ADAPT Pilot Aptitude Test (Symbiotics) Explained

SHORT ANSWER

ADAPT is the online assessment platform from Symbiotics that delivers pilot aptitude tests: maths and physics knowledge tests, FAST multitasking, a joystick Co-ordination test, cognitive reasoning and a personality questionnaire. Which tests you take depends on the school or airline that invites you. Generation easyJet applicants take ADAPT through CAE, virtually or at a CAE location in Europe. Checked 25 October 2026.1 8

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Key facts

The main facts about ADAPT (Symbiotics), each with its source.

Checked 24 and 25 October 2026
Fact	Detail
Publisher	Symbiotics Ltd (UK), which supplies the ADAPT online assessment and reporting platform1
Pass or fail	ADAPT does not pass or fail candidates; it gives the organisation a breakdown of performance and a recommendation, and the organisation decides2
Test families for cadets	Knowledge tests (maths, physics, English), aptitude tests (psychomotor and multitasking such as FAST and Co-ordination) and behavioural tests (personality)3
Supervision	Some tests need supervision, others can be taken unsupervised at home2
Format	All ADAPT tests are available online; there is no paper alternative5
Content variation	The system randomly generates each assessment from question banks, so content varies between candidates5
Joystick	The Co-ordination (Ball Game) practice test is a joystick only version; Symbiotics recommends the Thrustmaster T16000M or anything equivalent3
Tablets	The FAST and Co-ordination and Control tests cannot be taken on a tablet3
Generation easyJet stage 2	ADAPT test: pilot aptitude (hand/eye co-ordination, motor skills, spatial awareness), academic, mathematical and technical capacity, a multiple-choice technical reasoning test and a dynamic multi-task test; virtual or at a CAE location in Europe7
Generation easyJet result validity	Assessment results are valid for one year (CAE)7
Personality questionnaire validity	Results valid for 24 months (practice version)3
Free practice tool	The ADAPT Pilot Readiness Indicator is free; there are no free trials of ADAPT tests5
Practice attempts	Maths, Physics and Cognitive Reasoning practice: 5 attempts per purchase; Co-ordination and FAST: 15 attempts; other tests and questionnaires: 1 attempt; practice licence codes valid 3 months5
Practice bundle prices (UK, GBP)	Cadet Knowledge Bundle GBP 48; Cadet Dexterity Bundle GBP 47; Cadet Essentials Bundle GBP 68; Cadet Insight Bundle GBP 245 (adds the ADAPT Personality Questionnaire)3
Maths test topics	Speed, distance and time; calculating fuel rates; basic Pythagoras; statistics5
Physics test topics	Include properties of solids, liquids and gases, magnets, energy, mass and weight, waves, basic circuitry, pressure, acceleration, force, velocity, levers, units of measurement5
Direct entry topics	Aviation knowledge in 8 areas: Air Law, General Navigation, Human Performance, Instruments, Meteorology, Performance, Principles of Flight, Radio Navigation4
Regulation	EASA.CAT.GEN.MPA.175(b) in effect since 14 February 2021; Symbiotics recommends a battery of personality questionnaire, CRM questionnaire, FAST and cognitive reasoning tests for direct entry pilots6

Modules

The modules of ADAPT (Symbiotics) and what each one measures. For all modules: Online or on site: Online.

