British Airways Pilot Online Assessment: Practice Guide

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This guide covers British Airways direct-entry and experienced-pilot recruitment in the United Kingdom, with emphasis on the early online application and computer-based technical assessment stage described on official British Airways Careers pilot pages. It is written for licensed or experienced pilot applicants, including British Airways, BA Cityflyer, BA Euroflyer and related military-to-airline pathways when those vacancies use the published pilot selection outline.

It is not the Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet or ab initio pathway, not cabin-crew recruitment, not air-traffic-control or FEAST selection, not RAF aircrew selection, and not a generic pilot-aptitude syllabus. Vacancy text, hour minima, fleet and base details vary by advert. Confirm every stage, provider name, timing and eligibility rule in your current British Airways invitation and on British Airways Careers pilot pages.

The practice questions below are original educational exercises. They are not official British Airways, IAG, Sova or JobTestPrep items. Situational items teach general professional judgement and do not reproduce live BA procedures, SOPs or emergencies.

Key Takeaways

• British Airways direct-entry and experienced-pilot selection is distinct from Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet selection.
• Official BA Careers pilot pages describe a multi-stage journey that can include an online application with recorded interview questions, a computer-based technical assessment under workload, a group exercise, an interview, a simulator assessment and pre-employment checks.
• Module names, assessment providers and exact timings are campaign- and vacancy-specific. Third-party naming of Sova-style batteries is orientation only unless your invitation confirms it.
• There is no useful universal public pass mark, question count or timed score for every British Airways pilot vacancy.
• Medical, licensing and right-to-work requirements are controlled by official CAA and British Airways guidance. This page does not give personal medical, licensing or flight-operation advice.
• Third-party practice is optional familiarisation only. It is not official British Airways material and cannot guarantee assessment success or employment.

Quick facts

British Airways direct-entry and experienced-pilot online selection (verify against your vacancy)

Item	Detail
Employer pathway	British Airways family pilot recruitment for direct-entry and experienced applicants
Routes commonly in scope	British Airways, BA Cityflyer, BA Euroflyer and advertised military pilot pathways when they use the published pilot process
Early online stage	Online application; recorded interview questions may be requested; computer-based technical assessment under workload
Later stages (public outline)	Group exercise, interview, simulator assessment, then pre-employment checks
Provider naming in prep materials	Often discussed as Sova-style batteries in third-party guides; follow your invitation if names differ
Related but distinct	Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet / ab initio programme
Official control	Live vacancy, invitation and British Airways Careers pilot guidance

The current vacancy controls. Do not assume one Cityflyer or Euroflyer advert describes every British Airways pilot campaign.

Direct-entry pilot selection versus Speedbird

British Airways pilot routes that must stay separate

Route	Who it is for	How selection is publicly framed	Which guide to use
Direct-entry / experienced pilot	Licensed pilots meeting vacancy hour, licence and medical requirements	Application, technical computer-based assessment, group exercise, interview, simulator, checks	This page
Speedbird Pilot Academy	Cadet / ab initio future-pilot applicants	Prep & Apply hub, Stage 1 online assessments and speaking activity, Stage 2 psychometrics / Waterside / flight-school interview, Stage 3 individual Waterside day	Speedbird page
Other Future Pilots notes	Self-sponsored or partner training routes described on BA Careers when listed	Different application and assessment notes by campaign	Official Future Pilots pages first

Do not prepare for Speedbird using only this page, and do not treat experienced-pilot simulator expectations as a substitute for Speedbird Stage 1-3 materials.

What British Airways publishes about the process

Official British Airways Careers pilot pages currently outline a hiring journey that can include:

1. Online application: motivation questions, and possibly recorded answers to interview questions.
2. Technical assessment: a computer-based test that assesses working under pressure and reacting to increasing workload.
3. Group exercise: teamwork using a scenario relevant to day-to-day pilot work.
4. Interview: a further opportunity for BA and the candidate to assess fit.
5. Simulator: a flight-simulator performance assessment. Public wording currently references the A380 for that stage; confirm your invitation if fleet or profile differs.
6. Pre-employment checks: background, security and related joining checks after selection stages, with medical documentation handled through official BA processes.

