Aptitude tests & Pilapt - Merged

[Heffer]

Can anyone recommend any particular book with practice aptitude tests from which they found real benefit when actually sitting an airline aptitude test?

[SpannerInTheWerks]

Unlikely you'll find any books on the subject.

That's the thing about 'aptitude' - you've either got it or you haven't!

You can't read about it or learn it.

Cheers,

SITW

[soviet bloc]

with respect to SITW that is completely untrue, I took computer based aptitude tests for a certain organisation and failed the lot. I simply made a decision that I would not let these b/s tests stunt my career. I spent the next 3 months finding books and visiting websites, and brushing up mental arithmatic etc. I went to take the tests again, and not only did I pass but I totally cleaned up.
Also when I was 16 I totally messed up the RAF tests, to the extent that they told me not to bother again, then 2 years later I passed them (but decided not to work for the government)
The SHL website is pretty good, also many books in the major shops, I used to be a poor student, so I'd buy a few, photocopy the relevent bits, take em back and then do the same a couple more times, also libraries are good and if you have access to one a university graduate service office usually have loads of stuff.

OK it's true that you either have apptitude or not TO AN EXTENT but that does not mean you can't train yourself to pass the tests, and with the same hard work and dedication become a successful pilot. Just depends how much you want it.
Those who say otherwise are usually exceptionally talented, and a certain amount of arrogance has led them to believe that the rest of the world are unable to improve themselved to a level which they are lucky enough to have naturally. all it takes is a decision. peace.
sb
Remember the only natural pilots were those who hatched out of an egg.

[tailwheel76]

Try any good bookshop or Amazon and ask for mental aptitude books. As Spanner says you won't (probably) find anything airline specific but books like "How to win at Aptitude tests", Iain Maitland, at least get you in the right frame of mind with worked examples and loads of practice material. So when you're asked a long multiplication question you won't waste time racking your brains wishing you'd paid more attention in GCSE maths, or if you have to make a square out of 5 different pieces you'll have some method.

If you have an interview try and find out the type of test they use, that way you can do an internet search on it. Although you won't know or find the exact same questions at least you may be able to find the format. Every little piece of info to give you a heads up will help.

[ANDRE25i]

Although initially a believer that aptitude test couldnt be "practiced" for; I proved myself wrong. I happened to pass the Qantas cadet pilot psychometric test; which is elusive for being difficult. With failure rates as high as 90%+; and the difficulty of obtaining a second chance; I bought myself a number of books to practice.
I found that the more I practiced; the more familiar I was with the genre of test; the quicker I went and more accurate I became.
The psychometric test I was given, encompasses a verbal test; numerical test, spatial test, and diagrammatic/commands test.
It is possible to study for the verbal, and numerical. The spatial on the other hand, can cause worries. I simply cut/folded up a box, and played around with it, viewing it from various angles, and tried to visualise objects from differing angles. (everyday items)
I developed a systematic number system which helped me in the diagrammatic/command test.
I read the newspaper, scanning all headlines, but in particular the business section, economy, major events, technical reports.... I also did lots of crosswords.... and looked at the dictionary..... This was beneficial with the verbal test; a lot.
For the numerical, I studied tables of data; the questions were primarily data interpretation and i found that after a lot of practice, all timed, that i developed familiarity with types of questions, that they were becoming repetitive!!!
However if one seeks to apply and qualify for a cadet programme; one must naturally be a high achiever at school, academically; and possess excellent health and fitness. In the end, its those that want it most that get it.

cheers, hope this sheds some light....

[geordiejet]

I think prospects.ac.uk has a lot of guidance for them, and careers.ncl.ac.uk will soon add a section on the tests with some practice ones.

[SpannerInTheWerks]

Apologises to some extent - I think our definitions of 'aptitude' are at odds?!

Mental arithmetic and written tests can be 'revised' for I agree. These are more 'intelligence' tests than 'aptitude' tests (such as the military tests you take to be assessed for your 'aptitude' to train as a pilot or navigator). In RAF terms you either have or haven't got the 'aptitude' to be pilot or navigator. No amount of revising will achieve that in their terms.

Anyway, let's not get bogged down - I wasn't trying to cause a stir!!!

