The FAA ATSA test explained
The Air Traffic Skills Assessment is the FAA's entry test for air traffic controllers — around 2 hours 49 minutes and seven subtests. What it covers.
The Air Traffic Skills Assessment, usually shortened to ATSA, is the FAA's entry-level aptitude assessment for air traffic control specialists in the United States. It is taken by candidates referred from an FAA hiring bid.
Unlike NATS's staged process, the ATSA is a single sitting — commonly reported as around two hours and forty-nine minutes, with seven subtests and more than 200 questions.
What it assesses
Broadly: decision-making, spatial awareness, multitasking and working memory. Publicly documented subtests include:
- Arithmetic / memory — a digit appears, then another; you type the positive difference, at speed.
- Spatial recognition — two sections testing spatial reasoning.
- Reading comprehension — passages with questions against a tight clock.
- Air traffic scenarios — a radar-style display with converging traffic, where you predict conflicts and make routing decisions under load.
- A personality or behavioural component.
That breakdown is assembled from preparation vendors rather than from FAA documentation, and two of the seven subtests are not publicly identified. The FAA does not publish the specification. Treat the list as a strong lead, not a syllabus.
The bid-window pattern
FAA hiring runs in bid windows rather than continuously. When one opens, applications arrive in enormous volume — the FAA reported 6,000 applications within the first twelve hours of one recent window, and referred more than 8,320 candidates to the ATSA from another.
The practical consequence is that preparation time is short and unpredictable. Candidates who wait for a bid to open before starting are already behind. The FAA has published hiring targets of 2,200, 2,300 and 2,400 new controllers for FY2026, FY2027 and FY2028.
Try a real item
Written to the same standard as the live tests — same format, same difficulty, and where it matters, the same trap that catches people in the real thing. Pick an answer to see the reasoning.
Numbers & Differences
The ATSA opens with a memory task dressed up as arithmetic. You report the difference between the number in front of you and the one before it — while the next one is already on screen.
You have seen, in order: 14, then 9, then 17. The number now showing is 17, and you are asked for the difference from the previous number. What do you answer?
Variables
You are given values to hold, then asked to work with them rather than read them back. This is working memory with an operation on top.
You are told A = 6, B = 4 and C = 9. What is (C − B) × A?
Spatial / Visual Relationship
The spatial subtest turns on frame of reference: left from the cockpit is not left from the tower, and the test moves between them without warning.
An aircraft is flying due south. From the pilot's seat, another aircraft appears off the left wing. Standing in the tower and looking at the map with north at the top, where is that second aircraft?
Logical Reasoning
The logical reasoning subtest asks what a statement actually rests on — not what sounds sensible alongside it. Use only what is written.
Statement: “We should move the training course to the morning, because trainees perform better before lunch.” Which assumption is this argument relying on?
Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension items are answered from the passage alone. The wrong answers are true-sounding statements the passage does not support.
Passage: “The new sequencing procedure was introduced at Northfield in March. Controllers reported that arrival delays fell over the following quarter, although traffic volumes were also lower than in the same period the previous year.” Which of these does the passage support?
Practise what this guide covers
These are live now. Reading about a timed test is not the same as sitting one.
Common questions
How long is the FAA ATSA?
Commonly reported as around two hours and forty-nine minutes, covering seven subtests and more than 200 questions. The FAA does not publish a full specification.
What does the ATSA test?
Decision-making, spatial awareness, multitasking and working memory, including a radar-style air traffic scenario subtest.
When can I take the ATSA?
You are referred to it after applying in an FAA hiring bid window. Bids open periodically rather than continuously.
Keep reading
Last updated 2026-09-10. ATC Ready is an independent practice tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or associated with NATS Holdings, EUROCONTROL, the Federal Aviation Administration, NAV CANADA or any other air navigation service provider or testing authority. Always confirm current details on the provider's own recruitment pages.