The Royal Navy aircrew aptitude test: a complete guide
Applying to fly with the Fleet Air Arm as a Royal Navy pilot or observer means sitting computer-based aptitude testing of the same family as the RAF's CBAT. This guide explains what that testing measures, how it relates to the CBAT, how it's scored for your role, and how to prepare properly — so you turn up knowing exactly what's in front of you.
CBAT Ready is an independent study aid, not an official Royal Navy resource. Always confirm the current process and requirements at the official Royal Navy careers site.
What the Royal Navy aircrew test covers
Like all flying aptitude testing, the Royal Navy's aircrew assessment doesn't test what you know — it measures the underlying abilities the cockpit demands. Expect timed, computer-based tests of mental arithmetic (including speed, distance and time), spatial and navigational reasoning, instrument interpretation, memory and sustained attention, and hand-eye coordination through continuous tracking tasks.
For the Fleet Air Arm, the maritime context puts a premium on navigation and situational awareness — building and holding a picture over water, where there are fewer visual references than over land. The tests are run back to back under strict timing, so sustained, accurate performance across a long session matters as much as any single result.
How it relates to the RAF CBAT
The Royal Navy's aircrew aptitude testing sits in the same family as the RAF's CBAT. Both assess the same core flying aptitudes with computer-based, timed tests, which is exactly why practising CBAT-style tests builds the right skills for Royal Navy selection. The precise battery, timings and pass standards are set by the Royal Navy and can differ from the RAF's — treat any specific figure you read online as a guide and confirm the current standards officially.
Who sits it: pilot and observer
In the Fleet Air Arm, both pilots and observers (the aircrew who run the mission systems and tactical picture) are assessed on flying aptitude. Pilots are weighted towards the psychomotor tracking and multitasking tests; observers towards the perceptual, memory and situational-awareness work that running sensors and a tactical plot demands. Other Royal Navy branches — warfare, engineering, logistics — have their own selection, so check the requirements for your specific role.
The tests to practise
These CBAT Ready tests map directly onto the aptitudes Royal Navy aircrew selection measures. Airborne Numerical is free to try without an account.
Speed, distance and time in your head — the core mental-maths of flying.
Read cockpit instruments to work out an aircraft's attitude and heading.
Judge angles and read compass bearings by eye — essential over water.
Continuous hand-eye tracking with a joystick — the psychomotor core.
Keep several changing values current at once — real multitasking.
Build and hold a tactical picture, then answer on what was where.
That's a focused starting set — the full test list covers every aptitude, and the Simulator lets you run a role-weighted battery back to back.
How it's scored
Aptitude tests of this type are converted into stanines — standardised scores from 1 to 9 — then weighted and combined for the role you're applying for, usually with minimum scoresrequired in key areas. There's no single universal pass mark: a strong profile for one role can fall short for another because the weighting and the floors differ. Prepare around your target role rather than trying to max out everything equally.
How to prepare
- Learn the formats first. Sit each test once, unpressured, to understand what it asks — half a cold attempt is wasted just working this out.
- Build accuracy before speed. Get the method reliably right, then push the pace.
- Drill your weak tests. Your worst required area drags your score down most — and a minimum-score floor can fail you outright.
- Rehearse tracking and multitasking. The psychomotor and multitasking tests improve most with practice and are the ones you can least afford to meet cold.
- Practise under real timing, back to back. Run the Simulator so pressure and fatigue stop being a surprise on the day.
Frequently asked questions
What aptitude test does the Royal Navy use for aircrew?
Royal Navy aircrew candidates — Fleet Air Arm pilots and observers — sit computer-based aptitude testing of the same family as the RAF's CBAT, assessing mental arithmetic, spatial reasoning, memory, attention and hand-eye coordination. The exact battery and where it's sat can change, so confirm the current process on the official Royal Navy careers site before you apply.
Is the Royal Navy aircrew test the same as the RAF CBAT?
They are closely related rather than identical. Both measure the same underlying flying aptitudes with computer-based, timed tests, which is why practising CBAT-style tests builds the right skills for Royal Navy aircrew selection. The precise test list, timings and pass standards are set by the Royal Navy and may differ from the RAF's — always verify officially.
Can I prepare for Royal Navy aircrew aptitude testing?
Yes. You can't learn the answers, but you can remove the surprise: get familiar with each test format, build accuracy before speed, and rehearse the tracking and multitasking tasks that are impossible to improve on cold. Candidates who have practised the exact question styles waste far less of their attempt working out what each test wants.
What roles need the aptitude test in the Royal Navy?
Aircrew roles in the Fleet Air Arm — pilot and observer — are the main ones assessed on flying aptitude. Warfare and other officer branches have their own selection. Check the current requirements for your specific role on the official Royal Navy careers site.
How is the aptitude test scored?
Tests of this type are converted to standardised scores (stanines, 1–9) and then weighted and combined for the role you're applying for, usually with minimum scores required in key areas. There is no single universal pass mark — what matters is how your profile matches the role's requirements.
Disclaimer. CBAT Ready is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing the Ministry of Defence or the Royal Navy. Practice material builds the underlying skills based on publicly available information about CBAT-style testing. The exact tests, weightings and standards are set by the Royal Navy and can change — always confirm the current process at the official Royal Navy careers site.