Aptitude Tests

Pilot Training College Assessment
04/02/2011  0800-1400
Crowne Plaza Hotel - Manchester Airport

Slight delays in getting to the assessment due to really bad traffic on the M60, however I managed to get there at 0805 leaving me just enough time to have a brief chat with my 5 fellow candidates and rush through the partnered MCC exercise prep.

The first stage of the day was each member of the group introducing their partner from the MCC exercise to the group (From this exercise onwards, we were being recorded and assessed on our every move).

After the MCC exercise was done with, we then had a brief presentation about PTC and a 'day in the life' video from a recent successful First Officer from the college before moving on to the core tests.

Assessments
First up for myself was the Maths assessment. (70%)
Expected a few small issues with this and there were one or two but I fought through, only guessing at 2 or 3 answers when we hit the end of the time limit.

Second came the Aviation Knowledge assessment. (80%)
This was an either know it or you don't test, I can't stress how important it was to have read the prep material I was sent to pass this. Apart from one or two questions I didn't have too much trouble with this, although those that I did miss are ones that I should have committed to memory a little better than I had.

Third for myself was the Psychometric examination. (PASS)
Not usually the sort of test that has right or wrong answers, but in this sort of situation, there are undesirable answers. One of these 'Strongly Agree' through to 'Strongly Disagree' type of assessments that are used to gauge your personality and suitability for various aspects of your intended career.

Finally we had the 'Hard Skills' assessment. (30)
Maths again was the letdown here, made slightly worse by having to answer each question in succession in a time limit, no opportunity to go back and try a question again. I did miss at least 5 or 6 questions in this, but still came out not too badly scathed. On the flip side though, the HARDEST of these COMPASS tests (the Task manager) I hit a perfect 7, whereas my control needed a little more work with a 4/7 (though use of pedals is a little awkward with a badly injured knee).

Soft Skills weren't too shabby either.
These guys do assess EVERYTHING, so when something is said, it's expected to be taken in and adhered to. I had my mobile out once during a break (for about 30 seconds) but this was spotted either on camera or by one of the assessors and did lose me a mark as we'd been told to leave them off earlier in the day. Only two scores at 5, the rest were 6's and one 7.


Overall I unfortunately didn't meet the standard for the Flybe sponsorship (the required mark for maths is 75%) but I DID pass the overall assessment quite well and was told I probably have too much personality for Flybe anyway (in a good way).
To have been given the UK Directors personal mobile number, I must have made a good impression. I also have to thank the officer from the ATC for the Typhoon tie pin that myself and the other former cadet were given on the day, it really is something that stays with you throughout life.


Now comes the even bigger challenge of €84,500 to secure my place on the 14 month Integrated Airline Pilot Training programme that they offer. My certificate is hung on my wall currently as proof of my accomplishment at the assessment day and is valid for 12 months, but how a 24 year old retail worker on £16k per annum, renting their flat is going to find that money is a very steep hill to climb...