Did you take the COMPASS test?
 

Hello everyone, did any of you take the COMPASS (computerized pilot aptitude screening system) test?
On the EPST website they only say that the math involved is "multiplication, division, subtraction as well as speed, distance and time calculations".
Is it really only about this, aren't more complicated math problems involved, including percentages and algebra and equations?
Is there any resource to learn more about this test?
Thank you all!

Hi, I've taken it a couple of times during my initial cadet selection phase.
The math there is pretty straight forward, almost everything is as you have mentioned above. Nevertheless it does have some percentage, equation and a little bit of the basic algebra. Equations are linear, so they mostly will look like 2x+3/4=5. Algebravise you are going to have something like (2a+3b)/4c where are a=1 b=4 c=7. As you can see it's a pretty basic stuff. The thing is you will have about 25 tasks to solve for a limited amount of time. So I would strongly suggest to focus on your ability to do all these things as quickly as possible.
P.S. You can google latestpilotjob website, it has some useful stuff for preparation.
P.P.S. You can PM me if you still have some questions.

Hi IEFCL, thank you for your information, your answer is much appreciated.
The system doesn't allow me to PM you, could you please PM me and perhaps I can reply back?
May I ask you why you took the Compass test couple of times, more than once?
Were you allowed to use pen and paper for calculations?
Are the equations proposed directly with formulas or are they proposed as verbal problems to solve?
Thank you!

I've only done the advanced compass test, but the only advice i'd give you is simple: don't worry about it. It's all very easy and straightforward - They are not looking for supermen! They just want a fairly balanced and rounded individual.

The maths is pretty simple: you get a formula, you work it out however you want to (yes you can use paper) and you write in the answer. Some are multiple choice, others are open. You're unlikely to finish the test because you will run out of time. It's all very, very basic, early high school level.

Really don't worry about it. You'll only stress yourself out. Don't bother preparing, you don't need it. Don't spend money to prepare. Honestly!

Thank you SeventhHeaven.
Are the equations proposed directly with formulas or are they proposed as verbal problems to solve?
Do you have to "fly through boxes" and similar skills like Pilapt or not?

No verbal problems, just math equations. All pretty simple. If anything, the open questions are harder because I keep wondering if I might have made a rounding error :)

I did the advanced compass, so it might be different, but there is indeed a "follow the fight director" segment. Basically you're following the FD through a random path of climbs, turns, descends, etc etc, with the ball in the middle, while trying to maintain a certain speed. There was turbulence and unexpected airspeed drops you have to correct for. It only lasts a few minutes and you repeat this exercise a few times. You don't have to be perfect, it's bloody weird to do on a keyboard anyway! They just want to see some improvement every time.

Keep in mind, there is no "pass" or "fail" - you are graded compared to everybody that ever sat the compass test. The final scores just represent how you compare to other candidates. It just places you in a certain percentile, and the computer estimates what you might be weak at. Again, this is fine, they expect 3 to 4 improvement areas. It's normal. If you only have 1 or 2 you're golden!

If you're confident in yourself as a potential pilot, you have absolutely nothing to fear.

Thank you SeventhHeaven for the very useful information.

I guess the equations are all linear of did you get any quadratic? Any system of equations?

Also the speed/time/distance questions are related to uniform motion or did you also get questions related to uniformly accelerated motion?

What kind of physics did you find in the questions?

Thanks again for sharing!

You are still expecting waay too much.

There are no quadratic equations, no square roots, no differential equations, nothing of the sort. Just very simple stuff like 1024 / 4.5, 5=4y+9x, or converting Celsius to Fahrenheit (they give you the formula even), or thinking of the next number in the series, basic percentages, etc. It is nothing fancy. A teenager would pass this with his eyes closed. It's "challenging" because you are time pressured; You probably won't finish. If you can do + - / * you're set :P

Same for the science --> there isn't any. No linear acceleration, no centrifugal force, no momentum. Nothing scientific whatsoever. Just plain old mental maths you do every day when you go grocery shopping!

Again, I did the "advanced" test. I doubt the normal COMPASS would be any different. I will say - whoever you're testing with, they can still give you other tests as well. Maybe they will ask you basic physics, or maths that might make a teenager take out a calculator :P It's just not part of the COMPASS formula, so I can't help you with that! But even then, the ATPLs aren't scientific or mathematical either, so what could they really ask that would surprise you?

Don't worry about it mate. You'll be fine :) Best of luck and try to enjoy the day!

Thank you SeventhHeaven you're greatly appreciated!

As you said that you probablly won't finish for shortage of time, I was just wondering if the questions left with no answer will be accounted as fails or not.

In the first case is better to answer less questions but more accurately, in the second case it would be better to take as many shots as possible!

This info is really good. Thanks buddy. I am using the COMPASS test on LatestPilotJobs.com.. I am only finding the short term memory a bit difficult to memories all 4 values. Is Advance Flight Control also part of the COMPASS ? and what about Aviation English? I have attached 2 screen shots. Please help me.
Thanks

No. .

COMPASS and Advanced COMPASS are almost identical with two differences:

- flight director aptitutde test instead of basic aptitude test
- 10 simple ATPL questions instead of 10 physics questions

Aptitude testing only proves one thing conclusively, and that is you are capable or not capable of passing aptitude tests.
As so many have now been compromised by various "copy cat" versions, I am surprised that they are still used in their present versions.

As a well prepared candidate will have practiced on the appropriate copy cat versions, nothing less than 95% should be achieved. Their credibility is now deeply flawed.

If a potential junior birdman aspires to become an aviator, then take yourself off to a gliding or flying club, get yourself airborne.

A competent instructor will know after say 5 hours whether you have what it takes. Setting the known attitude and TRIMMING accurately is one of the acid tests.

@rudestuff,
Could you please be a little specific. Thanks in advance.

Certainly:

No, I did not take the Compass test.

I did take the Advanced Compass test and did not pass it. I admit I did not know what it really comprised of but apparently my training without any failures and good remarks from all my instructors, from PPL to ME-IR have become useless and passing these battery of computer games is more important. Especially after I passed the technical questionnaire.

Little preparation and my results improved quite a lot.

And good the market is good now!

Compass Test Prep
 

Hi,
I am taking my compass test for a flight school in the coming month. I understand that one aspect of the test is a Physics exam, does anyone know how advanced this Physics test is?
Many thanks

Yes I took it, will post feedback

Thank you would be much appreciated

Harryhawk1, it's pretty basic stuff. On my test I had questions about kinematics, basic electricity, torques, densities... It was pretty easy, general knowledge. You should be fine if you didn't take much days off at school ;)