1. See the starting face
The question first shows the face where the marker (X) starts, written as text such as FRONT, TOP, or LEFT. The cube always faces you, so the face pointing toward you is always FRONT.
DM3
Spatial Orientation 3D
Pegasus CASE
Spatial Orientation 3D (DM3) — SkyTest CASE Module
Spatial Orientation 3D — the official SkyTest code is DM3 — measures how accurately you can track which face a marker ends up on after a sequence of rotation instructions on a cube. It requires three-dimensional mental rotation and short-term memory. It is one of the modules used in the Pegasus CASE assessment.
Module focus
3D mental rotation + short-term memory
How does it work?
How does it work?
2. Follow the instructions
The instructions then appear one by one in white text. FRONT, BACK, LEFT, and RIGHT can appear in mixed order. Each instruction rolls the cube 90° in that direction. The marker advances one step inside that instruction cycle; if it sits on an unaffected face, it stays where it is.
| Instruction | Marker advances through | Unaffected faces |
|---|---|---|
| FRONT | TOP → FRONT → BOTTOM → BACK → TOP | LEFT, RIGHT |
| BACK | TOP → BACK → BOTTOM → FRONT → TOP | LEFT, RIGHT |
| LEFT | TOP → LEFT → BOTTOM → RIGHT → TOP | FRONT, BACK |
| RIGHT | TOP → RIGHT → BOTTOM → LEFT → TOP | FRONT, BACK |
The instructions do not stay on the screen as a list, so you must keep both the sequence and the marker’s current face in memory.
3. Choose the correct face
After the final instruction, 6 cubes appear, each showing the marker on a different face: BACK, LEFT, TOP, FRONT, RIGHT, and BOTTOM. You choose the cube whose marked face matches the marker’s final position.
Example
Example
Start: the marker is on the TOP face.
1. FRONT → the marker moves from TOP to FRONT.
2. LEFT → during a LEFT roll, FRONT stays fixed, so the marker remains on FRONT.
3. FRONT → the marker moves from FRONT to BOTTOM.
4. RIGHT → during a RIGHT roll, BOTTOM moves to LEFT, so the marker ends on LEFT.
5. RIGHT → during a RIGHT roll, LEFT moves up to TOP, so the marker returns to TOP.
6. RIGHT → during a RIGHT roll, TOP moves to RIGHT, so the marker finishes on RIGHT.
Result: the marker is on the RIGHT face, so the correct answer is the cube that shows the marker on RIGHT.
Play the example step by step
Use the step buttons below to watch how the cube rotates at each stage of the example.
START
START
Start: the marker is on the TOP face.
Marked face: TOP
Test structure
Test structure
The module has three parts, played back to back without breaks:
| Section | Duration | Scored | Instruction count | Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice | 3 min | No | 4 | Right/wrong is shown |
| Level 1 | 3 min | Yes | 4 | Right/wrong is shown |
| Level 2 | 10 min | Yes | 4-8 | Hidden; the next item starts immediately |
How should you prepare?
How should you prepare?
On CadetPrep, you can practise this module at Easy / Medium / Hard levels and then measure yourself with EXAM Mode or the full mock exam that mirrors the real test structure.
Most common mistakes
Most common mistakes
Treating the starting face as fixed and mentally restarting every item from TOP, even though the starting face can change.
Forgetting that LEFT and RIGHT stay fixed during FRONT/BACK rolls, while FRONT and BACK stay fixed during LEFT/RIGHT rolls.
Losing the instruction order in memory and skipping a rotation.
Trying to visualize the whole cube instead of tracking only the marked face, and losing time.
Try it now
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Spatial Orientation 3D (DM3)?
It is a SkyTest CASE module that measures how accurately you can track which face a marked side ends up on after a sequence of cube-rotation instructions.
What do I see on the screen in DM3?
First you see the starting face of the marker, then the rotation instructions appear one by one. After the final instruction, a 6-cube answer screen appears.
Is the starting face always the same?
No. The marker can start on any face, such as TOP, FRONT, or LEFT, and it can change from one question to the next.
What do the instructions mean?
Each instruction rolls the cube 90 degrees in that direction. The marker advances one step inside that instruction cycle; if it is on an unaffected face, it stays where it is.
How many sections does DM3 have?
There are three sections: a 3-minute practice block that is not scored, a 3-minute Level 1 block that is scored, and a 10-minute Level 2 block that is scored. Practice and Level 1 show right/wrong feedback; Level 2 does not.
Which airline uses this module?
It appears in the Pegasus CASE pilot-selection process.
Updated: 2026-07-14
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