Prepare for the Air Marshal Written Test

What Is the Federal Air Marshal Test?

The FAB - FAMS Assessment Battery test, is a three-exam aptitude battery consisting of a Logic-Based Reasoning Test, the Written Test, and a Situational Judgement Test.

The vast majority of scenarios, questions, and statements contained on the exam are job-related. English usage and grammar, problem-solving, decision-making, and memory skills are all highlighted on the Federal Air Marshal exam as part of the hiring process.

There is no penalty for wrong answers. Therefore, it is beneficial to answer every question. If you are not sure of a response, first eliminate obviously incorrect alternatives, and then take an educated guess. Be sure to read the entirety of every passage, question, statement, and alternative before marking your answer.

Each of the three tests is timed. Practicing with Federal Air Marshal sample questions provides a helpful review of the subject matter and gives you a heads up as to what to expect on the exam before you face the actual test.

Here are more details on the 3 FAMS categories:

Logic-Based Reasoning Test

The focus of this portion of the Federal Air Marshal exam is on solving problems that occur daily in the world of an Air Marshal. Reading comprehension and the ability to draw reasonable conclusions from the written material presented are assessed through the Logic test. Base all of your answers solely on the information contained in the given passages.

Two distinct sections comprise the Logic exam:

  • T/F or “Cannot be Determined” – A scenario is presented, followed by various statements. Your task is to analyze the truth or falsity of each statement in light of the facts contained in the scenario.
  • Multiple-Choice, Best Answer Format – In this section of the Logic test, assume that the facts in the scenario presented are completely true. Most questions require a recall of passage details, analysis, summary, or conclusions drawn from the given scenario. Some questions ask for the selection of the alternative that contains the best course of action to take in response to the passage. Other questions involve the sequencing or grouping of events, people, or objects.

Writing Test

Expect to encounter a multiple-choice format. The test involves a wide range of language topics, including grammar, syntax, sentence and paragraph structure, usage, punctuation, spelling, verb tense, verb-noun coordination, and capitalization.

There are three types of questions on the Writing Test:

  • Select the alternative that contains the correction to a word or phrase in a given sentence, choosing alternative D, “no correction is necessary,” if the sentence is correct as presented.
  • Select the alternative that correctly revises the underlined words in a sentence.
  • For sentence or paragraph sequencing, select the alternative that contains the correct order for specific sentences or paragraphs. 

Situational Judgement Test (SJT)

The SJT is housed on a video-based, computerized, and best answer format. It involves the ability to understand information and use sound judgement in responding to various on-the-job situations. You must answer every question in order to proceed to the next page.

Two sections comprise the SJT: judgement assessment and observation skills. Both sections revolve around a work-related video.

  • Judgement Assessment – Determine the effectiveness of each course of action presented in response to the video. Expect a four-point effectiveness rating scale, from Extremely Ineffective to Extremely Effective.
  • Observation Skills – The tasks involve a recall of the visual details found within the video. The format is multiple-choice. We currently do not offer practice for this section of the test.

FAMS Sample Questions

 

Logic Based Reasoning Sample Question

Try Answering this question in 90 seconds- that's the amount of time you'll have for the average logic based reasoning question.

Review the facts below.

• Apples have grains.
• Onions have a strong smell.
• Grains do not smell.
• Strong smells do not bother David, unless he is running a fever.

Based on the information above, which of the following MUST be true?

A. Apples may smell, but it does not come from their grains.
B.Apples smell funny.
C. Onions are white on the inside.
D. David cannot stand onions because of their strong smell.
E. Onions do not have grains.
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is A.

The second part of this sentence, "[apples' smell] does not come from their grains", must be true according to the third fact. The first part, "Apples may smell", is a bit different, as it is written in a suggestive manner. It cannot be 'false' as long as it does not contradict any of the facts above, which it does not.

Let's go over the remaining answer choices:

Answer choice B – since we are not told anything regarding the smell of apples, we cannot say whether this is true or false.
Answer choice C is eliminated for the same reasoning, as we know nothing about the colour of onions. It is important to remember that we are supposed to answer the question solely on the basis of the information given to us in the facts, regardless of any additional knowledge we might have about onions from the real world.

Answer choice D – the fourth fact explicitly states that David does not usually mind strong smells. The only occasion where he would mind them is if he were running a fever. There is no specific exception for onions, which makes this a false statement.

Answer choice E – this statement is neither supported nor contradicted by any of the facts above, so we cannot say whether or not it is true.

 

Written Test Sample Question

Try answering this question in 5 minutes.

1. The new district email will provide you with a better filter on your inbox.
2. We are very excited to have this new provider and want to continue using it appropriately.
3. If you are found to be in violation of this policy, your supervisor will be advised and a memo will be placed in your file.
4. It is important to remember that this is not your personal email and that all messages are being monitored.

Select the answer choice that represents the most appropriate and effective ordering of the sentences above.

A. 3124
B. 2341
C. 1432
D. 1243
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is C.

C – Represents the best organized paragraph. The first thing that should be done is to read all the sentences and see if you can easily identify the introduction, supporting or closing sentences. Sentence 1 and 2 both seem to be general sentences, while sentences 3 and 4 seem to provide information indicating they are support sentences. You should then eliminate any option that starts or ends with sentences 3 or 4, which would be options A and D. Next look at the two supporting sentences, 3 and 4, and see what order they might go in. Sentence 3 seems to build on sentence 4, so the best order would be: Introduction, 4, 3 and then the conclusion which eliminates option B

Arranged correctly it should read:
The new district email will provide you a better filter on your inbox. It is important to remember that this is not your personal email and that all messages are being monitored. If you are found to be in violation of this policy, your supervisor will be advised and a memo will be placed in your file. We are very excited to have this new provider and want to continue using it appropriately.

 

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