Ask Captain Lim

Hello Captain Lim,

First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude towards your vision of setting up a website that provides informative tips to air travelers and especially to those aspiring pilots out there. In fact, I am one of those pilots-wannabes...

Just back in a few days ago, I've attended a Psychomotor Test and I would like to share
the experience with those who have the same anxiety and interest like me. GOD bless all of you guys! I admitted that I've made a few mistakes in the tests and I would like to remind you all out there not to make the same mistakes just like I did. Remember, get yourself familiar with a joystick (especially the ones for flight simulator)..

Okay, the Psychomotor Test that I have just taken consists of 5 tests (be advised that during the test, you'll be seated in front of a desktop computer (just like the ones in cyber café) and in front of you, there'll be a joystick (Logitech), a mini-keyboard (1/3 size of the actual keyboard) and a mouse.

The Test Profile:

1. There would be a static cross at the center of the screen and you'd get to control 2 lines (vertical & horizontal) with your joystick. To move the horizontal line you could either pull back on the joystick or push forward. And for the vertical line its either left or right. Due to the virtual 'wind factor', the 2 lines would be moving constantly. The objective here is to steer the 2 lines together so that they will be upon the static cross. By the way, there is no feet rudder to control this. The primary input device is ONLY the joystick. This test consists of 3 parts. All 3 parts of the test are similar and the scores are from 1 - 10 for each part of the test.

2. Its basically a test of observation. In here, you'll have to wear a set of headphones and utilize the mini-keyboard as the primary input device. You'll get 3 men standing in 4 positions (facing you, back facing you, upside down facing you, and upside down back facing you). Each of them would be holding either a round or square object on each of their hands. It could be a square on the right hand and a round on the left hand or vice versa. So, from the
headphones there'll be a voice asking you how many of them are holding either a round/square object on which hands. So your answer would be either all 3 of them (keypad number3), 2 of them or 1 of them or it could be either none. Be advised that they all in various position and there is a time limit. I forgot how many parts of test are there for this one. But it should be either 2 or 3. For each progressive test, the time limit would be reducing. P.S. You would not know your score here.

3. For this test, again you'll be using the mini-keyboard as the primary input device. There are 10 similar sections here. You'll get 2 very 'messy' diagrams here and you are given a 'X' shape at the bottom. So for every section of the test, you'll have to define whether the 'X' shape could be found on the 1st diagram or the 2nd diagram or even both of the diagrams. You'll be given 30 seconds of time limit to specify that. P.S. You would not know your score here.

4. For this test, you'll be using the mouse to click on the objects. You'll be given a 'table' of
coordination. There are around 6 or 5 rows and 6 or 5 columns each. The rows represent the colors and the columns represent the shapes. For e.g. a blue square might falls onto the column of squares but on a red color row. If you accidentally click on that, it'll considered a 'miss'. However, if a green round falls onto the column of rounds and also on a green color row, it would be a 'hit' if you clicked on that. For this test, there are 2 similar parts. However, be advised that the rows of colors and columns of shapes would be constantly changing.

5. For this test, you'll be using a joystick again. You'll be virtually flying an aircraft here. The only thing is, you would have to fly into the trail of boxes that are coming towards you. This test consist of 3 parts and the range of scores are from 1 - 10 again. My only advice here is to move the joystick 'GENTLY'!!

Pheww! That's all!!

By the way, for test 1, my score is 5/10 , 7/10, 5/10. For test 4, my score is 8 Hits and 3 Misses , 8 Hits and 0 Miss. Whereas for test 5, my score is 1/10, 5/10, 8/10. Well for the last test, basically it is my first time using a joystick and I did terribly for the first part. But I believe I'm a fast learner and able to grasp onto the control in the following parts.
Therefore my question is, what are the chances for me to pass this psychomotor test?

Sincerely, Anonymous,

Hi Anonymous,

Thank you for sharing your experience with the rest of the aspiring pilots. The format of the psychomotor tests are basically to test the eye-hand coordination of the candidate and also to find out how fast one learns from previous mistakes. Your last test showed that you were a fast learner! Anyway, I cannot tell you about your chances of passing the tests. Just be patient and wait for the result!

All the best to you!

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