Welcome to your free ATSA practice test (Air Traffic Controller Test)!
This sample test is designed to give you a taste of some of the exam’s sections.
The practice questions closely follow the format and structure of the actual questions.
Additionally, they are coupled with detailed solutions so you can understand the logic behind each correct answer.
The free practice test covers three ATSA subtests: Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Personality Test.
To practice for the rest of the subtests, visit this excellent test prep guide.
What's on This PageMost of the questions in this test section are “seating arrangement” questions (the other types are Graphs & Charts and Syllogisms).
These questions require you to arrange certain items or persons according to a set of given rules regarding their placements.
This subtest is considered extremely difficult for these four reasons:
Four teams – the Alphas, the Betas, the Gammas, and the Deltas – participate in a charity fundraiser event. Each team consists of one leader and one co-leader. Some of the team leaders and co-leaders are volunteering to set up the event.
The following rules are known about the volunteers:
– When a leader volunteers, their co-leader volunteers too.
– At least two co-leaders and one leader are volunteering.
– The Alpha leader volunteers only if the Delta co-leader volunteers.
– If both the Alpha leader and co-leader are volunteering, then the Beta co-leader is not volunteering.
What is the maximum number of volunteers for the event setup?
A. Four
B. Five
C. Six
D. Seven
E. Eight
Correct Answer: C. Six
Rule 2: At least two co-leaders and one leader are volunteering.
Rule 1: When a leader volunteers, their co-leader volunteers too.
Rule 3: The Alpha leader volunteers only if the Delta co-leader volunteers.
Rule 4: If both the Alpha leader and co-leader are volunteering, then the Beta co-leader is not volunteering.
Consideration of Each Team
Current volunteers: Delta Leader + Delta Co-Leader + Alpha Leader + Alpha Co-Leader = 4 volunteers.
Now let’s sum up the volunteers:
Total: 6 volunteers.
Read the five statements below:
1. Jennifer runs faster than Robyn, but slower than Grace.
2. Emma is the slowest.
3. Grace and Harriet run at the same speed.
4. Harriet runs faster than Emma.
5. Robyn runs faster than Andrea.
If Harriet runs faster than Andrea, which of the statements must be true?
A. 2, 3, 4
B. 1, 3, 4
C. 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 3, 5
E. 1, 2, 5
The correct answer is (D) – 1, 3, 5
When addressing this question, it is advisable to first take a look at the answers and see just how many statements would be needed: in this case, only three.
Now look at the statements and gather those that are relevant to the conclusion presented. Knowing that Harriet runs faster than Andrea, it makes sense to figure out the relationships that relate to this information. Arranging the data in the form of a list may be helpful:
Statement 1 gives information about Robyn and Grace. Write it down and move on to the next statement.
Statement 2 gives new information. However, how helpful it is remains unclear at the moment. Therefore, continue and see what can be gathered from the other statements.
Statement 3 seems relevant since it involves Harriet and Grace, who appeared in the first statement.
Statement 4 seems redundant since it’s already known that Emma is the slowest (statement 2). Therefore, rule out statement 4 from the answer. This means answer (A) (2+3+4) and answer (B) (1+3+4) are wrong.
Now, compare answers C and D:
Answer (C) states that statements 1, 2, and 3 are needed, but that means information is missing, due to not knowing the relationship between all the characters.
Therefore, answer (D) is the correct one and can easily be asserted as true by looking at statement 5 and the information it provides in addition to statements 1 and 3:
If Harriet and Grace run at the same pace, Jennifer runs faster than Robyn and slower than Grace, and Robyn runs faster than Andrea, it clearly follows that Grace runs faster than Andrea.
Harriet + Grace > Jennifer > Robyn > Andrea
Review the facts below.
– Adam sings in church on Sundays.
– Rachel takes the train to work.
– The sky is never blue, unless Adam sings.
– Trains travel only when the sky is blue.
Based on the information above, which of the following MUST be true?
