Skills Assessment Explained

[shamrock1936]

This Thread Is currently being updated.....please do not post any questions!!!

Information about Oxford Aviation Academy (OAA)

The following link provides will allow you order a hard-copy of OAA's Ab Initio Skills Directory
http://oaa.com/pages/training_courses/a ... /index.php

Other information regarding the Integrated Training course available from OAA is available via
http://oaa.com/pages/training_courses/a ... ucture.php

About Me and This Thread

About Me.
On Friday 13th March 2009 I was offered a place at Oxford Aviation having successfully retaken those parts of the initial assessment that I had failed the previous year.

When sitting my initial assessment in 2008 I found that information regarding travel, accomodation etc as well as information regarding the actual skills assessment process was spread throughout the forum.

Therefore this post is an attempt by myself, as a student, with the help of Mike Griffith (Brand Manager at Oxford Aviation) to include as much relevant information as possible that will help those potential students wishing to sit assessments.

This thread is split into two parts.
The first part contains information of my own experiences of the 2 days of the skills assessment process. It contains information on the various exercises and where appropiate it includes some tips on how best to prepare for each different part.
Whilst the the second part of this thread contains information posted by Mike Griffith that I received both before and after I sat my initial assessment.

PLEASE NOTE!!
This post does not include any information on the new Sim Check undertaken in the new CRJ-200 Simulator which is now part of the assessment program. I beleive there is some information on the forum already.

The information contained in this thread is quite clear. Mike Griffith is more than willing to give those sitting assessments advice and information, but please in order to maintain the integrity of the skills process I WILL NOT respond to any private messages.

SOME BASIC INFORMATION, TRAVEL AND ACCOMODATION ADVICE

GETTING TO OAA BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Oxford City is served by the Airline Express Bus Service from both Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

Full information is available via
http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/main.php?page_id=23

Oxford Airport is located North of Kidlington, a 20-30 minute drive north of Oxford City Centre, and is served by a limited but recently improved public bus service.

If travelling by public transport please note that not all of the following buses serve the Airport.

From Oxford City to Oxford Airport (noted on timetable Kidlington, Airport)
http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/content/doc/ ... ington.pdf

From Oxford Airport (noted on timetable Kidlinton, Airport) to Oxford City
http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/content/doc/ ... oxford.pdf

Note buses do NOT serve airport either weekends or public holidays

Taxis to / from Oxford can between £15 - £25.

Regardless of your method of transport I cannot emphasise enough to give yourself plenty of time (especially if driving on M40) and as the simple rule remains to get there early, relaxed and well rested.

ACCOMODATION

Bear in mind that the skills assessment takes place over two days. Should you wish to stay at Langford (the on-site student accomodation) you will need to book in advance. This can be done by contacting the Accommodation Customer Services Team on:

Telephone: +44 (0)1865 840 313
Fax: +44 (0)1865 840 354
Email: accommodation@oaa.com

Please do not leave accomodation to the last minute, as having stayed there during my skills, I know that it is usually at close to full capacity.

If staying at Langford try and arrive before the accomodation reception closes at 1700.
Should you arrive after 1700 then your accomodation key can be collected from the security hut at the entrance, and where possible please advise the accomodation in advance of your late arrival.

KNOW YOUR INFO:-

Bear in mind that you are being evaluated by Oxford for your suitability to become a student and ultimately a commercial pilot.
Some described the skills assessment as a job interview, so it goes without saying that you must be aware of the facilities, courses, programmes run by Oxford.
If this is the aviation school at wish you want to start your career you must know your stuff about the college.

Again links to the OAA brochures etc is at the top of this page.

DON'T BE AFRAID -- ASK QUESTIONS:-

I know this having gone through the process and seen it as a student myself.
Unfortunately as you will be part of the few people not wearing uniforms, everyone be they instructors or students alike will spot you a mile away.
Each and every student attending OAA has gone through the exact same process so dont be afraid to ask questions, they don't bite your head off (not that I know of anyways)

GET TO KNOW YOUR GROUP OF FELLOW CANDIDATES:-

When you first meet your group on the day one of assessment it will be obvious that some people will be quiter than others.
You'd be surprised how much conversing with other candidates, preferably from the start, will ease your nerves and allow you to relax.

If attending a skills assesments refer to the "Who is coming to Assessment" forum at viewforum.php?f=43
Here candidates can see inform and see what other candidates are attending assessments on the same day as theres.

THE GOLDEN RULE

You are NOT in competition with your fellow candidates i.e. there is NO "quota" of candidates that will be accepted.

ANY CANDIDATE WHO REACHES THE REQUIRED GRADES / STANDARDS WILL BE OFFERED A PLACE ON THE COURSE

So please please please look at other candidates as colleagues and NOT competitors.

DAY ONE

Day one will begin at around 08.45 and after initial jitters and introductions you and your group will be split into 2 groups...one will go for a sim check whilst the other group will do and the COMPASS, maths, physics and psychometric tests.

