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Taking the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test CFAT? Everything you need to know!

Exam information, and qualifications, free practice questions, multiple choice strategies, complete study guide in every format, online course, printed book, eBook, and PDF Download.

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Canadian Armed Forces Aptitude Test Qualification

You much be at least 17 years old, a Canadian citizen and completed at least grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Quebec.

The CFAT has 3 sections, Verbal Skills (VS), Problem Solving (PS) and Spatial Ability (SA).

Once accepted, you will start Basic Training, but you will want to start early.

Online Course

Aptitude Test for Canadian Forces

Version Française

CFAT Application

Apply online at forces.ca

cfat

About the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test

CFAT Test contents
What's on the CFAT - Click to Enlarge - https://test-preparation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/CFAT-Contents.png

Verbal Skills

Verbal skills in the CFAT are really just another name for vocabulary and analogies. The CFAT has four different types of verbal skills questions: synonyms, where you are required to choose a word with the same meaning, antonyms, where you are required to choose a word with the opposite meaning, and definition questions, where you are required to choose the definition of a given word.

Problem Solving

The Problem Solving section has three types of questions, Word Problems and number Sequences

Spatial Ability

The Spatial Ability section gives graphics of expanded shapes and you must choose what the shape will look like when folded or unfolded.  These are quite tricky if you are un-prepared!

Canadian Forces Aptitude Test Practice

Verbal Skills

First, lets look at what verbal skills are. Verbal skills on the CFAT are really just another name for vocabulary and analogies. The CFAT has four different types of verbal skills questions: synonyms, where you are required to choose a word with the same meaning, antonyms, where you are required to choose a word with the opposite meaning, and definition questions, where you are required to choose the definition of a given word.

The CFAT has 15 verbal skills questions to be completed in 5 minutes.

Verbal Skills Practice

Practice for the Canadian Forces Aptitude Vocabulary

Synonyms
Antonyms
Vocabulary I
Vocabulary II 

How to Study for a Vocabulary Test

Problem Solving

The CFAT has three different types of problem solving questions, word problems, sequences and IQ type questions.

How to Answer Word Problems

How to Answer Analogies

Spatial Ability (Visual Acuity)

The Spacial Ability section has three types of questions, all of which are graphical.  One you are given a shape and you must choose what shape is possible if folded, or looped and joined.  Another type is you are given a shape and you must choose the same shape rotated.  Another type is you are given a 2-dimensional shape and asked to find same shape when folded into a 3-dimensional shape.

Spatial Ability Practice

Practice for the Canadian Forces Spatial Ability

Visual Acuity

Spatial Relations

Folding Tutorial

Common Mistakes on the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test

  1. Not preparing  Don’t underestimate how difficult the CFAT is!  It is important to study the test format, take CFAT practice questions, (see below)  and review the types of questions you can expect.  The CFAT is a multiple choice test – how to answer multiple choice
  2. Not managing your time on the test.   The CFAT is a timed test, and you must complete each section in a set amount of time. If you don’t manage your time properly, you can get caught out, and get a lower score.  How to manage your time on a test.
  3. Not reading the instructions  Read the instructions for each section carefully before starting.
  4. Making careless mistakes Pay attention to detail. Candidates who make careless mistakes may lose points unnecessarily.
  5. Focusing too much on one section The CFAT has three sections, verbal skills, spatial ability, and math. If you focus too much on one section you will neglect other sections, getting an imbalanced score.
  6. Not managing stress Taking the CFAT is stressful. Stay calm, focused, and confident.
  7. Guessing too much  The CFAT does not penalize for wrong answers, so guessing may be a good strategy.  Make sure that you make educated guesses!   More on how to answer multiple choice

How to Prepare for a Test – The Complete Guide

How to Study – The Complete Guide

Common Mistakes on the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test

Canadian Forces Aptitude Test FAQ

The Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT) is an exam to assess an individual’s ability and determine the job best suited to their abilities and skills in the Armed Services. Everyone applying to be a member of the Canadian Forces must take and pass CFAT.
Applicants can register for CFAT online or at any approved CFAT application kiosks
You can schedule to take the CFAT at any of the approved CFAT testing centers during your registration - see your recruiting office
CFAT is available as a multiple-choice test. You can take a paper or computer test. The test is made up of three sections Verbal skills, Spatial ability and Problem solving. CFAT contains 60 multiple-choice questions with an allotted time of 45 minutes to complete the test. Tips for taking multiple choice tests For more detailed information, see our CFAT page
Successful candidates are informed at the end of the test. Note that you are not be informed your actual CFAT score. You are only informed if your score is adequate.
YES 3 weeks is great - depends on how much he applies himself though! How to make a study plan

Version Française

Réussir le TAFC!
Commander la Version Française – Version PDF de la version imprimée. Télécharger après l’achat.

Canadian Forces Aptitude Test Practice

Reviews: 4.5 Stars

Start Practicing Today  (PDF Download)

Online Study Practice Course

 

 

  • Over 400 Practice Questions
  • Answer Key with Step-by-Step Answer Key
  • Easy to follow Tutorials
  • Multiple Choice Tips and Strategies from Exam Experts
  • Self-Assessments to Identify your Strength and Weaknesses
  • How to make a Study Plan and Study Schedule
  • And a Lot More!

 

 

What the Canadian Forces Recruiters Say

Our office had made a purchase of your product (Approx. 10 Books) and upon feedback that we have received from our troops, myself included,  I believe it is the best tool available for our members embarking on their CFAT

Lt / lt Ronald Nguyen

Personnel Selection Officer ψ, CFB Shilo
Department of National Defence / Government of Canada

Officier de sélection du personnel ψ, BFC Shilo
Ministère de la Défense nationale / Gouvernement du Canada

Satisfied Customer

I’ve taken the CFAT course recently and I can say for sure that studying with the CFAT app trainer and this website will greatly improve your odds of achieving the necessary score for the trade you want. Understand how to do long division, Multiplication, Subtraction, and Division will help you. I took the test and missed the trade I wanted by 2 points. If you study these points you will surely achieve the trade you’re looking for. Good Luck. J.

Reviews

Reviews

Great book with lots of neat content

Reviewed by M. A. M.

I’m trying to join the army and this book really helped me refresh my memory, specifically math section. Also there are lots of great tips towards the end that helps you how to overcome you test anxiety which is really important.Overall I’m really happy about my purchase and will definitely recommend this to anyone who is taking the aptitude test.
Rating: 5 / 5

A good book to have this book for the CFAT

Reviewed by P. H.

I would give five stars if there are no typos. But it is good to have this book for the CFAT. I passed with this book.
Rating: 5/ 5

Three Stars

Reviewed by B. T.

It’s alright
Rating: 5/ 5

goldstargoldstargoldstar

Three Stars

Reviewed by J.

While the book provides useful tips in order to succeed in the CFAT, the title of the book is perhaps overrated because it provides the same type of practice as other guides involving spacial ability, vocabulary and mathematics. However, the book does mention that what you will find in it won’t exactly be the same stuff as on the exam, but any manual that includes guidance for any aptitude tests will help you just as much for the CFAT. It will give you an idea of what you shall expect during the test. Good luck.
Rating: 5 / 5

The Canadian Armed Forces are not involved in the production of, and do not endorse this product.

Written by,

Date Published: Thursday, June 12th, 2014
Date Modified: Tuesday, March 21st, 2023

    2 Comments

  1. Barry Jackson
    August 10, 2017
    Reply

    Where can I find the paperback version of Pass the CFAT?

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