CFAT – Canadian Forces Aptitude Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What comes next: 7, 14, 12, 24, 22, ?

40
44 (Correct answer)
48
42

Correct answer: 44

The pattern alternates ×2 and −2; 22 × 2 = 44.

Question 2: The recruits were instructed to _______ the map carefully before beginning the navigation exercise.

study (Correct answer)
ignore
summarize
discard

Correct answer: study

"Study" means to examine carefully and thoroughly, which is necessary before completing a navigation exercise.

Question 3: A vehicle uses 12 liters of fuel per 100 km. How many liters are needed for a 350 km journey?

48 L
40 L
36 L
42 L (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 42 L

Fuel = (350 ÷ 100) × 12 = 3.5 × 12 = 42 liters.

Question 4: The commanding officer _______ praised the unit for their exceptional performance during the exercise.

wholeheartedly (Correct answer)
vaguely
reluctantly
rarely

Correct answer: wholeheartedly

"Wholeheartedly" means with complete sincerity and enthusiasm, which fits genuine praise for exceptional performance.

Question 5: A 2D pattern for a cube is shown. Three of the answer choices are possible views of the cube when it is folded. Which view is IMPOSSIBLE to create from the given pattern? The pattern is a cross shape: the central square has a plus sign (+). The square above it has a solid circle. The square below it has a solid triangle. The square to the left is blank. The square to the right has three horizontal lines. The square below the triangle has a hollow square.

A view showing the plus sign, the hollow square, and the three horizontal lines.
A view showing the solid triangle, the hollow square, and the blank face. (Correct answer)
A view showing the solid triangle, the plus sign, and the blank face.
A view showing the solid circle, the plus sign, and the blank face.

Correct answer: A view showing the solid triangle, the hollow square, and the blank face.

In the given 2D net, the solid triangle and the hollow square are on opposite ends of the main vertical column, separated by the plus sign. When folded, faces that are opposite on the net cannot be visible at the same time. The view described in the correct answer shows the solid triangle and the hollow square simultaneously, which is impossible.

Question 6: A square pyramid has one square base and four triangular sides. How many total faces does this shape have?

5 (Correct answer)
6
8
4

Correct answer: 5

A square pyramid has 5 faces: 1 square base plus 4 triangular lateral faces.

Question 7: A vehicle travels 240 km in 3 hours. How far will it travel in 5 hours at the same speed?

320 km
400 km (Correct answer)
480 km
360 km

Correct answer: 400 km

Speed = 240 ÷ 3 = 80 km/h; distance in 5 h = 80 × 5 = 400 km.

Question 8: If Jenny can paint a property in 4 hours and Mark can paint the same house in 6 hours, how long will it take for both of them to paint the house?

3 hours and 44 minutes
4 hours and 10 minutes
2 hours and 24 minutes (Correct answer)
3 hours and 12 minutes

Correct answer: 2 hours and 24 minutes

Jenny's rate is 1/4 house per hour, and Mark's rate is 1/6 house per hour. When working together, their combined rate is 1/4 + 1/6 = 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12 house per hour. To find the total time, take the reciprocal of the combined rate: 1 / (5/12) = 12/5 hours. Converting 12/5 hours to hours and minutes gives 2 hours and (2/5 * 60) = 24 minutes, so 2 hours and 24 minutes.

Question 9: Which word best completes the sentence? 'The new recruit showed _______ courage under heavy enemy fire.'

Dubious
Mediocre
Exemplary (Correct answer)
Reluctant

Correct answer: Exemplary

Exemplary means outstanding or serving as a desirable model, fitting the context of praiseworthy courage.

Question 10: A 2D pattern is made of six squares in a single row. What happens when you try to fold this pattern to create a cube?

It is impossible to form a closed 3D shape because the faces will overlap. (Correct answer)
It forms a complete and closed cube.
It forms an open-ended rectangular tube, but not a cube.
It forms a cube with one open side.

Correct answer: It is impossible to form a closed 3D shape because the faces will overlap.

A net for a closed cube requires the six squares to be arranged so they can enclose a volume without overlapping. When six squares are arranged in a single 1x6 row, folding them will cause the fifth and sixth squares to overlap the first and second squares, respectively, preventing the formation of a closed cube.

Question 11: What comes next: 2, 6, 18, 54, ?

