Pilot Test

When looking to fill a pilot position, it's important to make sure that the candidate has the skills necessary to do the job. A pilot skills test can help ensure that the candidate is a good fit for the position.

  • What is a pilot skills test?

    The pilot skills test is an assessment that is designed to be used early in the recruitment process to evaluate candidates based on their ability to apply skills, aptitudes and competencies to the workplace.

    For recruitment teams, the pilot skills test provides quantifiable data about the level of aptitude and ability that each candidate has, in relation to actual skills that are needed in the daily role - over and above the education and experience that they might have.

    For the candidate, the test itself is a short online assessment that is completed at home and in their own time via an email link. It is a multiple-choice test that focuses on inherent aptitudes related to the role that each applicant should be able to demonstrate to be successful in the future.

Jump to a section on this page:

  1. What is a pilot skills test?
  2. What are the benefits of using the pilot skills test for pre-screening?
  3. How our test measures pilot skills
  4. Pilot Test FAQs

Identify the best candidates and hire faster

Our pre-employment tests let you drill down to the best candidates at the click of a button.

  • Find those candidates who will excel in the role.

    Select the assessments that match the skills or behaviours for the position. You can test for software or coding competency, soft skills like teamwork, or personality traits, to be sure those who pass have high potential.

  • Reduce costs and time.

    No more laborious sifting of resumes or cover letters. Pick your ideal assessment mix, invite your applicants to take them, see the results in your dashboard. Get to the interview stage fast.

  • Eliminate bias.

    All your candidates take the assessments on a level playing field. Only their results determine whether they get shortlisted.

  • What are the benefits of using the pilot skills test for pre-screening?

    When hiring for a pilot position, especially for commercial flying, almost every role will require the candidates to hold a pilot’s license (Airline Transport Pilot Licence). To become licensed, the candidates will have to complete very specific and expensive training to be competent to fly passengers, but there is more to a successful pilot than their flying skills.

    Pilots also need to have an excellent grasp of numeracy and physics - they need to understand the mechanics of the plane as they are flying and be ready to respond in an emergency. They also need to have excellent coordination and spatial awareness. These are more physical characteristics, but there are some soft skills that a successful pilot will need, and these are even more complicated to assess through a paper shift or even in an interview than the aptitudes listed above.

    Flying a commercial plane is a team effort, so the pilot needs to be able to demonstrate both a high level of teamwork and communication as well as excellent leadership skills. They have to be able to show that they are disciplined and confident, remaining calm under pressure and able to make rational and logical decisions even in stressful situations.

    Finding a candidate for a pilot role that has these aptitudes and abilities is not easy - and the pilot skills test is designed to highlight the applicants that can demonstrate them. Each candidate has the same opportunities in the assessment; they all answer the same questions in the same time frame. This means that the results can provide unbiased, structured and quantifiable data about which candidates should be chosen to move forward to the next step in the application process.

    Recruitment teams that use skills tests like the pilot skills test are able to save time and money in the application process, filtering through large candidate pools and focusing only on those who can demonstrate that they have what it takes to be successful. Not only does this make the process more efficient, but it also reduces the risk of a bad hire too.

More Job Skills Tests

How our test measures pilot skills

Test questions are designed to assess industry-specific technical skills, soft skills, aptitude and suitable personality dimensions. Our data-driven approach provides results that enable you to determine how suited is a candidate for the role.

Depending on the type of question, the format of the test may vary. Multiple-choice questions are used to measure aptitude, technical skills and soft skills, while agreement on a Likert scale assesses suitable personality dimensions. Skills tests ensure that candidates are being evaluated in a precise and impartial manner, their results demonstrating the true knowledge and potential of each test taker.

The characteristics required to be a pilot were determined by looking at the skills and abilities listed in the US Department of Labor’s O*NET database, which collects data from professionals in various fields.

O*NET is the largest database of its kind, providing detailed information about occupations and the requirements for each role.

Our team of I/O psychologists and psychometrics worked closely with subject-matter experts to create an extensive question bank that can be used to test multiple candidates. We also conducted rigorous field testing with a representative sample of candidates to ensure that the questions were reliable and valid.

Test scores are averaged together to give an overall score. The average score is compared to other candidates' scores to ensure there is no bias toward certain candidates.

Our pilot test is constantly updated and optimized to ensure the best experience and results.

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Validated

Predictor of job success

Picked provides evidence-based recommendations for tests to use for over 750 jobs. Our recommendation engine leverages data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

  • Assessments

    A full suite of assessments

    Our platform comes with 12 tests across both foundation and advanced levels so they’re suitable for everyone. Including aptitude, behavioural and personality tests, you’ll have a full range of tests to help you find the candidates you’re seeking.

  • Analytics

    An array of candidate metrics

    For each of your candidates, you’ll be given a comprehensive report. Included will be all the metrics you need to build a detailed picture of each candidate and ensure you’re making the right hiring decisions.

“The platform is so simple to use. I had used competitor providers for over six years and will never go back. Fast, efficient and friendly!”
Greg Chambers, HR Business Partner, Littlefish Ltd
Greg Chambers, HR Business Partner, Littlefish Ltd

Pilot Test FAQs

What skills are required to be a pilot?

A pilot needs excellent hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, as well as excellent knowledge of mechanics and physics. They also need excellent leadership and communication skills, with calmness under pressure and the ability to make rational, logical decisions.

How important are soft skills for a pilot?

Pilot soft skills are often overlooked because of the sheer amount of hard skills that are needed to physically fly the plane. However, the most successful pilots are able to balance their flying skills with ‘people skills’ - they can work as part of a team, be excellent leaders, and communicate with other staff members and the public in a calm and confident manner.

Can I see what the test is like?

Yes, of course. You can try the test for free by signing up for a free trial.

Are these tests available in my plan?

We have a range of plans available. The difference between the plans is the number of test attempts permitted, not the type of tests. All our plans include our full test suite comprising all tests and all levels.

“An unbeatable service, impressive platform and fantastic value for money.”
Laurence Fishman, Partner, NLPCA
Laurence Fishman, Partner, NLPCA

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