Problem solving skills
It challenged me, which I liked. It had no percentages on the pie charts and I had to assume, which I heavily disliked.
Air Traffic Controller Tests
The role of an air traffic controller is a highly specialised occupation. Candidates will need to pass a series of psychometric tests, which determine whether you have the skills, competencies, and behaviours required.
- 10 practice tests in the Air Traffic Controller pack
- 100 questions, all solved
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What are Air Traffic Controller tests?
Typically, the selection process for Air Traffic Controller positions will assess abstract, spatial and numerical reasoning. The questions will usually be related to speed, time and distance problems as well as concentration, multitasking tests and real air traffic control simulators.
Finding out which tests your employer sets is the single most useful thing you can do before practising. There is a free sample question below.
How to prepare for Air Traffic Controller tests
Which tests you sit depends on the employer. These are the things worth doing whichever ones you are set.
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1
Understand the Flight Path
Try a questionBefore you can take off, you must understand where you’re heading. Review sample questions and familiarize yourself with the types of problems you’ll face, such as speed, time, and distance calculations, as well as spatial reasoning puzzles. Knowing what to expect will help you navigate successfully through the test.
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2
Stay Calm in the Cockpit
The ability to remain calm under pressure is crucial for an Air Traffic Controller. During practice tests, simulate the test environment as closely as possible. This will train your brain to stay focused on the task at hand, despite any nerves or anxiety you may experience on test day.
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3
Frequent Flyer Practice
Consistent practice is key to staying sharp. Use our extensive bank of questions to regularly challenge yourself and track your progress. The more you practice, the better your problem-solving speed and accuracy will become.
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4
Equip Your Control Tower
Ensure you have all the necessary tools at hand during practice. Whether it’s a calculator, scratch paper, or a timer, being well-equipped will make your practice sessions as close to the real thing as possible, enhancing your preparation.
Try a free sample question
This is the style of question our Air Traffic Controller tests use. Pick an answer to see how you did.
Practise the real thing
Practice moves scores fastest on the tests set under time pressure, and every question in the pack comes with the working shown.
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- 10
- practice tests
- 100
- questions, all solved
What is the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) test?
All candidates applying to be an air traffic controller need to complete a series of aptitude tests as part of their recruitment process.
These tests include:
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Personality test
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Logical reasoning tests
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Concentration test
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Spatial orientation test
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Monitoring test
These tests are a vital component of the air traffic controller recruitment process, as they enable NATS (National Air Traffic Services) to objectively assess a candidate’s aptitude and behaviours, such as their decision-making capabilities, and how well they can cope working under pressure.
The air traffic controller tests also allow for the practical assessment of a candidate’s behaviours in a practical way that couldn’t be assessed through an interview alone.
Attaining a high score on each test is required to give candidates a greater chance of progressing through to the final stage of the recruitment process.
The format of the ATC test
Upon successful application, candidates are invited by email to sit the air traffic controller tests. These are online multiple-choice tests; the length and format of each varies.
The tests are split into two steps:
Step A: assesses a candidate’s aptitudes through psychometric testing. These are timed tests and include:
- Spatial orientation test
- Concentration ability test
- Monitoring skills test
- Inductive logical thinking test
- Deductive logical thinking test
If successful at these tests, candidates are invited to sit the step B tests.
Step B: assesses a candidate’s behaviours, characteristics, and traits through questionnaire-based assessments. These tests are not timed tests and include:
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Situational judgement test
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Occupational personality assessment
Each of the tests assesses a specific aptitude or behaviour as relevant to the role of an air traffic controller.
Spatial orientation test
The spatial orientation test assesses a candidate’s spatial awareness through their ability to direct an aircraft using visual information.
Questions are presented as images with no written information. Candidates are asked to detail information on the position and path of a plane using the information shown on a gyrocompass or compass.
The test is a three-minute test that requires candidates to remain calm and think fast.
Concentration ability test
This assessment determines how well a candidate can concentrate on a task. The test is two minutes long.
Candidates are presented with an image. Within the image are several components and elements. Candidates are then required to answer a series of questions by selecting the multiple-choice statements in relation to the image they believe to be correct.
Given the short duration of this test, answering the questions with speed and accuracy is essential to doing well.