Entry requirements on the same official pages include licence, Class 1 medical, passport, height and ICAO English themes, with flying-hour minima advertised per vacancy. Treat those as vacancy-specific. This guide does not interpret individual medical conditions, colour vision, medication, height functionality checks or licence conversion for you. Use current UK CAA Class 1 medical guidance and authorised aeromedical advice for personal medical questions, and official BA vacancy text for licence and hour rules.

What the online and technical stage is for

The early online and computer-based stage screens applications under controlled conditions before later group, interview and simulator stages. Public BA wording emphasises workload management on a computer-based technical assessment. Independent PrepPacks often add numerical reasoning, checking accuracy and situational judgement practice around that stage. Treat those modules as familiarisation for common airline-selection skills, not as an official British Airways syllabus document.

Do not invent universal cut scores, fixed question counts or guaranteed timings from blogs, forums or commercial product pages. If your invitation names a provider, time limit or practice link, follow that instruction.

Medical, licensing and safety boundaries

Candidates must meet current official medical and licensing requirements for the vacancy they apply to. This page may note that a valid UK CAA Class 1 medical appears in published BA entry themes. It does not provide:

• medical advice or condition interpretation;
• eyesight or colour-vision eligibility advice;
• medication advice;
• methods to bypass Class 1 requirements;
• flight instruction, aircraft-operation guidance or simulator gaming advice;
• security-screening or drug-screening evasion guidance.

Follow British Airways instructions and authorised medical examiners for personal eligibility.

How to prepare

1. Confirm which British Airways family campaign and vacancy you applied for, including hour minima and licence wording on the live advert.
2. Read official BA Careers pilot process pages before using any third-party PrepPack.
3. Practise numerical table reading, percentages and checking accuracy under mild time pressure.
4. For judgement items, prioritise safety reporting, honesty, calm communication and correct escalation.
5. Answer any personality or work-style questionnaires honestly and consistently if invited.
6. If you are applying to Speedbird Academy, switch to the Speedbird guide rather than treating this page as cadet-stage literacy.
7. Keep assessment integrity: do not share live screens, portals or invitation details.

Optional third-party British Airways pilot practice

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

If you want additional timed drills after reading official British Airways Careers guidance, independent UK British Airways pilot online assessment practice can help candidates practise comparable formats used in airline pilot selection.

JobTestPrep UK is an independent third-party preparation provider. It is not British Airways, IAG, an assessment publisher or an official recruitment administrator. Commercial PrepPack contents are optional familiarisation for direct-entry and experienced-pilot online themes. They are not official British Airways materials, do not reproduce live assessment items, and should not be assumed to cover Speedbird Academy stages unless the product page explicitly says so. Check the current UK price and access period on the product page before purchase. Preparation cannot guarantee a pass, interview invitation, simulator outcome or job offer.

Practice questions

Educational practice only. These items are not official British Airways or Sova assessment questions. Formats vary by campaign. Do not invent salaries, guarantees or official cut scores.

Numerical reasoning (aviation operations, educational)

1. A spare-parts order costs £480 excluding VAT. VAT is charged at 20%. What is the total including VAT?

A. £576 B. £560 C. £500 D. £400

Correct answer: A

Explanation: 20% of £480 is £96. Total = 480 + 96 = £576. B adds only 16.67%. C adds £20. D subtracts instead of adding tax.

2. A ground desk closes 45 of 180 open tickets on Monday. What percentage of Monday’s open tickets is closed?

A. 20% B. 25% C. 30% D. 45%

Correct answer: B

Explanation: 45 / 180 = 0.25 = 25%. A is 36/180. C is 54/180. D confuses the count with the percentage.

3. A ferry flight covers 90 km in 1 hour 15 minutes. What is its average speed in km/h?

A. 60 B. 68 C. 72 D. 80

Correct answer: C

Explanation: 1 h 15 min = 1.25 hours. 90 / 1.25 = 72 km/h. A uses 1.5 hours. D uses 1.125 hours.

4. Table - ground handling costs (£):

Item	Week 1	Week 2
Equipment	1,200	1,350
Staff overtime	800	740
Consumables	150	175

What is the combined Week 2 total?

