PAF Verbal Intelligence Test
The PAF initial tests at an Information and Selection Centre begin with the intelligence tests, verbal and non-verbal, taken on computer, followed by the academic test for your branch. Results are usually announced the same day.
The verbal intelligence test is reasoning with words, letters and numbers against the clock. Each question is short, and the difficulty is the volume and the pace: you are expected to recognise the type of question at a glance and apply its rule without hesitating.
What the PAF verbal intelligence test asks
Number and letter series
Find the next term, or the missing one, in a sequence that follows one rule.
Analogies
Word and number pairs: A is to B as C is to what?
Coding and decoding
A word is written in a code; apply the same code to another word.
Odd one out
Four words or numbers, three sharing a property; pick the one that does not.
Direction sense
Follow a route of turns and distances and say where it ends.
Ranking and order
Positions in a row or a class, from the top or from either end.
Blood relations
Work out how two people in a short family statement are related.
Logical deduction
Which conclusion must follow from two or three statements.
Alphabet and word puzzles
Letter positions, rearranged letters and words formed from a longer word.
Clearing them leads to the initial medical and interview, then ISSB; GD Pilot candidates face further aptitude assessment later on.
Sample PAF verbal intelligence test questions with answers
1. Find the next number: 3, 9, 27, 81, 243, ?
- A. 486
- B. 729
- C. 972
- D. 1,215
Each term is multiplied by 3 to produce the next term. Thus, 243 multiplied by 3 equals 729.
Discuss this question2. Find the next number: 192, 96, 48, 24, 12, ?
- A. 3
- B. 4
- C. 6
- D. 8
Each term is half of the preceding term. Half of 12 is 6, so the next number is 6.
Discuss this question3. Find the next number: 10, 13, 18, 25, 34, ?
- A. 43
- B. 44
- C. 45
- D. 46
The differences are 3, 5, 7, and 9, which increase by 2 each time. The next difference is 11, so 34 plus 11 equals 45.
Discuss this question4. Find the next number: 3, 7, 16, 32, 57, ?
- A. 91
- B. 92
- C. 93
- D. 94
The differences are 4, 9, 16, and 25, which are consecutive squares. The next difference is 36, giving 57 plus 36 equals 93.
Discuss this question5. Find the next number: 5, 10, 8, 16, 14, 28, 26, ?
- A. 50
- B. 52
- C. 54
- D. 56
The operations alternate between multiplying by 2 and subtracting 2. After 26, multiply by 2 to get 52.
Discuss this questionHow to prepare for the PAF verbal intelligence test
- The PAF tests are on computer, so practise on a screen against a timer, the way this test runs, rather than on paper.
- Sit a full timed test first and keep the score. It tells you how much of your preparation the intelligence test needs.
- Learn the usual rules for each type: differences and ratios in number series, alphabet positions (A=1 to Z=26) for letter series and codes, and a quick sketch for directions and family trees.
- Do not get stuck. A question that has not opened in thirty seconds is a question to mark and come back to; the next one is usually quicker.
- Read every explanation for the questions you missed, then sit another full test a few days later.
Read next: PAF initial test and selection stages
Keep practising
PAF Non-Verbal Intelligence Test
The other half of the PAF intelligence test.
PAF practice and past papers
Every subject on the PAF paper, timed, with answers.
Verbal Intelligence Test for other services
PAF verbal intelligence test: common questions
What is in the PAF verbal intelligence test?
Number and letter series, analogies, coding and decoding, odd one out, direction sense, ranking and order, blood relations, logical deduction and alphabet and word puzzles. The verbal intelligence test is reasoning with words, letters and numbers against the clock. Each question is short, and the difficulty is the volume and the pace: you are expected to recognise the type of question at a glance and apply its rule without hesitating.
When is the PAF intelligence test taken?
The PAF initial tests at an Information and Selection Centre begin with the intelligence tests, verbal and non-verbal, taken on computer, followed by the academic test for your branch. Results are usually announced the same day.
Is there also a non verbal intelligence test for PAF?
Yes. The PAF intelligence test has a verbal part and a non-verbal part, and candidates sit both. Each has its own free practice test on TestUstad.
How long is this PAF verbal intelligence practice test?
40 questions in 30 minutes, drawn fresh on every attempt and scored with harder questions counting more. The boards do not publish their papers, so these are original questions of the same types, at the same pace.
Is the PAF verbal intelligence practice free?
Yes. There is no fee, no sign-up and no limit on attempts. Every question is explained when you finish.