ENS in the DLR Test: English Prep at B2 Level

English is one of the knowledge tests that appears in almost every DLR aptitude assessment ("Grunduntersuchung") used by SWISS, Lufthansa/EFA and other airlines and flight schools — for good reason, since English is the working language in an international cockpit. This test, called ENS, is computer-based and checks grammar, vocabulary, and sometimes listening or reading comprehension too. Candidates who get by just fine in everyday conversation, but haven't consciously practised grammatical detail since school, often underestimate this section.

This article covers the grammar areas typically tested, how to build vocabulary strategically, what aviation English adds as a bonus, and what a realistic 6-week reading and listening routine can look like. We'll also explain what a rating of C or D means for you, and why a B2 certificate is additionally required in that case. For the bigger picture on the whole assessment, it's worth also reading the DLR test: the complete guide.

What is the ENS test?

ENS is the English test within the knowledge tests. It's computer-based and runs as a multiple-choice format: you read a sentence, a gap-fill item, or a short passage, and choose the correct option among several. It doesn't test "business English" or aviation jargon in a narrow sense, but solid everyday and educational English at a level that roughly matches CEFR B2.

Content-wise, ENS typically covers:

• Grammar: tenses, prepositions, sentence structure, sometimes conditionals and reported speech
• Vocabulary and synonyms: recognising the appropriate meaning in context
• Idioms: fixed expressions and idiomatic phrases
• Reading and listening comprehension: included in addition, depending on the appointment and procedure

The test doesn't measure whether you can hold a fluent conversation — it measures whether your grammatical foundation is solid and your vocabulary broad enough to reliably understand texts and questions.

Format and procedure

ENS is computer-based and, in most cases, a pure multiple-choice test with no free writing or speaking. You're given a question or a gap-fill sentence and choose from typically four answer options. Depending on the specific test date and procedure, short listening or reading comprehension passages may be added, followed by content questions.

As with the other knowledge tests, ENS and similar sections alternate throughout the day with computer-based performance tests, with breaks in between. The exact structure, number of questions, and time allowed depend on the specific procedure and airline — reliable details are only found in the official materials. The DLR test guide gives an overview of a typical test day.

What really counts: how it's evaluated

As with the other knowledge tests, what ultimately counts for ENS is the number of correctly answered questions, summarised into a rating. The target is a rating of A or B. Inside DLR Exam Trainer this is reflected as a traffic-light indicator: green from around 80% correct, amber from around 65%, red below that.

An important special case for ENS: a rating of C or D often additionally requires a recognised B2 certificate (for example an ICAO level or a comparable language qualification) to confirm your language proficiency independently. That doesn't automatically mean you're out of the process — but it does mean extra time and effort to obtain and submit a certificate. That's exactly why it pays not to take ENS lightly, even if your everyday English feels solid to you.

ImportantThe exact rating thresholds, and whether a B2 certificate is required, are set by the relevant airline or procedure and can change. Rely on official information here, not on individual experience reports.

Grammar focus areas

If you want to refresh your grammar strategically, focus on these areas:

• Tenses: Present Simple vs. Present Continuous, Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, future forms (will, going to, Present Continuous for future plans) — the classic sources of confusion.
• Prepositions: fixed combinations like "interested in", "responsible for", "depend on" — often not logically derivable, simply memorised.
• Conditionals: the three or four classic types (zero, first, second, third conditional) and when each applies.
• Reported speech: how tenses and pronouns shift when a statement is reported.
• Phrasal verbs: combinations like "look up", "give up", "come across" — meaning-bearing and often not translatable word for word.

These five areas cover a large share of the grammatical pitfalls typically tested in B2-level assessments.

Vocabulary strategy

For vocabulary, breadth beats depth: a solid base vocabulary across everyday topics (travel, work, technology, science, weather, health) pays off more than memorising rare technical terms. Synonyms do play a role, but shouldn't be overweighted — usually it's enough to recognise a word's most common meaning in context, rather than knowing every nuance.

In practice, this approach works well: don't drill new words in isolation — always note them with a short example sentence. That keeps the context intact, and you'll recognise the word later even in a slightly different form.

Aviation English as a bonus

Even though ENS isn't purely a technical-English test, a basic grasp of aviation English doesn't hurt — quite the opposite, it shows genuine interest in the profession and helps later in day-to-day cockpit life. This includes basics like standard radiotelephony phraseology, common abbreviations (e.g. ATC, METAR, ETA), and simple technical terms around flying. It's not required for the ENS test itself, but a useful side effect if you're already spending time on aviation topics anyway.

The most common mistakes

Only recognising grammar rules passively

Many candidates can spot a correct answer when they see it, but can't actively apply the underlying rule. In the test, passive recognition often isn't enough, because distractors deliberately offer similarly sounding forms.

Translating prepositions literally

Carrying prepositions over one-to-one from your native language (e.g. "interested on" instead of "interested in") produces typical errors that the test deliberately builds in as distractors.

Focusing too much on synonyms

Some candidates invest a lot of time in rare synonyms while neglecting basic grammar — which usually makes up a larger share of the test.

Underestimating listening comprehension

Where listening passages are part of the test, candidates often listen only once while their attention has already shifted to the next question. Focused, single-pass listening without distraction is essential here.

Staying too long on one question under time pressure

When unsure, it pays to make a first judgement call and move on, rather than endlessly weighing a single question and losing time you'd need for other questions.

Concrete training tips

Keep a grammar overview within reach

Build a compact overview of the five focus areas (tenses, prepositions, conditionals, reported speech, phrasal verbs) with 2–3 example sentences each. Review it regularly in short sessions.

Schedule short daily reading time

Read English texts for 10–15 minutes daily on topics that interest you — news, specialist articles, aviation topics too. Consistency matters more than the type of text.

Use podcasts for listening comprehension

Work English podcasts or short videos into your daily routine, for example during your commute. Make sure you're actively listening rather than just having it play in the background.

Keep a mistakes log

Note down grammar mistakes that keep recurring during practice, and review them specifically instead of just moving on.

Practise multiple-choice rounds regularly

Practise short multiple-choice rounds with freshly generated questions regularly, for example in the ENS module of DLR Exam Trainer, so you get used to the test format and pace instead of memorising individual questions.

Note new words in a sentence context

Never write down new vocabulary in isolation — always add a short example sentence of your own. That anchors both the meaning and the typical preposition at the same time.

6-week reading and listening routine

One possible structure that fits into daily life without becoming overwhelming:

This routine combines well with a broader training plan, such as the 8-week training plan, which also covers the other modules and mental preparation.

How to build ENS into your preparation

In DLR Exam Trainer, ENS is one of the modules that unlock permanently with the Pro subscription after a short trial period. Every exercise is freshly generated, so you never get the same question twice. After each session, you immediately see your result and its traffic-light classification: green from around 80%, amber from around 65%.

It makes sense to practise ENS regularly but in short sessions — 10–15 minutes daily beats one long session per week. Combine module practice with real reading and listening exposure to the language in everyday life, as described in the 6-week routine above. If you're unsure how ENS fits alongside the other knowledge tests like physics or technical comprehension, the DLR test guide gives you the full picture.