THE SIM CHECK


The sim check does not require any previous flying experience and is designed to show whether candidates have the capacity to absorb guidance and improve on their performance. During the sim flight candidates are asked simple mental arithmetic questions to determine the ability to cope with more than just the flying task.

The sim check is divided into two parts.
During the first brief an experienced pilot will give an introduction to the whole group in which the basic fundamentals of flight will be outlined, an provides a basic of what will happen when candidates individually enter the simulator.

The second part of the sim check has candidates "flying" a short assessment flight lasting approx 20-30 minutes. The sim flight will be undertaken by the same pilot who gave the entire group their initial brief, and you will be told clearly and concisely what to do.

For those not accustomed to flying I would strongly advise you to stay calm and not get flusterred. If you do something wrong try to forget about the erroe and and move onto the next objective or task you are asked to do.

If you feel as if you are making an error or losing control of a certain parameter (i.e. airspeed, height, heading) try and correct the error with simple small and smooth adjustments rather than hard abrasive responses, as this will only serve to correct one parameter and but all the others out of check.

THE COMPASS, TECHNICAL & PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS

The Compass tests will last approximitely 90 minutes and you will be given a chance to take a break before you undertake the Psyc Tests which will take approximtely 20 minutes.
These tests are designed to assess potential as well as immediate training risk and cover the following areas.

THE COMPASS TEST

It consists of 6 sections all of which are clearly explained before each test begins

1) Hand / Eye / Foot Co-Ordination
As stated this will check your combined hand eye and foot co-ordination

2) Hand / Eye Co-Ordination
Known as the "Slalom" it measures your ability to keep the cone in between two moving sticks

3) Short-Term Memory
Given numbers and letters....Screen goes blank....Refill in Numbers and Letters

4) The Maths Test
This evaluates mathematical ability. Comprises of 24 questions in 20 minutes. Some questions will require written calculation on paper provided.
This test will require mental maths abilities so be prepared to do some questions in your head as you will simply not have time to work out each question on paper.

5) Navigation (Instrument Interpretation)

The One Tip is to clealy clearly clearly read the instructions.

This is one test where you are given a chance to read, reread and reread as many times as required the instructions.
I was advised....I didn't listen and did poorly!!!
So whats the tip???????????

Read the instructions over and over and over again until you are 1000% certain what to do!

In this test you get three instruments and through the process of elimination guess which one of the four aircraft is being displayed on the screen.

6) Multi-Tasking Test
In this test you are givin a readout in a box on the right hand side of the screen that you must replicate in a box on the left hand screen. WHILST pressing assigned buttons to get rid of intermitant flashing lights that will randomly appear in the upper corner of the screen.

A older video of the COMPASS is available at http://www.epst.com/com/compass.htm
This gives a VIDEO summary of something roughly similar to what you face in skills assessment, though it does change.

Each part of the 6 above tests is graded from 1-7 giving a max score of 42. With the pass rate being 28 of 42.
Candidates must get a minimum of 4 in any one section to pass.

THE TECHNICAL TEST - GCSE Physics

There is plenty of information throughout the forum regarding the physics element of the test.

I looked at the http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/physics/ which has alot of useful information.

I will say this the test is quite broad and you might need to learn some formulae....nothing crazy. JUST GCSE LEVEL
Just look through the link above and you get everything you need to know.

Some of us got differing physics test so amongst the group we asked a broad range of physics.

THE PSYCHOMETRIC TEST

Known as the 10-F-P personality test.
You have twenty minutes to answer scale questions about you and the way you act and react to everyday situations. There are some real random questions.

Tip here is NEVER EVER EVER to second guess the quiz and its questions.....Look at the question and answer as honest and quickly as possible and then move on to the next.

DO NOT TRY AND SECOND GUESS THE SYSTEM YOU WILL BE CAUGHT OUT LATER ON IN LATER QUESTIONS!!!!!

DAY TWO

This day is a complete change from day one. With the emphasis changing from your individual ability to your ability to work as a team.

The day consists of the following
2 Group Exercises
1 Group Discussion on various issues both aviation and non-aviation
Your Individual Interview
All the above are undertaken by the same two experienced airline personel

There are no tips for the group exercises apart from the need for you to get involved and to make your points and opinions known to the group

For the individual interview I highly recommend that candidates know information about OAA college, the aviation industry and current affairs. In the interviews candidates are assessed on their personality and leadership potential.

and finally

Your individual debrief undertaken by one of the senior skills assessors, which is your opportunity to ask questions about anything you felt you didnt do well on during the course.

The Debrief is the first time that your Day One and Day Two activities are brought thus ensuring that independance and integrity is maintained at all times.

Again if you have any questions just let me know.

I will not response to private messages for transparancy.

Finally to anyone undertaking Skills Assessment enjoy the experience and every minute hopefully its the start of better things to come......

Shamrock