Airbus Assessment & Interview Preparation
Online Cognitive Tests, Scales lst Logical Reasoning & Assessment Centre
Guide country context: France · Aerospace / Defense / Engineering
Hiring processes can vary by country, role, business unit, and year.
Airbus uses a rigorous five-stage recruitment process: Online Application, Online Tests (typically completed within 7 days), Application Screening, Assessment Centre, and Job Offer. The process emphasises cognitive ability, values alignment, and balanced teamwork.
Hiring Process
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1Online Application officialSubmit application through Airbus careers portal→ Tailor CV to role requirements and highlight aerospace motivation
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2Online Tests officialCognitive and situational assessments to be completed within 7 days of application. Includes logical reasoning, numerical, verbal, and SJT→ Complete within deadline; ensure quiet environment and stable internet
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3Application Screening officialHiring managers review application and test results→ Ensure CV clearly matches role criteria
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4Assessment Centre officialVirtual or physical centre with group exercises, presentations, case studies, and interviews→ Practise collaborative problem-solving and concise presentations
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5Job Offer officialOffer and onboarding→ Respond within the stated deadline
Assessments
Abstract pattern recognition test measuring the ability to identify logical rules in sequences of shapes. Tests pattern identification across size, position, rotation, and symmetry.
Measures: Abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, logical deduction, spatial awareness
- Practise identifying patterns in shape sequences: rotation, reflection, colour change, size progression
- Look for multiple rules operating simultaneously
- Eliminate options that violate identified patterns
- Work systematically rather than guessing
Common mistakes
- Focusing on only one pattern dimension
- Not checking all answer options against your identified rule
- Spending too long on early questions at the expense of later ones
Scenario-based assessment measuring alignment with Airbus values (Customer Focus, Integrity, Respect, Creativity, Reliability, Teamwork). Presents workplace situations requiring value-based decisions.
Measures: Values alignment, teamwork orientation, ethical decision-making, reliability
- Base decisions on Airbus values, especially Teamwork and Reliability
- Choose balanced, collaborative responses over aggressive or passive ones
- Consider customer and team impact in every scenario
- Think about what a dependable Airbus colleague would do
Common mistakes
- Choosing individually optimal but team-harmful responses
- Ignoring the values dimension of scenarios
- Being overly aggressive or overly passive in team situations
Data interpretation and mathematical reasoning test using charts, tables, and numerical information.
Measures: Data analysis, arithmetic accuracy, percentage calculations, ratio understanding
- Practise reading data from tables and graphs quickly
- Master percentage changes and ratio calculations
- Use estimation to check answers
- Manage time carefully across all questions
Common mistakes
- Misreading graph scales
- Calculation errors under time pressure
- Not managing time across questions
Reading comprehension and logical inference test based on written passages.
Measures: Reading comprehension, inference, distinguishing stated facts from assumptions
- Answer based only on information in the passage, not general knowledge
- Distinguish between 'True', 'False', and 'Cannot Say'
- Read carefully for qualifier words (some, always, never)
Common mistakes
- Using outside knowledge rather than passage content
- Confusing 'not stated' with 'false'
- Rushing through passages
Interviews
Candidates work together on a problem-solving task or case study. Airbus explicitly looks for a 'happy balance' - candidates who contribute meaningfully but do not dominate or talk over peers.
Format: Collaborative group task with 4-8 candidates
What interviewers look for
- Meaningful contributions without dominating
- Active listening and incorporating others' ideas
- Facilitating quieter team members
- Problem-solving and commercial awareness
- Respect and reliability in group dynamics
Focus areas to practise
- Case study analysis
- Resource allocation decisions
- Commercial trade-off discussions
- Aim for balanced contribution - speak, but also listen
- Help facilitate the group rather than dictating the process
- Build on others' suggestions explicitly
- Keep the group focused on the task and time
Present analysis of a provided case study or technical topic. Assessors evaluate structured thinking, communication, and depth of analysis.
Format: Individual presentation (typically 10-15 minutes) followed by Q&A
What interviewers look for
- Logical structure and clear reasoning
- Technical depth appropriate to level
- Creativity in problem-solving approach
- Handling of challenging questions
Focus areas to practise
- Aerospace industry challenges
- Engineering trade-offs
- Process improvement proposals
- Structure your presentation clearly: problem, analysis, recommendations
- Show creativity but ground it in practical reasoning
- Prepare for follow-up questions that probe your assumptions
- Demonstrate commercial awareness alongside technical knowledge
Behavioral and motivational interview assessing alignment with Airbus values and competencies.
