Gapan - Pilot Aptitude Assessment
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Negative. It involves attending the RAF's OASC at Cranwell and sitting various apptitude tests (as used by the RAF, BA, Virgin, no less).
Afterwards you get a comprehensive debrief, with some frank advice about your apptitude / suitability for further training. The idea is to prevent self-sponsored students throwing £50k at an ATPL and then finding they can't get through airline apptitude testing sessions.
At £150, it buys a lot of peace of mind. Check out www.gapan.org for more info.
Afterwards you get a comprehensive debrief, with some frank advice about your apptitude / suitability for further training. The idea is to prevent self-sponsored students throwing £50k at an ATPL and then finding they can't get through airline apptitude testing sessions.
At £150, it buys a lot of peace of mind. Check out www.gapan.org for more info.
Do you want a lift?
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Good afternoon G-SXTY
Out of interest, if in their opinion you didn't quite have what it takes, would you take their advice and stop dreaming about a commercial career??
Very best regards
Out of interest, if in their opinion you didn't quite have what it takes, would you take their advice and stop dreaming about a commercial career??
Very best regards
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Greetings Blindside! Has the sun tan worn off yet, or have you still got that Tom Cruise strut? 
You’ve asked a very, very interesting question. My instructor reckons that if I can solo in under 11 hours, flying once a fortnight in cacky UK wx, I can probably fly as well as the next man. However, I’m a bit more cautious, and would feel a lot better for a second opinion – particularly as these tests are the ones used by some major employers. I’m a bit nervous, because I’ve always done poorly in non-aviation psychometric testing – you know, the usual trick-cyclist thing; “Would you rather be a hamster or a baboon?”
However, I’d like to think that the RAF’s tests have a bit more scientific weight (any thoughts on this WWW?) so I’d take them a lot more seriously. Even if I didn’t believe in them, BA do, so I’d be a bit daft to ignore the results completely. In addition, the debrief afterwards should be a useful experience, giving me some guidance and a bit of interview practice.
Anyway, to get round to answering your question. If they told me that I’m a complete t*sser and they'd have to take my car keys off me for my own safety, I’d have to do some serious soul-searching about whether I’m chasing an unachievable dream, and whether I’d be better off sticking to a PPL. After all, I’d feel a bit gutted being told the same thing £50k down the road. However, I badly want an office window at FL350. I mean badly as in going to sleep thinking about it, dreaming about it and waking up thinking about it. Unless they tell me I’ve got the natural flying ability of a penguin, I’m going for it.
In short, every ATPL I’ve ever met has said the same thing, that sheer bloody-minded determination is the one thing that’ll get you through, so they’ll have to go some to put me off.
You’ve asked a very, very interesting question. My instructor reckons that if I can solo in under 11 hours, flying once a fortnight in cacky UK wx, I can probably fly as well as the next man. However, I’m a bit more cautious, and would feel a lot better for a second opinion – particularly as these tests are the ones used by some major employers. I’m a bit nervous, because I’ve always done poorly in non-aviation psychometric testing – you know, the usual trick-cyclist thing; “Would you rather be a hamster or a baboon?”
However, I’d like to think that the RAF’s tests have a bit more scientific weight (any thoughts on this WWW?) so I’d take them a lot more seriously. Even if I didn’t believe in them, BA do, so I’d be a bit daft to ignore the results completely. In addition, the debrief afterwards should be a useful experience, giving me some guidance and a bit of interview practice.
Anyway, to get round to answering your question. If they told me that I’m a complete t*sser and they'd have to take my car keys off me for my own safety, I’d have to do some serious soul-searching about whether I’m chasing an unachievable dream, and whether I’d be better off sticking to a PPL. After all, I’d feel a bit gutted being told the same thing £50k down the road. However, I badly want an office window at FL350. I mean badly as in going to sleep thinking about it, dreaming about it and waking up thinking about it. Unless they tell me I’ve got the natural flying ability of a penguin, I’m going for it.
In short, every ATPL I’ve ever met has said the same thing, that sheer bloody-minded determination is the one thing that’ll get you through, so they’ll have to go some to put me off.
