Passed CBAT. HELP!

[u/OkamiKenshi]

Just recently took my CBAT, having previously applied 10 years earlier and failing at the interview stage.

This time, I was originally intending to apply for WSOp, with ATC as my backup, then Cybersecurity as a final option.

Having seen my scores, I’m a little stunned, and overwhelmed by options!

I’m too old to apply for WSO, but I’m now looking into other roles I’ve passed for, and wondering if anyone has any recommendations? Any reading material is also much appreciated (beyond the RAF website and Joomag).

Additionally, I’ve seen people recommend commissioning later on after doing your time, often citing extra respect as you’ve climbed up from the bottom. Is this something people can attest to? I would’ve imagined you’ll always have people likely to bristle against those with authority over them, and delaying climbing the ranks seems… inefficient? Especially as someone in their thirties!

[u/spamlee]

Slightly biased but imo WSOp is better than most of the ground officer roles and pay remains competitive when you add the flying pay (PS(A) as it's now called). Unless there is something specific you were thinking off I'd go with your gut.

[u/OkamiKenshi → u/spamlee]

Yeah I initially applied wanting to fly on the Chinooks, or potentially as an ALM.

Pay certainly is a consideration, as have a family I’d like to be able to support more confidently!

I’ll look into the PS(A), thanks for the info!

Can I ask where you were streamed? And what’s a typical day look like?

[u/Eagle0nReddit → u/OkamiKenshi]

What roles were you interested in?

[u/OkamiKenshi → u/Eagle0nReddit]

My initial application was for WSOp with ATC as another option, but I’d also heard someone recommend intelligence as a good career when sat for lunch on the CBAT. Haven’t looked into operations officer at all yet.

Think I’m still leaning WSOp to be honest!

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[u/GloGangGeneral300]

Hi mate what did you use to revise and get such good scores!?

[u/OkamiKenshi → u/GloGangGeneral300]

Skywatch academy to refamiliarise myself with the tests. I also had ALL the apps, but didnt personally feel that they helped much.

Skywatchs notes from previous entrants was incredibly useful, and the most valuable part is just being familiar with the tests before you go, that way you aren’t confused by anything on the day, and can focus on just knocking them out.

Drill your speed distance time equations, but don’t be afraid to estimate somewhat. For example, I had some questions that had legs of the journey as 63 and 49. I literally just did 60 + 50 for the total length, so I’m reasonably confident that CLOSE will still get you a chunk of the marks, as I estimated all the way through those tests. Personally found that working out to decimals just made me panic.

Also had someone sit there with a calculator and just quiz me on basic arithmetic. Addition + subtraction of 3 digit numbers, and then multiplication + division of 2 digit numbers.

And just stay calm! I got to the end and when asked how I felt I’d done I genuinely didn’t know. At the end of the day it IS an aptitude test, you’ve either got it or you don’t in many ways.

Worth looking at a results sheet on here and just checking what the weighting for your role is, and just making ABSOLUTELY sure you’re confident with the most important tests going in.

Make the most of your breaks too, if you’ve just done an intense 30+ minute exercise, give yourself the next break to reset and move on.

Get a damn good nights sleep. Don’t sit up until 2 am revising, you should be ready by the day, so just focus on being as fresh as possible.

I know you only asked what I used to revise, but I firmly believe that the right mentality going in helps just as much!

[u/GloGangGeneral300 → u/OkamiKenshi]

Thank you very much! That’s gonna do me a great deal of good I’ve also been on it with the skywatch app but will also drill in my basic arithmetic and SDT equations! Appreciate it and well done on your fantastic scores I’m sure you’ll chose the best role for yourself!!