RAF Airman Test Question Types

The Royal Air Force Selection Test (AST) consists of a number of different aptitude tests, which are designed to assess which careers in the RAF you are most suited to. There are many different career opportunities available, and each one requires a different level of skill.

The AST consists of seven timed multiple-choice aptitude tests:

Verbal Reasoning
Numerical Reasoning;
Spatial Reasoning;
Work Rate;
Mechanical Comprehension;
Electrical Comprehension;
A Memory Test.

RAF Airman Test Question Types: Verbal Reasoning

What is the RAF Airman Verbal Reasoning Test?

During the Royal Air Force Airman/Airwoman test, you will be required to sit a Verbal Reasoning Test.

Verbal Reasoning is the ability to analyse and comprehend information. The RAF selection process uses this form of aptitude test as a way of measuring a candidate’s ability to read through information and ‘pick out’ key information.

Preparing for verbal reasoning assessments can be tricky, the best way to prepare, is to have a go at similar verbal reasoning assessments.

During the actual Verbal Reasoning Test with the RAF, you will have a specific amount of time to answer each question. Read through each extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Practice RAF Airman Verbal Reasoning Test Question

Barry and Bill work at their local supermarket in the town of Whiteham. Barry works every day, except Wednesday. The supermarket is run by Barry’s brother, Elliot, who is married to Sarah.

Sarah and Elliot have 2 children, Marcus and Michelle, who are both 7 years old, and they live in the road adjacent to the supermarket.

Barry lives in a town called Redford, which is 7 miles from Whiteham.

Bill’s girlfriend Maria works in a factory in her hometown of Brownhaven. The town of Redford is 4 miles from Whiteham and 6 miles from the seaside town of Tenford.

Sarah and Elliot take their children on holiday to Tenford twice a year and Barry usually gives them a lift in his car.

Barry’s mum lives in Tenford and he tries to visit her once a week, at 2pm, when he has a day off work.

Question
Which town does Elliot live in?
A. Redford
B. Whiteham
C. Brownhaven
D. Tenford
E. Cannot say

How to answer the question:
When it comes to questions like this, it involves a simple process of elimination.

The second paragraph states that Sarah and Elliot live adjacent to the supermarket. The first paragraph states that the supermarket is located in the town of Whiteham.

Therefore, Elliot must also live in Whiteham.

RAF Airman Test Question Types: Numerical Reasoning

What is the RAF Airman Numerical Reasoning Test?

During the Airman/Airwoman Selection Test, you will be required to undertake a Numerical Reasoning Test. This test is used to determine how accurately you can interpret numerical information such as charts, graphs and tables. These will also assess your ability to use fractions, decimals and other basic arithmetic.

The most effective way to prepare for this type of test is to carry out lots of sample numerical reasoning test questions, without the aid of a calculator!

During the actual Numerical Reasoning Test with the RAF, you will have a specific amount of time to answer each question. Read through each question carefully and select your answer from the answer options.

Practice RAF Airman Numerical Reasoning Test Question

Question
Using the rule of BIDMAS, work out 23.7 – 2.5 × 8
A. 169.6
B. 3.7
C. 4.8
D. 196.6
E. 130.6

How to answer the question:
This question asks you to use the method of BIDMAS:

2.5 × 8 = 20
23.7 – 20 = 3.7

RAF Airman Test Question Types: Spatial Reasoning

What is the RAF Airman Spatial Reasoning Test?

During the Airman/Airwoman Selection Test, you will be required to undertake a Spatial Reasoning Test.

The definition of spatial reasoning is as follows:

“The ability to interpret and make drawings from mental images and visualise movement or change in those images.”

Practice RAF Airman Spatial Reasoning Test Question

Question
Take a look at the following three shapes. Note the letters on the side of each shape. Which answer options shows all three shapes connected by joining the matching letters together?

How to answer the question:
The ‘L’ shape must go above the pentagon and the triangle must join the right-hand side of the pentagon.

This would create answer option B.

RAF Airman Test Question Types: Work Rate

What is the RAF Airman Work Rate Test?

This form of test assesses your ability to work quickly and accurately whilst carrying out routine tasks; something which is integral to the role of an Airman/Airwoman.

For these questions, you will be given a code consisting of numbers, letters and/or symbols. Your task is to look at the answer options and decide which code has been taken from the SAME columns as the original code.

Practice RAF Airman Work Rate Test Question

Question
Take a look at the following code: 563

Now look at the five alternatives.

Which code (A-E) has been taken from the SAME columns as the code 563?

How to answer the question:
The answer is B. The reason for this is that the code has been taken from the SAME columns as the original code of 563.

RAF Airman Test Question Types: Mechanical Comprehension

What is the RAF Airman Mechanical Comprehension Test?

Mechanical Comprehension Tests are an assessment that measures an individual’s ability to learn and understand mechanical concepts.

The tests are usually multiple-choice in nature, and present simple, frequently encountered mechanisms and situations. The majority of mechanical assessments require a working knowledge of basic mechanical operations and the application of physical laws.

Practice RAF Airman Mechanical Comprehension Test Question

Question
Which of the following pulley systems has a mechanical advantage of 3?

How to answer the question:
Pulley system D has a mechanical advantage of 3 as there are 3 supporting ropes.

RAF Airman Test Question Types: Electrical Comprehension

What is the RAF Airman Electrical Comprehension Test?

During the AST, you will be required to sit an Electrical Comprehension Test.

The test itself is designed to assess your ability to work with different electrical concepts.

The tests are usually multiple-choice in nature, and present simple, frequently encountered electrical situations. The majority of electrical assessments require a working knowledge of basic electrical operations and the application of physical laws.

Practice RAF Airman Electrical Comprehension Test Question

Question
A bicycle uses a battery operated light for its front and rear lights. The front and rear lights are often of different sized bulbs. The filament in the rear lamp has a resistance of 4 ohms. It takes a current of 0.3A.

What voltage does the lamp work at?

How to answer the question:
In order to work out the voltage, you need to multiply the resistance by the current. 4 × 0.3 = 1.2V

RAF Airman Test Question Types: Memory Test

What is the RAF Airman Memory Test?

The test is usually formed of two parts. During the first part of the test, you will be required to look at a sequence of letters. The letters will appear on a screen for a short period of time. You should try to remember the order in which they appear.

You will then be shown two letters from the sequence and you will have to decide how many letters were shown between those letters.

Note that some questions may not show the two letters in the same order in which they appeared in the actual sequence.