What is a Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)? New PABT

Have you ever thought about why being a fighter pilot is so difficult and the selection criteria are so stringent? As per one of the studies, fighter pilots have to withstand 9G force during their sorties, which takes a lot of mental and physical strength. Some of the things that they undergo are like feel – Grey-outs, i.e. Loss of peripheral sight (or tunnel sight) along with loss of color sensitivity. As a normal person, we can withstand 4 to 6 G force. Thus, the special task requires special people and a specialized selection procedure. Earlier, the selection of flying branches for our defense forces was done through Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT). Now, the recently introduced Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) has replaced PABT. The computerized Pilot Selection System Test is an intelligent process to select aspiring pilots for all flying branches of our defense forces, like Army, IAF, Navy, and the Coast Guard. In this article, we will try to understand what is Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) is? The New PABT.

Two premier organizations working under the umbrella of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) – the Defence Institute of Psychological Research and the Air Defence Establishment jointly developed this advanced and specialized selection process – The computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) Test. This new system has happed because of the long pending demand of the Indian Airforce for a more scientific selection procedure on par with advanced nations, meeting the demands of the latest aircraft. Similar to PABT, Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) can be attempted only once in their life and if they fail to clear the exam, they cannot retake it through other entries.

What is a Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)?

As the name suggests, the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test is a technological and advanced version of PABT. It has a mix of written and practical based testing systems. It gives more emphasis on the psychomotor abilities and cognitive skills of the candidates. It ensures fairness in results.

Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)

The procedure of Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)

The computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) consists of 2 set tests. The first test is the normal MCQ test and the second test is the application of some practical knowledge called as Cognitive Ability Test.

First Test – The Written Test (MCQ)

The first test is a written test of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), which has 6 different sub-tests on different topics.
The first two sub-tests are called The Instruments Battery Test, named INSB-1 & INSB-2, which test your knowledge about different dials and meters and use these dials to determine the position of the airplane.

For this test, the Officer instructor will be displaying and explaining to the candidates the large dummy meters so that they can get to know the different meters and how each of them works. The aircraft meters that are included in these tests are:

• Magnetic Compass meter
• Vertical Speed Indicator
• urn Coordinator
• Altitude Indicator
• Airspeed Indicator
• Altimeter

After getting the knowledge of these meters, the candidate has to give a test related to these meters. The next two sub-tests inspect your knowledge about shapes and sizes in space. The last two sub-tests are based on numerical reasoning and verbal & non-verbal reasoning. The test is simple and anyone who has some basic elementary-level physics knowledge will be able to clear this test.

Sr. No	Test Name	Number of Questions	Proposed Time	What is asked
1	INSB 1 (Instruments Battery Test – 1)	15	10 Mins	Recognizing Scales and Dials of aircraft Magnetic CompassVertical Speed IndicatorAltimeterAltitude IndicatorAirspeed IndicatorTurn Coordinator
2	INSB 2 (Instruments Battery Test – 2)	60	20 Mins	Determining the position of aircraft from the instrument reading given
3	Spatial Ability Test	30	15 Mins	Identifying 2D, and 3D Figures in Space
4	Spatial Visualization Test	57	5 Mins	Identifying the position of the object in space
5	Numerical Reasoning Test – 1	20	20 Mins	Numerical Abilities
6	Reasoning Test – 2	30	15 Mins	Verbal and Non Verbal reasoning

Second Test – Cognitive Ability Test

The second is a Psychomotor Test. In this test, the candidates are made to sit on a Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) machine, which is similar to that of a Pilot’s cockpit with a Joystick, lever, Pedals, and a screen in front of the candidate.

The test is in the form of a game, in which the candidates are made to play some game similar to that of a video game. They have to get some minimum score to clear this test. For each test or game, they will be given 4 attempts. The best attempt out of the 4 attempts will be considered. In total, there are 10 such tests or games.

If the candidates have played video games or are familiar with them will be able to pass this test easily.

The proposed time for this test is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Sr. No	Test name
1	Sensory Motor Test
2	Dual-Task Test
3	Control Velocity Test
4	Speed Anticipation Test
5	Dot Estimation Test
6	Pursuit Tracking Test
7	Size Anticipation Test
8	Colour Naming Test
9	Memory Recalling Test
10	Vigilance test

What is the difference between PABT & CPSS?

The basic difference between PABT and CPSS is that PABT is a written test while CPSS is a computerized based test.

Earlier, the PABT system consists of 2 written tests and 2 machine tests. On the contrary, CPSS has 6 written tests and 10 machine tests. CPSS is an exhaustive test that comprehensively tests the candidates.

During the PABT era, an officer at AFSB used to do the briefing for PABT written test while now in the CPSS system, a written test, a video is shown to give details about the written test.

The first 2 machine tests of CPSS – SMA and CVT, are the same as that of the SMA and CVT test conducted during the PABT system with a slight difference. So, the CPSS system covers all the PABT tests and has some additional assessment tests to examine the candidate comprehensively.

The SMA test is conducted in both PABT and CPSS, but with a slight difference.

• In PABT two static concentric rectangular boxes were shown on screen and the candidate had to control a randomly moving circular object and bring it inside the boxes with the help of control pedals and joystick.
• While in CPSS, the candidate has to control a set of three randomly moving concentric squares and try to bring a randomly moving object inside these boxes.

In the PABT system, the candidate got three chances and the best out of three was considered. However, in the CPSS procedure, for each machine test, they get four chances and the best out of the 4 is considered.

Thus, we can say that CPSS is an advanced version of PABT, covering all the tests of its predecessors and adding some application-based tests to check the candidate on all parameters.

We hope, now you would understood what is Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS), what is the procedure of CPSS and the difference between CPSS and its predecessor PABT.

For any additional assistance or further help or explanation about the topic or any defense exam-related topic, feel free to write in the comment section below or directly mail it to [email protected].

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• What is Group Planning Exercise in SSB Interview?
• All about Infantry Regiments of the Indian Army
• What is the Structure of The Indian Army? || Formation of the Indian Army

Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)

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