The Army SIFT, explained
The Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT) is the Army's aviation aptitude test for warrant officer flight training and Army aviation applicants. It is web-based, takes up to about 3 hours, and is scored from 20 to 80 with a passing score of 40.
Try it now — no sign-up
The 7 subtests
| Subtest | Questions | Minutes | Scoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Drawings | 100 | 2 | wrong answers cost points |
| Hidden Figures | 50 | 5 | wrong answers cost points |
| Army Aviation Information | 40 | 30 | blanks count as wrong |
| Spatial Apperception | 25 | 10 | blanks count as wrong |
| Reading Comprehension | 20 | 30 | blanks count as wrong |
| Math Skills | varies (adaptive) | 40 | adaptive; too few answered = penalty |
| Mechanical Comprehension | varies (adaptive) | 15 | adaptive; too few answered = penalty |
Source: SIFT FAQ (V2.0). No calculator; a few formulas are provided.
Scoring and the passing score
The SIFT score runs from 20 to 80 (mean 50, SD 10); the minimum to apply to Army aviation is 40. The formula is proprietary and compensatory — a strong subtest can offset a weak one. You see pass/fail as soon as you finish.
Retakes
If you pass, you cannot retake the SIFT. If you fail, you get one more attempt after a waiting period — the SIFT FAQ says no earlier than the 181st day, while Fort Novosel's cadet FAQ says after 45 days; confirm with your test control officer. A second fail ends eligibility for Army aviation.
Strategy in one line per subtest
- Simple Drawings & Hidden Figures: fast, but skip rather than guess — wrong answers are deducted.
- Aviation Information, Spatial Apperception, Reading: answer everything — blanks are wrong.
- Math & Mechanical (adaptive): steady pace, no random guessing at the end.
Our Math and Mechanical practice is fixed-length; the real sections are adaptive.
FAQ
What is a passing SIFT score?
40, on a 20–80 scale with a mean of 50.
Can you retake the SIFT?
Only after a failing score, once. A passing score can't be retaken; a second failure ends eligibility.
Is there a guessing penalty on the SIFT?
On Simple Drawings and Hidden Figures, part of each wrong answer is deducted. On the fixed-length sections blanks count as wrong, and on the adaptive ones random guessing usually hurts more than leaving items unfinished.
Know where you stand in 15–20 minutes
Free SIFT diagnostic — no sign-up. Estimates are ours, clearly labelled.
Take the free diagnosticUpdated 2026-10-04. Facts are checked against primary sources — see methodology.