my excuse to justify playing computer games all the time!
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thanks guys for the replies.. I've started chasing up some of those books and had a look at the links recommeded. I was always under the impression that those tests were something u cant really prepare for... but from what u guys have been telllin me I think I'll start doin a couple of practise tests everyweek just to get the hang of them.
Laydown... I think I'm gonna go play some flightsim2002 tonight and not feel guilty about it for a change I also fly remote control jets and have found that it has also done wonders for my reflexes and hand eye co-ordination.. not to mention u get that sweet smelling burnt JETA1 in the air
sports is also another good way of improving hand eye co-ordination.. I play soccer and a lot of tennies.. I found that tennies is especially good for hand/foot/eye co-ordination.
thanks again guys
Laydown... I think I'm gonna go play some flightsim2002 tonight and not feel guilty about it for a change
I also fly remote control jets and have found that it has also done wonders for my reflexes and hand eye co-ordination.. not to mention u get that sweet smelling burnt JETA1 in the air sports is also another good way of improving hand eye co-ordination.. I play soccer and a lot of tennies.. I found that tennies is especially good for hand/foot/eye co-ordination.
thanks again guys
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Good advice form laydown. Incidentally , I've just come back from Game Traders to try to find some copies of the old arcade computer games called 'Space Invaders' and 'Pacman". The kid in the store said "Sorry mate, never heard of them. Are they PS1 or 2?" More like ancient history.
Anyone know of any websites that may have them ??
Anyone know of any websites that may have them ??