Module	What it measures	Duration	Answer format
Maths test5	Applied maths: speed, distance and time, fuel rates, basic Pythagoras, statistics	Varies by school	Knowledge test; fixed question set in practice
Physics test5	Physics fundamentals: solids, liquids and gases, energy, circuits, forces, velocity, levers, pressure	Varies by school	Knowledge test
English3	Language knowledge (named by Symbiotics among cadet knowledge tests)	Varies by school	Knowledge test
Cognitive Reasoning6	Numerical reasoning, perception speed and accuracy, verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning, working memory, abstract reasoning	Varies by school	Cognitive tests
FAST6	Multitasking, learning, cognitive ability, situational awareness and physical skills	Varies by school	Dynamic multitask test; cannot be taken on a tablet
Co-ordination and Control (Ball Game)3	Psychomotor skill and hand-eye co-ordination	Practice test can be repeated 14 times	Joystick only version (practice); cannot be taken on a tablet
ADAPT Personality Questionnaire6	Big Five traits plus aviation-specific traits such as Hazardous Attitudes	Varies	Questionnaire, no wrong answer
Crew Resource Management questionnaire6	Decision-making and communication in response to various situations	Varies	Preference-based questionnaire
Aviation knowledge (direct entry, first job)4	Air Law, General Navigation, Human Performance, Instruments, Meteorology, Performance, Principles of Flight, Radio Navigation	Varies	Knowledge test

Who uses it

Programmes and selections where ADAPT (Symbiotics) appears, each with its source.

Programme
Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme (CAE selection stage 2)7

Scoring and retakes

ADAPT does not pass or fail candidates. It produces a breakdown of performance and a recommendation based on statistical scoring models, and the school or airline applies its own benchmark. Symbiotics can adjust scoring to an organisation's culture and competencies, so two schools using the same test can set different standards. The practice versions give you a report on completion, showing correct and incorrect answers and areas for development, but not the answers themselves. For the real assessment, ask the company that invited you for your results. For Generation easyJet, CAE states that assessment results are valid for one year, and CAE states that Generation easyJet allows one re-assessment after a six-month cooldown. Symbiotics gives the personality questionnaire in its practice product a validity of 24 months.2 7 8

What ADAPT is

ADAPT is both a platform and a family of tests. Symbiotics, a UK assessment company, built the platform so that airlines and schools can send candidates a set of online tests and receive reports. The tests come from Symbiotics' own psychology and technical teams and are used to pre-screen cadets, pilots, cabin crew and instructors. A core batch supports the ICAO pilot competencies, and clients combine them freely: a school may use ADAPT from the first step to the last, or as one stage of a wider process. The result is that there is no single ADAPT test, only the set your organisation chose.

The three test families for cadets

Knowledge tests check maths, physics and English. The maths test can cover speed, distance and time, fuel rates, basic Pythagoras and statistics. The physics test can include solids, liquids and gases, magnets, energy, mass and weight, waves, basic circuitry, pressure, acceleration, force, velocity, levers and units of measurement. Aptitude tests measure psychomotor skills and multitasking through FAST and Co-ordination. Behavioural tests look into personality, preferences and motivation, through the ADAPT Personality Questionnaire. Symbiotics notes there is a very good chance that your selection mixes tests from all three families.5

What Generation easyJet candidates do

CAE runs the selection for Generation easyJet. After the online application, stage 2 is the ADAPT test, either virtually or at a CAE location in Europe. It covers computer-based pilot aptitude, including hand-eye co-ordination, motor skills and spatial awareness, plus academic, mathematical and technical capacity, a multiple-choice test of technical reasoning and a dynamic multi-task test. Stage 3 is a group activity and personal interview. Your invitation lists the modules for your intake.7 8

What direct entry pilots meet

For experienced pilots Symbiotics recommends a battery with a personality questionnaire covering the Big Five and aviation traits such as Hazardous Attitudes, a Crew Resource Management questionnaire, the FAST multitasking test and cognitive reasoning tests. Pilots applying for a first cockpit job are likely to be tested on their aviation knowledge across eight subjects, and experienced pilots may be assessed on how they handle conflict. Operators use the battery to meet EASA.CAT.GEN.MPA.175(b), which requires a psychological assessment before line flying.6

Equipment

You need a computer, and the Co-ordination (Ball Game) test is taken with a joystick. Symbiotics recommends the Thrustmaster T16000M or an equivalent model, and says the FAST and Co-ordination tests cannot be taken on a tablet. If a joystick misbehaves, Symbiotics advises replugging it into a different USB port, trying another computer or joystick and checking calibration under Game Controllers in your operating system. Disable browser plug-ins that block pop-ups or tracking if a test will not load.5