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just a quick note,
I did the RAF tests last august with another freind of mine & thankfully got a high score. My freind however although he had a good score, it wasnt quite as good (soz gazza!) we both went together to get some licences & ratings and one thing was coming through that was quite interesting.... I managed to complete my multi in 7 hours and passed first time, whereas Mr X ended up taking about 13/14 and busted the first test. all through the physical training this has been the case. so the tests are not really saying you cant do it, (unless you get a really really bad score) but more the point that the higher score you get, the easier you'll probabl find it, the lower score you get, the harder you'll have to work to get that office window at FL350! I should be there too, so drop me a line or say hello!
I did the RAF tests last august with another freind of mine & thankfully got a high score. My freind however although he had a good score, it wasnt quite as good (soz gazza!) we both went together to get some licences & ratings and one thing was coming through that was quite interesting.... I managed to complete my multi in 7 hours and passed first time, whereas Mr X ended up taking about 13/14 and busted the first test. all through the physical training this has been the case. so the tests are not really saying you cant do it, (unless you get a really really bad score) but more the point that the higher score you get, the easier you'll probabl find it, the lower score you get, the harder you'll have to work to get that office window at FL350! I should be there too, so drop me a line or say hello!
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Good point BBB.
I suspect that the GAPAN tests are no different to any other ability test or exam. Some people breeze through effortlessly, some find it harder and have to put in much more effort to get the same result, some are better off staying at home.
Not dissimilar to flying (funnily enough). A few lucky people were born with wings, some will always struggle, the rest are somewhere in between. Like I said before, I’m after peace of mind, and I’ll be happy with any diagnosis short of ‘complete incompetent.’
See you there!
I suspect that the GAPAN tests are no different to any other ability test or exam. Some people breeze through effortlessly, some find it harder and have to put in much more effort to get the same result, some are better off staying at home.
Not dissimilar to flying (funnily enough). A few lucky people were born with wings, some will always struggle, the rest are somewhere in between. Like I said before, I’m after peace of mind, and I’ll be happy with any diagnosis short of ‘complete incompetent.’
See you there!
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I'll be completely incontinent by the end of that day at Cranwell me thinks....
I shall break my last dollar to be there on the 27th ... heck thats three days after my birthday ... another year gone! I have almost no idea what the current Gapan tests are like, although I only dropped one point in EPST's Compass test. I wonder how the two compare...
SS
I shall break my last dollar to be there on the 27th ... heck thats three days after my birthday ... another year gone! I have almost no idea what the current Gapan tests are like, although I only dropped one point in EPST's Compass test. I wonder how the two compare...
SS
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There's no hard and fast mark above which you'll make it and below which you won't. The tests give an indication of your chances of making it all the way to the end of professional training. They're not infallible (they can't measure determination!), and they don't completely filter out previous experience (flying or computers) but, nevertheless, they do correlate well with real-world experience.
I think that if you have a very low score and they tell you things aren't looking good, and then it takes you 40 hours of continuous training to go solo, you're probably better off investing your £50k elsewhere! But it's your money (eventually) and your call, no-one else can make the decision for you.
[ 24 August 2001: Message edited by: scroggs ]
I think that if you have a very low score and they tell you things aren't looking good, and then it takes you 40 hours of continuous training to go solo, you're probably better off investing your £50k elsewhere! But it's your money (eventually) and your call, no-one else can make the decision for you.
[ 24 August 2001: Message edited by: scroggs ]
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
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Grab as much info from the informal chat with the GAPAN bod afterwards. I had an ex-BA Captain and he was the perfect chap for a down to earth, honest and valuable opinion. We had quite a chuckle actually! 
VFE.
PS: Stay cool and relaxed and you'll stand a much better chance of maximising your abilities.
VFE.
PS: Stay cool and relaxed and you'll stand a much better chance of maximising your abilities.
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just another quick note for ya guys that are coming down... smart apperance, you wanna create a good impression with the GAPAN guys, believe it or not, they are quite powerful peeps that will remember if you turned up in jeans & a t-shirt! (you dont want that happening on your airline interview!!!!)
c u guys there!
c u guys there!
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BBB - would never have thought otherwise ... suit & tie it is. I shall be there on the 27th and need to find somewhere to stay the night before as it takes about 4hrs from here.
SS
SS
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theres a good little travelodge about 2 miles down the road from there, its cheap (about 40 quid if I remember right!) clean & somewhere to get a decent nights kip before hand! if you need any more info, drop me a line!
Supercharged PPRuNer
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GAPAN aptitude tests
Having recently sat these tests, I thought it would be useful for other wannabes to get an idea of what is involved.
