People often ask about the requirement of a pilot aptitude test. This aptitude test measures an individual's ability to complete a task at a given time. Many aeroplanes see that their pilots meet a minimum level of aptitude to ensure quality.

The most common questions asked about this test are:-

  • Why does an individual need to appear for this test?
  • Will passing this test guarantee a candidate a job?
  • What will come in the test?
Let's come to the first question, i.e. why does an individual need to appear for the test? The only answer to this question is 'you need it for your own benefit'. It might seem like this test is an extra hurdle a flight school has started between prospective students and those who dream of becoming a pilot.

The Second question – will passing this test guarantee a job? Once a student graduates from a flight school, he can start applying for jobs. There are aptitude tests during a job interview at airlines. Your future recruiter will indeed put you through the same tests. All recruiters will test you in the same areas to determine whether you have the skill to succeed in your field as a professional pilot. The job interview will have many elements like a technical interview, a simulator assessment, an HR interview and some group discussions or group exercises. Passing the aptitude test will not guarantee a job to anyone, but it will clearly indicate that an individual has the capabilities to become a commercial pilot.

Third question - what is the test all about? The specific details of various pilot aptitude tests are something that many airlines need to disclose. But they definitely say what will come in the analysis, and some areas will help you to improve with lots of practice.

A pilot aptitude test has typical elements that will evaluate the following areas. They are:-
  • Logical thinking
  • Spatial orientation
  • Perceptual capacity
  • Memory
  • Eye and hand coordination
  • Stress tolerance level
  • Multitasking ability
  • Resilience
  • Mental Maths

There is no real academic qualification to become a pilot. Flight Training Organisation (FTO) has set some educational requirements, but they try to focus on their own selection process. However, there are multiple stages involved in the test. Here are a few tips that will help a candidate do better. They are:-
  1. First, ask yourself, why do you want to be a pilot?' This is the only question that every recruiter will ask. Be prepared to give an excellent answer to this question. They even ask, 'why do you want to work with their airlines' because many airlines are available these days. Every time you go for an interview, make it your best.
  2. Try to know the job- many people dream of becoming a pilot but very few can turn this dream into reality. Think about how to answer a few common questions like 'what is a typical day like as a pilot' or 'what have you heard about this job that you want to be an airline pilot'. You might use the internet's help to find the answers, but the recruiters want an original solution.
  3. Get close to aeroplanes- there are different jobs available at the airport. An airline requires hundreds of staff to support its aircraft. It can be either part-time, full time or as a volunteer for job experience. 
  4. Research work- proper preparation is the only key to success at the selection. Try to know about every stage of choice. Know about the airline company, their history, their aircraft, its syllabus, its location, its history, its engines, its routes, its bases and many more. Use the internet; try to speak to people who have been through this process. Find out every minute detail and know what the recruiters are looking for at each stage. 
  5. Practice- as it says, practice makes a man perfect. Numerical testing and aptitude can sound daunting, but they are simple hurdles to overcome. Use your own research work to replicate each stage and then keep practising. Though it is said that one cannot exercise for an aptitude test, that does not mean the candidate leaves it to luck. He can always prepare by familiarising himself with the testing process and sharpening his skills.
  6. Proofread- catch hold of someone who can read applications correctly or someone powerful with the English language. Ask them to fill out your application or understand the rules and regulations of the form. You will be surprised to see that the way may have some spelling mistakes, missing words, or even some sentences that need to be clarified. 
  7. Film yourself- practice for the interview but not using the age-old method like paper and a pen. One must practice answering the questions loudly and clearly. Solving the problems in your mind or in an article will not help, so practise every spare minute you are free. Give a friend or your parents the list of questions so that he can take a mock interview, and then you can ask him about your performance. Also, you can record a mock interview in this modern age where everyone has a smartphone. Once you see the video, you can see the video and improve it.
  8. Proper formal dress- people working in the airlines are very particular about their clothing. It has to be a cleaned one with a good ironing. Never wear casual for an airline interview. See what suits your body type, and then do the necessary shopping. 
  9. Current affairs- recruiters will not ask you about world politics or economics, but they will expect you to know the current fundamental issues and their influence on the aviation industry. So read the newspaper and pay attention to the world around it.