Gapan - Pilot Aptitude Assessment
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When I took GAPAN tests about 18 months ago, there were 38 people there, of which 3 got "high", 8 got "low" and the rest were in the middle.
Maybe it is a case of the ones that score low daren't say on our illustrious PPRuNe
Maybe it is a case of the ones that score low daren't say on our illustrious PPRuNe
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While verbal reasoning is part of most selection procedures, it is not really a test of aptitude. Verbal reasoning can be prepared for and significantly improved through self-study. It is not in itself an innate talent, it is the result of a process of education and logical development. You may have more aptitude for verbal reasoning than the next guy, but if he's studied it more than you he may well beat you in the exam.
The aptitude tests per se are a tool to assess your motor responses to certain stimulae. While your results can be improved through practice, the tests will still show who has acceptable aptitude - or, perhaps more significantly, they will show who has not!
Scroggs
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The aptitude tests per se are a tool to assess your motor responses to certain stimulae. While your results can be improved through practice, the tests will still show who has acceptable aptitude - or, perhaps more significantly, they will show who has not!
Scroggs
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I sat the GAPAN tests in 1990 for the RAF, BA aptitudes in 2000 and GAPAN for myself in 2001. I passed all, but the differences...
The RAF set had a seperate set of navigation tests which involved lots of sums in a very short space of time, and a lot of time pressure reading from charts, but aside from that there wasn't much difference between that and GAPAN as paid for by Joe Public. The BA tests had some similar tests but also some interesting additions but all in all you could see they were all testing similar things, why would an airline pilot want to shoot down the enemy
But out of the crowd that I sat GAPAN with there were mostly Average High and Average scores (the scores being High, Average High, Average and Low).
From the several places where I've sat verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning, (pilot and engineering), they have all stated that there is no pass mark, though I'm sure a low mark would exclude you, but it gives them a good idea about you, are you an all rounder? or purely mathematical?.
But as Scroggs says I think it is more a tool to find who are not suitable rather than a tool to find who is most suitable.
If any thing they need some form of yardstick just to reduce numbers.
The RAF set had a seperate set of navigation tests which involved lots of sums in a very short space of time, and a lot of time pressure reading from charts, but aside from that there wasn't much difference between that and GAPAN as paid for by Joe Public. The BA tests had some similar tests but also some interesting additions but all in all you could see they were all testing similar things, why would an airline pilot want to shoot down the enemy
But out of the crowd that I sat GAPAN with there were mostly Average High and Average scores (the scores being High, Average High, Average and Low).
From the several places where I've sat verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning, (pilot and engineering), they have all stated that there is no pass mark, though I'm sure a low mark would exclude you, but it gives them a good idea about you, are you an all rounder? or purely mathematical?.
But as Scroggs says I think it is more a tool to find who are not suitable rather than a tool to find who is most suitable.
If any thing they need some form of yardstick just to reduce numbers.
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Thanks for all your replies.
I agree that perhaps the main use of aptitude tests is to weed out those who score low. For everyone else, aptitude is one small part of what's needed to succeed in this game, along with perseverance, family support, financial resources, an overriding passion for flying, luck and friends in the right places.
I agree that perhaps the main use of aptitude tests is to weed out those who score low. For everyone else, aptitude is one small part of what's needed to succeed in this game, along with perseverance, family support, financial resources, an overriding passion for flying, luck and friends in the right places.
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Mintflavour was asking about the difference between GAPAN and BA testing. I took the GAPAN / RAF tests last week too and also got a high.
I was chuffed about this as I was expecting maybe an average at best. My low expectations were mostly because I wasn't selected for interview after taking the BA tests and I had the same experience at Oxford. Both these were a while back now and I could not get feedback on either. Although I brushed it off at the time, this did had a negative mental impact on me (woe is me, I'm a failure)
..seriously though, rejection is never good, so I wanted to do Gapan to find out my chances. Hence my delight at not failing miserably.
And the differences....
Airlines do not just test aptitude, they also do the mental/verbal reasoning type tests as well as those mind numbing personality test (200 odd questions?). These tests result in various graphs depicting 'you'. If your graph does not fit the company profile it's 'thank's but...' time. This type of testing is done more and more by all sorts of companies, it may seem unfair but that's life.
So, GAPAN / RAF test your abilities as a potential pilot, an airline will test whether you will fit into their company....as a pilot. And usually, the bar is set unusually high. This is because the interest is so high, they can basically afford to cherry pick but also don't have the resource to interview thousands of applicants so they weed out the best as soon as possible (again, sorry but that's life!).
The Gapan chaps are also very helpful and the most useful part of the whole day is the debrief after the test. These people are highly experienced pilots and are happy to answer any quesions you may have.
