UK Armed Forces
 

I am currently waiting to go away for my Flight Aptitude Test for the UK Royal Navy and was wondering if anyone can help with specifics on the tests they make you take?

I have a brief of things but cannot find anythng on the internet regarding Psychomotor testing, workrate test or mental capacity.

Can anyone help?

psychomotor - definition of psychomotor by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

relating to, or characterizing movements of the body associated with mental activity

quick search found the above !

Buddy of mine needed two cushions as well as his 'chute pack in order to see over the coaming (sp?) of the Chipamoth at Wallop. Subsequently went on to be a successful QHI and later on a successful civi 'bus driver

Probably changed since I did the tests in 196*, but the only thing I can say is "Stop and Think".

They certainly weren't things you could train for, or practice. They're designed to cut through all that, and simply determine whether you have: hand/eye coordination; the ability to analyse problems and think logically under pressure; organise a team; and not talk cr@p :)

I went through the system for both the RAF and the FAA - several times actually, to the point where the barman in the Candidates' Mess at Biggin Hill remembered me. I made it, eventually!

You are what you are - and I do hope, for your sake, it meets the requirements! Good luck. :ok:

BRNC 1963
OCTU 1965
Ret'd 1994

Can you find your nose with your finger and your eyes shut?

I seem to remember that was one test. Might have been standing on one leg at the time :)

It's possible that you can improve motor skills slightly by using PlayStation etc shoot'em up games. It's certain that you can improve mental maths through practice, I'd argue, particularly if you've not done any Maths for five/six years (GCSE to graduating).

Here's a handy link to the training pipeline for Royal Navy / Fleet Air Arm, RAF and Army commissioned / officer pilots / WSOs and non-commissioned RAF aircrew. RN Observers stand fast.

It's a few slides in Powerpoint - here - read, learn and inwardly digest, and be prepared to answer questions at AIB/OASC.

I've heard a rumour that the Military are considering to put the Fitness pass levels same for both Male and Female. Due to arguments over equal rights oppotunities? If so, would they opt to put the pass limits towards the Female Pass or the Male pass!? Arguements could spark off those Women, if it were put to male levels! Take Cover!:ugh:

Cheers AA! :ok:

morning, I've got a few questions:
first is about a driving licence; assuming i get in as a pilot, would the RAF pay for it? I believe they only do it for driving related jobs, but its worth asking :p

and the second is about a gap (halfish)year - if I were to finish 6th form and get accepted, I'd like to go to Australia for a bit - but i remember reading somewhere that if you've been out of the country for over 6 months in the last 4 years, you no longer meet entry requirements - or is it different because it's commonwealth?
and if I was selected for direct entry after 6th form, how long would it be before it gets serious and I'd have to start proper training? I'm trying to plan my last summer of freedom before my mates go to university haha :} thanks!

The Army teach drivers to drive. The Air Force teaches pilot how to fly. OK?

Shall we say about 6 months or more before you apply? Once you apply the gap between AFCO, OASC and IOT is a moveable feast based on supply and demand. Only if you had a really good reason would it be fair to ask for an IOT deferment.

As for gap year, not sure about your specific question but you can put a gap year to good use improving interpersonal skills, initiative, self-improvement etc or you could be a surf-bum and improve your fitness by day and ruin your health by night. Your call. Just remember that it can be a significant part of any interview process.

If you've been accepted to go Direct Entrant as soon as you've finished your A2s, then you could be going to IOT the second they're over.

In theory, it is possible to finish the exams on, say, Friday June 12th and be starting IOT on Sunday June 14th. In reality, I doubt that would be the case - they want to know you've definitely got the grades/entry requirements first, too. But anything more than 5-6 months is unlikely.

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

And translated this means keep off the coke and cafeine in the evening. Relax and don't get hyper. Don't disturb others who may have gone to bed earlier.

One thing to remember in all the tests - you are NOT in competition with the other candidates that day. You are in competiton with ALL the candidates who are awaiting selection now or in the future against the numbers needed.

At OASC, one of the things you will be assessed on is your 'followership' :) abilities. Are you a team player? One in a hundred may be selected as a prima donna but the majority must be competent all-round team players.

If you are tired and yawning don't expect any favours.

I have a quick question about the age limit for both the RAF and Navy. I know that the age limit for both forces is now 25. Does this mean that a candidate has until the day before their 25th birthday or the day before their 26th birthday to apply? I ask because I'm wondering whether I could complete my lawyer training (another two years in practice required) before I applied for either force.

Many thanks.

E_S - you've been asking bone questions for a long time now - I'd expect you to have checked the RAF website first:

Neither.

If the limit is 25 it means 25 as your age on entering service. Can you complete your legal training? Given your age and the need for a 2-year pupilage I think you are out of time for the one or the other. You certainly ned to kick off the application within the next 6-12 months.

Ok, I knew that the age limits are for the first day of training and I should have said so. What I'm really asking is whether on the first day of training the age limit is 24 and 364 days or 25 and 364 days?

Edit: I just had a look back at the previous post and realised that I'd already asked this question - although I didn't get a definitive answer. I suppose if no one knows the answer on here then I can pop into the local AFCO and ask.

From what I was told at the AFCO last week, for the Royal Navy, you need to be on your first day of training no later then your 26th birthday. So you are able to start on your 26th birthday, just not after it. I may be wrong, but this is what the guy at the AFCO told me, as I'll be 25.5 when I finish my degree, so need to get my apps in at the start of my third year.

As far as I am aware for the RAF it is simaler but the age is 25. So no starting after your 25th birthday.

Thanks for the response. I think a trip to the AFCO is in order to get an accurate answer.

If you don't mind me asking. Seen as you are looking at both the RAF and RN, what aircraft is it you are wanting to fly? Or just a general "I want to be a pilot" thing?