Practice options and prices

Symbiotics sells practice versions in its Practice Shop, with 3 months of access from purchase and a report on each attempt. Prices checked on 25 October 2026 for the UK store: Cadet Knowledge Bundle (maths, physics, cognitive reasoning) GBP 48, Cadet Dexterity Bundle (FAST and the joystick-only Ball Game Co-ordination test) GBP 47, and Cadet Essentials Bundle combining both GBP 68, and the Cadet Insight Bundle GBP 245, which adds the ADAPT Personality Questionnaire with a feedback call from the psychology team. Practice tests use one fixed set of questions, so repeat purchases show the same questions. The free Pilot Readiness Indicator gives an overview of strengths and development areas without a purchase.

How to prepare

Symbiotics recommends researching the school you are applying to, refreshing GCSE-level formulas for the knowledge tests, and practising calculations in your head. For aptitude tests it suggests sports, fine motor hobbies, joystick games and multitasking practice. For behavioural tests it asks you to answer openly and honestly, since there is no wrong answer. Here, the easyJet selection plan practises the ADAPT stage with maths, mechanical reasoning, multitasking, hand-eye-foot coordination and arithmetic. Add joystick practice before the day for the Co-ordination test.3 8

Regulatory background

EASA.CAT.GEN.MPA.175 has applied since 14 February 2021 and requires operators to ensure flight crew have had a psychological assessment before line flying. It must cover cognitive abilities, personality traits, operational and professional competencies, and social competencies, and be performed or overseen by a psychologist with aviation knowledge. ADAPT is one of the systems operators use for that purpose.6

What you get with the Pilot Pass

The easyJet selection plan covers the ADAPT stage with maths and mechanical reasoning questions, multitasking, hand-eye-foot coordination, mixed arithmetic and time arithmetic, and the next stage with group exercise practice and interview preparation (31 questions with tips). Pilot Pass: all questions in study, test and exam mode, as often as you like for the length of your Pass; the interactive aptitude tests are part of the Pass. A free account gets up to 8 free 10-question sets a week.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ADAPT pilot aptitude test?

ADAPT is Symbiotics' online assessment platform. It delivers pilot aptitude tests such as maths, physics, FAST multitasking, a joystick Co-ordination test, cognitive reasoning and a personality questionnaire, chosen by the school or airline.1

Do I need a joystick for ADAPT?

The Co-ordination (Ball Game) test is taken with a joystick; Symbiotics recommends the Thrustmaster T16000M or an equivalent. FAST and Co-ordination cannot be taken on a tablet.3 5

Which airline uses ADAPT?

The Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme uses an ADAPT test at stage 2 of the CAE selection.7

Can I take ADAPT at home?

Some ADAPT tests are taken unsupervised from home and others require supervision. For Generation easyJet, stage 2 is virtual or at a CAE location in Europe.2 7

Can I fail ADAPT?

ADAPT itself does not pass or fail candidates. It gives the organisation a breakdown and a recommendation, and the organisation decides.2

How long are ADAPT results valid?

For Generation easyJet, CAE says assessment results are valid for one year. Results of the personality questionnaire in the Symbiotics practice product are valid for 24 months.3 7

Is there a free ADAPT practice test?

Symbiotics does not offer free trials of ADAPT tests, but its Pilot Readiness Indicator is free. Cadet practice bundles run from GBP 47 to GBP 245.3 5

What maths is on the ADAPT test?

Topics can include speed, distance and time, calculating fuel rates, basic Pythagoras and statistics.5

Can I retake ADAPT?

For Generation easyJet, CAE allows one re-assessment after a six-month cooldown. Symbiotics practice tests can be repeated several times within 3 months, but they use a fixed set of questions.5 7