The Eurocontrol FEAST Exam for Air Traffic Controllers
The First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test or FEAST is the first step to becoming an air traffic controller in most of Europe.
It is notoriously long and difficult, as well as highly selective, meaning most test-takers do not pass. This page will get you started on your prep journey for the FEAST assessment.
The FEAST Exam is a cognitive assessment designed to measure skills and abilities crucial for air traffic service providers, such as logical reasoning, multitasking, and spatial orientation.
The test is actually divided into three parts. Only those who have passed one part advance to the next. The FEAST stages are:
- FEAST I - a series of cognitive ability exams. Differs by organisation, can take 1.5 to 4 hours. Often taken alongside a language skills test to measure your English proficiency.
- FEAST II - At least one of two air traffic control simulations, Multipass and RADAR. You can learn more about the FEAST II here.
- FEAST III - a personality test.
Who Takes the Eurocontrol FEAST Test?
Under the European Union's One Sky policy, each member state operates an independent Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). All ASNPs cooperate with the rest through Eurocontrol, which provides shared infrastructure, including the FEAST exam for air traffic controllers.
Each country's ANSP can choose their own, unique version of the FEAST. Countries that use FEAST include:
- Belgium (Skeyes)
- Hungary (HungaroControl)
- Croatioa (CroControl)
- Poland (Polish Air Navigation Services Agency or PANSA)
Additionally, Eurocontrol operates an independent air traffic control centre for Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and parts of Germany in Maastricht, NL, called the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC).
So, aspiring air traffic controllers in most of Europe or MUAC will likely end up taking the FEAST.
Who DOESN'T take the Eurocontrol FEAST Test?
- Air traffic control hopefuls in the UK take the NATS exam.
- France's ANSP (Direction générale de l'Aviation civile or DGAC) uses its own exam - the Ingénieur du contrôle de la navigation aérienne or ICNA Exam.
Are All FEAST I Exams the Same?
FEAST I is created by Eurocontrol. However, accredited test administrators like local ANSPs can tweak some aspects of the exam to meet their needs.
This might include different test sections, layouts, and instructions.
So, if you plan to prepare for the FEAST I, you may want to focus on the underlying principle behind every test section, and perhaps talk to past test-takers to understand precisely which sections are included where you are taking the exam.
Our preparation course contains simulations for all possible FEAST sections.
Should You prepare for the FEAST Test?
The cost to hire and train an air traffic controller is higher than almost any other civil servant, with training programs sometimes lasting up to three years.
This is why the ATC recruitment process is challenging, and the FEAST is no exception. Test-takers report that the FEAST II is particularly difficult and requires prior training. You can prepare for the Multipass RADAR test on SkyTest.
The FEAST I presents a different challenge.
The FEAST I measures soft cognitive skills, which means prior knowledge is not required. That said, many candidates still prefer to increase their chances by using practice simulations. This helps hone and sharpen the cognitive abilities necessary for the exam. It also helps familiarise candidates with the exams, easing any anxiety on test day that could hurt their performance.
What Is the Recruitment Process for Eurocontrol and Other ANSPs in Europe?
The process differs between ANSPs, but it typically begins with online registration.
At this point, you might be required to take an early online screening test. Often, this will be the Hudson Abstract Reasoning Test (A-RAT 3R).
If you clear these early stages, you will be invited to participate in FEAST test days on location. Passing the FEAST is the most challenging part of the process. After this stage, you will be asked to take at least one interview and may undergo medical evaluations.
FEAST I Free Sample Test
The follwing questions simulate parts of the FEAST I exam:
Gauges Memorization - Part 1
Observe the following gauges, try to commit them to memory as best you can:
Got it? Great!
Scroll to the next question. We'll get back to this.
Cube Folding
This is a test of your 3D Visual-Spatial Ability. Observe the following flat cube:
Which of these diagrams represent the above cube after it has been folded?
If you rotate cube (C) 180 degrees clockwise so the purple facet is above the red facet, you can see that the green facet is to the left of the red facet, as it is on the unfolded cube.
Answer (A) is incorrect because the red and dark blue facets are on opposite sides and can’t touch.
Answer (B) is incorrect because the purple and light blue facets are on opposite sides and can’t touch.
Answer (D) is incorrect because in the unfolded cube when the red facet it above the light blue facet, the green facet is to the left of the red facet and not to its right like in cube (D).
TIP:
Every facet of the 3d cube will never touch its opposite facet. Once you imagine the cube folded, you can eliminate answers where two opposite facets seem adjacent.
On the real test, you are directed to fold the cube so that its facets are moving away from you. This form of folding is less intuitive for most people and can take some time to get used to. Practice greatly helps mentally rotate the cube in this direction and recognise its new form easily.
Conflicting Paths Sample Question
Determine whether there is a pair of triangles facing each other in a conflicting path.
