Stage one is completed entirely online: a series of assessments followed by a verbal speaking activity, in BA's own description. BA names no test vendor on its pages; candidates consistently describe a set of short, sharply timed tests — situational judgement, GCSE-level maths, checking and accuracy tasks, and a listening element — followed by the recorded speaking activity. Treat that breakdown as well-corroborated but unofficial.
The rules you must not trip over
One application per cycle: BA states it will identify and remove duplicate applications.
A lifetime cap: you can reach stage two — the flight school stage — a maximum of three times.
A minimum of twelve months between applications, per Skyborne's published FAQ.
No deferrals: if you are offered a place, it is for that intake.
How to prepare
With windows lasting barely a week, this stage rewards candidates who trained before the window opened. Keep GCSE-level mental arithmetic fast with the Mental Math game, use Perceptual Speed and the Vigilance Test for the checking-and-accuracy task family, and Sequences and Non-Verbal Reasoning for the pattern-based elements. For situational judgement, the Situational Judgement Test here lets you calibrate your instincts against an expert reference first — answer as the sensible, procedure-minded crew member, safety and communication over heroics — and for the speaking activity, practise answering aloud in clear, structured English. Take the Big Five test here first so the psychometric layer holds no surprises later, and answer every questionnaire honestly: stage two cross-reads everything.