FSA Aptitude test??

[psalm91]

Okay gents - tell me what this is all about. I'm attending FSA starting Oct 3rd (haven't decided on instructing or the direct track just yet) but I'm curious as to what the "Aptitude" test is all about.

I'm coming in with 85hrs and a Private Cert. - can someone give me a heads up as to what material I need to study (apart from the psych portion of the test, of course)?

If it entails math at all, let me know what kind, so I can brush up on it. Algebra, Calc, etc.

Thanks,

- Steve

[jonboy34]

The test is nothing to worry about, you will not even take it untill you are fairly far along in your training. Its just about an hour long and you have various questions such as; you look at the pictures and see how the blocks would rotate etc etc. It is timed so you do have to work fast. It is similar to what you may have found on a portion of your sat's. They print out a series of characteristics based on your results about you. You can agree with them, or not and thats it.
Good luck at FSA it goes by fast and it's an awesome time

[psalm91]

Oh okay - so it's more of a "profile painter" for your potential as a professional pilot; I get it now.

Thanks!!!

[launchpad]

Yep. the thing is pretty much nothing...it's kinda like those "your speed is" signs on the side of the road....I personally always have to make a u turn and try again and again to see how high the numbers'll go on the thing....You should try as hard as you can to get the aptitude test to come back saying you should be a trash man.

[Snow]

It's the same test I had taken 3 times before, twice at college and once through rotaract. I thought it was kinda pointless, it was more a personality profile generator, what revelance does being introvert or extrovert have to flying anyhow? I would have thought a military style appitude test would have been more useful. Plus if it's suposedly meant to tell you if you've got what it takes to be a pilot or not, why give it when you've done 1/2 your training already, better not to do it at all by that point in my opinion.

[psalm91]

[ QUOTE ]
Yep. the thing is pretty much nothing...it's kinda like those "your speed is" signs on the side of the road....I personally always have to make a u turn and try again and again to see how high the numbers'll go on the thing....You should try as hard as you can to get the aptitude test to come back saying you should be a trash man.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL...my sentiments exactly. True story - my brother in law is one of the most successful commercial developers in my state - I mean off-the-chart successful...when he was just beginning his career and already realizing great success, his company at that time gave him an "aptitude" test (they were supposed to do this before he was hired, and had forgot) - recommendation: DO NOT HIRE!

[psalm91]

[ QUOTE ]
It's the same test I had taken 3 times before, twice at college and once through rotaract. I thought it was kinda pointless, it was more a personality profile generator, what revelance does being introvert or extrovert have to flying anyhow? I would have thought a military style appitude test would have been more useful. Plus if it's suposedly meant to tell you if you've got what it takes to be a pilot or not, why give it when you've done 1/2 your training already, better not to do it at all by that point in my opinion.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good points, Snow. I have never been a believer in these types of tests....I just know from experience how misleading they can be, but oh well...I'll do what they want. Mostly these tests determine your drive, motivations, whether your a "team player" or "lone wolf" type (valuable info for CRM predictors I guess). I'm also puzzled at the timing - so I plunk down my 16k as a deposit only to find out a month later I'm better suited as a trash collector?? Very puzzling. I also don't like the idea of being "labled" in the event the results are not favorable (not that I think that will happen). People can say it doesn't matter, but as the old saying goes, first impressions are everything. I can just picture a conversation "Well, he's a great pilot and show good traits and..., BUT look at his profile..."

Whatever - I guess I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

[launchpad]

[ QUOTE ]
Good points, Snow. I have never been a believer in these types of tests....I just know from experience how misleading they can be, but oh well...I'll do what they want. Mostly these tests determine your drive, motivations, whether your a "team player" or "lone wolf" type (valuable info for CRM predictors I guess). I'm also puzzled at the timing - so I plunk down my 16k as a deposit only to find out a month later I'm better suited as a trash collector?? Very puzzling. I also don't like the idea of being "labled" in the event the results are not favorable (not that I think that will happen). People can say it doesn't matter, but as the old saying goes, first impressions are everything. I can just picture a conversation "Well, he's a great pilot and show good traits and..., BUT look at his profile..."

Whatever - I guess I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually it doesn't really tell you what you're more suited for...it's just a page with little bars that tell you if your outgoing or reserved, etc.etc.....just throw it away when you get the results and noone else will ever know you took it....

[Check_Six]

I wouldn't throw it away... The ex-FSA students, now working as trash collectors (because of their score) might be a little bitter if they find it.

[ERJ-135]

Can you buy or find on the Internet, sample tests to practice on before taking the real test?

[launchpad]

Originally Posted by ERJ-135

Can you buy or find on the Internet, sample tests to practice on before taking the real test?

This kinda reminds me of trying to find a gouge for a drug test :-D