A. £2,150 B. £2,200 C. £2,250 D. £2,265

Correct answer: D

Explanation: 1,350 + 740 + 175 = 2,265. A and B are Week 1 mixes or rounding errors. C misses £15.

5. A published fare rises from £250 to £280. What is the percentage increase?

A. 12% B. 10% C. 30% D. 8%

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Increase = £30. 30 / 250 = 0.12 = 12%. B is 25/250. C is absolute pounds mistaken as percent of 100. D understates.

6. Three bags weigh 17.5 kg, 22.0 kg and 19.5 kg. What is the mean weight?

A. 18.5 kg B. 19.7 kg C. 20.0 kg D. 21.0 kg

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Sum = 59.0. Mean = 59 / 3 = 19.666… kg, which rounds to 19.7 kg here. A is too low. C rounds incorrectly upward. D is not the mean.

7. Fuel uplift planning uses 800 litres, then a further 15% contingency. How many litres is the contingency alone?

A. 80 B. 100 C. 120 D. 150

Correct answer: C

Explanation: 15% of 800 = 120 litres. A is 10%. B is 12.5%. D is nearly 19%.

8. A duty allowance is £36 per hour for 3.5 hours. What is the total allowance?

A. £108 B. £118 C. £122 D. £126

Correct answer: D

Explanation: 36 x 3.5 = 36 x 3 + 18 = 108 + 18 = £126. A forgets the half hour. B and C are arithmetic slips.

9. A route generates £48,000 revenue and costs £36,000. What is the profit margin as a percentage of revenue?

A. 20% B. 25% C. 33% D. 75%

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Profit = 48,000 - 36,000 = 12,000. Margin on revenue = 12,000 / 48,000 = 25%. A uses cost as the base incorrectly. C is profit / cost. D is cost / revenue.

10. Turnaround materials cost £240 for 8 flights. A later week uses the same unit cost for 11 flights. What is the later week cost?

A. £300 B. £320 C. £330 D. £360

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Unit cost = 240 / 8 = £30. Eleven flights = 30 x 11 = £330. A and B understate. D is 30 x 12.

11. Passenger meal uplift: 112 meals ordered, 5% wastage allowance on top. How many meals should be ordered including wastage?

A. 112 B. 116 C. 118 D. 120

Correct answer: C

Explanation: 5% of 112 = 5.6, so uplift to 117.6, which rounds to 118 meals when ordering whole meals. A ignores wastage. B is about 3.5%. D is roughly 7%.

12. Delay minutes: 18, 24, 30 and 12. What is the average delay?

A. 18 minutes B. 20 minutes C. 21 minutes D. 24 minutes

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Sum = 84. Mean = 84 / 4 = 21 minutes. A is the first value. B understates. D is the second value only.

Checking / data accuracy

13. Manifest row: Flight BA123 / PAX 142 / Bags 138. Recheck list says Flight BA123 / PAX 142 / Bags 148. Which field differs?

A. Bags count B. Flight number C. PAX count D. All three fields

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Flight and PAX match. Bags change from 138 to 148. Only one field differs.

14. Code check - recorded: GBR-LHR-2026-04. Target: GBR-LHR-2026-04. Result?

A. Wrong airline code B. Exact match C. Wrong year D. Wrong airport code

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Every segment matches. No discrepancy to flag.

15. Timesheet hours: Mon 7.5, Tue 8.0, Wed 6.5, Thu 8.0, Fri 7.0. Someone typed a total of 38.0. What is the correct sum of the five days?

A. 36.0 B. 38.0 C. 37.0 D. 39.0

Correct answer: C

Explanation: 7.5 + 8.0 + 6.5 + 8.0 + 7.0 = 37.0. The typed total is one hour high.

16. Two labels:

• Shelf: “Zone C / Bin 14 / Qty 60”
• System: “Zone C / Bin 14 / Qty 06”

Which discrepancy should be flagged?

A. Zone letter B. Bin number C. Airport code missing D. Quantity digits (60 vs 06)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Zone and bin match. Quantity digits are transposed / reversed (60 vs 06).

17. Roster line: “Start 06:45 / End 14:15”. Someone types “Start 06:45 / End 14:45”. What changed?

A. End time B. Start time C. Break length (unchanged text) D. Nothing

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Start is identical. End time moves from 14:15 to 14:45.

