ATSA Test Prep- Unlock Your Full Potential With Practice Tests That Mirror the Actual Exam

The Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) or Air Traffic Controller Test is a 3.5 hours screening exam during the FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist hiring process. The ATSA consists of 7 different subtests: Two memory tests that include basic math, a spatial orientation test, a reading comprehension subtest, word problems (logical reasoning seating arrangements), a personality test, and an Air Traffic Controller simulation where you must prevent collisions while doing basic math problems.

The ATSA test is exactly 2 hours and 49 minutes long, plus 30 minutes of break time, which can also be divided into smaller breaks.

The Air Traffic Control (ATC) simulation is one subtest of the ATSA test. It is a game of collision avoidance and basic math questions. You are shown a screen with numbered dots coming in from all angles and your job is to prevent the dots from colliding. When you identify which dots are going to collide, you can press the number of one of the dots, making it disappear, thus preventing the collision.

The ATC simulation test involves different difficulty levels, while in the end the speed of the dots is very high, and you must answer math questions while trying to avoid the collisions. It is considered one of the most difficult parts of the Air Traffic Skills Assessment.

According to the FAA website, an air traffic controller should have strong Active Listening and Speaking skills, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, and Complex Problem-Solving abilities. Moreover, ATC specialists should have the following skills: Monitoring, Coordination, Reading Comprehension, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Active Learning, Systems Analysis, and Writing skills.

Every year the FAA publishes new opening for the air traffic control trainee position that are open to all US citizens under 30. The announcement can be found on https://www.usajobs.gov/.

It can take about a month after the ATSA test to get a referral status (either “Referred” or “Not Referred”). After that, if you scored high enough you can get a TOL (Tentative Offer Letter) about 3 months after taking the test. If your score is not quite good, you are put on a waiting list.

The ATSA test scores are divided into 4 groups – Best Qualified, Well Qualified, Qualified, or Not Referred. Your goal is to score high and get a Best Qualified score, optimizing your chances of getting a TOL.

In short, yes. Pool 1 candidates are looked at first, meaning they may get referred and eventually hired, even though they scored lower on the ATC test. That means that if you’re an OTS candidate (Off the Streets), it’s better you score very high on the ATSA.

In the past, pool 2 candidates were required to complete and pass the BioQ biographical assessment. Since July 2018 and following a lawsuit about the validity of the assessment, the biographical assessment is no longer relevant for any pool candidates.

The FAA Air Traffic Controller hiring process varies significantly from candidate to candidate and can last up to two years. After passing the application process and the ATSA test, there are other steps and procedures you must pass, such as the MMPI personality and psychopathology test, a drug screening, a security clearance, and a medical check. If you manage to pass these stages successfully, you will eventually get an FOL (Final Offer Letter) and start the FAA Academy.

You can take the AT SA exam as many times as you want, but only once per application period.

It's important to remember that your ATSA test results are valid for three years after taking the test. However, if you feel you can do better on it, you can reapply when the next announcement publishes and take the test again. It is even recommended, especially if you did not get a "Best Qualified" score.

The Air Traffic Controller test does not cost anything for the applicant. However, you should consider travel costs, as sometimes you will need to drive a long way to get to the closest assessment center. The FAA does not reimburse travel costs.

The position of an FAA Air Traffic Controller is very sought-after. The field of applicants is very competitive, so it is vital that you score high on the exam.

Unexperienced candidates must be under the age of 31 at the closing date of the application window. However, if you have at least one full year of ATC work experience (FAA, civilian, or military), you can apply even if you're older than 31.

If you cannot make it to your Air Traffic Skills Assessment appointment, you're required to reschedule or cancel it at least 48 hours before the scheduled test date.

Yes*, the ATSA test is usually done at Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs)** around the country. To find the closest Pearson testing center, write your address here. 

Sometimes testing centers get full, so you want to schedule the test soon after getting the exam invitation email. And make sure you choose a date that fits best. In some cases, you will need to drive a few hours or even fly to the nearest testing center, so take that into consideration.

*In 2020, the AT SA exam was conducted in the candidates' homes, because of Covid-19 restrictions.
**In the past, the aptitude test was taken in PSI centers.

With no preparation at all, the Air Traffic Skills Assessment can be very difficult. You may think that because the ATSA is an aptitude assessment, you don't need to practice for it, but this can't be farther from the truth.

Before your upcoming test, get as much information as you can about the test and try to practice using ATSA practice tests that are most similar to the actual test (computerized and similar in their format and difficulty level).

Pearson VUE is the official vendor of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the ATSA test and operates its testing system. If your application on USAJobs goes through, you will get an email from Pearson VUE inviting you to schedule a test date to take the ATSA test.

For more official information about Pearson VUE and Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs), visit this link.