GAPAN started running the scheme a few years ago to give self-sponsored students a chance to get an objective measure of their suitability for airline training. The website ( www.gapan.org ) has got all the details, so I won’t repeat everything here, but basically they want to save people the grief of blowing upwards of £50k on training, only to find out that they can’t get through airline selection procedures. (Or even worse, make it to a right hand seat and then struggle throughout their careers).
The tests, which cost £150, are conducted at RAF Cranwell and – as WWW & others frequently point out, are recognised as the world standard in aptitude testing. I thought long and hard about the cost, as it could pay for another 1.5 hours in my log book (to go with my whopping 23 hour total) but decided that set against £50k plus, it was pretty small change. In any case I wanted the peace of mind of an impartial assessment - although I went solo in 10 hours and am told by my instructor that I’m ahead of the curve (and look good in a pair of RayBans
) its very difficult to be objective about ones own potential.
So, cheque duly sent, the big day came and G SXTY’s G60 zoomed up the A1, with a fellow Ppruner on board for company. Once everyone had arrived, we were given an introduction to GAPAN, as well as a thorough brief on the tests themselves. Candidates’ suitability for training is graded from HIGH, through HIGH AVERAGE, and AVERAGE to LOW. (A score of High Average or above would be required for RAF aircrew). A LOW grade would be a disappointment, but GAPAN point out that this shouldn’t necessarily deter you – Orville & Wilbur didn’t do too many aptitude tests. At the very least, you’ll have a clearer idea of your abilities. Anyway, without further ado, we trooped into the testing suite and were each sat at a computer terminal with keypad, joystick & rudder pedals. The on-screen instructions are clear, and you can take as much time as you need to understand them
The first tests examine eye / hand / foot co-ordination, firstly using a joystick & rudder pedals to keep a dot centred on a cross (while the computer tries to drag it away) and secondly using the joystick to align the dot with a series of dots that descend the screen. If you can fly an ILS approach in FS2000 in gusty conditions, you’ll be quite at home with these tests. Each one lasts a couple of minutes and requires a very delicate touch, as there is no springing or resistance in the controls. It’s quite draining, and the break before the next tests is very welcome.
The second set examine spatial reasoning, i.e. the ability to think in 3D. You are presented with an aircraft instrument panel containing the basic instruments (AI, compass, ASI, VSI & turn co-ordinator), are given 5 descriptions of an aircraft in flight, and have to chose the description that matches. Then its just the AI and compass, together with 5 pictures of aircraft – again you choose the one that matches the instruments. This is where the rather 1980s graphics are at their worst, and its sometimes quite difficult to decide which side (or even which end) of an aircraft you’re looking at. Then again, maybe its just my eyesight.
The next series tests short-term memory. A number string is shown for 5 seconds, and you have to type it back in when the screen goes blank. Up to 8 digits isn’t too bad, as you can memorise 2 strings of 4, but by the time it got to 11 digits, I was a quivering wreck underneath the desk. Hint: You get credit for each correct digit, with no negative marking, so you can at least memorise part of the number and guess the rest.
The final test is about speed / accuracy & prioritising tasks. You are given a grid with X & Y axis co-ordinates, and have to type in the coordinate to delete shapes as they appear randomly on the grid. To really make it fun, a priority shape appears every now and then, which you have to cancel first by pressing another button before the co-ordinates. This is another destruction test, as the shapes appear must faster than you could ever delete them. I would guess that the key is to keep plugging away and not allow yourself to get too flustered. I tried to concentrate just on one side of the grid and keep an eye out for the priorities, which made the task much easier to manage.
Once this is over, you can relax, go and grab a drink, and wait for everyone else to finish. There’s no marks for finishing first, so don’t worry if people start getting up and leaving while you’re only half way through.
When everyone has finished, you return to reception while the results are processed, and wait to be called in for a one to one interview. The debrief is with one of the GAPAN volunteers, all of whom are senior airline pilots with training and/or recruitment experience – i.e. the sort of people you want to listen to.
My interview was with none other than Capt. David Rowland, formerly B.A.’s Concorde Operations Manager. As pride of place in my video collection (the family one, that is) is a flightdeck video of ‘Speedbird one’, driven by one David Rowland, I was chuffed to say the least. Needless to say, we spent about 5 minutes discussing the test results, and 20 minutes chatting about Concorde. . .
