After speaking with several NavCanada employees, most of them have passed their tests, way back in the day, with one attempt and made it through all interviews and courses without a hitch. Some others have attempted a few times and finally succeeded.

For those like myself who have attempted 2 tests over several years and have a long-time passion and interest for the career, always ask why candidates have to wait one year minimum to retry the test? Some say there is no practice required, some others say "try this and try that, you'll be sure to pass." If the opportunity was offered more often than once a year, I'm sure passionate candidates would feel encouraged to try the test more often. Any insight on this?

Do you mean the online 8 minute test? Or in person exam? My guess would be that the exams do exactly as you'd think they would do. Eliminate people who don't have a certain aptitude. The in person exam definitely has more method to the madness. The initial online exam is very doable.

Both, the 8 minute online and in person session. I've taken personal steps to improve my math knowledge and keep practicing aptitude ability tests and trying to figure out where I am going wrong. I did 3 aptitude tests at my local college 10 years ago and my scores were pretty much the same on each attempt.

Is practicing tests a question of memory skill and mathematically solving by mind, or is it easier and more efficiently to problem solve on paper?

With regards to the online test, I imagine the waiting period if unsuccessful is in place to control the volume of applicants who can move on to the next step (in person testing). If there was no waiting period then people could essentially 'brute-force' their way past the first hurdle by trial and error. This would likely result in having an unmanageable amount candidates in the system. This article from 2011 states that NAV Canada receives upwards of 16,000 applications per year, probably fair to assume that number has increased since then.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-o ... ice=mobile

For the in-person testing, I think it's mostly because of cost and that there are only a certain number of openings each year.

JonYTS wrote:Both, the 8 minute online and in person session. I've taken personal steps to improve my math knowledge and keep practicing aptitude ability tests and trying to figure out where I am going wrong. I did 3 aptitude tests at my local college 10 years ago and my scores were pretty much the same on each attempt.

Is practicing tests a question of memory skill and mathematically solving by mind, or is it easier and more efficiently to problem solve on paper?

In regards to your last question, you are allowed scrap paper for calculations, etc. during the in person test. So I would say that it'd be fine to do the online test this way. Just don't use calculators, Google or other such aids. It's important to remember though that you only have 8 minutes, so if you spend a lot of time solving each problem on paper you might not finish enough questions.

You've attempted the in person exam twice? Outside of the wsim you won't have much time to do many calculations. Staffing in regions is what dictates exams and courses. If you're in the prairies you have a better chance due to lower candidates. But I know they are moving people from across the country to different Firs.

How old are you? college 10+ Years ago may make you to old unless you test exceptionally well.

You failed a first time, had a full year to brush up on the material and failed again?

Perhaps life (or more specifically) NavCanada is sending you a message.

I attended my first session in Ottawa 2003 when SHL did the testing. That was the English, Math, Spatial Reasoning, Diagram testing and the audio cassette "letters and numbers" and the personality test.

Tried the newer version about 4 years ago with the 20 questions in 8 minutes and did not succeed with that.

I am 38 now and any NavCanada member who I've spoken with in person never commented on being "too" old.

Some candidates pass flawlessly from start to end, while others have told me they've tried many years in a row to get through.

I've been practicing with an iPhone aptitude testing tool, with various levels of testing, 7 questions in 5 minutes, using blank sheets of paper to simulate a real test. Some of those math questions are quick and easy, while some other math problems, when it gives you the solution, takes multiple steps to solve the question.

Essentially, I'm trying to figure out my own strengths and weaknesses and figure out my own best strategy for trying and passing ALL tests.

Here's a positive outlook, NavCanada is looking for employees who think effectively, no second guessing themselves AND, can see a mathematical resolution without calculating. Logical, assertive people.