As well as all the fun things cadets do such as flying, camping and canoeing cadets have to take exams to determine their rank within the ATC. So, a cadet with the first class badge has probably only been in cadets a few months, leading about a year, and so on. These estimates are only guesses because its really down to the squadron itself, and who they think is eligible to take the tests.

Within the exams there are a few different subjects which include map reading, navigation and principles of flight. Below are the basic guidelines of what you will need and pictures of what the badges look like.

New Classifications are with effect from 1st September 2010

	Staff Cadet	To be eligible a cadet will have been an Instructor cadet be 18 years or over "Staff Cadet" will be displayed on the appropriate rank slide worn.
	Instructor Cadet	To be eligible a cadet will be a Master Air Cadet (or the old Staff Cadet Part 1) have completed Cadet Methods of Instruction Course have been assessed delivering a lesson in a training environment be a minimum of 16 years old
	Master Air Cadet	To be eligible a cadet will be a Senior cadet have passed three from a choice of twelve examinations (different from those chosen for Senior cadet) be a minimum of 16 years old
	Senior Cadet	Senior Cadet: For the senior badge, cadets must have taken and passed the leading cadet examinations and completed the full syllabus, while having done 25 hours or more project work. A cadet has to choose two subjects for this exam from the following four: Aircraft Navigation, Propulsion, Aircraft handling and Advanced Radio and Radar.
	Leading Cadet	Leading Cadet: For the leading badge, cadets must have already taken and passed first class and passed the full syllabus for leading cadet examinations while having done at least 25 hours of project work. There are only three subjects to study for the Leading Exam, Basic Navigation, Principles of Flight and Airmanship 2.
	First Class Cadet	First Class Cadet: For the first cadet badge, cadets must be enrolled and must have completed the full syllabus of subjects.The first class exam is made up of seven subjects these are: First Aid, Basic Airmanship, Expedition Training, The History of The Air Training Corps, Communications and Weapons Handling.
	Second Class Cadet	On completion of your First Class Cadet (Part I) training you will be enrolled and reclassified as a Second Class Cadet. This is normally accomplished within a four week period subject to satisfactory attendance and at the Squadron Commander's discretion. At this time you will be issued with a uniform. You now start First Class Cadet (Part II) training which should be completed within six months of joining the squadron.
	Junior Cadet	You enter your squadron as a Junior Cadet and commence First Class Cadet (Part I) training.