Pass the United Airlines Assessment Test [2024]
If you want to join United Airlines through the United Aviate Academy or otherwise, you will need to take the Becoming United Virtual Job Tryout (VJT).
The United Airlines assessment you will face will differ based on your experience level.
Novice Pilots with no experience will have to go through the United Aviate Academy and take three primary tests:
- Leadership Inventory (PSI)
- Employee Aptitude Survey (PSI)
- Becoming United Virtual Job Tryout
Experienced Pilots with either military background or other flying experience are not exempt from testing, and will be expected to pass the:
Each of these tests brings its own unique challenges- for example, on the PSI Employee Aptitude Survey, you will be confronted with ten mini-tests covering space visualization, symbolic reasoning, visual speed, and more.
This page offers full Becoming United & Hogan Personality Test preparation to help you become a United Airlines Pilot!
United Airlines Preparation
- 1 Hogan Personality practice test
- 1 Becoming United Practice Test
- 3 Personality study guides
- 30 Single-trait tests
- Video Interview preparation
Becoming United VJT Practice Questions
This is an online, 15-minute test that is all about your strengths, weaknesses, uniqueness, and work methodology.
The test is broken down into two segments:
In the first one, you will be asked which of the two statements best describes you.
You will be provided with two contrasting statements, and must place a slider in between them to show which one is more in line with your personality. Here's an example:
Hearing varying opinions helps me solve complicated issues. / Varying opinions actually complicate problem-solving.
In the second test section, you will be asked your opinion about brief scenarios. After reading the scenario, you will be given four possible options on how to deal with it, ranked from first to fourth.
Note that the scenarios are not always flight related, but measure valuable skills and qualities for pilots.
Here's an example:
After five years at your current job, your responsibilities broaden, but you feel unprepared to take up the new challenge. Considering that this is not the first change in your job description, what would you do?
- Accept the new position in hopes that this too will pass.
- While starting the new position, actively look within the organization for other opportunities.
- Try to divide the new tasks with other colleagues to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
- Find out if the company provides training for tasks within your new role that you may not be fully familiar with.
These questions are designed to ensure that you are able to make solid and quick decisions, thus helping to determine your course in the future of the company.
On the test, you will rank these answers from best to worst.
The preparation pack offered on this page includes exclusive practice materials for this part of the test!
Personality Test Sample Question
For the first section you will be presented with statements and asked how descriptive they are of you. However, these appear as a scale between two statements! Here's an example:
"Even when someone hurts me, I forgive them quickly."
1. Most like me
2. Somewhat like me
3. Neutral
4. Somewhat like me
5. Most Like me
"It's not easy for me to forgive others."
This means that you need to choose which statement is more relevant to you.
So, how should you answer such a question?
Solution
To refer to the scale, we will alphabetize its five options from left to right: (A) Most like me, (B) Somewhat like me, (C) Neutral, (D) Somewhat like me, and (E) Mostly like me.
The preferred answer is (B).
This question deals with FORGIVENESS, an essential skill, especially when working in a team- pilots usually work in teams of two. Forgiveness can improve workplace performance by establishing better relationships between employees and freeing our minds from anger and other negative emotions against others. The power of forgiveness can contribute to corporate values and improve wellbeing and productivity in professional settings.
Not being able to forgive is a vicious cycle of self-poisoning and holding on to grudges. However, forgiving too quickly may indicate that you don't process the emotions at all, thus not being able to be empowered from it. Therefore, answer (A) is less recommended.
The preparation pack includes great practice materials for both the personality section and SJT section of the Becoming United VJT. Get it now and start your flight training!
Let's try an SJT question next:
SJT Sample Question
You have made plans to go on an outing with friends. You have spoken with your manager and team in advance, and you've arranged for you to leave early and your colleague Jim to stay and close the store. It is now nearly the time when it was agreed you could leave, and you are finishing up your paperwork. However, a large group of customers has just entered the store and are trying out products, creating disarray in the product displays. Jim is helping them with their inquiries, but you know that organizing and closing the store will now take him longer than usual. What would you do?