216
324
162 (Correct answer)
108

Correct answer: 162

Each term is multiplied by 3, so 54 × 3 = 162.

Question 12: The net of a triangular prism contains exactly how many faces?

6
3
4
5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5

A triangular prism has 5 faces: 2 triangular end caps and 3 rectangular side panels.

Question 13: A platoon has 30 soldiers and 40% are female. How many male soldiers are there?

16
18 (Correct answer)
12
14

Correct answer: 18

40% of 30 = 12 females, so 30 − 12 = 18 males.

Question 14: One truck makes 4 trips carrying 850 kg each; another makes 3 trips carrying 1,100 kg each. What is the total cargo moved?

7,100 kg
6,700 kg (Correct answer)
5,800 kg
6,200 kg

Correct answer: 6,700 kg

Truck 1: 4 × 850 = 3,400 kg; Truck 2: 3 × 1,100 = 3,300 kg; total = 6,700 kg.

Question 15: FAMINE is to HUNGER as DROUGHT is to:

Cold
Thirst (Correct answer)
Flood
Rain

Correct answer: Thirst

Famine causes widespread hunger just as drought causes widespread thirst.

Question 16: A soldier can run 5 km in 25 minutes. At this rate, how long will it take to run 8 km?

40 minutes (Correct answer)
38 minutes
42 minutes
36 minutes

Correct answer: 40 minutes

Rate = 5 min/km; time for 8 km = 8 × 5 = 40 minutes.

Question 17: In a 3x3 grid, a pattern is established. The top row contains a circle, a square, and a triangle. The middle row contains two circles, two squares, and two triangles. The bottom row contains three circles, three squares, and what should be in the final cell?

Three circles
Two triangles
Four squares
Three triangles (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Three triangles

The logic of the grid follows two rules. First, each row contains all three shapes (circle, square, triangle). Second, the number of shapes in each cell corresponds to its row number. Row 1 has one of each shape. Row 2 has two of each shape. Therefore, Row 3 must have three of each shape. The missing cell is in the third column of the third row, which should contain three triangles to complete the pattern.

Question 18: A hexagonal prism net contains two hexagonal end faces and how many rectangular side faces?

4
8
6 (Correct answer)
5

Correct answer: 6

A hexagonal prism has 6 rectangular side faces — one for each edge of the hexagonal base — plus 2 hexagonal end faces.

Question 19: In a cube net, square A shares an edge with square B. After folding the net into a cube, squares A and B will be:

Adjacent faces sharing an edge (Correct answer)
Non-touching faces
Opposite faces
Adjacent faces sharing only a vertex

Correct answer: Adjacent faces sharing an edge

Squares that share an edge in the net will also share an edge in the finished cube — the fold line becomes the shared edge.

Question 20: After weeks of rigorous training, the recruits were _______ and ready for deployment.

indifferent
exhausted
demoralized
conditioned (Correct answer)

Correct answer: conditioned

"Conditioned" means physically and mentally prepared through training, fitting the context of readiness for deployment.

Question 21: Examine the progression of figures in this series. Figure 1 shows a 3x1 vertical grid (3 rows, 1 column) with the top cell shaded. Figure 2 shows the same grid with the middle cell shaded. Figure 3 shows the same grid with the bottom cell shaded. What is the fourth figure in the sequence?

A 3x1 vertical grid with no cells shaded.
A 3x1 vertical grid with all cells shaded.
A 3x1 vertical grid with the middle cell shaded. (Correct answer)
A 3x1 vertical grid with the top and bottom cells shaded.

Correct answer: A 3x1 vertical grid with the middle cell shaded.

The pattern shows the shaded cell moving down one position at each step. After reaching the bottom in Figure 3, it is logical for the pattern to cycle back to the beginning or reverse. In many CFAT-style questions, the pattern cycles. However, the most common simple progression is a back-and-forth movement. After moving down, it moves back up. The sequence is top, middle, bottom, so the next step would be to reverse, returning to the middle position.

Question 22: What is histionic speech?

A speech that draws on historical facts
A melodramatic speech (Correct answer)
A funny speech
A memorable speech

Correct answer: A melodramatic speech

The word 'histrionic' describes something that is overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style. Therefore, 'histrionic speech' refers to a speech that is excessively dramatic, exaggerated, or emotional. 'A melodramatic speech' is the most accurate definition among the choices.