A. Today is Monday, and it is raining.
B. Rachel walks to work
C. Trains travel on Sundays
D. Adam takes the train to work
E. Trains work all week long
The correct answer is C.
Since the sky is blue only when Adam sings, and we know that he sings on Sundays, we deduce that the sky is blue on Sundays. We also know that trains travel only when the sky is blue. This means that trains travel on Sundays.
Let’s go over the rest of the answer choices:
Answer choice A – since we are not told anything specific about Mondays or rain, we cannot say whether this statement is true or false.
Answer choice B – this directly contradicts the second fact, which says that Rachel gets to work by train, not foot.
Answer choice D – the only thing we know about Adam is that he sings in Church on Sundays; we know nothing about his work or how he gets there.
Answer choice E – as explained above, trains can only work when the sky is blue. We know that the sky is blue on Sundays, but we do not know how it is on other days. We cannot say whether this statement is true or false.
Chemistry class is 90 minutes long, and Physics class is 120 minutes long. Alex attends both Chemistry and Physics classes. Sam never attends Chemistry class. Sam is a student in Biology. Alex missed Physics class today due to a dentist appointment.
Which statement must be true?
A. Biology students never attend 90-minute long classes.
B. Alex sometimes attends Physics, but not Sam.
C. Sam had a Physics class earlier this week.
D. Alex is a student in Biology.
E. Alex had a toothache today.
The correct answer is B. Alex sometimes attends Physics, but not Sam.
Based on the given information:
It is clear that Sam doesn’t attend Physics class (since it is not mentioned), and Alex sometimes does (since he attends both classes and missed today due to a dentist appointment). Therefore, option B “Alex sometimes attends Physics, but not Sam,” must be true. None of the other options can be definitively proven true based on the given information.
The new environmental regulations state that protective gear must be worn and secured, and a pollution sensor must always be active while operating within the factory. The use of other protective devices would be prioritized according to the previous hazard level regulations and in accordance with the factory’s safety officer’s daily instructions. On days of high pollution forecast, maximum protective wear should be implemented inside and within a 200 meters external radius outside the factory with no exception.
Read the following statement and choose the correct answer.
During a high pollution forecast, maximum protective devices must be worn when operating at a distance of 250 meters outside the factory.
A. True
B. False
C. Cannot Say
The correct answer is B. False.
The given information states: “On days of high pollution forecast, maximum protective wear should be implemented inside as well as within a 200 meters external radius outside the factory with no exception.”
This implies that during a high pollution forecast, maximal protective devices must be worn within a radius of 200 meters outside the factory. Thus, the statement that maximal protective devices must be worn when operating at a distance of 250 meters outside the factory is false because it exceeds the specified radius of 200 meters. Therefore, the answer is B. False.
This subtest is designed to assess your verbal reasoning skills.
You are asked to mark a single correct answer out of the four possible choices.
Your answers must be based solely on the information provided rather than your previous assumptions and general knowledge.
Questions may address a specific subject that was introduced in the passage. Alternatively, they may pose a question in a variety of phrasings:
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are two leading carriers operating out of the United States, with overlapping routes in over 100 cities. Due to U.S. anti-trust laws, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has blocked the proposed acquisition of Delta Air Lines by American Airlines. A market analysis revealed a negligible chance of any new airline entering the market after the acquisition. American Airlines suggested multiple solutions, including the divestiture of Delta’s 80 overlapping routes to Southwest Airlines and the relinquishment of landing slots to United Airlines at Los Angeles and Chicago airports. However, the FTC concluded that these measures were insufficient, given Southwest’s existing market size and status in the aviation industry.
Based on the passage, why was the proposed acquisition blocked?
A. To maintain market competition
B. To promote economic stability in the U.S.
C. To encourage the entry of a new airline into the market
D. To facilitate the growth of smaller airlines
The correct answer is (A) – To maintain market competition.
The proposed acquisition of Delta Air Lines by American Airlines was blocked by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chairman due to U.S. anti-trust laws. The passage states that there is a negligible chance of any new airline entering the market after the acquisition.
