Computerised pilot assessments (often also referred to as 'Computerised Pilot Aptitude Tests') are those assessments designed to evaluate the competencies required of a professional pilot and typically take the form of a series of separate tests (known as a 'Test Battery') undertaken either on-site at a facility, or remotely using a desktop or laptop computer.

These assessments differ from other types of aptitude tests used in other industries, typically aiming to evaluate competencies (or skills) such as Multi-Tasking, Motor Skills, Reaction Time, Spatial Awareness and Memory Recall.

Evaluation of the above competencies is often achieved using a variety of different methods and mechanisms - for example, memory recall may be assessed with a task to memorise and recall information displayed on screen, whereas multi-tasking may be evaluated by asking the candidate to perform multiple concurrent tasks using a keyboard and mouse, or motor skills may be appraised by asking the candidate to center a ball within a targeted area using a joystick.

In some cases, the candidate may be required to undertake two attempts of each test, or to undergo a Verification Test some time after completing their original pilot assessment.

On completion of assessment, a candidate's score may be compared to that of other candidates who have previously undertaken the assessment (known as Norm-Referencing) or, their scoring may be assessed against a defined criteria or pass mark (known as Criterion-Referencing).

BAA Training incorporate a computerised pilot assessment produced by Aon (Cut-E) in to their selection process.

This pilot assessment is undertaken remotely, completed by the applicant in their web browser in the comfort of their own home.

In particular, this assessment is constructed of a Test Battery which can include modules referred to as Complex Control, Ability to Concentrate, Sense of Direction and Deductive Reasoning amongst others.

Shown below are depictions of those modules incorporated in to Aon (Cut-E) pilot assessments:

To prepare effectively for this part of the BAA Training selection process, it is recommended to both familiarise yourself with the methods and mechanisms employed, and to improve those competencies which are evaluated, in the Aon (Cut-E) computerised pilot assessment.

Our software provides realistic simulations of this assessment contained within a section dedicated to BAA Training, accompanied by Explainer Videos, Visual Walkthroughs as well as the provision of detailed feedback regarding your Performance, and how it compares with other applicants.

To further your preparation, it is also recommended to create a Preparation Strategy specific to this assessment using the CoPilot Wizard and establish Targets to be achieved prior to undertaking evaluation.

A competency-based Interview is a type of interview that permits an individual or organisation evaluating the applicant to quickly and easily assess the candidate's abilities, attitudes and personality.

During the assessment of pilot candidates, due to the competitive nature of the profession and subsequent high numbers of applicants, competency-based interviews are heavily employed.

In a competency-based interview, a series of questioning is used that enables the candidate to demonstrate their experiences and actions which indicate abilities, attitudes and personality which may be suitable for the role that they're applying for - e.g. a position within a cadet scheme, or as a First Officer in an airline.

In flight training organisations such as BAA Training, these types of interviews are often employed due to the candidate's lack of role-related experience.

Due to their lack of role-related experience, these interviews provide the candidate with an opportunity to demonstrate how they have approached situations, pursuant to their attitudes and personality, or utilised their abilities to identify and resolve problems in the past.

When demonstrating their abilities, attitudes and personality, the individual or organisation evaluating the applicant may then easily assess their suitability for the role of a professional pilot, or in this case, to embark on a training program with the flight training organisation.

When assessing applicants for their professional flight training courses, a flight training organisation like BAA Training may choose to incorporate questioning on the following competencies in their competency-based interview:

• Aviation Knowledge
• Problem Solving and Decision-Making
• Motivation and Commitment
• Communication and Teamwork

Questions that may be asked during a competency-based interview which can help an applicant to demonstrate their competencies in the above areas can include:

When preparing for a competency-based interview within any industry, the most commonly offered advice is to utilise the STAR Technique, which is a method of constructing and articulating a response that satisfies the questioning posed to the applicant.

The STAR Technique aids in structuring responses to competency-based interview questions, and consists of the following structure:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

Each of the four parts of this structure enable applicants to provide an answer which satisfies a question posed, helping them to effectively and easily demonstrate their abilities using a real-world example.

Below is an example of how the STAR Technique may be used to answer a question posed in a competency-based interview.