Question 23: If a clock shows 3:45 PM, what time will it be in 2 hours and 35 minutes?

6:15 PM
6:20 PM (Correct answer)
5:50 PM
6:25 PM

Correct answer: 6:20 PM

3:45 + 2:35 = 6:20 PM.

Question 24: A cube is painted red on all faces, then cut into 27 equal smaller cubes. How many small cubes have exactly two painted faces?

4
8
12 (Correct answer)
6

Correct answer: 12

Edge cubes (not corners) have exactly two painted faces. A 3x3x3 cube has 12 edges, each with one such cube, totaling 12.

Question 25: Two cyclists 180 km apart ride toward each other at 30 km/h and 24 km/h. How far has the faster cyclist travelled when they meet?

108 km
100 km (Correct answer)
90 km
120 km

Correct answer: 100 km

Meeting time = 180 ÷ 54 = 10/3 h; faster cyclist = 30 × 10/3 = 100 km.

Question 26: What is 7/8 × 4/3?

7/6 (Correct answer)
28/24
5/4
11/11

Correct answer: 7/6

7 × 4 = 28 and 8 × 3 = 24, giving 28/24, which simplifies to 7/6.

Question 27: What letter comes next: A, C, F, J, O, ___?

U (Correct answer)
W
T
V

Correct answer: U

The gaps increase by one each step: +2, +3, +4, +5, +6; O is the 15th letter, and 15+6=21=U.

Question 28: Four soldiers — Adams, Brown, Chen, Davis — finished a race in different positions. Adams finished before Brown. Davis finished last. Chen finished before Adams. What was Chen's finishing position?

First (Correct answer)
Cannot be determined
Second
Third

Correct answer: First

Chen before Adams before Brown, and Davis is last (4th), so the only valid order is Chen 1st, Adams 2nd, Brown 3rd, Davis 4th.

Question 29: Rifle is to Ammunition as Bow is to ___

String
Arrow (Correct answer)
Target
Quiver

Correct answer: Arrow

A rifle fires ammunition; a bow fires arrows — both are weapon-to-projectile relationships.

Question 30: What is the next number in the sequence: 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, ?

127 (Correct answer)
95
112
131

Correct answer: 127

Each term is doubled and 1 is added: 63 × 2 + 1 = 127.

Question 31: Order these fractions from least to greatest: 3/5, 7/10, 2/3.

2/3, 3/5, 7/10
3/5, 7/10, 2/3
7/10, 3/5, 2/3
3/5, 2/3, 7/10 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 3/5, 2/3, 7/10

3/5 = 0.60, 2/3 ≈ 0.667, 7/10 = 0.70, so the order is 3/5, 2/3, 7/10.

Question 32: Identify the next number in the alternating sequence: 5, 10, 8, 16, 14, __

28 (Correct answer)
24
30
12

Correct answer: 28

The series follows a two-step alternating pattern: multiply by 2, then subtract 2. 5 * 2 = 10; 10 - 2 = 8; 8 * 2 = 16; 16 - 2 = 14. The next operation is to multiply by 2. 14 * 2 = 28.

Question 33: If all soldiers are trained and Private Chen is a soldier, what must be true?

Private Chen will be promoted
Private Chen has been deployed
Private Chen is trained (Correct answer)
Private Chen is an officer

Correct answer: Private Chen is trained

This is a valid deductive syllogism: all soldiers are trained, Private Chen is a soldier, therefore Private Chen is trained.

Question 34: A different way to say "cheering someone up" is:

Exaggerate
Exclave
Exhilarate (Correct answer)
Exhale

Correct answer: Exhilarate

To 'exhilarate' means to make someone feel very happy, animated, or thrilled, which is synonymous with 'cheering someone up.' The other options, 'exaggerate' (to overstate), 'exclave' (a portion of territory), and 'exhale' (to breathe out), have entirely different meanings.

Question 35: A series alternates between a filled (black) circle and an empty (white) circle. If figure 1 is filled, what is figure 8?

Half-filled
Filled
Striped
Empty (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Empty

Even-numbered figures are empty since the pattern alternates and figure 1 (odd) is filled.

Question 36: One soldier can dig a standard trench in 4 hours. A second soldier can dig the same type of trench in 6 hours. If they work together, how long will it take them to dig one trench?