So, I'm glad I invested a day and £150 to go over to Cranwell, I was very worried for a while that I may come out with a low (apparently 20% do). Maybe you should be prepared for this beforehand (to hell with them I'll do it anyway or OK, lets forget the whole hairbrained idea) because the impression I got was that if you come out low they truly believe you shouldn't waste your money.
I seem to have ranted on but hope this helps others who are perhaps feeling dispondant after going to sponsorship selection and not making the grade. It doesn't mean you would make a crappy pilot! Only a small percentage get sponsorship (the lucky ******s) so don't give up on it!
So, well done Footsie, what's your next move? And good luck to anyone whose signed up for future tests, over all I think it's a very good idea.
T
I was chuffed about this as I was expecting maybe an average at best. My low expectations were mostly because I wasn't selected for interview after taking the BA tests and I had the same experience at Oxford. Both these were a while back now and I could not get feedback on either. Although I brushed it off at the time, this did had a negative mental impact on me (woe is me, I'm a failure)
..seriously though, rejection is never good, so I wanted to do Gapan to find out my chances. Hence my delight at not failing miserably.And the differences....
Airlines do not just test aptitude, they also do the mental/verbal reasoning type tests as well as those mind numbing personality test (200 odd questions?). These tests result in various graphs depicting 'you'. If your graph does not fit the company profile it's 'thank's but...' time. This type of testing is done more and more by all sorts of companies, it may seem unfair but that's life.
So, GAPAN / RAF test your abilities as a potential pilot, an airline will test whether you will fit into their company....as a pilot. And usually, the bar is set unusually high. This is because the interest is so high, they can basically afford to cherry pick but also don't have the resource to interview thousands of applicants so they weed out the best as soon as possible (again, sorry but that's life!).
The Gapan chaps are also very helpful and the most useful part of the whole day is the debrief after the test. These people are highly experienced pilots and are happy to answer any quesions you may have.
So, I'm glad I invested a day and £150 to go over to Cranwell, I was very worried for a while that I may come out with a low (apparently 20% do). Maybe you should be prepared for this beforehand (to hell with them I'll do it anyway or OK, lets forget the whole hairbrained idea) because the impression I got was that if you come out low they truly believe you shouldn't waste your money.
I seem to have ranted on but hope this helps others who are perhaps feeling dispondant after going to sponsorship selection and not making the grade. It doesn't mean you would make a crappy pilot! Only a small percentage get sponsorship (the lucky ******s) so don't give up on it!
So, well done Footsie, what's your next move? And good luck to anyone whose signed up for future tests, over all I think it's a very good idea.
T
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Tim,
You are obviously not the kind of chap who gives up at the first hurdle - good on you!
I fear rejection more than anything. I am quite used to a very, very high success rate in interviews and tests in my current career (IT - yawn). However, this pilot thing is by far the most challenging move I have made. Every step is slog and worry. If GAPAN can lift your spirits and give you renewed vigour, then I am pleased for you.
Hope you get there in the end mate.
Good Luck!
You are obviously not the kind of chap who gives up at the first hurdle - good on you!
I fear rejection more than anything. I am quite used to a very, very high success rate in interviews and tests in my current career (IT - yawn). However, this pilot thing is by far the most challenging move I have made. Every step is slog and worry. If GAPAN can lift your spirits and give you renewed vigour, then I am pleased for you.
Hope you get there in the end mate.
Good Luck!
I work on the same GAPAN committee as those who run the GAPAN aptitude tests and have had a good insight into their methods.
If you have scored well, you can rest assured that you will probably be very successful in your future civil aviation career. There is excellent correlation between GAPAN and Morrisby tests; the parameters assessed for the RAF differ somewhat from those assessed for GAPAN due to the different personal qualities needed. But a good result is definitely that; GAPAN's skill in identifying future airlline prospects is held in high esteem by the airlines - and even though people might have paid a fair amount of dosh to attend, if their performance was weak they would have been debriefed accordingly!
My heartiest congratulations to all of you who achieved high scores - you have the right stuff for the airlines!!
If you have scored well, you can rest assured that you will probably be very successful in your future civil aviation career. There is excellent correlation between GAPAN and Morrisby tests; the parameters assessed for the RAF differ somewhat from those assessed for GAPAN due to the different personal qualities needed. But a good result is definitely that; GAPAN's skill in identifying future airlline prospects is held in high esteem by the airlines - and even though people might have paid a fair amount of dosh to attend, if their performance was weak they would have been debriefed accordingly!
My heartiest congratulations to all of you who achieved high scores - you have the right stuff for the airlines!!
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My heartiest congratulations to all of you who achieved high scores - you have the right stuff for the airlines!!
