Cognitive test

SQ · Post by SQ » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:25 am

hello everybody

cognitive is a word having many senses dependantly the situation it is used in.
in what does it consist exactly for AC, for the applicant ?
what is the purpose of this test ?

thanks
SQ

abflyguy · Post by **abflyguy** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:25 am

It tests to see if you can count and play asteroids and pong! An old Dos based program you use a light pen with, it is so out of date computer wise it is hilarious.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:23 pm

The cognitive test is used to determine or identify brain disfunction. It tests memory, motor skills and things such as that. And, with that said, if you fail the cognitive test more then once, then chances are that you are a disfunctional person and wont be hired. If you fail it once, they will usually ask you back to do it again to confirm consistency prior to deciding on the outcome of your application.

picwally · Post by **picwally** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:07 pm

That is scary as hell!

YVR Dude · Post by **YVR Dude** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:29 pm

Its not that bad...do your best and let them worry about all the other shit...its not terribly hard, just requires some concentration and before you know it..you're done!

Good luck!

Snowgoose · Post by **Snowgoose** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:53 pm

Redwine · Post by **Redwine** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 12:29 pm

Does that test tell us if you are a safe pilot or something? Or does it tell us that the pilot will follow check lists and not think outside the box, all-the-while the plane melts into a burning coffin at 15000 feet during a fire?

windowseat · Post by **windowseat** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:26 am

Redwine, sounds like it looks at both...can you multi task? Think quickly? etc.

abflyguy · Post by **abflyguy** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:46 pm

The cog test in no way is an indicator of future performance. It is a base line test that can be used to check for any brain impairment that may have occured in an individual.
It does not work as a group test only against your previous testing and answers.
Someone at AC decided it was a good way to weed people out based on some standard that they made up.

Good luck.

thrust set · Post by **thrust set** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:45 pm

"Someone at AC decided it was a good way to weed people out based on some standard that they made up."

100% wrong

Pilot's are one of several special groups who operate in an environment unforgiving of human error, where cognitive failure can lead to catastrophic consequences. Cognitive function testing is one means of selecting mentally capable pilots.

North of You · Post by **North of You** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:45 pm

thrust set wrote: Pilot's are one of several special groups who operate in an environment unforgiving of human error, where cognitive failure can lead to catastrophic consequences. Cognitive function testing is one means of selecting mentally capable pilots.

Maybe you should have started that little comment of yours with “One time…at band camp,,,,”

Sheeit boy, you sound like one of those noobs who actually believes this newbie bile you are spewing. I have seen pilots with 10 years + of exemplary accident free flying (military inc.) get PFOed by your little company. Most of your senior Capt. on the 67 would not pass your little cog test. To which most of them would fully admit. This test might work in the lab, but proof has always been in the pudding, and when things get ugly for real, that’s the only thing that counts. Experience. Walking the walk. Period. So when I hear noobs like you rattle off this psycho babble I just have to smile and shake my head in amusement. Now run along little fella and study your AFM.

thrust set · Post by **thrust set** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:47 pm

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something.

Accept the fact that the hiring committee feels that it belongs there for a reason. So save your sorry little cry-baby rant for someone that is as uninformed and ignorant as yourself.

After twelve years here at AC I might go study my AOM if you promise to go read your PFO letter.

Cheers

TS

North of You · Post by **North of You** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:59 am

Spoken like a true arrogant sky god. The chosen one. The best of the best.

As for little injection of wise sayings, take a look at the title of the thread, Cog test, not Hiring Committee. So who among us is talking purely to be heard?

Now run along little fella....

thrust set · Post by **thrust set** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:25 am

North of You,

Good luck to you, it seems like you might need it.

You could always re-apply after six months.

Cheers

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:08 am

Actually, thrustset's statement is direct plagiarism from an academic paper on cognitive function testing that was passed to me as study material for the hiring process.

So what he says is entirely true, if not entirely original.

Computer assisted cognitive function assessment of pilots

thrust set · Post by **thrust set** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:03 pm

The article was posted awhile back, a good read for all those that will be in the situation of having to take the test. It's better to go in a little prepared than to jump in with both feet.

I should have used quotation marks but it made for a good chuckle when North of You thinks it's some "newbie bile" rather than from an expert in the subject.

CAL · Post by **CAL** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:36 am

now what is the best way to prepare for it?

Jaques Strappe · Post by **Jaques Strappe** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:05 am

I would have to admit that there are many at AC who would probably not have passed a cog test, had it been a requirement when they got hired. Myself included.

Having said that, passing it does not guarantee a perfect pilot either. It will probably also eliminate many good candidates. However, the reality is, when Dave Legge, VP Operations was at a meeting with his counterparts from other airlines, he soon realized that Air Canada was the only airline not employing a cog test or psychology test as part of their pilot screening.

This is not a new thing with regard to airline hiring and certainly won't take you just because you have 10,000 hours and the other guy 3,000.

jazzpilot · Post by **jazzpilot** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:03 pm

Hey JS the picture you have there (i think it i called an avatar?) That is the funniest thing i have seen in a while.

Some of the comments he has made makes me think he would reads MAD magazine for his information on the rest of the world outside the Mighty US!

It must burn there ass that our funny money is higher than their's!!

jazzpilot · Post by **jazzpilot** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:05 pm

I just read my post. It looks like I read MAD magazine for my information! SP and Grammar obviously not my strong point.

Just another dumb pilot!

flyguycanuk · Post by **flyguycanuk** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:10 pm

A small piece of advice for any future Air Canada applicants who are worried about the cog test.

Get a Nintendo DS with the "Brain" games such as Big Brain Academy and Brain Age. They really help to give you an edge on the cog test, plus increase your overall mental speed. Also, the are addictive, a lot of fun, and kill a lot of time while in your cruise zombie mode. You can also buy a crack for them that allows you to download the games off the net, or put music or movies on them.

Good luck!

Treetopflyer · Post by **Treetopflyer** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:48 am

Must work really well.... I know some absolute "winners" that got hired and I assume they "passed" the cog. Come on guys... that thing means sh#t. I don't usually get ruffled about these things but get your heads out of your asses. How many outstanding pilots got the boot because of it?? I understand it is part of the hiring process, but to think it actually has merit? Look at some of the losers let go at AC in year one. They all passed it. I agree that most guys at AC now would fail it anyway.
whatever...
TTF

. . · Post by **. .** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:45 pm

At the start of the AC hiring I don't believe there was a cog or psych eval. Does anyone know how many people were hired before that kicked in?

yycflyguy · Post by **yycflyguy** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:08 pm

Cog testing was around. It was the psych evaluation that was implemented after around 125 guys were hired.

windowseat · Post by **windowseat** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 6:07 am

My best friend was hired 9 years ago and he had to do the Cog Test. It's been around for awhile. He knows someone on the hiring board and he's been told that almost every pilot passes the cog test the first time, and if they don't, they get a second chance anyway.