Test Battery

Skills Tests

• English

• Math & Science

• Aeronautics

Working Memory

Working memory is the executive and attentional aspect of cognition. It operates on the data held in short-term memory which is involved in the temporary integration, processing, filter, and retrieval of information.

Basically, all tasks pilots deal with involve a well-functioning working memory as this is the first central instance after the mere sensory perception of visual and auditory information.

Our test calls for choice reactions that follow four basic rules and require dealing with visual as well as acoustical information. 

Spatial Orientation

Spatial comprehension involves the visualization of objects or positions in a two- or three-dimensional environment. Changing perspectives and manipulating or rotating mental representations of positions or objects are typical features of this aptitude.

For pilots, spatial comprehension greatly contributes to the correct interpretation of maps or the understanding of one's own position relative to the position of an aerodrome or other aircraft. Also, computerized information search and other tasks relevant for pilots are affected by spatial comprehension.

Time Sharing

A pilot's job is characterized by the continuous coordination of multiple tasks. This does not mean that pilots actually carry out several tasks simultaneously. Instead, they quickly switch attention e.g. when scanning instruments. And they apply time sharing strategies which allow them to allocate attentional resources to certain tasks during times of low workload in other tasks.

Adequate prioritisation is a prerequisite for the success in managing multiple tasks. Priorization however requires the knowledge of consequences that error or negligence in each individual task has for the successful operation of the flight in general. 'Aviate, navigate, communicate.' This is one example of priorization based on the knowledge of consequences that error or negligence in any of the three tasks can lead to.

Our Time Sharing test calls for the management and coordination of three tasks. It involves processing visual as well as acoustical information in a dynamic setting. The total score is improved by the anticipation of foreseeable events, planning and execution of adequate control input.

A good feeling for the available time without need for immediate navigatory input maximizes attentional resources for the request and processing of numerical problems. The latter task requires basic mathematical operations, sometimes simply correct reproduction of acoustical information, or monitoring of a stream of auditory information and identification of critical events.

Additionally, the continous visual monitoring of instruments in the periphery of the display is necessary in order to minimize the duration of critical indications .

The effect that a correct response, an error or a second of critical state in each task have is clearly lined out. Knowing these details allows test takers to develop adequate priorization and thus optimize theit time sharing strategy in order to maximize the total score.