Answer: B. No conflict
This may feel counterintuitive, as certain pairs of triangles do appear to be headed for collision:
However, the FEAST definition for conflicting paths is any two aircraft in a headed for a direct, head-on collision, like this:
So this test isn't meant to be an accurate depiction of what counts as a collision risk in the real world. Rather, it is a measure of your attention to detail. The trick is being able to identify a pair of triangles pointed directly at each other, inside a cluster of other triangles, and within a very limited amount of time.
TIP:
Even though this may look easy, on the actual test, you will have 5-7 seconds per question. Scanning the whole screen and making a decision within that time is no easy task. Practising these questions helps cut down the time it takes to scan and recognise whether there is a conflict.
This test measures your visual perception and ability to quickly recognise potential conflicts ahead, a crucial ability for Air Traffic Controllers. Note that the actual FEAST test design and procedure may differ slightly.
Spatial Orientation Sample Question
Here is a sample of a different type of question, in which you'll need to determine the location of a certain shape in relation to the presented character.
The character could be placed in different orientations, so you'll have to picture the shape as the character sees it.
Gauges Memorization - Part 2
Remember the first image on this page? Try to recall which of these images appeared in it:
TIP:
The challenge in this task is remembering its details. To do that fast enough, try to repeat the numbers the pointers point at. If the pointers point at a scale mark with no number on it, look at the closest number and try to memorise it.
Flight Strategy Test Sample Question
Look at thefollowing diagram:
In what order will the flights land?
Other FEAST Sections
Symbols Memorization
A similar memory test only with distracting math questions. You will be presented with 12 symbols you have to memorize. Then, you'll be given 15 simple math questions. After determining if the answer to each math drill is true or false, you'll be asked to recall the exact symbols presented beforehand.
Number Recall
This memorization task requires remembering auditory information. Specifically, you'll be asked to listen to an audio recording with a number embedded in a sentence. You will then be asked to select the correct number that you heard in the sentence out of four possible options. Sounds easy? this number can be as high as 9,000,000.
Several more test sections examine your ability to remain highly attentive, react fast, and split your attention between several tasks:
- Ball on the Wall (Multitasking)
- Reaction Speed
- Correlative Orientation
- Follow the Dot
Our FEAST I Preparation Course
Our pack provides realistic and accurate FEAST I simulations.
• All section types are covered:
• Two complete FEAST I simulations: a diagnostic test to help you focus your prep, and an additional complete FEAST I test.
• Full solutions to sample questions, full feedback reports after each simulation.
• For a discounted price: practice for the Hudson Abstract Reasoning Test (A-RAT 3R) or the NAV Canada exam, which are often paired with the FEAST exam.
What Our Customers Say
FAQS
Across Europe, the baseline requirements are framed by EASA’s ATCO licensing rules, which define the pathway via a Student Air Traffic Controller licence, approved training, required assessments, and medical fitness (Class 3 medical) before exercising controller privileges.
However, in practice, you apply through an ANSP (or a EUROCONTROL unit such as MUAC), and each organisation layers on its own entry criteria—commonly including EUROCONTROL Member State nationality (for MUAC), strong English, minimum education (often secondary education with maths), age limits (MUAC: under 27 at training start), security clearance, and passing aptitude/psychometric testing and interviews.
The takeaway for candidates is that the “Europe-wide” requirement essentially amounts to the EASA licensing and medical framework. At the same time, the actual gatekeeping is ANSP-specific recruitment rules and selection tests.
If you fail the FEAST, you'll have to wait at least two years before being able to take it again, in some countries (like Hungary) you can only take it once.
Yet, you might feel hesitant to take the FEAST test for the second time, since some argue that people who failed the FEAST are less likely to do well on the rest of the ATC training. This is completely false- many certified Air Traffic Controllers took several attempts to get in or get a license.
Keep in mind that ATCs go through a training program to get certified - A huge part of this job is the ability to learn and improve core spatial, multitasking, and other skills. The more effort you dedicate to practice, the more these skills improve, allowing you to understand and solve new situations more quickly.
So, if you want this job, you already have what it takes to get it. Just put in your best effort and practice cognitive questions that work on those skills.
Sharpen your cognitive skills with our free Cognitive Ability Practice Test!
It depends on the hiring organisation, but reimbursement does exist in some official processes. For example, EUROCONTROL’s MUAC student ATCO recruitment explicitly states that travel expenses for selection testing will be refunded. Test takers have also said their accommodation was paid for, at least in part.
However, because FEAST is delivered by many different ANSPs under their own recruitment frameworks, reimbursement policies are not uniform - some may cover travel/accommodation, others may not, and some may only reimburse under certain conditions (distance thresholds, invitation stage, etc.).
For candidates, the practical implication is: don’t assume reimbursement - check the ANSP’s recruitment notice, invitation email, or FAQ for explicit wording.
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