2 hours and 24 minutes (Correct answer)
5 hours
10 hours
2 hours and 30 minutes

Correct answer: 2 hours and 24 minutes

The first soldier's rate is 1/4 of the trench per hour. The second soldier's rate is 1/6 of the trench per hour. Their combined rate is 1/4 + 1/6 = 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12 of the trench per hour. To find the time to complete one trench, take the reciprocal of the combined rate: Time = 1 / (5/12) = 12/5 hours, which is 2.4 hours. Converting 0.4 hours to minutes (0.4 * 60) gives 24 minutes.

Question 37: What is the next number in the following series? 3, 7, 11, 15, __

18
20
19 (Correct answer)
17

Correct answer: 19

This is an arithmetic progression. The pattern is to add 4 to each number to get the next one. 3 + 4 = 7; 7 + 4 = 11; 11 + 4 = 15; Therefore, 15 + 4 = 19.

Question 38: Every officer has completed basic training. Captain Miller has completed basic training. What can you conclude?

Captain Miller may or may not be an officer (Correct answer)
Captain Miller has also completed advanced training
Captain Miller is definitely an officer
Basic training automatically confers officer rank

Correct answer: Captain Miller may or may not be an officer

Completing basic training is a necessary condition for being an officer, not a sufficient one — non-officers can also complete it.

Question 39: Which word is the opposite of 'magnify'?

Minimize (Correct answer)
Expand
Intensify
Enlarge

Correct answer: Minimize

'Magnify' means to make larger or more intense, so its opposite is 'minimize,' meaning to reduce.

Question 40: An unfolded cube pattern is laid out in a cross shape. The central vertical column has three squares, marked from top to bottom: Triangle, Circle, Star. A fourth square, marked with a Square, is attached to the left side of the Circle square. If this pattern is folded into a cube, which face will be opposite the Triangle face?

The unmarked face to the right of the Circle
The Square face
The Circle face
The Star face (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The Star face

In an unfolded cube net, faces that are separated by one other face along a straight line will be opposite each other when the cube is folded. In the vertical column of the pattern (Triangle, Circle, Star), the Triangle and the Star are separated by the Circle. Therefore, the Triangle and the Star are opposite faces.

Question 41: A regular octahedron has 8 equilateral triangular faces. Its net therefore contains:

6 triangles
10 triangles
8 triangles (Correct answer)
7 triangles

Correct answer: 8 triangles

The net of any polyhedron contains all of its faces laid flat, so an octahedron's net has all 8 triangular faces.

Question 42: Which number comes next: 5, 10, 8, 16, 14, ?

12
18
32
28 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 28

The pattern alternates between ×2 and −2; 14 × 2 = 28.

Question 43: If Genius is to Dunce then Waste is to:

Conserve (Correct answer)
Create
Remove
Bin

Correct answer: Conserve

This is an antonym analogy. A 'genius' is a person of exceptional intellectual or creative power, while a 'dunce' is a person who is slow at learning or stupid. They are opposites. Similarly, 'waste' (to use or expend carelessly) is the antonym of 'conserve' (to protect or use sparingly).

Question 44: CHAPTER is to BOOK as VERSE is to:

Poem (Correct answer)
Rhyme
Stanza
Author

Correct answer: Poem

A chapter is a division of a book, just as a verse is a division of a poem.

Question 45: A pentagonal pyramid has a pentagon as its base and five triangular lateral faces. How many edges does this shape have in total?

10 (Correct answer)
8
12
9

Correct answer: 10

A pentagonal pyramid has 10 edges: 5 edges around the pentagon base plus 5 lateral edges rising from each base corner to the apex.

Question 46: What does 'arbitrary' mean?

Logical and systematic
Based on clear rules
Carefully planned in advance
Random and based on personal whim rather than reason (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Random and based on personal whim rather than reason

'Arbitrary' describes a decision or action based on random choice rather than any reason or system.

Question 47: A cylindrical storage drum has a radius of 0.5 m and a height of 2 m. What is its volume? (Use π ≈ 3.14)

3.14 m³
6.28 m³
1.57 m³ (Correct answer)
2.14 m³

Correct answer: 1.57 m³

V = π × r² × h = 3.14 × 0.25 × 2 = 1.57 m³.

