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Cognitive tests during interviews?
Heard from a friend that he had to do one hell of a cognitive test for his job at Compass, curious if you have to do these for other regional carriers when you are interviewed? Are they hard/easy to pass - any good ways to prepare you have in mind?
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The "cognitive" tests are really just a bunch of reflex and memory tests. Some people say Lumosity has helped them prepare. You really have to screw them up to fail out on them tho, I wouldn't stress it. Your time is much better spent prepping for the knowledge and HR portions
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XJT does one. I agree with Yazzoo, IMO not a portion of the interview to be worried about.
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Luminosity helped me prepare for the one I took for XJT. I don't think a cognitive test is something to stress over but if anyone doesn't plan on preparing for it, better make sure you get strong scores on any other test.
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Delta is really into psychometric testing and bequeathed the tests they had to Expressjet-ASA when they were brought under their control. I took it and I doubt other than being aware you are going to have to do them, and there's not a lot you can do to prepare. The written knowledge exam at those companies is something you can prepare for, and should.
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Endeavor is doing it too. Seems a good portion of the DCI carriers are doing the full Delta computerized testing set. Psych, Cognitive, and Tech knowledge.
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Originally Posted by pa28dakota
(Post 1533621)
Endeavor is doing it too. Seems a good portion of the DCI carriers are doing the full Delta computerized testing set. Psych, Cognitive, and Tech knowledge.
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There isn't a whole lot you can do to prepare for the cog test. Lumosity may help, but I don't think it will make a large difference.
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Originally Posted by BlueMoon
(Post 1533729)
There isn't a whole lot you can do to prepare for the cog test. Lumosity may help, but I don't think it will make a large difference.
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Originally Posted by BlueMoon
(Post 1533729)
There isn't a whole lot you can do to prepare for the cog test. Lumosity may help, but I don't think it will make a large difference.
Luminosity and other games along those lines actually will help. So would any hobby or activity which involves mental agility, probably including some video games. You just have to do a significant amount of it, and the more varied the better. Navy submarine officers actually practice "mental gymnastics" for this reason, since they attempt to do everything with passive bearings, equivalent to multiple NDB bearings with no DME or other range data. But like others said if you're a competent instrument pilot you shouldn't have any problem with these tests...airlines aren't trying to select the best "rain-men" they can find, they just want to avoid the far-left end of the bell curve. |
Originally Posted by LostInPA
(Post 1533741)
+1. If you can play a game of Madden (or NHL/Forza/GTA/Call of Duty/etc.) while running through your current aircraft's limitations/memory items/callouts, then IMO, you will have no trouble with the cognitive test. Just a different take on it.
I honestly haven't studied for either Compass' or Comair's cog tests (both exactly the same, by the way). You have enough to study for the job knowledge exam and HR interview. Just be accurate and as quick as you can. You will mess up. The key I tell people is don't let that frustrate you. Go right back to being accurate and quick. |
I had to do these for the 2 day ASA interview a few years ago... I didn't prepare for them at all, and don't play video games. I had no issues, at least I don't think I did since I received an offer. The biggest issue from what I remember was the time constraint, so you had to just keep going if a problem slowed you down.
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XJT does one. I agree with Yazzoo, IMO not a portion of the interview to be worried about. |
I did the free Lumosity.com exercises for a couple of weeks before I had my Compass interview.
I felt it helped on the cog portion. The actual exercises between the two are different (although a few are very similar, particularly the pattern matching ones) but it was more a matter of getting used to the concepts and dusting off the cobwebs. I'm an old fart, so I need all the practice I can get. For sure, I don't think hitting Lumosity, or something similar, for a bit would hurt at all. And as has already been pointed out, just keep plugging away and don't get frustrated. It's a weird set of tests, but doable. |
I agree with @woutlaw. Luminosity helps for flexing your mental muscle even if the tests are nothing alike. It's helps you get used to making quick decisions with a timer running in the background.
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Originally Posted by BlueMoon
(Post 1533767)
You just gave me a justification to get the new xbox. I'm telling my girlfriend it is job training.
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I didn't prepare for the Cog test at all for Compass. Found it quite interesting and not difficult. If you can keep yourself from getting stressed out and view the thing as a challenging game it's not bad at all.