American Airlines suggested some solutions to address this concern, such as divesting Delta’s 80 overlapping routes to Southwest Airlines and relinquishing landing slots to United Airlines at Los Angeles and Chicago airports.
However, the FTC determined that these measures were insufficient because of Southwest’s existing market size and status in the aviation industry.
Based on this information, the reason the proposed acquisition was blocked was to maintain market competition. This can be inferred from the fact that the FTC concluded the suggested measures were insufficient because Southwest Airlines already had a significant market size and status.
By blocking the acquisition, the FTC aimed to prevent a reduction in competition by keeping two leading carriers, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, as separate entities.
A pharmaceutical company recently conducted a clinical trial for a new experimental drug aimed at treating a rare neurological disorder. The trial involved a control group receiving a placebo and an experimental group receiving the actual drug. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in the symptoms of the experimental group compared to the control group. However, some critics argue that the trial’s sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions about the drug’s effectiveness. They claim a larger sample size is necessary to account for potential variations and ensure reliable and generalizable results. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of conducting further studies to validate the initial findings before making any conclusive claims about the drug’s efficacy.
What is one potential limitation of the clinical trial mentioned in the passage?
A. Insufficient sample size for drawing definitive conclusions
B. Lack of control group in the study
C. Inadequate statistical analysis of the trial data
D. Lack of diversity in the participants
The correct answer is (A) – Insufficient sample size for drawing definitive conclusions.
The passage states that critics argue the trial’s sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions about the drug’s effectiveness. A small sample size may not adequately represent the broader population affected by the rare neurological disorder. With a limited number of participants, the results may be subject to chance variations or bias, making it challenging to accurately generalize the findings to a larger population.
A larger sample size helps to mitigate the effects of random variation and provides more robust statistical power for drawing meaningful conclusions. By including a more significant number of participants, researchers can increase the reliability and validity of their findings, leading to more confident conclusions about the drug’s effectiveness.
In an effort to promote renewable energy sources, the government is considering implementing a subsidy program for residential solar panels. The program would provide financial incentives and tax benefits to homeowners who install solar panels on their properties. Proponents of the program argue that it would encourage the adoption of clean energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute to a more sustainable future. However, some critics raise concerns about the potential drawbacks of such a subsidy program. They believe that it may lead to increased government spending and place an additional burden on taxpayers. Additionally, they argue that the program may primarily benefit wealthier homeowners who can afford the upfront solar panel installation costs.
What is one potential negative consequence of implementing a subsidy program for residential solar panels?
A. Increased government spending on renewable energy initiatives
B. Accelerated adoption of clean energy sources
C. Reduction in taxpayer burden
D. Widening socioeconomic disparities in accessing solar energy
The correct answer is (D) – Widening socioeconomic disparities in accessing solar energy.
The passage mentions that critics raise concerns about the subsidy program primarily benefiting wealthier homeowners who can afford the upfront solar panel installation costs. This suggests the program may inadvertently contribute to widening socioeconomic disparities in accessing solar energy. Lower-income households may benefit the most from reduced energy costs and face barriers due to financial limitations.
By providing subsidies and incentives, the program may lead to increased adoption of solar panels among homeowners who can already afford them, further exacerbating existing inequalities in accessing renewable energy resources. This could result in an unequal distribution of the benefits of clean energy and hinder efforts toward achieving broader societal sustainability.
On the ATSA personality test, each question consists of a block of statements. Read the statements, and try to think if you identify with them in a workplace.
For each question, please allocate one statement to ‘Most like me’ and one to ‘Least like me’, thus leaving one statement to ‘Neutral’.
| I value being with others | Most | Least |
| I abide by guidelines and legislation | Most | Least |
| I am self-assured with new contacts | Most | Least |
Most Like Me
Recommended Statement: I am self-assured with new contacts
Social Confidence when encountering new contacts represents the team and the organization positively. These team members can also step up when the manager takes the lead with customers and stakeholders. This is thus a highly desirable dimension.