Question 48: Mentally rotating a 3D object to match it with its correct flat net — as required in CFAT spatial tests — is an example of:

Mathematical induction
Sequential pattern recognition
Spatial reasoning (Correct answer)
Crystallographic analysis

Correct answer: Spatial reasoning

Matching a 3D shape to its net by mental rotation and visualization is a core spatial reasoning skill tested on aptitude exams.

Question 49: A triangular prism has 2 triangular ends and 3 rectangular sides. Its complete net contains how many shapes total?

3
5 (Correct answer)
4
6

Correct answer: 5

The net contains 5 shapes: 2 triangles and 3 rectangles representing all faces of the prism.

Question 50: If a square piece of paper is folded in half diagonally and a semicircle is cut from the folded edge, what shape appears when unfolded?

A full circle in the center (Correct answer)
An oval near one corner
Two semicircles on opposite edges
A diamond-shaped hole

Correct answer: A full circle in the center

When folded diagonally and a semicircle is cut from the fold, unfolding reveals a complete circle where both halves of the cut align.

Question 51: TIMID is to BOLD as __________ is to GENEROUS.

Kind
Stingy (Correct answer)
Wealthy
Giving

Correct answer: Stingy

This is an antonym relationship. Timid is the opposite of bold. Stingy is the opposite of generous.

Question 52: When unfolding a convex polyhedron, if the resulting flat shape has an interior square hole (empty space completely surrounded by other squares), this means:

The unfolding procedure was valid but unusual
The original 3D shape had a hollow interior
The net represents a torus (donut shape)
The net is invalid — valid nets for convex shapes have no interior holes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The net is invalid — valid nets for convex shapes have no interior holes

A valid net for a convex polyhedron is a simply-connected flat region with no holes — any interior gap makes it invalid.

Question 53: What is the synonym for "impregnable"?

Unlimited
Imperfect
Unconquerable (Correct answer)
Impossible

Correct answer: Unconquerable

The word 'impregnable' means unable to be captured or broken into, or unable to be defeated or overcome. 'Unconquerable' directly conveys this meaning of being impossible to defeat or overcome. The other options do not accurately reflect this sense of invincibility.

Question 54: Supplies were ______ during the long patrol, so each soldier received only half a ration per day.

scarce (Correct answer)
wasted
surplus
abundant

Correct answer: scarce

Receiving only half a ration shows that supplies were scarce.

Question 55: The commander's decision proved ______; retreating saved the entire platoon from an ambush.

pointless
prudent (Correct answer)
careless
impulsive

Correct answer: prudent

'Prudent' means wise and careful, fitting a decision that saved the platoon.

Question 56: A radio signal is transmitted every 15 minutes. The first signal is sent at 06:00. How many signals will have been sent by 08:30 (inclusive)?

11 (Correct answer)
12
10
9

Correct answer: 11

From 06:00 to 08:30 is 150 minutes; 150÷15=10 intervals, which means 11 signals (including the one at 06:00).

Question 57: A jacket costs $120 and is discounted by 15%. What is the sale price?

$102 (Correct answer)
$18
$100
$105

Correct answer: $102

15% of $120 = $18, so the sale price is $120 − $18 = $102.

Question 58: Find the next term: 1, 3, 7, 15, 31, ?

63 (Correct answer)
55
47
64

Correct answer: 63

Each term equals (previous × 2) + 1, so 31 × 2 + 1 = 63.

Question 59: A cube has 6 faces. When any valid net of a cube is folded, how many pairs of opposite faces does the finished cube always have?

1 pair
2 pairs
4 pairs
3 pairs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 3 pairs

Every cube has exactly 3 pairs of opposite faces, one pair for each spatial axis (top/bottom, front/back, left/right).

Question 60: A pattern shows a sequence: triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon. What comes next?

Heptagon (Correct answer)
Square
Circle
Octagon

Correct answer: Heptagon

The pattern increases the number of sides by one each time: 3, 4, 5, 6, so the next shape has 7 sides (heptagon).

CFAT – Canadian Forces Aptitude Test

The Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT) is a mandatory multiple-choice aptitude test administered by the Canadian Armed Forces to all applicants. It consists of 60 questions across three sections — Verbal Skills, Spatial Ability, and Problem Solving — with a total time limit of 60 minutes. There is no single passing score; the required score varies by military occupation.

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

50%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds

These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

canada.ca — Retake policy, eligibility · verified Oct 2026