What is the AFAET Test?

A test of plain English in an aviation context for licensing purposes – it is not a test of radiotelephony or aviation knowledge.

It tests the ability to communicate in English and does not assess operational knowledge.

A face-to-face, human interaction test with one interlocutor who asks questions for detailed responses.

A 25-30 minute test consisting of four parts, which will be discussed below.

AFAET is Not a Test of Operational Knowledge

AFAET interlocutors are familiar with aviation. However, no extra marks are given for discussing correct operational procedures, and nothing is lost for not knowing a particular area of operations.

AFAET tests plain English, not phraseology – ICAO language standards have been introduced to improve communication when phraseology is insufficient.

The ICAO Descriptors

ICAO has developed the criteria by which your English will be judged. AFAET candidates can score from Level 1 to Level 6, with most candidates scoring Level 3, 4, or 5.

A simplified version of Levels 2 - 5 is below.

Assessment Criteria

• Pronunciation
• Structure
• Vocabulary
• Fluency
• Comprehension
• Interactions

The lowest score among these six skills determines the overall score.

In the next sections, we will look at each part of the test and provide advice on how to perform your best.