The aim is to give each candidate as much time as they need to talk through both the tests, and their options & plans. Its a great chance to have an informal chat with the type of person you’d normally only meet at a job interview, and this sort of advice & experience is worth a few bob on its own. I was fortunate enough to be graded ‘HIGH’ (as was my Ppruning passenger, so at least we were on speaking terms on the way home). In the words of Les Dawson, no-one goes away empty handed, and you get a letter from GAPAN confirming your grade, which is something well worth putting on CVs and taking to interviews.
So what does one get out of the day? For me, it was a chance to have a ‘dry run’ at the industry standard aptitude tests, a chance to discuss my plans with a very senior airline pilot, and an opportunity to meet a lot of like-minded people. Above all it was confirmation for my head that my heart was making the right career move. For all that, £150 seems like a pretty small price to pay.
If anyone wants to correct me on any of this, or add something I’ve forgotten, please feel free. Hopefully it’ll be a useful thread for anyone considering the tests, or who hasn’t heard of them before.
[Edited for out of control smilies ]
[ 24 October 2001: Message edited by: G SXTY ]
[ 24 October 2001: Message edited by: G SXTY ]
GAPAN started running the scheme a few years ago to give self-sponsored students a chance to get an objective measure of their suitability for airline training. The website ( www.gapan.org ) has got all the details, so I won’t repeat everything here, but basically they want to save people the grief of blowing upwards of £50k on training, only to find out that they can’t get through airline selection procedures. (Or even worse, make it to a right hand seat and then struggle throughout their careers).
The tests, which cost £150, are conducted at RAF Cranwell and – as WWW & others frequently point out, are recognised as the world standard in aptitude testing. I thought long and hard about the cost, as it could pay for another 1.5 hours in my log book (to go with my whopping 23 hour total) but decided that set against £50k plus, it was pretty small change. In any case I wanted the peace of mind of an impartial assessment - although I went solo in 10 hours and am told by my instructor that I’m ahead of the curve (and look good in a pair of RayBans
) its very difficult to be objective about ones own potential.So, cheque duly sent, the big day came and G SXTY’s G60 zoomed up the A1, with a fellow Ppruner on board for company. Once everyone had arrived, we were given an introduction to GAPAN, as well as a thorough brief on the tests themselves. Candidates’ suitability for training is graded from HIGH, through HIGH AVERAGE, and AVERAGE to LOW. (A score of High Average or above would be required for RAF aircrew). A LOW grade would be a disappointment, but GAPAN point out that this shouldn’t necessarily deter you – Orville & Wilbur didn’t do too many aptitude tests. At the very least, you’ll have a clearer idea of your abilities. Anyway, without further ado, we trooped into the testing suite and were each sat at a computer terminal with keypad, joystick & rudder pedals. The on-screen instructions are clear, and you can take as much time as you need to understand them
The first tests examine eye / hand / foot co-ordination, firstly using a joystick & rudder pedals to keep a dot centred on a cross (while the computer tries to drag it away) and secondly using the joystick to align the dot with a series of dots that descend the screen. If you can fly an ILS approach in FS2000 in gusty conditions, you’ll be quite at home with these tests. Each one lasts a couple of minutes and requires a very delicate touch, as there is no springing or resistance in the controls. It’s quite draining, and the break before the next tests is very welcome.
The second set examine spatial reasoning, i.e. the ability to think in 3D. You are presented with an aircraft instrument panel containing the basic instruments (AI, compass, ASI, VSI & turn co-ordinator), are given 5 descriptions of an aircraft in flight, and have to chose the description that matches. Then its just the AI and compass, together with 5 pictures of aircraft – again you choose the one that matches the instruments. This is where the rather 1980s graphics are at their worst, and its sometimes quite difficult to decide which side (or even which end) of an aircraft you’re looking at. Then again, maybe its just my eyesight.
The next series tests short-term memory. A number string is shown for 5 seconds, and you have to type it back in when the screen goes blank. Up to 8 digits isn’t too bad, as you can memorise 2 strings of 4, but by the time it got to 11 digits, I was a quivering wreck underneath the desk. Hint: You get credit for each correct digit, with no negative marking, so you can at least memorise part of the number and guess the rest.
