RNZAF test, what to expect

[pala96]

So Iam posting on this forum to learn all I can about the RNZAF testing process and what it entails. I am currently brushing up on my math & English skills but would really like a first hand account of what to expect on the test and what areas to focus on. Any little piece of information will help!!!

[Dave Homewood]

It has now been 24 years since I sat my first RNZAF test, during my recruitment phase, so things may have changed. However points about it I recall is it had the following:

- sections where mathematics were needed
- sections where a general knowledge of engineering was required (maybe this was just for us who were entering engineering trades? not sure)
- I think there may have been a short essay required to test English skills, but I am not sure if that was the same test
- lots of logic questions, such as they'd give you a sequence of numbers and you had to work out the pattern and then predict the next numbers in the sequence
- The worst part for me was it was under time pressure, you didn't have long to do everything so you had to work fast

I can't recall much else apart from the really terrifying wait afterwards to hear the results. They made us all stand outside the classroom at the-then Knox Street barracks in Hamilton for an eternity. They then came out and called names, around 2/3rds of the 60-70 testees went back in the classroom and the rest of us were stood in the cold wondering what was going on. General concensus was that the majority must have passed so we few were all the failures. I think there were about 15-18 of us all stood for another ten minutes in trepidation. then we were invited in to find the classroom empty, the others all gone, and the testing officer announced "Congratulations, you are the ones who passed the test". Holy shit that was a relief, but it amazed me then and still does that after all the screening and selection we'd had prior to this point just how many failed!!

My advise based on my experience is keep a clear head, focus and work fast. I suspect most who failed the test were through non-completion rather than wrong answers.

My only other advise is, if you haven't already, talk to a recruiter about just what to expect in the test and see what they will reveal.

[pala96]

Thank you very much for the information. I appreciate it! I was hoping to find something more recent

[baronbeeza]

You may need to be more specific with your background and interests also. Many here would have done these various tests over the years but they will no doubt vary with the trades you apply for.
They will not be too difficult though, much of it you will not be able to study. They will just be an indication of your intelligence level as opposed to your knowledge, - if that makes sense.

Given that the RNZAF seems to be suffering a little recruiting crisis you may well find that by locating the venue on the correct day is good enough.

[lesterpk]

There are sample questions on the RNZAF recruiting website.

[pala96]

well baronbeeza
I'am a 22 year old male located in sunny south Florida. I will be graduating from university in a few months with a bachelors degree in business management and a minor in marketing. Iam a dual citizen of the United States and of New Zealand since birth. Iam interested in becoming a pilot for the royal New Zealand air force. I was reading the information on defense careers and saw a couple examples of what may be on the test. I was really hoping to find out any material that people found helpful in passing the general maths, math reasoning and instrument comprehension. you mentioned
"given that the RNZAF seems to be suffering a little recruiting crisis you may well find that by locating the venue on the correct day is good enough" is that in regards towards pilots???

[corsair67]

You've got duel NZ and US citizenship, and you want to join the RNZAF as a pilot, rather than the USAF, USN or USMC!!!!

[Luther Moore]

It might not be the same,but I am also doing 'the first tests for the Army,Navy,Airorce here in Australia.The aptitude test was not what I was expecting, alot of number patterns,for example,2..4..6..8..what comes next,then it gets a bit harder later on.Again i'm not sure if it the same over there but the tests are the easy parts,the interviews are the hard part.I passed my first few tests easy but the bit they were not impressed with was because I didn't know enough of what life was like when you go to boot camp,and for that I nearly failed.

PS Australia needs soldiers too,but they dont let you in any easier.

[baronbeeza]

Thanks for the reply Pala. Good on yer.
It has been a loooong time since I did it but things may not have changed too much.
What seems to be the trend is that many apply to be pilots, - naturally.
The initial testing (finding the venue etc) is pretty straightforward.
If you are deemed to have done the right stuff in those aptitude tests you will be be invited to do another series of testing. Way back it meant attending a Persel at Hobsonville. You were placed in a syndicate of similar applicants and over a period of a few days did the Psych tests, medicals, syndicate exercises and interviews.
If you passed all this ok then you were accepted for Officer Training and put through your initial course where they had another opportunity to cull a few more out.
Basically if things go your way it is not too difficult and generally everyone finds their level..
It will be good to see how the modern selection is done, I am sure we will get a good answer soon. The ones to date should have given you an idea though.

I would read up on the job, as opposed to any form of study.
That goes for any job interview. The interviewers are more concerned about how they will work alongside you in 2 years time than whether you know the square root of 22,134.

Being a moderate drinker but non-smoker may help. I know they ask those questions countless times. You may have to be a Psychologist to interpret the correct answer there though.
For all I know it may well be that you have to run to and from the pub.
Personality, Personal qualities, manners etc are highly regarded ahead of academic abilities.
Working out the square root of 33,674 while picking your nose will not cut it.
Doing the same calculation after running 2 miles and downing 2 jugs may be ok.
It is up to the individual and the selection panel..
Confidence and competence will be the key.... all the best with it.

[phil82]

Apr 30, 2012 14:16:35 GMT 12 pala96 said:

well baronbeeza
I'am a 22 year old male located in sunny south Florida. I will be graduating from university in a few months with a bachelors degree in business management and a minor in marketing. Iam a dual citizen of the United States and of New Zealand since birth. Iam interested in becoming a pilot for the royal New Zealand air force. I was reading the information on defense careers and saw a couple examples of what may be on the test. I was really hoping to find out any material that people found helpful in passing the general maths, math reasoning and instrument comprehension. you mentioned
"given that the RNZAF seems to be suffering a little recruiting crisis you may well find that by locating the venue on the correct day is good enough" is that in regards towards pilots???