Neutral
Recommended Statement: I abide by guidelines and legislation
Rules help ensure work is completed correctly and diligently while providing guidelines for the equitable treatment of employees. Although extreme levels of the Rule Following Dimension are not positive, a moderate representation of a candidate’s score is desirable.
Least Like Me
Recommended Statement: I value being with others
It would be harmonious if the affiliative leader/team member could be defined in one word. They portray their leadership by facilitating harmony and conflict resolution among team members. Their goal is to build groups that work well together in achieving the deliverables set forth by the organization, which includes the highest quality customer experience possible.
However, their motivation is not just concerned with meeting performance standards, but they are sincerely interested in ensuring co-workers feel engaged with one another. This leadership style is thus favorable to many employees, and this type of candidate is often recruited to inspire team building and build employee morale.
| I base judgments on statistics and evidence | Most | Least |
| I strategize in advance | Most | Least |
| I am more chatty than most | Most | Least |
Most Like Me
Recommended Statement: I base judgments on statistics and evidence
Having a strong grasp of data save time: There is no need to rely on others to pull data, make dashboards, automate simple tasks, and derive insights.
Likewise, without the analytical skills needed to make appropriate data-driven decisions, it can be very easy to make wrong decisions that are very costly to an organization in terms of time and money. These skills are particularly valued in government and regulatory settings.
Neutral
Recommended Statement: I strategize in advance
Forward-thinking staff are the ones that move ahead. They’re innovative, proactive rather than reactive, leading their field. This occurs because they decide what to achieve and stay laser-focused on the task.
Recruiting forward-thinking employees is an asset to ensure positive cultural influence and balance in a reactive environment where task delivery is stalled and nothing new is being accomplished. Government and regulatory environments thrive when there is a balance between current priorities and a future focus.
Least Like Me
Recommended Statement: I am more chatty than most
Extroversion is being outgoing and directing attention to things other than yourself. It’s characterized by sociability, assertiveness, talkativeness, and excitability. Individuals high in extroversion seek social interaction and love engaging with others.
Being able to converse comfortably in various settings is a strong and desirable quality for managers and team members. This is not to say it is advisable for all team members to be extroverts, as many introverts work hard on demonstrating excellent social conversation and, in time, come to enjoy it. This quality will be awarded an average overall score across the questionnaire in other questions.
| I set challenging targets | Most | Least |
| I am discreet about my successes | Most | Least |
| I consider it a high priority to be on top | Most | Least |
Most Like Me
Recommended Statement: I set challenging targets
The optimal workplace goals for achieving the best performance outcomes are realistic and challenging. This gives an individual a feeling of pride and triumph when he attains them and sets him up to attain the next goal. The more challenging the goal, the greater the reward generally, and the more passion is evoked for achieving it.
Neutral
Recommended Statement: I consider it a high priority to be on top
Healthy workplace competition can be beneficial because it too can help bring out the best in people. It helps them grow, accept defeat, and learn humility.
It also promotes creativity and often leads to innovation. Research by the Academy of Management suggests that the right type of competition can motivate employees, drive them to put in more effort and achieve greater results.
Least Like Me
Recommended Statement: I am discreet about my successes
While sharing too many successes at once with your colleagues can seem like you’re bragging, conversely, not sharing enough may prevent people from knowing about your exceptional abilities.
Striking a balance between oversharing and under-sharing is the key, that is, sharing your wins without alienating your audience and making it a priority to be interested in there’s. Though it is a workplace issue to consider, being modest (discreet about your successes) is not highly relevant to selection activities.
Since the sample test you just completed covers three sections of the ATSA, practicing for the other four challenging subtests is vital.
These are the gamified subtests – ATC Collision Simulation, Memory Games 1 & 2, and Spatial/Visual Relationship.
There are no other “formal” study materials for these four subtests except for practice simulations that look and feel like the actual test.
Now, all that’s left is to practice as much as possible for all seven subtests, arrive in the best mental shape possible, and ace the ATSA test!
