BATS test

[d328pilot]

I will be taking the BATS test later this month and I wondered if anyone could recommend something that would kind of help me prepare. Maybe some places online that offer something similar to the BATS.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Not really anything out there. It's a pretty wacky test, everything from having a bunch of numbers flashed at you on a screen, and you have to write them down 10 seconds later, to having to keep a "gunsight" on a circle moving around using two joysticks (one is only up and down, the other left and right), etc, etc...

I don't know of any way to prepare, but if you have decent hand-eye coordination, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I would recommend taking the AFOQT and BAT (PCSM) on different dates, just to give your brain a rest in between.

Good luck.

 

[Jafar]

I took it in August. Best thing you can do is be well rested. A few guys recommend playing video games in the days prior, and that may help. Here's the most comprehensive info you're likely to find online: http://www.baseops.net/bat/

Just concentrate and push through it. It's pretty strange, as has been stated. Stay focused, as it comprises a rather significant portion of what will be your PCSM score.

Good luck.

 

[kc135ang]

In my opinion the bat test is a waste of time. Had a second chance to take it in pilot training and was actually able to see the results. They basically said I'm uncoordinated!

 

[Slice121]

In my opinion the bat test is a waste of time. Had a second chance to take it in pilot training and was actually able to see the results. They basically said I'm uncoordinated!

Well, you are a tanker pilot...J/K. :beer:

 

[pkober]

Clean kill on that one !!!

 

[JohnnyP]

...

I remember when I took it, the joy-stick's were angeled outward just so slightly that it ended up being a very un-natural hand position and was akward to make consistant movements. Combine that with the reversal of the controls and it gets frustrating. Maybe there all set up that way, or my station needed to be fixed. I guess it doesnt matter now, my PCSM score said I had the math/verbal level of a second grader and should never be flying aircraft. Ah, oh well. I guess I fooled them! (my scores wernt that bad, just a little exaggeration). I thought those tests wernt terribly accurate either. Like for the AFOQT, they take a combination of things that arent related to aviation, and then come up with a "pilot" score to ruin your chances at the boards (just a little tiny wee bit of bitterness still remains to this day, but thats ok, im good to go now!)

 

[kc135ang]

I knew from the beginning that I was going tankers being in the ANG. By the way I finished at the top of my class and was offered 38's but decided to stick with the more laid back approach to flying. I can also get up in flight to take a leak, stretch, and eat at will. When was last time you tried that? By the way you guys can't get any where with out the tanker! Now let's all get along!

 

[Jafar]

By the way I finished at the top of my class and was offered 38's but decided to stick with the more laid back approach to flying.

I have a question about this. Is this to say that you can track 38's and then go on to 135 school or C-17 school or whatever? How often does this happen? Obviously it would only happen to Guard/Reserve guys, right? I know everybody used to go 38's back in the old days. Just curious, thanks.

 

[MarineGrunt]

I have a question about this. Is this to say that you can track 38's and then go on to 135 school or C-17 school or whatever? How often does this happen? Obviously it would only happen to Guard/Reserve guys, right? I know everybody used to go 38's back in the old days. Just curious, thanks.

Yes, 38 guys can go to cargo/tankers without going through the T-1. Usually it only happens if they wash out of IFF or RTU (they will never get a heavy assignment out of UPT). Some guard/reserve tanker and cargo guys used to get to go through the 38 and then to their follow on training, but those days are gone. I already tried! Once you set foot in the T-1, your fate is sealed for the rest of your career.

 

[DaveGriffin]

I knew from the beginning that I was going tankers being in the ANG. By the way I finished at the top of my class and was offered 38's but decided to stick with the more laid back approach to flying. I can also get up in flight to take a leak, stretch, and eat at will. When was last time you tried that? By the way you guys can't get any where with out the tanker! Now let's all get along!

I wish I had $1 US for every P-3 pilot that's repeated the "I graduated in the top of my class and didn't want jets" line.

 

[Slice121]

I knew from the beginning that I was going tankers being in the ANG. By the way I finished at the top of my class and was offered 38's but decided to stick with the more laid back approach to flying. I can also get up in flight to take a leak, stretch, and eat at will. When was last time you tried that? By the way you guys can't get any where with out the tanker! Now let's all get along!

I'm guard, I know how the process works as far as being "pre-destined" I can eat, stretch, piss, and go SLOW everytime I fly the RJ. J/K=just kidding...laid back?

 

[smellthejeta]

Shhh... we're not supposed to talk about this test, remember? That said, I'm the biggest klutz I know, and I got a 97 PCSM score. It takes into account your civillian flight time (score tops out at 200 hours) and your AFOQT pilot section. Apparently I'm a blind klutz, because I couldn't get a recruiter to process my app after I told her I can't see 20/20 WITH glasses.

 

[chippednick]

Here's what I have to offer, even if its a little late for your test. I took the BAT in March. 99 BAT and 99 PCSM after retaking the AFOQT with 99 P, 86 N, 70's in the rest.
The BAT test has very little prep. The link given earlier helps. Pay attention to the suggestion about the curser going off screen "undefined". This was my worst section due to frustration. It felt that the controls responded differently in each section as well. Some over-corrected quickly, some did not. Take advantage of every second of practice. I also found it helped to grip the joysticks very low for better input controls.

As stated before - "Stay focused" and you'll be fine.

 

[psysicx]

And you can retake the BAT if you need to after 6 months. Thanks for the info Jafar.

 

[McGillicutty]

but decided to stick with the more laid back approach to flying.

Pfft, you don't know "laid back" flying until you go to Corpus. Show 0900 for 1100 T/O and on the road back home by 1600ish.

Fishing or surfing by 1700ish. :beer: