General Information/Advice for SIFT test

2013-12-10T18:23:05-05:00

I've always wanted to become a flight warrant officer, but I know you can only take the SIFT twice before you can no longer try. Don't want to risk failure.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 12:57 AM

2013-12-12T00:57:25-05:00

http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/

On the main page of the usarec website under "Hot Topics" scroll down to the bottom of the page and there is an update (dated 11 Jan 13) that has a link to information about the SIFT test. You can only take the SIFT ONE time if you score 40 or above. Now, go get a few different versions of the "Military Flight Test" study guides, because you need to pick apart the book and study a few select sections. For "Simple Drawings" there is not much you can study out of the flight test guides, but plenty of ways to exercise your mind to work this section. "Hidden Figures" study from the AFOQT practice tests. "Army Aviation Information" - Read the FAA Helicopter Manual. "Spatial Apperception", "Reading Comprehension", "Math Skills", and "Mechanical Comprehension" use the ATSB practice tests. The Math skills is a lot of word questions that require algebra, as well as basic geometry and probability questions.

FAA Helicopter Handbook (200 pages)
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/media/faa-h-8083-21A.pdf

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 5:56 PM

2013-12-19T17:56:16-05:00

I have an update for you as I have recently taken the SIFT since my last post. I would not worry so much about failing the test, as I would about passing it with a very low score. The first few sections are incredibly easy (Sample Drawings & Hidden Figures). The Army Aviation portion will probably be impossible to pass if you do not study for it. Study the FAA Handbook and WJ Wagtendonk's "Principles of Helicopter Flight" and this section will be a breeze. Reading comprehension is still self explanatory, on some of the questions where it would appear there are two answers - make sure they are word for word. I noticed they would change one word to throw you off. Spatial Apperception is also very simple. Some of the images of my test screen were blurry, but it was also very easy to spot the correct answer - i.e., you will have a photo of an airplane heading out to sea, and only one answer shows an airplane moving out to sea - very simple. Pay attention to the corners and how much of the box the photos fill up.

Here's where it gets tricky. The Math Skills and Mechanical Comprehension are both ADAPTIVE tests. This is where it gets different for everyone. My Math section became harder after every question I answered correctly. When I had to guess on an answer I noticed it would bring me to a more difficult question if I had guessed correctly, or it would back down and give me another easier question if I had guessed incorrectly. It is timed at 40 minutes and it will test you to your mathematical limit, and once that is determined the test will automatically take you to the next section. Now as the instructions stated, I would be penalized for taking too long to answer a question and to give a best guess. So, if the system cant figure out your mathematical competency because you are wasting time its going to penalize your test score.

Mechanical comprehension was the same as math. I have a civilian background in mechanics, so I was able to make it to some very tough questions. The first "educated" guess I made on this section took me to the end of the test and displayed my score. I imagine since the software says this test is Adaptive it will poke around and test your Mechanical limits as well.

As I said before - I would be more afraid to score low instead of failing as you can not retake this test if you score a 40 or higher. One person testing the same day as me ran out of time on the Spatial Apperception and Reading Comprehension so they decided they would purposely fail the rest of the test and started choosing random answers and ended up with a final score of 41 - now they are stuck with that score when their goal was to completely fail so they could retest.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 27 at 2014 11:09 PM

2014-01-27T23:09:36-05:00

Have you checked with your local garrison G3, as they have most study materials related to most MOS assigned to their respective installation, if not another resource would be your own S3 who may have access to study materials that the normal joe may not be able to request and get.

These are just a start and could get you pointed in the right direction if they are unable to assist, but could guide. Good luck and take care.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 2:01 AM

2014-01-28T02:01:04-05:00

The whole idea of the SIFT was to take away the study guides that had proliferated the market for the AFAST. I can tell you based on talking to people it more closely follows the naval flight test, it has a lot of math, and brushing up on your flight knowledge (general concepts related to navigation, flight sciences, and rotary aircraft flight info) will help you. Good luck, I need to go take mine as well.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2014 10:37 PM

2014-01-30T22:37:10-05:00

A study guide for it came out recently

http://www.amazon.com/SIFT-Study-Guide-Practice-Questions/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=8-1&keywords=SIFT+STUDY

SIFT Study Guide: Test Prep and Practice Test Questions for the Army SIFT Exam: Inc. Accepted: [login to see] 502: Amazon.com: Books

SIFT Study Guide: Test Prep and Practice Test Questions for the Army SIFT Exam [Inc. Accepted] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Whether you are just looking for more information or...

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2014 7:46 AM

2014-03-25T07:46:56-04:00

I took the AFAST=117, SIFT=47

Got selected.

I was disappointed in both scores, but whatever. Use the AFAST study guides. Brush up on Algebra if you can. I suck at it, and probably scored horribly on the math due to that fact. Other than that, its pretty much the AFAST with some twists. Don't stress it, just get over a 40.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 8:54 PM

2014-03-26T20:54:33-04:00

SGT Meyers, be mindful of what and how you study.

What- The SIFT has incorporated aspects of the Navy and Air Force's flight aptitude tests, and trimmed the content from the AFAST. Using a study guide that exposes you to all three tests will garner the best results. Do not limit yourself to only one study guide.

How- Studying the material can only get you so far. Preparing for the actual test by taking practice exams under test conditions will allow you to manage the stress of being "on the clock." Hold yourself accountable by keeping within the prescribed time standards, then check your work, study the material you answered incorrect, and retake under the same conditions.

A positive approach will also help. Much like taking the APFT, you don't focus on failure or setting your goal for a 180, you focus on maxing it (or doing the best you possibly can). As SGT Reno previously stated, visit the Warrant Officer Recruiting website and gather as much information as possible. There is now a requirement of a minimum score of 50 in order to submit your packet (40 is still passing though).

(AFAST-126, SIFT- 65)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 6:57 PM

2014-06-17T18:57:21-04:00

I used an old AFAST study guide book to study for the SIFT. My score was a 62.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 5 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-11-05T13:25:35-05:00

SIFT test study guide.