Psychomotor testing for Air Force pilot candidates. Your TBAS performance combines with the AFOQT Pilot composite and flying hours to produce your PCSM score.
The TBAS is a computerized psychomotor test battery lasting about 1.5 hours. It measures hand-eye coordination, multitasking ability, spatial orientation, and auditory processing using a joystick, throttle, and rudder pedals. Your TBAS score combines with your AFOQT Pilot composite and flying hours to produce your PCSM (Pilot Candidate Selection Method) score.
The TBAS includes multiple subtests that assess skills critical for pilot training.
Tracking aircraft positions relative to a compass heading. You must maintain spatial awareness of where targets or references are in relation to a given heading.
Using a joystick to maintain gunsight on a moving aircraft. Hand-eye coordination and smooth control inputs are key.
Managing tracking, listening, and responding simultaneously. The test ramps up complexity by combining multiple tasks.
Your Pilot Candidate Selection Method score combines three inputs into a single percentile.
PCSM scores range from 1 to 99 (percentile). Higher PCSM means you are more competitive for pilot slots. Flying hours can improve your PCSM even after you have taken both the AFOQT and TBAS, so logging flight time or ATD (Aviation Training Device) hours is a strategic way to boost your standing. For details on the AFOQT Pilot composite and how to prepare, see our AFOQT guide.
From check-in to results: a step-by-step overview.
Arrive at your testing location (usually an Air Force base). Bring your military ID.
You'll be introduced to the joystick, throttle, and rudder pedals setup.
Each subtest starts with practice trials so you understand the task before scoring begins.
Work through approximately 9 subtests over 1.5 hours. Tasks increase in difficulty and complexity.
Scores are processed centrally. Your PCSM score is typically available within 1–2 days (if you've already taken the AFOQT).
Play flight simulators to build stick-and-rudder intuition. Even consumer sims help with coordination and spatial awareness.
Practice divided attention tasks—multitasking under pressure. The TBAS demands listening and responding while tracking targets.
Get good rest the night before; psychomotor performance drops with fatigue.
Don't overthink the personality/judgment portions; answer instinctively so responses stay consistent.
Consider logging some flight time (or ATD hours) to boost your PCSM. More hours can raise your score even after tests are done.
You have up to 3 TBAS attempts total. There is a 90-day wait between attempts. Use the first attempt as a learning experience only if you are fully prepared; every attempt counts.
The TBAS (Test of Basic Aviation Skills) is a computerized psychomotor test battery lasting about 1.5 hours. It measures hand-eye coordination, multitasking ability, spatial orientation, and auditory processing using a joystick, throttle, and rudder pedals. Your TBAS score combines with your AFOQT Pilot composite and flying hours to produce your PCSM (Pilot Candidate Selection Method) score.
PCSM scores range from 1 to 99 (percentile). The formula combines your AFOQT Pilot composite (percentile), your TBAS score, and your flying hours. Higher PCSM means you are more competitive for pilot slots. Flying hours can improve your PCSM even after you have taken both the AFOQT and TBAS.
You can take the TBAS up to 3 times total. There is a 90-day wait between attempts.
Scores are processed centrally. Your PCSM score is typically available within 1 to 2 days after testing, if you have already taken the AFOQT.
Strengthen your AFOQT Pilot composite and understand the full selection process.