I'd spend time studying for technical portions of whatever interview you have. |
As always - you can find differing opinions on whether you can actually **study** for cognitive tests:
You CAN study - Cognitive Training, Brain Test - The IMPACT Study - Posit Science Led by distinguished scientists from Mayo Clinic and the University of Southern California, the IMPACT study proves that people can make statistically significant gains in memory and processing speed if they do the right kind of scientifically designed cognitive exercises. Study: Brain Games Don't Boost Overall Mental Function - TIME But in the largest study of these games to date, a team of British researchers has found that healthy adults who undertake computer-based "brain training" do not improve their mental fitness in any significant way. Some on here have said that it helped? I'm wondering if those that took the test and scored XXX, then 'studied' and took it again and scored any better? If so - WHY do you think 'studying' helped? |
Originally Posted by PCLCREW
(Post 1533813)
One of the hiring people at Compass said they lose half of their applicants during the computer testing phase, so I would say it's fairly important.
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Those people who perceive the correct name of the website LUMOSITY.com will do great on a cog test. Those who glance over the name and call it LUMINOSITY.com won't do as well and should pay closer attention to detail :)
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Make sure you get a good nights sleep. When I interviewed at XJT I had been awake for nearly 2 days and didn't do well on the cognitive test, ended up going to to IAH for a sim eval. I still got the offer.
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Originally Posted by PCLCREW
(Post 1533813)
One of the hiring people at Compass said they lose half of their applicants during the computer testing phase, so I would say it's fairly important.
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Originally Posted by Temocil27
(Post 1534798)
Those people who perceive the correct name of the website LUMOSITY.com will do great on a cog test. Those who glance over the name and call it LUMINOSITY.com won't do as well and should pay closer attention to detail :)
shiiiii..... |
In the current issue of The Atlantic the cover story is about companies using these tests to hire (and promote) personnel. The article is an interesting read not just for the hiring aspect but also how companies monitor you at work.
"They're Watching You at Work" By Don Peck The Atlantic December 2013 |
Originally Posted by jsfBoat
(Post 1535595)
Make sure you get a good nights sleep. When I interviewed at XJT I had been awake for nearly 2 days and didn't do well on the cognitive test, ended up going to to IAH for a sim eval. I still got the offer.
Got it. |
I wouldn't say it was a ridiculously hard test but it can be confusing if you haven't looked into it at all. The job knowledge portion is much more difficult and will require a lot more time to prepare. I played lumosity on the computer and on my ipad and it definitely helped. I wanna say some of the games on the ipad were almost exactly the same exercises you will see in cog test. If anyone needs it, here's the gouge I got for the cog test which is pretty accurate:
Cognitive Skills Test They will have you fill out a sheet of paper with your background so they can statistically track all the data (sex, race, hours, computer use etc). There are 13 tests total and some have a combination of previous tests. There really isn't any way to study for it but maybe knowing the format will help someone out when they count it for real. Everything is done on the computer with a touch pen and a keyboard is used on the last 2 tests. I don't remember the exact order but here it goes. 1. Numbers Recall - A series of 3,4, or 5 digit numbers are displayed on a screen one at a time and you will have to remember what they are in reverse order during a time limit (i.e. 4-6-1-3 will have a response of 3-1-6-4). 2. Number/ Symbol Recognition - 6 symbols are represented as numbers and you will have to convert those by pressing a numbers on the screen as you move along the string of symbols. You are to complete as many symbols as possible. The key code is shown but here it is: - U L T X O Note: there aren't actual letters just the general shapes....the T is 1 2 3 4 5 6 actually an upside down T shape looking for the number 4. They will ask you later to identify the symbols without the key to see if you remember it. 3. Numbers Sequence - This test will have you look at 4 squares and see how fast you can count up by pressing the next number in a sequence starting with 1 during a time limit. There will be distracters in the other 3 boxes. Later you will have to do the same but also insert letters. (1-A-2-B-3-C etc) 4. Number/Letter Comparison - This test will have to sets of number/letter combinations and you are to press a square to see if they are the same or different during a given time: H63MLO H63NLO 5. Blocks - This test will see if you can remember a grid with various colored blocks (purple and yellow). You will see one to memorize then two will appear and you will have to match the right one. 6. Tones - This test will see if you can tell if 2 series of tones are the same or different. You will hear the tones then press the same or different box. 7. Bar and Circle - This test will have a circle with a bar in the middle that will either climb or drop into a red area. You can't press the screen until it actually hits the red area and the bar will have slight gyrations during the travel. 