The final test is about speed / accuracy & prioritising tasks. You are given a grid with X & Y axis co-ordinates, and have to type in the coordinate to delete shapes as they appear randomly on the grid. To really make it fun, a priority shape appears every now and then, which you have to cancel first by pressing another button before the co-ordinates. This is another destruction test, as the shapes appear must faster than you could ever delete them. I would guess that the key is to keep plugging away and not allow yourself to get too flustered. I tried to concentrate just on one side of the grid and keep an eye out for the priorities, which made the task much easier to manage.
Once this is over, you can relax, go and grab a drink, and wait for everyone else to finish. There’s no marks for finishing first, so don’t worry if people start getting up and leaving while you’re only half way through.
When everyone has finished, you return to reception while the results are processed, and wait to be called in for a one to one interview. The debrief is with one of the GAPAN volunteers, all of whom are senior airline pilots with training and/or recruitment experience – i.e. the sort of people you want to listen to.
My interview was with none other than Capt. David Rowland, formerly B.A.’s Concorde Operations Manager. As pride of place in my video collection (the family one, that is
) is a flightdeck video of ‘Speedbird one’, driven by one David Rowland, I was chuffed to say the least. Needless to say, we spent about 5 minutes discussing the test results, and 20 minutes chatting about Concorde. . .The aim is to give each candidate as much time as they need to talk through both the tests, and their options & plans. Its a great chance to have an informal chat with the type of person you’d normally only meet at a job interview, and this sort of advice & experience is worth a few bob on its own. I was fortunate enough to be graded ‘HIGH’ (as was my Ppruning passenger, so at least we were on speaking terms on the way home). In the words of Les Dawson, no-one goes away empty handed, and you get a letter from GAPAN confirming your grade, which is something well worth putting on CVs and taking to interviews.
So what does one get out of the day? For me, it was a chance to have a ‘dry run’ at the industry standard aptitude tests, a chance to discuss my plans with a very senior airline pilot, and an opportunity to meet a lot of like-minded people. Above all it was confirmation for my head that my heart was making the right career move. For all that, £150 seems like a pretty small price to pay.
If anyone wants to correct me on any of this, or add something I’ve forgotten, please feel free. Hopefully it’ll be a useful thread for anyone considering the tests, or who hasn’t heard of them before.
[Edited for out of control smilies
][ 24 October 2001: Message edited by: G SXTY ]
[ 24 October 2001: Message edited by: G SXTY ]
I'm glad that you found the Guild's aptitude tests so useful - and I hope that you scored well.
Incidentally, another 'plus' you appear to have is good written English skills. Certain airlines put a lot of importance on written and oral communications skills which are often noted as being very poor.
I know that the members of the Guild's Education and Training Committee (who orgainse these tests) read PPRuNe and will be pleased to read your post!
Good luck with your aviation career - it'll be worth all the effort and expense when the smile comes to your face as you reach Vr for the first time in your first jet!!
Incidentally, another 'plus' you appear to have is good written English skills. Certain airlines put a lot of importance on written and oral communications skills which are often noted as being very poor.
I know that the members of the Guild's Education and Training Committee (who orgainse these tests) read PPRuNe and will be pleased to read your post!
Good luck with your aviation career - it'll be worth all the effort and expense when the smile comes to your face as you reach Vr for the first time in your first jet!!
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GAPAN tests aptitude, but where can i find out whether i'd pass the psychometric tests.
Heard many a story in these forums of pilots forking out for training only then to fail an airline psychometric test.
I think i've just failed a psychometric test for a customer services job at a bank...hopefully that doesn't mean i'd fail a pilot psychometric test.....
I'd appreciate any further information on this.
g10
Heard many a story in these forums of pilots forking out for training only then to fail an airline psychometric test.
I think i've just failed a psychometric test for a customer services job at a bank...hopefully that doesn't mean i'd fail a pilot psychometric test.....
I'd appreciate any further information on this.
g10
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A really good post.
1 quick question if I may, for the cross test you said rudders and joystick are used. Is the rudder used for left and right movement and the joystick for up and down?
g10 you cannot fail a psychometric test, no such thing as failure. According to the bank you do not have the right personality/interests to work within their company. Companies look for different qualities, you just have to be honest when filling out the test and hope for the best.
Sagey
1 quick question if I may, for the cross test you said rudders and joystick are used. Is the rudder used for left and right movement and the joystick for up and down?
g10 you cannot fail a psychometric test, no such thing as failure. According to the bank you do not have the right personality/interests to work within their company. Companies look for different qualities, you just have to be honest when filling out the test and hope for the best.
Sagey