Can You Retake the ATSA?

Why ATSA retake questions are complicated

Many candidates ask: Can you retake the ATSA?

It is an understandable question. The ATSA, or Air Traffic Skills Assessment, is associated with the FAA air traffic controller hiring process, and candidates often see it as a major step in their application path.

The challenge is that ATSA retake rules may depend on current FAA hiring procedures, the specific hiring announcement, eligibility rules, timing, applicant status, and official instructions.

Independent websites should not claim that one permanent retake rule applies to every candidate in every hiring cycle.

The safest answer is: verify your specific situation through official FAA or authorized hiring communications.

Do not rely on old retake information

ATSA retake information online can become outdated quickly.

Candidate forums, Reddit posts, old blog articles, and archived discussions may describe rules from a previous hiring cycle. Those details may not apply to your current application.

Be cautious with any source that claims:

• you can always retake the ATSA after a fixed period
• you can never retake the ATSA
• a previous score always replaces or does not replace a new score
• retake rules are identical for every announcement
• forum reports are enough to determine your eligibility

The only reliable guidance is the current instruction that applies to your application.

Where to check retake eligibility

If you want to know whether you can retake the ATSA, check the official sources connected to your application.

This may include:

• the hiring announcement
• FAA hiring communications
• USAJOBS-related communications
• authorized testing communications
• result emails or status updates
• application portal instructions
• official contact process listed in your communication

Read the full message carefully. Retake rules, future eligibility, and waiting periods may be described in the details.

Retake vs reapplying

Candidates sometimes confuse retaking the ATSA with reapplying to a future hiring announcement.

These are related but not always the same thing.

Retaking the ATSA means taking the assessment again under the rules that apply to your eligibility and hiring process.

Reapplying means submitting a new application during a future hiring announcement, if you meet the requirements.

Whether one leads to the other depends on official rules. Do not assume that applying again automatically means you can retake the assessment, or that a past assessment result has no effect.

What if your ATSA result was lower than expected?

If your result was lower than you hoped, read the official result communication before making assumptions.

Look for information about:

• your current status
• whether you remain eligible for any next steps
• whether the result applies only to the current announcement
• whether future applications are possible
• whether retesting is mentioned
• whether a waiting period applies
• whether an official contact process is listed

A lower result can be disappointing, but the next step should be based on official instructions, not emotion or speculation.

What if you missed your ATSA appointment?

If you missed your appointment, do not assume you can simply reschedule or retake.

Follow the instructions provided in your scheduling or testing communication.

Check:

• rescheduling rules
• cancellation policy
• no-show policy
• deadlines
• test vendor instructions
• official contact procedure
• whether documentation is needed

Appointment issues are usually time-sensitive. Handle them through the official process as soon as possible.

What if something went wrong during the test?

If there was a technical issue, test center problem, identification issue, illness, emergency, or other disruption, follow the official reporting process immediately.

Do not rely on third-party advice.

Record:

• date and time
• test location if applicable
• description of the issue
• any staff or support interaction
• confirmation numbers
• emails or case numbers
• screenshots only if allowed and appropriate

Then use the official contact route provided in your instructions.

Can you retake the ATSA to improve your score?

Do not assume you can retake the ATSA simply to improve a result.

Some testing programs allow retakes under certain rules. Others restrict them. The rules may vary by announcement, time period, candidate status, or hiring process.

If you want to retake for a better result, verify:

• whether retesting is allowed
• whether a waiting period applies
• whether the new score replaces the old score
• whether the previous score remains valid
• whether you must reapply
• whether your current status permits retesting

Do not rely on a prep site, forum, or other candidate to answer this for your case.

Should you keep studying if you might retake?

If you might retake the ATSA in the future, use your prior experience productively.

Do not try to recreate or share official test content. Instead, reflect on skill areas and test-day factors.

Ask yourself:

• Did I struggle with timing?
• Did memory tasks feel difficult?
• Did spatial reasoning feel unfamiliar?
• Did multitasking create stress?
• Did I misunderstand instructions?
• Did personality-style questions feel uncomfortable?
• Did I become fatigued?
• Did test-day logistics affect my performance?
• Did anxiety cause mistakes?

Use those reflections to build a better preparation plan.

How to prepare for a possible retake

If you are eligible to retake or reapply in the future, prepare differently rather than simply repeating the same routine.

A stronger plan may include:

• reviewing the ATSA test format
• studying ATSA question types
• practicing memory tasks
• improving spatial reasoning
• working on multitasking
• reviewing attention practice
• preparing for personality-style questions
• using ATSA test day tips

Focus on weak areas, not just general practice.

How long should you wait before preparing again?

If a retake or future application is possible, your preparation timeline depends on the official process and your expected opportunity.

If you have no confirmed retake or application window, avoid intense daily practice for months. That can lead to burnout.

Instead, you can:

• review your weak areas
• practice occasionally
• monitor official hiring announcements
• keep your documents organized
• maintain general aptitude skills
• restart structured practice when a new opportunity becomes realistic

For study planning, read How long should you study for the ATSA?

Avoid retake myths

ATSA retake discussions often produce myths.

Myth: Everyone can retake after the same waiting period

Rules may vary. Always verify the current official instruction.

Myth: You can retake whenever you want

Testing is tied to official hiring and scheduling processes. You may not be able to retake on demand.

Myth: Forums always know the current rule

Forums may describe past cycles or individual experiences. They are not official guidance.

Myth: A prep course can guarantee a better retake result

No prep resource can guarantee an official result or hiring outcome.

Myth: A retake is the only path forward

Depending on your situation, future applications, other career paths, or later opportunities may also matter. Follow official guidance.

What to ask before planning a retake

Before you plan around a retake, answer these questions from official sources:

• Am I eligible to retake?
• Do I need to reapply?
• Is there a waiting period?
• Is there a deadline?
• Will a previous result still count?
• Where will instructions be sent?
• What happens if I miss the retake opportunity?
• Who can answer official status questions?
• Does the rule apply to my hiring announcement?

If you cannot answer these questions, do not build a plan based on assumptions.

What not to do

Avoid these mistakes:

• assuming old rules still apply
• relying only on Reddit or forums
• contacting unofficial sites for official status answers
• missing deadlines
• ignoring the result communication
• assuming you can retake just to improve a score
• sharing proprietary test content
• repeating the same poor study plan
• overtraining without a confirmed opportunity
• buying resources based on guaranteed-result claims

Retake planning should be careful, official, and realistic.

Bottom line

Whether you can retake the ATSA depends on the current rules that apply to your application, hiring announcement, result status, and official instructions.

Do not rely on outdated online discussions or third-party assumptions. Read official communications carefully, follow the authorized contact process, and use any future opportunity to prepare more deliberately.

Preparation resources

Free resources are a good starting point if you are still learning the format. If you add paid material later, compare calmly and read refund rules on the publisher’s site.

If your research widens beyond the FAA pathway, these third-party catalogs may still be worth a quick skim (none are official FAA, Pearson VUE, or USAJOBS materials): FEAST-style practice content, NAV CANADA–oriented prep, and notes aimed at later FEAST stages. Publisher: JobTestPrep.

You can also compare paid products using our independent guide: Best ATSA Practice Tests.

Frequently asked questions