TBAS Scoring Question

pstine

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Messages
59
I got a 95 on the pilot section of the AFOQT and recently took the TBAS for the first time. My PCSM with no flight hours is 48 and I'm planning on getting at least 20~ flight hours (that would bump me to a 65). My friend who also scored a 95 on the AFOQT pilot section has a PCSM of 60 without flying hours. This is making me think that I didn't do too well on the TBAS. Should I take the TBAS again and try to do better to boost my PCSM more? I want to have the best pilot package I can put together and I'm shooting for ENJJPT so I think the higher PCSM could be worth it. I'd appreciate any advice or input. Thank you.
 
Whether you want to retake the TBAS again is up to you, no one can say whether or not you will score better. Honestly a 48 with no flight hours is not that bad of a score, I saw scores MUCH lower than that when I was in ROTC and even most of those folks ended up with some kind of rated slot.

The problem with retaking the TBAS is that there’s not really anything you can study for, so you either inherently have the skills for that test or you don’t. The problem is, it really does nothing to demonstrate a person’s aptitude for flight training.
 
@pstine
I am confused. I thought you were class of 22 at USAFA, not AFROTC.
If you are AFROTC and class of 22, than you have a long time before this is even an issue. FIRST you need to be selected next spring for SFT. After that as an AS300 in 2021 you would meet the rated board. More than enough time to get more than 20 hrs in flight time.
~ For our DS every birthday, xmas present were flight hours. He even would spend part of his AFROTC stipend to fly an hr or so every month. The more you fly the better you will feel with the TBAS.

I am kind of shocked that you took the TBAS this early, but than again, maybe I have confused you with another poster here.
 
OBTW, if you really want ENJJPT, traditionally those scores are in the 80s+/-. I won't swear, but I believe ENJJPT only wings 8 classes a yr, or less than 200 students per yr.

It appears that you should be fine for SFT, caveat I don't know your cgpa or PFT scores.
 
They come out with the PCSM average every year for those selected and if my memory serves me, the number is running around high 60s - low 70s. However, dont take my word on this. My son had a 95 also on his pilot score and wound up with a PCSM of 70 (no hours). So based on that, your 48 isnt looking that great. With the 20+ hours, that 65 isnt looking too bad but it could still be better. With my son's 201 hours, he wound up with a PCSM of 98. So you have two choices, redo the TBAS, but realize that they take the highest score so if you do worse, you will wind up with a smaller score. Or you can add more flight hours. Also while not a requirement, a good percentage of those who get a pilot spot also have a pilot license. Of course that could just mean that those with high PCSM scores have high flight hours and anyone with hours over 70 is probably going to have a Pilot license. Just to give you a perspective, if you were to try to join a National Guard unit that flew fighters, they wouldnt look at you unless you have a PCSM of 90 and a pilot license. Now that is different from trying to get an active duty pilot spot but it gives you an idea how the PCSM is looked at.

ENJJPT PCSM average is way higher. Somewhere from 80 - mid 90s. I would have liked for my son to have gone to ENJJPT but that didnt happen. Not sure if it matters anyway. Probably way more competitive and while they seem to graduate more fighter/bombers than regular UPT, there is no guarantee you will. Plus everyone goes from T-6 to the T-38 and not everyone can handle the T-38 well. With UPT, you wind up with plane that works better for you. For example, its better to be a top pilot in a T-1 at UPT than a below average pilot in a T-38 at ENJPTT. Someone from ENJPPT transferred to my son UPT class because he couldnt handle the T-38 and he is doing great as a T-1 pilot
 
@Pima
It's been quite a (non-linear) ride for me haha. I passed Field Training and I won't be commissioning until 2022 and I know that I have time before my rated package has to be ready. At the same time, I would like to do as much as I can now to set myself up for success later if that means retaking the TBAS this semester instead of waiting a year. Still shooting for ENJJPT. Should be applying with a good GPA in Aerospace engineering and a high commander's ranking so only time will tell how it all goes.
 
I got a 95 on the pilot section of the AFOQT and recently took the TBAS for the first time. My PCSM with no flight hours is 48 and I'm planning on getting at least 20~ flight hours (that would bump me to a 65). My friend who also scored a 95 on the AFOQT pilot section has a PCSM of 60 without flying hours. This is making me think that I didn't do too well on the TBAS. Should I take the TBAS again and try to do better to boost my PCSM more? I want to have the best pilot package I can put together and I'm shooting for ENJJPT so I think the higher PCSM could be worth it. I'd appreciate any advice or input. Thank you.
I would suggest re-taking the TBAS if you are interested in ENJJPT, and to secure a pilot slot this upcoming spring. This year only 50 AFROTC ENJJPT slots are available, so the competition is high. Additionally, there is a chance the number of pilot slots available next year is low. I had a 72 PCSM and a 86 Pilot AFOQT with 0 flight hours. After my AFOQT re-take, I had a 99 Pilot AFOQT and 83 PCSM with 0 Flight hours. I am now at a 97 PCSM with 61 hours. I did not re-take the TBAS, but the AFOQT re-take helped a lot. There are ways that you can technically "prepare". I suggest using this online resource - https://pilotaptitudetest.com/features/ It has many psychomotor training features that you can use a joystick and rudder pedals with, it will help your hand-eye coordination drastically. It does cost money, but it was absolutely worth it. I used this program every day before the TBAS and had 0 issues with the tracking portion. Additionally, https://www.kongregate.com/games/icylime/multitask is a great way to practice multi-tasking. Finally, go to this link: http://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/forum/5-pilot-selection-process/ There are many TBAS discussions on the form. Good luck.
 
Back
Top