How to Pass the RAF Aptitude Test in 2024

The RAF Airman (or Airwoman) Selection Test is an aptitude assessment that is designed to evaluate new recruits who have applied for non-commissioned roles in the RAF.

As an aptitude test, no previous knowledge of the role is needed or assumed – the test is looking at specific attributes to see what roles or trades within the RAF would most suit the abilities of each recruit.

The RAF aptitude test is split into seven different categories, and you will have 90 minutes to answer 148 questions in total. Each category is looking at a different skill, as follows:

• Verbal reasoning – Read, understand and analyze data in the form of written information and use it to make logical and reasoned decisions.
• Numerical skills – Basic arithmetic and understanding of different mathematical concepts
• Work rate – How quickly and accurately you can complete tasks
• Spatial reasoning – the ability to be able to visualize objects in space and manipulate them in different ways
• Electrical comprehension – Basic understanding of electrical principles and recognition of circuits etc
• Mechanical reasoning – Understand and analyze mechanical diagrams and make logical and reasoned decisions based on physics principles
• Memory – Recalling information from a previous screen accurately and quickly.

If you are looking for resources designed to get you the best score in the RAF aptitude test, then there are several places online that can be effective.

The RAF Careers site has a wealth of information available – not only about the tests but also about what you can expect through training and things that you might need to consider before applying.

For free practice tests and helpful knowledge, the resources at JobTestPrep are thorough and easy to understand – and for the best results, you can invest in a Prep Pack which has even more tests, revision guides, and tips to help you perform at your best on the day.

In terms of books, one of the most popular selections is the How2Become RAF Airman Tests which has different practice tests inside.

The more you practice and prepare, the higher your score will be in the assessment, and the more doors will open for you in terms of trades and roles in the RAF.

Preparation is key for superior performance in the RAF aptitude test, and one of the best ways you can prepare is through practice.

Facing a test is a nerve-wracking situation, and not knowing what to expect can make it even more of a challenge. Through practice tests that are based on the real thing, you will be able to get familiar with the structure and layout of the assessment as well as the type of questions that are being asked.

When you are practicing the assessment, try and make it as realistic as possible. Set yourself up with exam conditions in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Be sure to use a timer – the real test has a 90-minute time limit and you will need to answer 148 questions, so you need to work quickly.

Aptitudes are inherent skills, but they can be improved with practice – and you can give yourself the best chance by revising basic (school level) principles of maths, English and science. Read widely and get used to thinking about the way different information is being provided, brush up on basic arithmetic and mental maths, and make sure you are aware of the various physics principles that govern mechanics and electricity.

As you approach the test day, make sure you are focusing on giving your brain the nutrition it needs to perform to the highest standard. One of the most important things that you can do is get a good amount of sleep in the days before the test and focus on healthy and filling meals with plenty of hydration.

On the day, make sure you turn up to the test center on time – and aim for early. You don’t want to be rushing at the beginning of the day because that will put you under unnecessary pressure. Be sure to be well presented and smartly dressed, as this will help you feel confident.

If you are looking for the best practice RAF aptitude test questions and answers, then you will find an excellent resource on the RAF Careers site, with a PDF booklet containing basic information about what to expect and a practice test.

If you want more practice and lots of information about the RAF aptitude test including revision material and tips and tricks for success, then JobTestPrep has resources that are free alongside a paid-for Prep Pack that will definitely improve your chances of getting selected for your ideal trade.

There are several things that you can do to pass the RAF aptitude test, but it all comes down to how you perform on the day.

Practice tests and revision of various principles that underpin skills in reading, maths and physics will make a dramatic difference to how comfortable you are in answering the questions and make you more familiar with the structure and layout of the assessment itself.

Ensuring that you are mentally and physically healthy through good sleep and excellent nutrition and hydration will give you the best chance to perform at your best on the day.

The scoring for the RAF aptitude test is slightly different from other pre-employment screening tests in that each section is scored between 1 and 9, and then there are group scores A to E. The score you need to achieve to get the role or trade that you are most interested in is not published, so it is best to aim for the best score possible as this is what will open the doors you need for the trade you want.

After the assessment, you will take part in ‘trade counseling’ where a recruitment officer will discuss your results and what they show in terms of the right role to suit your natural aptitude and skills, and you can discuss the next steps.

While flight simulation is an important part of pilot training, for the RAF aptitude test, you will not need any previous knowledge or experience of flying.

This means that using a DCS with a joystick as practice will not help you perform better on the RAF aptitude test.

With this being said, however, previous recruits have found it useful to practice for any flight simulations assessments using a DCS and a joystick, so it might be helpful later in the training process.