8. Bar and Circle/Same and Different - I am not exactly sure if this is the right pair but there is a combination test where you have to wait for the bar to hit the red area and identify if the numbers/letters sequence (4) at the same time. 9. Previous Number - There are 3 (1, 2, and 3) blocks for you to touch and as one of the three numbers appear you will have to mark the previous viewed one. 10. Arrow/Border - You will identify out of four boxes if either the color of the border, color of the arrow, or direction of the arrow as the sequence varies. Later on you will press a box and tone will tell you if you are right (i.e. guess the sequence). You will press the same box until the incorrect tone is heard then you need to find out what the computer wants. 11. Flagman - You will see a flag man that will be facing you, inverted, backward and you will have to identify which hand he is holding a flag in a given amount of time. 12. Sliding Bar - You will use the arrow keys on the key board to keep a small, moving indicator in the center (will move left/right). It will eventually jump off the scale. You will use your non-writing hand. 13. Sliding Bar/Previous Number - I am not sure if this combination is the one that goes with number 8 but basically the sliding bar will move (left/right) and you must keep it centered along with identifying the previous number (1,2,3) the next one is displayed. |
I have a question regarding the Delta job knowledge test. Sheppard Air provides a gouge on their web site that give some sample question from the Delta knowledge test used by DCI carriers in the interview process. One of the questions is this:
"You are on the XYZ VOR 090° radial at 20 DME. You are instructed to proceed direct to the XYZ VOR 180° radial at 70 DME. The direct, no wind heading is" How is this supposed to be calculated? |
Originally Posted by SMACFUM
(Post 1537145)
How is this supposed to be calculated? |
Originally Posted by SMACFUM
(Post 1537145)
I have a question regarding the Delta job knowledge test. Sheppard Air provides a gouge on their web site that give some sample question from the Delta knowledge test used by DCI carriers in the interview process. One of the questions is this:
"You are on the XYZ VOR 090° radial at 20 DME. You are instructed to proceed direct to the XYZ VOR 180° radial at 70 DME. The direct, no wind heading is" How is this supposed to be calculated? |
Originally Posted by SMACFUM
(Post 1537145)
I have a question regarding the Delta job knowledge test. Sheppard Air provides a gouge on their web site that give some sample question from the Delta knowledge test used by DCI carriers in the interview process. One of the questions is this:
"You are on the XYZ VOR 090° radial at 20 DME. You are instructed to proceed direct to the XYZ VOR 180° radial at 70 DME. The direct, no wind heading is" How is this supposed to be calculated? |
Originally Posted by SMACFUM
(Post 1537145)
I have a question regarding the Delta job knowledge test. Sheppard Air provides a gouge on their web site that give some sample question from the Delta knowledge test used by DCI carriers in the interview process. One of the questions is this:
"You are on the XYZ VOR 090° radial at 20 DME. You are instructed to proceed direct to the XYZ VOR 180° radial at 70 DME. The direct, no wind heading is" How is this supposed to be calculated? |
Originally Posted by shfo
(Post 1537227)
Ever hear of SOHCAHTOA?
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I took that test and I remember that question. I can't remember the answers or the one I chose. Seems pretty stupid or maybe it's a trick. I've been flying for 35 years and I've never heard on SBEJWJDLMNOPQ either. Maybe I need Flight Sim 2015 or something.
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It has nothing to do with flying. Just 8th grade math. Answer is heading 196.
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Originally Posted by HappyCrew
(Post 1537272)
Christ on a cross!!! What in the hell is SOHCAHTOA????:mad:
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When I recently took the knowledge exam, I felt any math problems I encountered were fair questions and none required the use of a calculator. Then again I also was not allowed to use a calculator to begin with. Climb and decent formulas are really the only math I felt was essential for the test. But then again the tests all have different selections of questions pulled from the bank so maybe I got lucky.
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Originally Posted by HappyCrew
(Post 1537272)
Christ on a cross!!! What in the hell is SOHCAHTOA????:mad:
Sin Opposite (over) Hypotenuse Cos Adjacent (over) Hypotenuse Tangent Opposite (over) Adjacent Aka, just do some simple geometry... |
Originally Posted by shfo
(Post 1537280)
It has nothing to do with flying. Just 8th grade math. Answer is heading 196.
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Originally Posted by SMACFUM
(Post 1537145)
"You are on the XYZ VOR 090° radial at 20 DME. You are instructed to proceed
direct to the XYZ VOR 180° radial at 70 DME. The direct, no wind heading is" How is this supposed to be calculated? |
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