Aptitude Testing
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Aptitude Testing
Does anybody have any experience of the Guild and Aptitude Testing for Potential Commercial Pilots? Perhaps someone could enlighten me as to what sort of questions are asked, what to study on before hand, and what an acceptable pass mark would be.
Cheers
CB
Cheers
CB
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Capt.Biggles,
Are you talking about the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Tests (GAPAN) which are done at RAF Cranwell????
As far as preparation for the computer based testing goes there's not alot you can do really. The tests are pretty unique. Get hold of a copy of Junes Flyer, there was a good article about it in there which I would recommend you have a look at. Your local club will have back copies knocking about no doubt. As far as a pass mark goes you either pass or fail. They don't tell you the score you got even though they do score you so should you sit the tests again you can be compared to your first attempt.
At the end there is an interview which I found to be quite relaxed. They asked me about my school days, uni, etc..... what aircraft I flew which they then quized me on the V speeds.
Hope this helps and good luck if you have a crack.
Autofly
Are you talking about the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Tests (GAPAN) which are done at RAF Cranwell????
As far as preparation for the computer based testing goes there's not alot you can do really. The tests are pretty unique. Get hold of a copy of Junes Flyer, there was a good article about it in there which I would recommend you have a look at. Your local club will have back copies knocking about no doubt. As far as a pass mark goes you either pass or fail. They don't tell you the score you got even though they do score you so should you sit the tests again you can be compared to your first attempt.
At the end there is an interview which I found to be quite relaxed. They asked me about my school days, uni, etc..... what aircraft I flew which they then quized me on the V speeds.
Hope this helps and good luck if you have a crack.
Autofly
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I recently did the aptitude test at Cranwell and found it fairly useful.
they rate your pass mark, high, medium, or low. High no problems, medium okay but may struggle, and low forget about it!
In the main it concentrates on co-ordination and reflex. Personally I would have preferred tests that concentrated more on mental ability similar to tests done by airlines. It also would be interesting to know the pass rate.
However if you’re spending shed loads on training its good to double check you’re got the co-ordination to fly a plane.
At the end of the day its only 150 beans.
they rate your pass mark, high, medium, or low. High no problems, medium okay but may struggle, and low forget about it!
In the main it concentrates on co-ordination and reflex. Personally I would have preferred tests that concentrated more on mental ability similar to tests done by airlines. It also would be interesting to know the pass rate.
However if you’re spending shed loads on training its good to double check you’re got the co-ordination to fly a plane.
At the end of the day its only 150 beans.
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Yes Autofly, I was talking about GAPAN. I recently read a letter in flight from some one who suggested it for anybody thinking of going career. They pointed out that it indicated to the student if they have what it take , such as what Nickm said in the next reply. It sounds like something I should consider doing, as I'm just starting on the ppl, and have great intentions of going the distance but would not like to waste money if I really don't have what it takes. However, should I fail the aptitude test, it would be a great moral blow, and maybe take the enthusiasm out of my goal. So I might continue with the training regardless. Do either of you chaps know is a high pass helps on a cv?
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The GAPAN aptitude tests are those that the RAF use to select its own pilots. While they're not infallible, they do give a very good guide to a student's liklihood of passing flying training. They only assess motor skills, spacial awareness, prioritisation and basic mathmatical abilities. They are nothing to do with the interview process, which is to see if someone is suitable for employment within a particular environment - that is why there are none of the mental tests which most airlines use as part of the selection procedure.
If you fail these aptitude tests, it would be reasonable to say that you may well be wasting your money continuing with flying training - you will be found out once basic ability becomes important. That is, once you are training on a time-limited course. Anyone can pass courses with unlimited time and money available - neither of which any airline will offer!
To attempt flying training without taking these tests is just burying your head in the sand. £50,000 is a hell of a lot of money to waste, which could be used toward a career you can achieve, don't you think? Don't be stupid; take the tests.
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Scroggs
Wannabes Forum Moderator
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If you fail these aptitude tests, it would be reasonable to say that you may well be wasting your money continuing with flying training - you will be found out once basic ability becomes important. That is, once you are training on a time-limited course. Anyone can pass courses with unlimited time and money available - neither of which any airline will offer!
To attempt flying training without taking these tests is just burying your head in the sand. £50,000 is a hell of a lot of money to waste, which could be used toward a career you can achieve, don't you think? Don't be stupid; take the tests.
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Scroggs
Wannabes Forum Moderator
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Why not apply for some of the sponsorships coming up in the next few months ? If you can pass them then it could be fair to say that you have the basic aptitude required to pass the ATPL training. You never know, you might even get sponsored !!
On the other hand, do people think that aptitudes are not a very good indicator of ability ? I know that plenty of us have failed to get past the aptitude stages of sponsorships at some time or other but still got accepted later/gone on the get frozen ATPL and a job.
Cheers
Schooner
On the other hand, do people think that aptitudes are not a very good indicator of ability ? I know that plenty of us have failed to get past the aptitude stages of sponsorships at some time or other but still got accepted later/gone on the get frozen ATPL and a job.
Cheers
Schooner
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Capt.Biggles,
I reckon you should do them for the reasons Scroggs gives ..... i.e. it a hell of a lot of money to fork out for nowt. At the recent seminars at Gatwick, WWW mentioned someone who'd forked out 30k, couldn't pass the course and ended up with a load of debt. He didn't even get a PPL for his cash.
I did the GAPAN tests back in November as part of the Airtours testing and got a nice certificate to show the Bank Manager when I need a financial "leg up" but it doesn't actually state what level I got but its definately worth having.
The other thing to get your mitts on is a Class 1 medical. That is probably more important than any apptitude pass or fail.
Good luck with the PPL CB.
AF
I reckon you should do them for the reasons Scroggs gives ..... i.e. it a hell of a lot of money to fork out for nowt. At the recent seminars at Gatwick, WWW mentioned someone who'd forked out 30k, couldn't pass the course and ended up with a load of debt. He didn't even get a PPL for his cash.
I did the GAPAN tests back in November as part of the Airtours testing and got a nice certificate to show the Bank Manager when I need a financial "leg up" but it doesn't actually state what level I got but its definately worth having.
The other thing to get your mitts on is a Class 1 medical. That is probably more important than any apptitude pass or fail.
Good luck with the PPL CB.
AF
