FEAST vs ATSA

FEAST vs ATSA: what is the difference?

FEAST and ATSA are both used in air traffic controller selection contexts, but they are not the same test.

FEAST stands for First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test. It is a test battery used by participating air navigation service providers, academies, universities, and aviation training organizations to help assess candidates for air traffic controller training.

ATSA stands for Air Traffic Skills Assessment. It is associated with the FAA air traffic controller hiring process in the United States.

The biggest difference is the recruitment system:

• FEAST is used by participating aviation organizations, commonly in European or FEAST-user selection processes.
• ATSA is used in the FAA hiring process for U.S. air traffic controller applicants.

Both may assess skills relevant to ATC selection, but candidates should prepare for the specific test and organization that invited them.

Quick comparison

FEAST = First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test
ATSA = Air Traffic Skills Assessment

FEAST: used by participating ANSPs, academies, universities, and aviation organizations.
ATSA: used in FAA air traffic controller hiring in the United States.

FEAST: commonly discussed as Part 1, Part 2, and FEAST III where used.
ATSA: commonly discussed as one FAA hiring assessment stage after application screening.

Both tests are aptitude-based, but the exact format, process, scoring, eligibility rules, and next steps are different.

What is FEAST?

FEAST is a selection test battery used to help assess candidates for air traffic controller training.

It may assess:

• attention
• memory
• spatial reasoning
• English comprehension
• logical reasoning
• multitasking
• dynamic tracking
• reaction accuracy
• workload control
• personality or work-style traits, where used

FEAST is commonly discussed in stages:

• FEAST Part 1
• FEAST Part 2
• FEAST III personality questionnaire, where used

Related page: What is FEAST?

What is ATSA?

ATSA stands for Air Traffic Skills Assessment.

It is part of the FAA air traffic controller hiring process in the United States. ATSA is designed to help evaluate whether applicants have abilities relevant to air traffic control training and work.

ATSA preparation commonly focuses on skills such as:

• spatial reasoning
• memory
• attention
• logical reasoning
• personality or work-style judgement
• multitasking-style performance
• decision-making under time pressure
• visual processing

The exact FAA hiring process, testing rules, eligibility requirements, and result categories should always be checked through official FAA hiring communication.

FEAST and ATSA are not interchangeable

FEAST and ATSA are not different names for the same test.

They belong to different selection systems.

A candidate applying to a European ANSP using FEAST should not prepare as if they are taking FAA ATSA.

A candidate applying to the FAA should not prepare as if they are taking FEAST.

Some underlying cognitive abilities may overlap, but the official instructions, task format, recruitment rules, score reporting, and next steps are different.

Where FEAST is used

FEAST may be used by participating aviation organizations, including:

• air navigation service providers
• ATC academies
• universities with aviation programs
• aviation training organizations
• recruitment bodies involved in ATC selection

The organization that invited you controls the local process.

Related page: Air traffic controller test Europe

Where ATSA is used

ATSA is associated with the FAA air traffic controller hiring process in the United States.

Candidates may encounter ATSA after applying to an FAA air traffic controller vacancy and meeting the relevant application-stage requirements.

The FAA process is separate from FEAST-user selection processes.

Candidates should rely on official FAA hiring announcements, emails, and candidate instructions for ATSA details.

FEAST format vs ATSA format

FEAST is commonly discussed as a staged test battery.

A simplified FEAST structure may include:

FEAST Part 1
↓
FEAST Part 2
↓
FEAST III personality questionnaire, if used

ATSA is commonly discussed as an FAA assessment stage within the FAA hiring pipeline.

A simplified FAA-style path may include:

FAA application
↓
Eligibility or application review
↓
ATSA invitation
↓
ATSA result category or hiring-band outcome
↓
Further hiring steps if selected

These are simplified examples. Always follow official instructions.

FEAST Part 1 vs ATSA

FEAST Part 1 is commonly associated with cognitive ability tests and English language testing.

It may involve:

• attention
• memory
• spatial reasoning
• logical reasoning
• visual perception
• English comprehension
• instruction reading
• timed accuracy

ATSA may also involve cognitive abilities relevant to air traffic control, but it is not FEAST Part 1. Its task structure and scoring context are specific to FAA hiring.

Related page: FEAST Part 1

FEAST Part 2 vs ATSA

FEAST Part 2 is commonly associated with more complex multitasking and dynamic task performance.

It may involve:

• multitasking
• dynamic monitoring
• prioritization
• rule application
• attention switching
• workload control
• reaction accuracy
• moving-object tracking

ATSA may include tasks that also feel fast, visual, or workload-heavy, but candidates should not assume it has the same structure as FEAST Part 2.

Related page: FEAST Part 2

English testing: FEAST vs ATSA

FEAST Part 1 is commonly described as including an English language component.

English can also matter in FEAST because instructions may be written in English and must be understood quickly.

