Becoming a Flight Attendant?

Becoming a flight attendant is a rigorous process as the life of a cabin crew member is demanding. Therefore airlines use a challenging recruitment process for cabin crew candidates that can include both aptitude tests and interviews. To help you be successful at each stage of the process, this article goes through the major steps providing useful advice and preparation materials.


Online Application

The online application is the first opportunity the airline has to get to know you so they ask you to provide your basic details, academic and work history. There are also questions concerning the criteria you need to meet in order to become a cabin crew member such as your height and language abilities. Remember to include all languages you speak as they can give you an advantage. Some applications ask a number of short competency questions while others ask you to give long answers to one question, such as “Why do you want to be a member of the cabin crew?”


Online Aptitude Tests

Many airlines require candidates to complete one or more aptitude tests, usually verbal and numerical reasoning. These tests look at your skills and abilities in dealing with different types of information. As the tests can determine whether or not you proceed in the recruitment process, practice is essential.

 

Cabin Crew Aptitude Test Practice

Even if you have taken aptitude tests before, practice is still important as it is the best way to refresh your skills and keep your mind sharp. At JobTestPrep, we have a number of tailored practice test packs specific to the testing companies you are likely to encounter during the recruitment process. The materials can help you prepare and give you the confidence you need to be successful in your quest toward becoming a cabin crew member.

 

Cabin Crew English Written Test

Almost every airline requires cabin crew employees to have a strong grasp of the English language. Therefore, most hiring processes involve an English skills test. The test measures literacy, writing and oral English skills. It can be delivered online or in pen and paper format.  

Verbal Reasoning Tests

Verbal reasoning tests look at your ability to understand and analyse information delivered in a written form. Note that these tests are different from the English language tests you may have to take later in the process. During the test, you are given a short text to read and then questions to answer. The questions can either be multiple choice question related to your comprehension of the text or statements related to the test where your task is to determine whether they are true, false, or cannot say.


Numerical Reasoning Test

Numerical reasoning assessments are a chance to test your numeracy skills.You are presented with various pieces of numerical information, often displayed in a graph or table, followed by a number of questions relating to the data. Your task is to use the data and basic numerical functions to answer the questions.


Assessment Days

All airlines hold an assessment day for cabin crew applicants. Most assessment days have three major activities: a group exercise, a reach test and an interview. Some assessment centres may include further tests, such as an assessment of your English language skills (for non-native English speakers only) or further aptitude tests. The day will also be your opportunity to learn about the airline and the job so make sure to arrive ready and well rested so you can focus on the tasks and presentations.

Tip: Many applicants are advised to dress the part of a cabin crew member at the assessment day so find out what the dress code is and do you best to meet the standards for the assessment day.


Group Exercise

As the majority of the work you will be doing as a flight attendant will be with a team, the group exercise is a crucial part of the assessment day. Airlines use a variety of team building exercises to help them determine both your skills in a group setting and your leadership skills. During the exercise, make your voice heard but be careful not to take over the group in anyway. 


Reach Test

As mentioned earlier, cabin crew members have to meet certain height requirements. At the assessment day you are asked to perform a reach test to check that you can reach the required height of 212 cm.


English Language Test

Many airlines such as Emirates ask candidates who come from a non-English speaking background to sit an English language test to see if their fluency is at the level they expect it to be. Note that you need to pass this test in order to move on in the process. If you are feeling nervous about your fluency in English, do not fret. Get our PrepPack™ and give yourself the lift you need


Interview

The final part of each assessment day is the interview, which consists of a mix of general knowledge, competency and motivational questions. Remember that this is your last opportunity to make a good impression so take advantage! Before your interview, think about why you have chosen this career path and this airline. Make sure to give specific reasons for choosing this airline over others as this is something recruiters are very interested in. Read up on the airline to get a good sense of its history.

Sample Questions Include:

  • Why have you chosen this career?
  • Why have you chosen this airline?
  • Give an example of a time when you worked with a team to achieve a goal successfully.
  • What would you do if you saw another cabin crew member mistreating a customer?

Testing Companies and Cabin Crew Aptitude Tests

Each airline chooses a test provider to supply the aptitude tests you will be asked to take. Two major companies are Kenexa and cut-e but you may be given test supplied by other providers.

Airline Tests Test Provider
easyJet Personality, Verbal and Numerical reasoning cut-e
Jet2 Numerical and Verbal reasoning Kenexa
Emirates Cabin Crew Personality Test and English test  
British Airways Cabin Crew Presonality and Situational Judgement  SHL

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