Format: Structured interview with 1-2 interviewers
What interviewers look for
- Specific examples demonstrating Airbus values
- Motivation for aerospace industry
- Reliability and accountability
- Customer focus and teamwork
Focus areas to practise
- Working in diverse teams
- Delivering reliable outcomes under pressure
- Customer-focused decision making
- Creative problem solving
- Prepare STAR stories that demonstrate Reliability, Teamwork, and Customer Focus
- Show genuine enthusiasm for aerospace and Airbus mission
- Demonstrate integrity through honest self-reflection
- Connect your experiences to Airbus values explicitly
How this differs by role
The process is not the same for every role. Find the closest match to the job you applied for — the assessments and interviews below are the ones reported for that role family.
Engineering & Technical
Assessments
- Logical reasoning (Scales lst)
- Numerical reasoning
- Technical knowledge assessment
Interviews
- Technical interview
- Assessment Centre with technical presentation
- Competency-based panel
Business & Graduates
Assessments
- Situational Judgement Test
- Numerical reasoning
- Verbal reasoning
- Logical reasoning
Interviews
- Assessment Centre group exercise
- Case study presentation
- Values-based interview
Data, Software & Hackathon Roles
Assessments
- Logical reasoning
- Coding assessment
- Airbus Hackathon (for selected technical roles)
Interviews
- Technical interview
- Hackathon performance review
- Team collaboration assessment
Values & Framework
Airbus operations are guided by six core values that drive hiring decisions and performance expectations. The firm emphasises inclusive working and expects candidates to demonstrate dependability and accountability.
- Customer Focus: Show how you consider end-user impact in decisions
- Integrity: Demonstrate honesty and ethical decision-making
- Respect: Show inclusive behavior and valuing diverse perspectives
- Creativity: Provide examples of innovative problem-solving
- Reliability: Emphasise consistent delivery and accountability for outcomes
- Teamwork: Highlight collaborative achievement and supporting others
Recommended Practice Modules
Preparation Plans
- Identify your assessment type: logical/numerical/verbal/SJT or Assessment Centre
- If logical reasoning: practise 15-20 abstract pattern recognition questions
- If SJT: review Airbus six core values and practise values-based scenario decisions
- Learn Airbus values: Customer Focus, Integrity, Respect, Creativity, Reliability, Teamwork
- Prepare 3 STAR stories demonstrating teamwork and reliability
- If Assessment Centre: practise one 10-minute presentation
- Complete 3-5 full logical reasoning practice tests under timed conditions
- Practise numerical and verbal reasoning daily (one test per type per day)
- Complete SJT practice with Airbus values lens
- Prepare 5 STAR stories mapped to different Airbus values
- If Assessment Centre: practise a group exercise focusing on balanced contribution
- Research Airbus programmes, products, and recent news
- Daily logical reasoning practice focusing on multi-rule patterns
- Daily numerical and verbal practice building speed and accuracy
- Complete multiple SJT practice modules
- Build library of 7+ STAR stories covering all six Airbus values
- Practise presentations: structure, timing, and Q&A handling
- Conduct mock group exercises focusing on facilitation not domination
- Research Airbus mission, products (A320, A350, space), and corporate strategy
- For technical roles: review relevant technical knowledge
- Master abstract logical reasoning through daily progressive practice
- Achieve consistent high performance across numerical and verbal tests
- Develop natural values-based decision-making in SJT scenarios
- Comprehensive STAR story bank (10+ stories) covering all Airbus values
- Multiple mock presentations with feedback and iteration
- Practise multiple group exercise formats (case study, resource allocation, design challenge)
- Deep research into Airbus strategy, sustainability goals, and innovation pipeline
- For hackathon roles: build coding portfolio and practise collaborative coding
- Conduct full mock interviews with competency-based questions
- Refine weakest cognitive areas based on practice performance tracking
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & verification status
3 sources · 2 from the employer or another primary publisher · 1 reported rather than confirmed
See each source and how far it goes
- Employer site Airbus Our Values Primary source, published by the employer
- Employer site Airbus Recruitment Process Tips Primary source, published by the employer
- Third party Airbus Graduate Assessment Details Could not be checked — being replaced
Confidence is calculated from each source, not assigned to the page. A source that cannot be opened, or that does not describe what we cited it for, cannot support a claim here regardless of how it was previously labelled.
How this guide was put together
Published by Job Tests Portal. It is compiled from the public sources listed above and has not been independently reviewed by a recruitment or assessment specialist. We are not affiliated with Airbus and this guide is not endorsed by them.
We label where each statement comes from, and we would rather say “we could not verify this” than state something we cannot show you the source for. Hiring processes change often and vary by role, country and year, so treat everything here as a starting point and let your invitation be the final word.