A. Tell Jim that you appreciate his help and will return the favor.
B. Cancel your plans and stay at the store.
C. Call your friends and let them know that you will be late; stay a little longer and help Jim.
D. Leave at the agreed time, but ask Jim if there is anything he needs you to do before you go.
Solution
Subject: Personal needs vs. company needs
Competencies: Teamwork
Explanation: In this question, your personal needs conflict with the needs of your team. On the one hand, you want to help your teammates. On the other, you don’t want to cancel your personal plans. In this kind of question, you want to look for a response that balances the two needs.
Telling Jim that you will return the favor (answer choice A) is not very helpful to him at this moment. By choosing this response, you put your needs above those of your team without showing flexibility.
Cancelling your personal plans (answer choice B) is extreme in the other direction. You are putting your team’s needs above your own, without flexibility. This is not an emergency that requires you to sacrifice your personal plans and neglect your commitment to your friends.
Staying a little longer (answer choice C) is a good balance between the two needs. You help your teammate without cancelling your plans. For this reason, this is the best answer.
Asking Jim if there is anything he needs you to do (answer choice D) is a reasonable response. You show consideration for your teammate’s needs without neglecting your own.
Considering answer choices C and D, both demonstrate teamwork competency. However, answer choice C shows more proactivity and a willingness to be flexible when you are needed by your team.
Novice Pilot Tests
PSI United Airlines Leadership Inventory Test
This test aims to assess your leadership ability for possible supervisory and managerial positions within the organization in the future.
The test qualifies people using three types of questions:
- Limiter – inhibit your ability to lead.
- Neutral – Neither contributes to nor challenges your ability to lead.
- Enabler – Contributes to your ability to lead.
That is to say, Limiter questions will check if you have any qualities that might inhibit your leadership quality, and Enabler questions will check for qualities that will help you be a better leader.
The different types assess the following qualities:
Orientation to Leadership
- Adaptability – Navigating major shifts in your work environment.
- Confidence – Learning new tasks and finding solutions to work issues.
- Learning Orientation – Curiosity, craving of knowledge, and sociability.
- Willingness to Lead – Natural tendency to take charge of situations, projects, and conflicts.
Decision Making
- Quality Orientation – Organized, timely, deliberate, and thorough.
- Leadership Judgment – Ability to problem solve in the most effective manner possible.
- Systemic Decision-Making Style – Confident in his/her ability to impact the success of any related project.
This leadership test is no joke- since it uses several different question types to measure a wide variety of qualities. In addition, since it's a personality test, the "correct" answer is not so clear-cut!
But have no fear- the Preparation Pack offered on this page contains a full guide on personality tests, and an additional ideal profile guide for pilot personality tests!
Employee Aptitude Survey (PSI)
This test is comprised of ten mini-tests:
- Verbal Comprehension – 5 Min: Oral and verbal abilities.
- Numerical Ability – 10 Min: Logical, numerical relationships.
- Visual Pursuit – 5 Min: Tracing lines, to measure speed and accuracy.
- Visual Speed and Accuracy – 5 Min: Quickly and accurately spotting fine details.
- Space Visualization - 5 min: Manipulation and visualization of objects.
- Numerical Reasoning – 5 min: Connecting the dots and analyzing generalizations.
- Verbal Reasoning – 5 min: Analyzing data and information to draw up technical reports, which is crucial for air travel.
- Word Fluency Test- 5 min: Tests flexible communication abilities. You will be given a letter, and asked to write as many words that use it as possible.
- Manual Speed and Accuracy - 5 min: Tests your ability to make accurate fine finger movements repeatedly.
- Symbolic Reasoning – 5 min: Manipulating and making decisions using abstract symbols.
The United Aviate Academy
The Academy is where you will begin your formal training for a career in piloting if you are not already an experienced pilot. It should be noted that the curriculum and testing are designed for those with little to no experience in the field, and great scholarships are available to ensure that no great potential pilot is left unhired.
