Sitting the CBAT at RAF Cranwell
A document of a candidate visit to RAF Cranwell for testing.
“0817 RAF Cranwell Air Trainng Corp 75 JNMIP” by Jessicastjohn is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Day 1
You will arrive at the Main Guard Room, either by train and bus, or personal transport and be issued your photo ID. You’ll then go to the Officers Mess (Daedalus) where you’ll be given a room. On the check-in desk when you’re being given your room key, there will be a piece of paper showing the bus times for dinner, and breakfast the following morning. If it’s not there then ask about the bus times. It is very important that you do not miss the busses, especially in the morning for breakfast as the bus takes candidates straight to Adastral Hall where the CBAT takes place. You should also take note of the front door code to the Officers Mess.
Once settled into your room it will likely be time to catch the bus to the Sergeants Mess for dinner. Dinner closes at 18:30 so arrive earlier than this if you wish to eat! Enjoy the food, be polite to the hospitality staff, and take the time to get to know your fellow candidates. You might make a few friends
… and if you’re all successful then you might end up at OASC with those same people. You will be given the opportunity to go to the bar after dinner. That is your call but bear in mind that the bus for breakfast the following day is very early.
(Note: Not all rooms are identical. Some may not have en-suites like in the picture above)
Day 2
You must empty your room and return your key in time for the bus for breakfast. I recommend taking your bag (and any food/drink you have brought for your breaks throughout the test) with you on the coach to breakfast as the coach will go immediately to Adastral Hall from breakfast, and there will be no return bus to the Officers Mess. So, people who leave their bags in the Officers Mess will have to walk back from Adastral Hall.
It is always suggested that you try to eat at breakfast. You will be offered a nice fry up, but if you struggle to eat early in the morning then try eating a piece of fruit or a bowl of cereal. Personally, I’d avoid coffee so that you don’t have an energy crash half way through the day of testing. After breakfast, you will be taken to Adastral Hall for testing.
“ACLC 2013, Course 98: B Flight – Passing Out Parade” by Chazodude is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Adastral Hall
You must empty your room and return your key in time for the bus for breakfast. I recommend taking your bag (and any food/drink you have brought for your breaks throughout the test) with you on the coach to breakfast as the coach will go immediately to Adastral Hall from breakfast, and there will be no return bus to the Officers Mess. So, people who leave their bags in the Officers Mess will have to walk back from Adastral Hall.
Remember that the tests are designed to see how you perform under pressure. Don’t give up if you think you haven’t done well or you didn’t finish a test (some of them are impossible to finish). When I did my CBAT lots of people felt they had failed but passed in the end. Keep a level head and a clear mind – focus on the task at hand.
Everyone will finish the tests at different times depending on how quickly you read the instructions and answer the questions. Take your time, do not concern yourself with other people’s speeds.After you have completed all of the tests you will be debriefed. You will discuss your scores and which options are available to you.
RAF CBAT TMI 