I can't recall the tests, but I think you'll find those for pilot selection are very different to, say, those for non-aircrew!

If , on the other hand, I were to offer advice to you I would suggest you have another look at your aims and aspirations!

Most people joining the military as pilots do so because they want to fly something single seat powerful and fast, and that rules out New Zealand!

Secondly, there is a very high rate of failure in pilot selection standards in any air force, because they can, and do, take only the very best. That doesn't necessarily mean that to be dropped indicates a lack of ability, rather than not meeting what the military need! The difference in your choices is that you have the choice of multiple air arms, which in turn would increase your options. That doesn't necessarily mean the RNZAF is an easier route,it isn't, just that the US has more options!

[Dave Homewood]

Phil82 is right in that aircrew selection process is different from that of groundcrew. My experience relates to groundcrew. I have known people who went through the Aircrew selection and tests and there is a lot more to it in terms of physics, maths, quick thinking and general I.Q.

Another thing big on the aircrew selection process is confidence in one's actions and thoughts, thought not so much with that confidence coming across as cockiness. They look for people who have leadership qualities and clear, concise thought skills. They want people to be analytical and solve problems correctly with speed and calmness.

There is a lot more vigorous medical testing for aircrew than for groundcrew. Good eyesight and balance are paramount, for example.

As for the contents of the actual written exam, I am not qualified to talk about this I'm afraid, but we have numerous current and ex-RNZAF aircrew members here who can hopefully help with that.

Don't be discouraged by the talk about the RNZAF not having fast jets, etc. I'm sure you're well aware of what the RNZAF has on strength and that there is still a good career there for those who can get into it as aircrew.

[phil82]

Apr 30, 2012 15:41:48 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Don't be discouraged by the talk about the RNZAF not having fast jets, etc. I'm sure you're well aware of what the RNZAF has on strength and that there is still a good career there for those who can get into it as aircrew.

I'm not suggesting that isn't the case, but you only have to look at the numbers of former RNZAF FJ pilots now flying for the RAF/RAAF to gauge where their interests lay!''The RNZAF still stirs interest overseas, as witness by the number of ex-RAF people here. It can't be all just for the wine! I know a number of contemporaneous people who initially came in on a Wings course but were found wanting but stayed on in other branches. I also knew one whose career ended after he hit a truck on Himitangi beach in a Harvard! Brilliantly recovered back to Ohakea but that cut no ice with his boss! Gone the next day!

Maybe it's the beer!

[meo4]

RNZN takes on pilots and aircrew which is extremely selective .Had mate last year who attempted to CFR to pilot missed out as they only looking for one trainee pilot that year.
He later applied to service change to the RNZAF as a pilot and is now currently completing officer training. I heard in the past they have turned down a helipro pilot.

[pala96]

thank you so much guys, all this input was very helpful. I guess iam going to hit the books harder and stay dedicated and work hard.

[lumpy]

I sat ( and passed ) the tests to become a pilot back in the 1980's . I dont recall the actual tests , but passing those was the easy part . The problem was all the following interwiews to determine if you were " the right stuff " ( I wasnt ) .Dont know what its like now , but back then there were lots of applicants for very few jobs , so they could be ( and were ) very picky . They are looking for decent , well rounded people , not just those that can pass tests . I recall a lot of questions such as " what do you do on an average Saturday night " and " do you play sport " ?

[beagle]

marching, running, polishing brass, marching, making bed packs, spit polishing shoes, marching, ironing, cleaning toilets, marching, saying "yes corporal", picking up rubbish, did I mention marching.
As a recruit course t shirt said..
" The Air Force is a Flying Corp, So what the _ uck are we marching for "

[phil]

Not much polishing brass any more (We didn't even do that 16 years ago) and they have duvets now, so no more bedpacks. Shoes come shiny, not much to be gained by spit polising them, actually it probably ruins them.

[beagle]

hey, whats the world coming to. Man they have it soft now a days

[baronbeeza]

I think most of your activities were associated with Recruit training Beagle. The Officer PerSel courses at Hobby even over 30 years ago were a little more laid back, - I think the intention being to put the candidate at ease.
With a casual environment the applicants were more likely to have their guard down.
I found the Staff and seconded Officers to be very friendly and helpful, the majority of people there were civilians anyway. The funny thing was that 90% would remain civilians.

The RNZAF is a very small organisation, testing Officers and candidates would often find themselves standing alongside each other in an Officers' Mess bar within months.
Character and attitude play a very big part in the career path of a fledgling Officer.

[phil82]

I agree, though I did two pre-selections! I was in Singapore when I was summoned to Geoff Wallingford's [CO 14]office where he delivered the surprising news that I'd been nominated for commissioning. I told him there must be a mistake because I hadn't shown any interest whatsoever, but he insisted he was right,[and he always was!] and that I wasn't going back to NZ so he'd arranged for the RAF at Tengah to do a preliminary assessment, the results of which would be sent back to Wellington! I never did see that RAF report, but back in NZ I did the proper pre-selection at Wigram and ended up at a final interview with a GP Capt Al Parlane in Wellington, an absolute gentleman for anyone that remembers him.

He asked me why I wanted to be an Officer and I told him I didn't particularly, and that the idea wasn't mine" but I'd pick it up and run with it to see how far I got"."Well" he says, "the RAF think well of you, and I agree" and without further ado I was slotted for the next OTS at the Charm School. If you're wondering, I finished up a Sqn Ldr but opted out in 1982 after almost25 years.