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What's On this page?
- FEAST 1 Examples: Cube Folding Questions | Conflicting Paths | Spatial Orientation | Memorization | Flight Strategy | Other FEAST Sections
- What to expect on the FEAST 2
- What to expect on the FEAST 3
About the FEAST Eurocontrol Test
The FEAST (First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test) is a challenging screening test for Air Traffic Controller applicants, provided by Eurocontrol. Like the ATSA Test, the FEAST measures essential abilities expected of ATC candidates:
- FEAST 1 - A series of timed aptitude tests that require high attention and accuracy.
- FEAST 2- Two simulations (the DART and the Multipass Test) that assess multitasking in an ATC-related environment.
- FEAST 3- A personality questionnaire.
The number of FEAST tests you receive may change depending on your Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). In addition, you may be asked to complete additional tests, like the Wonderlic Assessment given by Nav Canada.
FEAST I Test Questions
The FEAST 1 is a series of 11 aptitude tests that assess logical reasoning, attention to fine detail, memory, spatial orientation, and knowledge of the English language.
As mentioned, this test takes 2.5 hours- you will have a 10 minutes break between each test session. On the real test, these short breaks will be invaluable for you, since questions can drain you out.
For example, on memorization question you'll have as little as 6 seconds to memorize complex numbers and variants:
Take a close look at the gauges above, we'll get back to this question later.
FEAST Test Examples
Here we will go through sample questions of different sections on the FEAST test, as they appear on our full preparation pack. These questions are almost identical to the question types you'll face on the actual FEAST.
Try the following sample question from the Cube Folding test, an infamous part of the FEAST that many candidates find extremely difficult:
Which of the possible options represents the cube in its folded form?
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 like in the unfolded cube, making it the correct answer.
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).
Did you spot the correct answer? On the actual test, you'll have only 1 minute to answer each of the questions in this section.
Shortcut TIP: Every facet of the 3d cube will never touch its opposite facet. Once imagining the cube folded, this helps eliminate answers where two opposite facets seem adjacent.
More tips for solving cube questions are available in an exclusive guide, as part of our FEAST Preparation pack.
The most challenging part of these questions is folding the cube in the correct direction. On the FEAST test, you will be 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 therefore takes some time. Practice greatly helps improve your ability to mentally rotate the cube and recognize the appropriate answer.
In our full FEAST preparation pack, you can gain access to 56 cube folding practice questions, with detailed answers, guidance, and tips to shorten your solving time on these complex questions.
Conflicting Paths
Here, you will see many triangles, representing airplanes pointing in different directions. You'll then have to determine if two triangles are expected to collide or not- if two triangles point toward each other, it means that they are headed for a collision.
Determine whether there is a pair of triangles facing each other in a conflicting path
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. Practicing these questions helps cut down the time it takes to scan and recognize whether there is a conflict.
This test measures your visual perception and ability to quickly recognize any possible conflicts ahead, an extremely important ability of Air Traffic Controllers. Note that in the actual FEAST test, the design and procedure may differ slightly.
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.
This question might seem easy at first sight. In fact, if you had enough time, you could probably answer 100% of these questions correctly.
However, you'll only have less than 2 SECONDS to answer questions in this section. With the image changing so quickly, that's a pretty tough challenge. So, make sure you are super concentrated when starting this test.
Gauges Memorization
Memory is one of the core cognitive abilities measured in FEAST by several sub-tests. Here, you'll be tested on your ability to remember highly detailed gauges.
Remember the first image on this page? Try to recall which of these images appeared in it:
On the actual test, you'll be given just a few seconds to memorize the exact gauges that appeared earlier.
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 number that is closest and try to memorize it.
There are two more challenging memory tests included in the FEAST:
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.
Flight Strategy Questions will test your ability to organize flight paths according to the presented diagrams and given limitations. Here's an example of a flight strategy question from our full preparation pack:
In what order will the flights land?
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
Practice questions for each of these tests are available online on our full preparation pack.
To ensure you get 70% of the questions right and pass the FEAST 1 successfully, practice is key.
Even though many candidates believe they cannot practice for FEAST1 tests, practicing simulations customized to the FEAST question format and time limit improves your ability to solve problems most efficiently and can significantly increase the number of correct answers.
Our Preparation pack includes customized practice tests and guides for all FEAST 1 test sections, designed by psychometric experts to accurately simulate the FEAST1 ATC test.
FEAST II
FEAST DART Test and FEAST Multipass Test
The second test is about double in length as the first one and takes about 4 hours to complete. Round two includes two work samples: the Dynamic ATC Radar Test (DART) and the FEAST Multipass Test.
Both these tests are sophisticated and require an acute ability to multi-task; however, they require no specialized knowledge and are replete with detailed instructions to ensure that every faucet is fully clarified before beginning.
Learn more about preparing for FEAST 2 Tests>>
About to take the FEAST2 test? please feel free to contact us with any questions, we will be happy to help.
FEAST III
FEAST Personality Questionnaire (FPQ): This segment of the test aims to measure your personality traits and behavioral characteristics. You are presented with phrases and scenarios and need to answer them on a scale of 1-5 (agree - not agree.) The test takes about 35-40 minutes to complete.
Learn how to prepare for the personality questionnaires.
The Last Stage- Medical Examination
The last stage is the medical exam, the only part of all FEAST tests that you cannot prepare for. The medical review is conducted according to national regulations.
If you pass all these tests, you will be well on your way to becoming an air traffic controller!
Can you succeed to become an ATC if you fail the FEAST?
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:
- There's an ongoing argument 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. - Some believe that applicants who do not get things right the first time around are not suitable to be ATCs, who are regularly required to think on their feet and get things right straight away.
If so, why would 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.
Who Needs to Take the FEAST Test?
The test is applicable for ATC and FSS positions, among them, are several positions and specialties that encompass air traffic control, including:
NAV Canada Air Traffic Controller (ATC):
- Area Controllers (IFR) – In this position, you will use sophisticated equipment to ensure the safe flight of multiple aircraft across multiple routes. For instance, if a plane is travelling too fast or if there is not enough distance between two aircraft, it is your job to warn the pilots.
- Tower Controllers (VFR) – These guys are in charge of making sure that runways and taxiways run smoothly and that the air space in and around the airport is orderly. Depending on the airport, you may have to work in large groups, so teamwork is crucial.
- Flight Service Specialists (AAS) – These specialists are tasked with providing pilots with crucial information, including which runway to choose. Some also need to keep remote airports updated with information like emergency landings and more.
- Flight Service Specialists (FIC) – These guys are like in-flight weather forecasters, plus they help lead rescue search efforts in the event flights go off course or missing.