18. Passenger name lists:

• List 1: Chen, Patel, Okafor, Silva
• List 2: Chen, Patel, Okafar, Silva

Which surname differs?

A. Chen B. Okafor / Okafar C. Patel D. Silva

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Only the third surname changes spelling (Okafor vs Okafar).

19. Gate display: “BA 457 / Gate B12 / Status BOARDING”. Copy shows “BA 457 / Gate B21 / Status BOARDING”. What differs?

A. Flight number B. Status C. Gate digits (B12 vs B21) D. Airline code

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Flight and status match. Gate digits are swapped 12 vs 21.

20. Cargo codes: source AWB-8831-XA, entry AWB-8813-XA. Which part is wrong in the entry?

A. Prefix AWB B. Middle digits (8831 vs 8813) C. Suffix XA D. No error

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Prefix and suffix match. Middle digits are transposed (8831 vs 8813).

21. Seat map note: “12A occupied; 12B empty; 12C occupied”. Recheck sheet says “12A occupied; 12B occupied; 12C occupied”. What changed?

A. 12A status B. 12B status C. 12C status D. Seat letters only

Correct answer: B

Explanation: 12A and 12C remain occupied. 12B changes from empty to occupied.

22. Crew IDs listed as LHR-229, LGW-441, MAN-108. Typed list: LHR-229, LGW-414, MAN-108. Which ID differs?

A. LHR-229 B. LGW-441 vs LGW-414 C. MAN-108 D. All three

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Only the Gatwick ID digits differ (441 vs 414).

SJT - professionalism (general judgement)

23. A passenger is upset about a long queue for a routine ground process. Colleagues look busy. What is most defensible?

A. Argue that the passenger should have arrived earlier. B. Ignore them until you finish a personal phone call. C. Acknowledge the wait calmly, give a clear next step or realistic timeframe if you know it, and escalate if queues remain unmanaged. D. Promise an upgrade or refund you are not authorised to grant.

Most defensible response: C

Explanation: Calm acknowledgement plus accurate information or escalation treats the passenger fairly without inventing authority. A and B escalate frustration. D overpromises.

24. You spot a spill creating a slip risk in a public walkway near boarding.

A. Leave it because cleaning is “not your job”. B. Joke about it with nearby passengers. C. Walk away hoping someone else notices. D. Make the area safer as far as you reasonably can and report it promptly through the usual safety/reporting route.

Most defensible response: D

Explanation: Safety hazards need immediate mitigation and proper reporting. Ignoring or joking about slip risks is indefensible.

25. A teammate asks you to mark a checklist item as complete although it was skipped to save time.

A. Refuse; complete or escalate the missed check properly rather than falsify the record. B. Tick it to keep the team on schedule. C. Tick it and blame another team later. D. Hide the checklist so auditors cannot find it.

Most defensible response: A

Explanation: Falsifying safety or process records undermines integrity. Honest completion or escalation is required.

26. You overhear confidential customer contact details being discussed loudly in a public area.

A. Join the conversation to be friendly. B. Suggest moving the discussion somewhere appropriate and report if sensitive data may have been exposed, following local reporting guidance. C. Post about it on social media as a “lesson learned”. D. Record other passengers’ reactions on your phone.

Most defensible response: B

Explanation: Protect privacy, stop public discussion of sensitive data, and use proper reporting routes. Social posting or recording makes the breach worse.

27. A colleague is rude to a customer who asked a simple directions question.

A. Laugh along so the colleague does not lose face. B. Tell the customer their question was stupid. C. Step in courteously, help the customer, and raise the conduct issue privately with the colleague or a supervisor as appropriate. D. Walk away so you are not involved.

Most defensible response: C

Explanation: Customers should be helped immediately, and poor conduct should be addressed appropriately without public humiliation contests.

28. You are unsure how a local procedure applies to an unusual but non-emergency customer request.

A. Invent a rule that sounds confident. B. Tell the customer no airline ever helps with that. C. Guess publicly and refuse to check. D. Check current local guidance or ask a supervisor before committing; keep the customer informed while you confirm.

Most defensible response: D

Explanation: Uncertainty requires verification, not invention. Keeping the customer informed preserves professionalism while you confirm.