I have always read books to prepare for interview and it is a good way to prepare - and instill some confidence in oneself during those difficult encounters at interview!

Cheers

SITW

[manuel.stocker]

I found a book "Der Pilotentest" which has a lot of information and tests. The examples in the book I met 1 to 1 in airline-interviews. But the book is in German.

[ANDRE25i]

Palpably what we associate as being aptitude tests; are merely ability tests. Thats what we mean; but who cares; we all get what is meant. Hopefully.
cheers

[DragStrut]

PILAPT practice tests

Does anyone have any experience of the two PILAPT preperation tests offered by www.cockpitweb.com and http://www.pilapt-prep.co.uk/??

I am about to attend CTC for assesment and would be very interested in anyones opinion about these products and their relevance to the actual PILAPT selection tests.

Thanx in advance for the replies

[newbie008]

pilapt prep would be suitable for ctc. I was going to purchase it and decided not to. I failed and damn well wish i had now! You only get one shot too

[Sky Wave]

I purchased both, because as newbie008 said, you only get one chance.

Pros and Cons

Pilapt Prep - has many of the tests that CTC use. The only downside is that it does not have a deviation indicator test or the trax (flying through boxes test.) The other downside with Pilapt prep is that it doesn't score you so it's difficult to judge your own performance.

Cockpitweb is very good however the hands game is much easier than Pilapt prep and CTC's, and it doesn't have the grid task, and the grid task (called concentration on pilapt) is very difficult. The other downside with cockpitweb was that I couldn't get the flying through boxes to work.

Unless money is no object I would recommend getting pilap-prep and using Microsoft flight sim to practice the joystick skills.

Be warned however the deviation indicator is extremely difficult to keep centred and at times I was at full joystick deflection and still I couldn't centre it.

[Ringway004]

Dragstrut, I bought the pilapt software from cockpitweb and I must tell you it's a must. I passed my aptitude selection at Cranfeild, and thanks to the software, i would really suggest ypu purhase it because not only are the tests similair but they improve your reaction times. I'd def get it!

[DragStrut]

PILAPT

Thanks all for the replies.

some excellent information realy appreciate it keep it coming...

think im swaying towards the PILAPT prep software cheaper and more people seem to be relating it to CTC selection.

Cheers

Dragstrut...

[king rooney]

In my opinion, anyone who feels a need to practice the pilapt tests in order to pass them is a charlatan. The whole point of the tests is to give a fair, unbiased reflection of someones aptitude for flying, taking into account the fact that it is the first time that someone has done it. If you practice before hand what do you achieve?
1. You deceive urself as to whether you are cut out for flying, which could have serious consequences if you realise you are no good at it when u come to for example ur IR (which I believe if the most difficult part of the training, although not done it yet), after having spent a load of cash thus far.

2. You deceive and cheat which ever training organisation you are trying to get into. CTC will not be happy when they realise they have been taking in a load of wannabes who are not as good as they would want them to be, due to them gaining a place un fairly through practicing the pilapt tests before hand.

3. You are also cheating innocent wannabes out of a place which they deserve more than you. Say for example that you practice like mad, and beat a guy who is doing the tests for the first time by 1%, who has the most aptitude for flying? Who deserves the place on the course more?

As a final word, ive gotta say that in my honest opinion any one who does fail the tests really should take the fail seriously. I took the ones at Cranfield (with no previous practice of course) and destroyed em all, dispite being knackered. They are easy man! If you cant pass them then you are not cut out to be a pilot, simple as that.

[captwannabe]

PILAPT tests your coordination skills, but they do not give a full indication of whether you are suitable or not to be a pilot. They don't measure the determination of a person to suceed. Many people have failed PILAPT but have become successful pilots. PILAPT is not foolproof!

These tests were never meant to be practiced. They are supposed to put you on the spot and see what you can do. If you perform reasonably well you should be accepted, but I suppose it is human nature to try to get ahead of the rest. Remember, most schools running these tests don't expect perfect scores, but expect you to show your NATURAL skills and ability to adapt to a situation.

On the other hand, buying these tests show initiative and determination, so what can I say.........???