United Aviate Academy Prerequisites
- Being 18+ years of age
- US Citizenship or status of permanent residency
- High school diploma or GED
United Aviate Academy Admission
If you meet the prerequisites, these are the steps you will take to join the program:
- Online Application: You will be asked a number of questions about yourself and your background.
- Interview: Using a program called "Modern Hire," United conducts these interviews via pre-recording, which is then submitted for review.
- Online Assessments: Now comes the first round of assessments; no, these are not the primary test; they are just meant to provide insight into your work style and manner of thinking. You will, of course, also be mandated to pass additional testing that we will dive into below.
- Provisional Acceptance: Congratulations, you are now conditionally accepted into the program, which means there are several important steps you must pass before starting the program.
- After registering and receiving am FAA tracking number; you need to score a minimum of 80% on the FAA knowledge test. This is a 2 hour and 30-minute test featuring 60 multiple-choice questions. Questions will relate to rules and regulations of certification along with air and space services, practices, communications, and emergency regulations.
- You must pass the Aviation Medical Examination, which can be taken at an AME of your choice.
- Background check, drug screening, and provision of physical proof of US citizenship or permanent status.
Now that we have an overview of the Academy's admission process, let's read more about the different tests applicants of both experience levels will take.
Experienced Pilot Tests
These are the tests veteran pilots must take in order to become United Airlines Pilots.
United Airlines Hogan Assessment
You will face two Hogan Assessments. The Preparation Pack on this page offers the best preparation material for this section of the test!
Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI)
This test measures your "bright-side" personality traits; Your sociability when things are going well.
- Time: 30-40 Min
- Questions: 240
- Qualities Assessed: Adjustment, Ambition, Sociability, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Prudence, Inquisitiveness, Learning Approach.
Hogan Development Survey (HDS)
This test measures your "dark-side" personality traits, to see how you handle pressure.
- Time: 15-20 Min
- Questions: 170
- Qualities Assessed: Excitability, Skepticism, Cautiousness, Reservation, Leisure, Boldness, Mischievousness, Imaginativeness.
Becoming United Virtual Job Tryout
How to Prepare for the United Airlines Pilot Assessments
As multiple studies show, accurate study and practice are very important for test-takers. Practice tests give you familiarity with the exact format and style of the questions, which allows you to improve your results through expertise and anxiety reduction.
JobTestPrep works on three core principles.
- Accuracy: We cover all test topics and provide precise question formatting, so you have no surprises.
- Anxiety Reduction: Settle your nerves on test day by taking the exam within the exact time frame as on test day.
- Targeting Weak Spots: Delve in deep into all the material, find study reviews and in-depth question-answer explanations to complement our precise practice test.
Make sure you get into the United Aviate Program, so you can start flying high!
United Airlines Pilots FAQ:
Q. What are United Airlines pilot salary and hours?
A. At United, Pilots are paid on average $97 per hour and are limited to 1000 hours per year to reduce stress.
Q. Do you need a college degree to be a pilot for United Airlines?
A. No. Other than passing all United tests and training, you must hold at minimum a high school diploma or equivalent.
Q. How long is United Airlines pilot training?
A. Training is 10th months and 5 days a week, including:
- Instrument rating – 2 months
- Commercial SE initial – 3 months
- Commercial ME add-on – 1 month
- Certified flight instructor – 2 months
- Certified flight instructor (instrument) – 1 month
- Multi-engine flight instructor – 1 month
Q. How many flight hours do I need before I can start working at United Airlines?
A. Before you can start working, you need to get your ATP Certificate. This includes 1500 hours of flight time, including 500 hours of cross country and 100 hours' worth of night flights.
You can choose between flying at a partner university, flight school, or as a commercial pilot from among a list of 135 operators.
Q. Where is the United Aviate program?
A. The Academy is located in Phoenix, Arizona.