29. A friend asks you to confirm privately whether a named passenger is on tonight’s flight.

A. Check and text them yes/no because they sound worried. B. Decline; passenger information is confidential and should only be shared through authorised channels. C. Ask the passenger’s seat neighbour instead. D. Post a poll in a staff chat to find out.

Most defensible response: B

Explanation: Passenger data is confidential. Informal confirmation outside authorised processes is not defensible.

30. During a technical assessment practice drill you realise you clicked too fast and skipped reading a constraint.

A. Continue guessing every remaining item at maximum speed. B. Slow just enough to read each stem fully, then work efficiently; treat accuracy and workload management together. C. Quit mid-drill and claim the format is unfair. D. Copy a friend’s answers while claiming you worked alone.

Most defensible response: B

Explanation: Workload management includes reading constraints, not blind speed. Cheating or quitting avoids learning.

31. A supervisor gives conflicting last-minute instructions that would skip a required briefing item you know is mandatory.

A. Skip the item because the supervisor asked. B. Quietly omit the item and hope nobody notices. C. Raise the conflict calmly, confirm which instruction is valid, and refuse to falsify completion of a mandatory brief. D. Argue loudly in front of customers.

Most defensible response: C

Explanation: Mandatory safety or process items are not optional for schedule convenience. Clarify hierarchy calmly without a public scene.

32. You notice a colleague’s ID badge left unattended in a secure-access corridor.

A. Leave it so they learn a lesson. B. Protect it appropriately and report according to local security guidance so it can be reunited safely. C. Use it to open a door “as a joke”. D. Photograph it and post it in a group chat.

Most defensible response: B

Explanation: Unattended access credentials are a security issue. Secure handling and proper reporting are required; misuse or publication makes it worse.

Process literacy (BA pilot campaigns)

33. According to publicly described BA Careers pilot hiring steps, which stage is commonly listed after the online application / recorded interview elements and before group exercise and interview?

A. Automatic unconditional captaincy with no further assessment. B. A computer-based technical assessment that looks at working under pressure and increasing workload. C. A mandatory unpaid cabin-crew secondment as the only next step. D. Immediate simulator check with no screening stage.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: BA Careers pilot pages publicly describe a technical / computer-based assessment under workload before later group exercise, interview and simulator stages.

34. Which statement about third-party claims that “BA always uses Sova for every pilot campaign” is most process-literate?

A. Treat blog claims as more authoritative than your invitation. B. Assume provider names never change. C. Treat Sova naming in prep materials as third-party-reported orientation only; follow the live invitation and BA Careers instructions for your campaign. D. Skip preparation until you see Sova branding on a billboard.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Invitation controls. Third-party provider naming is useful orientation, not a substitute for campaign-specific instructions.

35. How should Speedbird Pilot Academy applicants use this page?

A. As a full replacement for BA’s Speedbird Stage 1-3 guidance. B. Only for A380 simulator drills. C. As secondary reading at most; use the dedicated Speedbird guide and official Speedbird preparation pages as the primary cadet pathway. D. To invent GCSE grade requirements that BA has not published.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Speedbird is a separate cadet pathway with its own staging. This page is for BA pilot online / technical screening context, not a Speedbird substitute.

36. Which approach to cut scores and salaries on informal forums is safest?

A. Memorise one blog’s pass mark as guaranteed. B. Ignore official pages once a forum posts salary tables. C. Use official BA Careers information for process and eligibility, and treat unverified pass marks or salary guesses as non-authoritative. D. Assume every direct-entry applicant receives the same offer letter wording.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Do not invent cut scores or salaries. Official careers and invitation materials control.

Official resources

• British Airways Careers: Pilot jobs
• British Airways Careers: Future Pilots
• British Airways Careers: Speedbird Pilot Academy preparation (cadet pathway; see the Speedbird guide)
• UK CAA: Apply for a Class 1 medical certificate
• Confirm the live vacancy, invitation and any practice materials named in your application for your specific campaign.

Related guides

• UK Assessment Tests
• British Airways Speedbird Academy Assessment
• easyJet Pilot Assessment
• Numerical Reasoning
• Situational Judgment Test
• Air Traffic Control Tests (separate ATC / FEAST intent)

FAQ

Next steps

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