[bjkeates]

Originally Posted by king rooney

In my opinion, anyone who feels a need to practice the pilapt tests in order to pass them is a charlatan. The whole point of the tests is to give a fair, unbiased reflection of someones aptitude for flying, taking into account the fact that it is the first time that someone has done it. If you practice before hand what do you achieve?

I agree. While I understand that people will do anything to help them fulfil their dreams, and admittedly there's nothing stopping people from forking out the money and practising these tests, you are giving yourselves an unfair advantage and, like King Rooney says, are deceiving yourself as to whether you're cut out for it. CTC pointed out at my stage 4 day that the hard work doesn't stop once you've finished the application - it's actually where the hard work starts. Deceiving yourself is only leaving yourself open to disappointment and possible financial distress later on, whoever you train with. Your ability to fly isn't going to be based on PILAPT tests alone, so if you haven't "got it", in the case of CTC it's going to show up at stages 3 and 4 anyway. You might be able to pass the PILAPTs with a bit of practice, but if you haven't got the natural ability and aptitude to learn to fly - which, after all, is what PILAPT is testing - then it's going to show up pretty obviously in the simulator ride. In terms of the amount of information you have to keep scanning, checking and reacting to all at once, the PILAPTs and the sim ride aren't too dissimilar. And on a similar note, if you think spending hours in front of MS Flight Simulator is going to prepare you for stage 4, or any sim check for that matter - forget it.

Seriously, if you're cut out for the job, you will pass the tests. I did without practising, and I've got on to the course. If you don't have the aptitude you're being tested for, then you will be weeded out later on in the selection and you'll have wasted all the time and expense of the repeated trips to the Southampton and Bournemouth. Be under no illusions as to how tough the whole selection procedure is, not just stage 2.

Having said all that, very best of luck with it - it's a great course.

EDIT: Just like to add this:

Originally Posted by king rooney

They are easy man! If you cant pass them then you are not cut out to be a pilot, simple as that.

No they are NOT easy - far from it in fact. Some people may find them easier than others, but they are by no means "easy", and quite rightly so. And demonstrating that kind of attitude shows exactly why some people are able to pass the PILAPTs but still aren't cut out for the job.

[DragStrut]

pilapt

To King Rooney & Bjkeates,

Before you go off on your high horse have you asked if i already have a licence?? NO you didn't

I have passed all my ATPL exams first time have a first time pass PPL CPL Multi and the IR you hold so dear !!!!! also completed a full jet MCC so have no worries about my flying ability thank you!! and if you would go to an interview without taking advantage of every avenue to ensure you are fully prepared then perhaps you two dont deserve to be givien jobs !!.....

Dragstrut

[bjkeates]

Originally Posted by DragStrut

Before you go off on your high horse have you asked if i already have a licence?? NO you didn't

I apologise if the tone of my post sounded like that in any way; it was not intended to. I was merely giving my opinions on the practice tests as I am entitled to do, having been through the real thing myself. You opened your post, however, in a tone which could possibly have suggested that you were applying for the Wings scheme and therefore may have had no experience whatsoever. If would have helped if you had made it clearer that you were applying for the ATP scheme. If you had suggested you had passed all your exams, then I'm sure nobody, myself included, would have commented on your flying ability. My comments were based on the assumption that you had little to no experience and were applying for the Wings scheme. I would also guess that King Rooney's slightly stronger comments were made with the same assumption in mind.

Originally Posted by dragstrut

if you would go to an interview without taking advantage of every avenue to ensure you are fully prepared then perhaps you two dont deserve to be givien jobs !!

I didn't know they existed at the time of my interview; however, I'm still not sure I would have paid the extra money for them. I thought the whole point of the PILAPTs was that you weren't supposed to be prepared for them, however that is only my interpretation. In fact, at the Stage 2 presentation day we were actually told "there is very little you can do to prepare for stage 2". If, however, preparing for them is what you want to do, then go ahead and good luck with it.

[Airliners737]

Aptitude tests

Hi Guys,

Could you help me to find some books or sites with exercice about the aptitude tests to enter into a company.

Which kind of tests do they use ?
Some informations would be very nice.

Thanks a lot and have a good day.