According to the RAF Pilot role page (archive copy of 1 October 2026), the Computer Based Aptitude Tests ensure the Royal Air Force matches the right candidate to the right role. That page said you take them over one day at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. In its 2015 guidance notes, the Royal Air Force explains that aptitude testing is the first part of the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre selection process for a number of branches. These branches include Pilot, Air Traffic Control and Weapon Systems Operator. Not all branches require aptitude testing.12

On 1 October 2026 the RAF Pilot role page listed CBAT as Stage 2 of 8. It came after the aptitude test, which had six multiple choice sections. These sections were verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, electrical comprehension and mechanical comprehension. It came before the Suitability Assessment, Health Assessment, Fitness test, OASC, Familiarisation visit and Offer of service.1

On 1 October 2026 the RAF Pilot role page listed specific tasks that the tests measure. According to that page, they measure how well you respond physically to visual information. They assess your ability to interpret information in two dimensions and devise a three-dimensional solution. They measure your ability to complete several tasks simultaneously. Finally, they measure your natural abilities, including deductive reasoning, spatial reasoning, work rate and concentration, and verbal and numerical reasoning.1

In its 2015 guidance notes, the Royal Air Force explains that each aptitude test is designed to measure particular abilities, which in turn are grouped into categories or domains. The notes describe a selection of a few of the tests. The Airborne Numerical Test assesses your ability to estimate answers to mathematical problems involving time/speed/distance and fuel consumption calculations, using mental arithmetic without a calculator, and takes approximately 33 minutes including instructions. The Angles, Bearings and Degrees Test assesses your judgement of angles and bearings and takes approximately 9 minutes. The Instrument Comprehension Test assesses your ability to visualise using pictorial, numerical and verbal information and takes approximately 25 minutes. The Sensory Motor Apparatus Test uses a joystick and foot pedal to assess your eye-hand-foot coordination and takes approximately 8 minutes. The Rapid Tracking Test assesses your ability to track and target objects and takes approximately 15 minutes. The Cognitive Updating Test involves multiple tasks to assess your ability to manage and coordinate tasks in a busy working environment and takes approximately 32 minutes. The Situational Awareness Test assesses your ability to collate verbal, numerical, pictorial information to build, maintain and update a mental picture of a complex changing situation to solve problems, taking approximately 27 minutes. The Spatial Integration Test assesses your ability to collate information provided by a number of two-dimensional displays to form a three-dimensional air/ground picture and takes approximately 26 minutes. The 2015 guidance notes also list, among others, the Table Reading Test, Trace Test 1, Trace Test 2, Verbal Logic Test, Vigilance Test and Visual Search Test.2

In its 2015 guidance notes, the Royal Air Force says the tests are carried out in a purpose-built test room which has the capacity to test up to 45 candidates simultaneously. You use a computer keyboard of a non-standard design, and certain tests may require the use of a trackball, joystick foot pedal, headphones or a mixture of the equipment. Test instructions are given on the computer monitor for you to read and understand in your own time, and there is usually a short practice session before each test. The notes also say there are rest breaks after about every hour of testing, but once a test has begun, you must continue to work until it is completed. All aptitude tests are timed. You should not be concerned if you fail to finish all the questions in each test, because not all candidates do. The full test programme can last up to 8 hours, and you may sit a restricted number of tests depending on your branch choice. After completing the tests programme, each candidate is debriefed by a Reviewing Officer who will explain how you have performed.2

In its 2015 guidance notes, the Royal Air Force states there is no limit on the number of times an aptitude test may be taken, but a period of at least one year must elapse between each attempt. The upper age limit for your branch preference may limit the number of attempts. Certain tests, particularly those for the Pilot Branch, are the same as those used for Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and Army Air Corps flying selection. An attempt for one Service initiates the same time limitation before returning to undertake testing for either of the others. The 2015 guidance notes refer eligibility queries to the Armed Forces Careers Office or the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre.2

In its 2015 guidance notes, the Royal Air Force advises you to prepare for the Airborne Numerical Test by practising your mental arithmetic and calculations involving time/speed/distance and fuel consumption. You can prepare for the Colours Letters and Numbers Test, Numerical Operations Test and System Logic Test by practising your mental arithmetic. For the Mathematics Reasoning Test, you can prepare by practising calculations using the time/speed/distance formula. You can prepare for the Angles, Bearings and Degrees Test by familiarising yourself with bearings and different sizes of angles. For the Dynamic Projection Test, you can prepare by familiarising yourself with bearings. For many tests, the 2015 guidance notes say you do not need to prepare. The 2015 guidance notes advised candidates to work as quickly and accurately as possible, and not to spend too much time on any one question. The 2015 guidance notes advise you to have a good breakfast, keep hydrated and feel fit beforehand. On 1 October 2026 the RAF Pilot role page linked to an online practice test for the Stage 1 aptitude test. Practise with our free practice set. The Pilot Pass gives unlimited practice.12

In its 2015 guidance notes, the Royal Air Force says candidates considered competitive for selection based on their Computer Based Aptitude Tests and Filter Interview performance may be invited to undergo further assessment over a 2 day period. Achieving the minimum aptitude standards for your branch preference does not necessarily mean that you will automatically be invited to attend the next stage. On 1 October 2026 the RAF Pilot role page stated that the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre lasts one day, but you will arrive the day before. According to that page, during this time the officers will be assessing your leadership, teamwork, communication, motivation, and problem solving, and the day will end with an interview.12