To become a fighter pilot with the RAF, you will have to take and pass the RAF CBAT, which is an aptitude test designed for recruits who have applied for commissioned roles.

Unlike the AST, the CBAT has a high cut-off point for consideration for a commissioned role, and the only way to get through to initial training is to achieve at least the minimum required score. This means that if you do not pass the test, you will not be considered for a role as a pilot.

You can retake the test if the Recruitment Officer recommends it, but you can only retake once (you will have to wait several years for another chance if you fail it again).

The RAF aptitude test is designed to be challenging, even though the content taken in isolation is not hard. As an assessment, it is used to evaluate potential recruits on their natural abilities and aptitudes so that they can be matched to the right role or trade.

The structure of the assessment as well as the exam conditions and time limit are what makes the RAF aptitude hard in most cases. Unfamiliarity, nerves and working under pressure combine to put a candidate through their paces and demonstrate what their potential is.

Getting a pass in the RAF aptitude test will be used to decide if you have the basic competencies to be successful in the future, while the exact score you achieve will determine what trades or roles for which you can train.

The pressure of the exam scenario and the unfamiliarity of the question content can be mitigated through practice tests, and you can hone your aptitudes by revising basic principles of maths, English and science.

Although the marks in the RAF aptitude tests needed for recruits to be considered for various non-commissioned and commissioned roles are not published, to give yourself the best chance of success you need to score as highly as possible.

There is a minimum achievement score needed to progress, and if you do not meet this then you will have failed the RAF aptitude test.

However, this does not have to be the end of the story. If the recruitment officer agrees, you can take the test one more time – and you may be able to retake if you didn’t quite make the grade for the trade or role you set your sights on.

The RAF interview and assessment should be considered a formal event and you should dress appropriately.

In most cases, this means a suit with a shirt and tie or similar, with clean polished low-heeled shoes.

You need to be comfortable enough to give your best but look the part in terms of presentation. Neat, clean and pressed – you want to come across as poised, presentable and confident throughout the application process.

The RAF selection process does not have a standard timeline – different roles require different pre-employment processes so they can take longer or shorter.

In most cases, you can expect it to take anywhere between three to nine months from initial application to starting basic training.

Once you have completed the 90-minute RAF aptitude test, you will be invited to take a short break while your assessment is marked.

You will then take part in trade counseling where your Recruitment Officer will discuss your score as it relates to the trades or roles for which you have qualified. You might not learn what your score is as a number, but you will get an opportunity to discuss the next steps.

If you did not achieve the score you needed for the trade you were interested in, or you failed the RAF aptitude test, your Recruitment Officer might suggest a retake.

After this, you can expect to take part in a selection interview, followed by a medical assessment and a fitness test.

When you start basic training with the RAF, you get paid a competitive salary from the beginning. Thanks to the residential nature of the training, you will have limited expenses and bills so this pay leaves you with more money in your pocket.

As a rule, new recruits undertaking training can expect a salary ranging from £16,235 to £39,000 (depending on role) alongside other benefits and access to discounts.

The minimum requirement to join the RAF is at least three GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and maths (as well as science in some cases).

There are equivalent qualifications that will be considered, but the best bet is to speak to a Recruitment Officer to check other eligibility requirements.

To be an RAF pilot, you need to meet minimum eyesight requirements.

This means that in almost all cases, you will not be able to become a pilot with the RAF if you need to wear glasses or corrective lenses. This is just one of the medical conditions that preclude entry.

You may be allowed to become part of the aircrew with glasses, but this is not guaranteed and you should discuss it with a Recruitment Officer at your local AFCO.

There are several medical conditions that might mean you are not able to join the RAF, and any current psychiatric illness is one of them.

If you have suffered any depressive disorders, with or without treatment, in the last three years then you will not be allowed to join the RAF.

If you want some clarification, then speak with the Recruitment Officer at your local AFCO – although they are not medically trained, they will be able to seek the right information for you.

In some cases, RAF pilots do carry guns.

This is especially true in wartime, but throughout history, fighter pilots tend to rely on the weaponry attached to their jets.

If you have had asthma in the past, you will not be able to fly but you might be able to join the ground crew to serve – even if you have no symptoms and are not currently medicated. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If you have current symptoms of asthma or an active prescription for an inhaler, you are ineligible to apply for the RAF.

For more information, you can check out the medical preclusion list that the RAF has created.

If you have low-level and high functioning Asperger’s syndrome, you might be considered for a trade in the RAF, but it would have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis and might affect the roles for which you can apply.

There is more information available on the RAF Careers site.

RAF pilots can expect an average minimum salary of £30,000 in the first year plus benefits, rising to an average of £42,000 and benefits following completion of specialist training.

The salary of a pilot will increase through the length of service and if the pilot gets promoted.