There is excellent correlation between GAPAN and Morrisby tests
I know you mean that people who do well in GAPANs do well in Morrisby tests but there is no way they test the same thing
http://www.gapan.org
http://www.morrisby.com/
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GAPAN APTITUDE TESTS
Over the past year 32% of the candidates for the GAPAN Cranwell Aptitude Tests have achieved a ‘high’ rating whilst 26% have sadly got a ‘low’ rating. These latter ones are those whom we suggest might do well to reconsider their career plans. The balance (42%) of course were what we class as having an average chance of success. The validity of the tests has been well proven over many years and the doubters might like to know that they take the full RAF battery of five tests - there is no question of a subset for the civilian candidates.
Those with a high rating should be well pleased with themselves as they would also be acceptable for RAF training. The RAF retain the results on record in the event that the candidate decides to apply for RAF training. The tests predict the chance of success in training up to CPL/IR or RAF wings.
Chris Hodgkinson
Technical Director
Those with a high rating should be well pleased with themselves as they would also be acceptable for RAF training. The RAF retain the results on record in the event that the candidate decides to apply for RAF training. The tests predict the chance of success in training up to CPL/IR or RAF wings.
Chris Hodgkinson
Technical Director
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I found the GAPAN testing a very positive experience. The de-brief was well constructed and most importantly honest. The gentleman who spoke to me was an ex-BA training Captain, and as I sat in front of him I expected to hear the words 'not a chance' and 'forget about it' creep up. However I could not have been further from the truth, and I came out with an extremely positive outlook on the situation. Although it was only an indication on my chance of success, I hope it's spot on!
GAPAN testing in my view is worthwhile, and could save you quite a bit of money!
Good luck
GAPAN testing in my view is worthwhile, and could save you quite a bit of money!
Good luck
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One thing I would like to find out, guys.....
What are the GAPAN tests like? Are they like the CTC ones, that is, the hand eye coordination, multi task, arithmetics, operating the aircraft tests (all computer-based).....? Or are they different?
I suppose you do not have Verbal Reasoning or MAths tests..??!!
Could you share your experience of these tests?
Thanks for your replies.....
What are the GAPAN tests like? Are they like the CTC ones, that is, the hand eye coordination, multi task, arithmetics, operating the aircraft tests (all computer-based).....? Or are they different?
I suppose you do not have Verbal Reasoning or MAths tests..??!!
Could you share your experience of these tests?
Thanks for your replies.....
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about 3 weeks ago i wrote about 40 letters to all airlines employing british pilots at present. Since then i have had about 10 replies( not bad i think?!). My letter basically asked the question of employability when i have a frozen ATPL (and about 200 hours). A couple of the letters i received back suggested to go for this aptitude test with GAPAN - they even suggested it was worth including in a CV to the airline when i come to apply in about 18months?!
However, i also took the COMPASS tests at CTC for easyJet selection about a month ago - these were really tricky!! Back when i was 17 i took the tests for RAF Flying scholarship (luckily passed) and these are the same as the GAPAN tests. In comparison the CTC tests were much more difficult - so the question i've asked my self is are CTC tests meant to put you off? OR are GAPAN tests not tough enough?? tricky one!! In reality i think easyJEts tests wanted the top 5% of the population (not me unfortunately) - whether this was a scam or not i dont know? (those tests cost me £164.50!! - and no certificate to say pass or fail).
So in conclusion, airlines obviously do take note of GAPAN test (i have written evidence).
However, i also took the COMPASS tests at CTC for easyJet selection about a month ago - these were really tricky!! Back when i was 17 i took the tests for RAF Flying scholarship (luckily passed) and these are the same as the GAPAN tests. In comparison the CTC tests were much more difficult - so the question i've asked my self is are CTC tests meant to put you off? OR are GAPAN tests not tough enough?? tricky one!! In reality i think easyJEts tests wanted the top 5% of the population (not me unfortunately) - whether this was a scam or not i dont know? (those tests cost me £164.50!! - and no certificate to say pass or fail).
So in conclusion, airlines obviously do take note of GAPAN test (i have written evidence).
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CTC's procedure is all about selection, rather than pure aptitude per se. While many of their applicants may have the aptitude to fly, CTC only have courses for 72 a year. Therefore they have to use more discriminating tests to whittle the hundreds down to 72. It's not a scam, just a normal selection process. You're comparing apples and pears!
Scroggs
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Aptitude test (who needs GAPAN?)
Recently whilst researching aptitude tests I stumbled upon this...
http://195.92.224.73/j20/content/host.asp
Just wondered if any of you think I have the correct aptitude for flying? My first attempt score was 64300.
http://195.92.224.73/j20/content/host.asp
Just wondered if any of you think I have the correct aptitude for flying? My first attempt score was 64300.
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71749.
I think there must be something wrong with my computer- have you seen the high score table? People with double that score and more! They clearly need harder jobs!
Ciao!
I think there must be something wrong with my computer- have you seen the high score table? People with double that score and more! They clearly need harder jobs!
Ciao!