Module overview
What the test trains
This module focuses on Spatial Reasoning — translating what you see into the pilot's point of view, not yours. It is designed to make the underlying process easier to recognise, repeat and review before you add more speed or workload.
How this trainer relates to CFAST
In this trainer's Pilot (PLT) domain breakdown, Trace Test 1 is grouped under Spatial Reasoning (SpaR). The Academy tracks this domain separately rather than combining it with an overall weighted index. This is the Academy’s training model, not an official CAF scoring calculation.
Task profile
What the task looks like
What it involves
- Decide first whether the aircraft is facing toward you or away.
- Convert what you observe into the pilot's control input — left, right, up, down.
- On harder rounds, pick out the correct aircraft among distractors before responding.
- Mirror the response when the aircraft faces you: apparent-right becomes pilot-left.
Practice screen example
These screenshots show CBAT Academy’s independent practice version of the task.
Interface briefing
Controls and test flow
Controls
Follow the path shown and answer using the keyboard.
How the Academy version works
CBAT Academy presents an independently developed browser exercise with its own questions, graphics, timing and scoring. The instruction screen explains the current workload before launch; it does not claim to reproduce an official assessment screen or confidential question set.
Performance briefing
Difficulty and scoring
Difficulty and settings
Question count rises from 8 to 16 while the time allowed drops from 4 minutes to 2.5.
How scoring works
The result reflects performance in this Academy module. Accuracy is the main signal for decision tasks, while timing, missed targets, false responses or control error can also contribute where the task requires them. Assessment mode is more suitable for trend comparisons than adjustable practice runs.
Read how practice scores and estimates work →Training plan
Build a method that holds up under pressure
Why this becomes difficult
- Every response has to come from the pilot's perspective, not the screen's.
- A toward-facing aircraft mirrors both the left/right axis and the up/down axis.
- Harder rounds add a second problem — finding the right aircraft — on top of the perspective flip.
- A technically correct response on the wrong aircraft still counts as wrong.
Preparation tips
- Make orientation the very first decision, before anything else.
- Drill the mirrored cases until they're automatic, not calculated each time.
- When several aircraft are shown, find the target one first and deliberately ignore the rest.
- Practise left/right and up/down mirroring separately before combining them.
Common mistakes
- Responding to how the aircraft appears to move on your screen.
- Skipping the toward/away check and guessing from habit.
- Tracking the wrong aircraft when several are on screen.
- Mirroring left/right correctly but forgetting climb and dive mirror too.
Useful practice drills
- Mirror a partner's left/right hand movements while facing them.
- Use toward/away cards and call out the pilot-relative response for each.
- Work through all eight orientation-response combinations before adding distractors.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as an official Trace Test 1 test?
No. It trains related skills with an independently developed task. Rules, controls, timing, visuals and scoring can differ from an official assessment.
What's the most common mistake on this task?
Responding to how the aircraft appears to move on your screen.
What actually helps here?
Make orientation the very first decision, before anything else.
Transparency
Sources and information status
Task guidance on this page describes CBAT Academy’s own software. Broad aptitude context is checked against the public references in the source register. Details not established by an official source are treated as independent training methodology.
The official CFASC candidate-guide PDF (22 January 2015) describes named test examples. Use it for historical familiarisation and follow your current joining instructions. The exercise mechanics and practice advice here describe the Academy version; domain mappings and scores are independent.
This guide describes CBAT Academy’s independently developed practice modules. It is not an exact specification of any current RAF, Canadian Forces or Ministry of Defence assessment. Official content, timings, scoring and administration may differ.
Continue the briefing
Turn the method into repeatable performance.
Launch the interactive trainer, begin with accuracy and review the pattern behind each mistake before increasing pace.