Monitoring skills test
The monitoring skills test assesses a candidate’s ability to monitor objects in the same way they would on the job as an air traffic controller. For example, when reviewing the course of an aircraft and trajectory on a screen.
In this test, candidates need to count and write down correctly the number of moving objects they see on their screen.
This test is a short two-minute test that requires a high level of concentration and focus.
Inductive logical thinking test
The inductive reasoning test assesses a candidate’s ability to solve problems through the analysis of non-verbal information.
Information is presented as a series of grids within tables. Candidates need to determine the rule that links the information in these two grids, and then select another two grids from the multiple-choice answers that follow the same pattern.
This test is six minutes long and requires candidates to work quickly but accurately.
Deductive logical thinking test
This deductive logical thinking test demonstrates whether candidates can draw logical conclusions based on information presented as images or patterns.
As an air traffic controller, you are often presented with non-verbal information and need to make a decision based on this information alone.
This six-minute test comprises a series of questions presented as grids. Each square on the grid contains an object with one square containing a question mark. Candidates need to determine the pattern between these objects and then select which object from the multiple-choice answers belongs in the square that has the question mark.
Situational judgement test
The situational judgement test takes the form of a questionnaire. This assessment looks at a candidate’s behavioural traits when in work-based situations.
Candidates are presented with a series of scenarios that they would face when working as an air traffic controller. They need to answer how they would deal with the situation and their actions in the scenario presented.
It is worth noting that there are no right or wrong answers to the situational judgement test, so when answering the questions, candidates need to answer the questions honestly to present an accurate picture of themselves.
Occupational personality assessment
The final online assessment for an air traffic controller role is the occupational personality assessment. This evaluates a candidate’s traits and how they behave in the workplace.
The results are compared to over 30 characteristics to determine whether a candidate is suitable for the role.
The assessment consists of around 104 questions, followed by a list of statements. Candidates need to select the statement that best and least describes them in the given situation.
Assessment centre
On successful completion of the online assessments, candidates are invited to an all-day assessment centre. The assessment centre is comprised of four individual assessments:
Group discussion. This assessment looks at how well candidates work within a group setting. Candidates are assessed on their ability to communicate within the team, time management, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Interview. This is a 1:1 interview discussion with either HR or an interview-trained air traffic controller. The interview focuses on the candidate’s past achievements, scenario-based questions, and questions on the candidate’s interests and motivations for becoming an air traffic controller.
Air traffic control (ATC) knowledge test. Before attending the assessment centre, candidates are provided with documents relating to air traffic control subjects such as airports or technical information on airplanes. The ATC knowledge test that candidates sit at the assessment centre consists of 30 questions based on this information.
Re-test of one of the online assessments. Candidates are asked to re-take the aptitude tests as the final part of the assessment centre. Scores from the retaken assessments confirm to assessors that candidates have the required skills and knowledge to be an air traffic controller.
Frequently asked questions
What candidates ask us most often
What qualifications do you need to be an air traffic controller?
National Air Traffic Services stipulates that candidates applying to be an air traffic controller must have attained five GCSEs (or equivalent), including maths and English at grades 9 to 4 (minimum grade C or above).
What makes air traffic controller tests hard?
Air traffic controller tests are challenging due to the number, format, and timed nature of the tests. Practicing the tests means that you become familiar with the format and style of questioning.
How long does it take to become an air traffic controller?
The length of time it takes to become an air traffic controller can vary according to the specialism applied for and the length of time it takes to complete each of the trainee stages. In general, candidates can expect to complete their college training within 18 months. Following college training, operational training can take up to 18 months. In general, candidates can expect to be fully qualified in around three years.
What happens if you fail the air traffic controller assessment?
If you fail any of the stages of the air traffic controller assessments you can re-apply after 12 months. A candidate can reapply up to a maximum of three times.
Reviews
Rated 4.8 out of 5 across 19 reviews. A selection:
Ability to solve math problems
This test shows the ability to solve problems in a given time. Useful to review knowledge.
Challenging
Most of the questions I did not find challenging. The time factor of the work made it quite challenging because I had to think fast and come up with the correct answer. I had to plan ahead Incase I needed To do calculations.
Our practice tests mirror the formats used in Air Traffic Controller hiring. They are written by Practice Aptitude Tests and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any individual employer.
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