ATSA is part of the U.S. FAA hiring process and is administered in an English-language context. Candidates should rely on official FAA requirements for language and eligibility details.

For FEAST candidates, English preparation should include:

• reading comprehension
• instruction understanding
• condition words
• grammar in context
• vocabulary in context
• timed comprehension

Related page: FEAST English test

Personality assessment: FEAST vs ATSA

Both FEAST-user processes and FAA hiring may include assessment of work style, judgment, or personality-related traits.

For FEAST, this is commonly discussed as FEAST III, a personality questionnaire available to and used by many FEAST user organizations.

FEAST personality preparation should focus on:

• honesty
• consistency
• responsibility
• teamwork
• emotional stability
• rule-following
• stress tolerance
• communication
• safety awareness

Do not try to fake a perfect profile.

Related page: FEAST personality test

Scoring: FEAST vs ATSA

FEAST and ATSA use different scoring and result systems.

For FEAST:

• score reporting depends on the organization
• candidates may receive pass/fail only
• detailed score breakdowns may not be provided
• pass rules can vary
• retake rules can vary

For ATSA:

• result categories and hiring-band outcomes are tied to the FAA hiring process
• candidates should follow official FAA communications
• score interpretation may depend on the specific hiring announcement and current FAA process

Do not assume a FEAST score can be compared to an ATSA result.

Related page: FEAST results

Passing score: FEAST vs ATSA

There is no universal public FEAST passing score that applies to every FEAST candidate.

FEAST passing rules depend on:

• organization
• country
• recruitment campaign
• stage
• local policy
• candidate pool
• training capacity

ATSA result interpretation belongs to the FAA hiring process and should be verified through official FAA sources.

Do not compare FEAST pass/fail results to ATSA result categories as if they were equivalent.

Related page: FEAST passing score

Retakes: FEAST vs ATSA

Retake rules differ.

For FEAST, retake eligibility may depend on:

• ANSP policy
• country
• stage failed
• previous attempts
• waiting period
• result validity
• recruitment campaign
• whether results are shared

For ATSA, retake or reapplication rules are governed by FAA hiring policy and the relevant vacancy announcement.

Candidates should not assume that FEAST retake rules apply to ATSA or that ATSA rules apply to FEAST.

Related page: Can you retake FEAST?

Preparation overlap between FEAST and ATSA

Some preparation areas overlap because both tests relate to ATC selection.

Useful shared skill areas may include:

• attention
• working memory
• spatial reasoning
• rule application
• reaction accuracy
• multitasking
• time pressure
• decision-making
• mistake recovery

However, overlap in skills does not mean the tests are the same.

Prepare for the exact test you are invited to take.

How FEAST candidates should prepare

If you are taking FEAST, focus on:

• official FEAST instructions
• FEAST format
• FEAST Part 1
• FEAST Part 2
• English comprehension
• memory
• attention
• spatial reasoning
• cube folding
• multitasking
• dynamic radar-style tasks
• ethical practice

Useful pages:

• How to prepare for FEAST
• FEAST test prep
• FEAST practice test

How ATSA candidates should prepare

If you are taking ATSA, focus on FAA-specific candidate instructions and ATSA-specific preparation.

Useful preparation areas may include:

• reading official FAA communications carefully
• understanding the FAA hiring timeline
• practicing cognitive aptitude skills
• practicing attention and memory
• practicing spatial reasoning
• preparing for timed tasks
• following all test-day rules
• avoiding unofficial leaked-content claims

Do not use FEAST-specific assumptions as your primary ATSA strategy.

Which test is harder: FEAST or ATSA?

There is no reliable universal answer.

Difficulty depends on:

• your strengths
• your weaknesses
• the exact test version
• timing pressure
• English comfort
• multitasking ability
• spatial reasoning ability
• test anxiety
• preparation quality
• recruitment context

Some candidates may find FEAST harder. Others may find ATSA harder.

The useful question is not which test is harder in general. The useful question is which skills you need to improve for the test you are actually taking.

Can FEAST practice help with ATSA?

Some FEAST-style practice may help build general ATC selection skills such as attention, memory, spatial reasoning, and multitasking.

However, FEAST practice should not be treated as ATSA practice.

If you are taking ATSA, use ATSA-specific preparation and official FAA guidance.

If you are taking FEAST, use FEAST-specific preparation and official instructions from your recruiting organization.

Can ATSA practice help with FEAST?

Some ATSA-style practice may help with general cognitive skills.

However, ATSA practice should not be treated as a substitute for FEAST preparation.

FEAST candidates should still prepare for:

• FEAST Part 1
• FEAST Part 2
• English language component
• FEAST-style multitasking
• DART or MULTI-PASS concepts where relevant
• personality questionnaire where used
• organization-specific instructions

Common FEAST vs ATSA mistakes

Avoid these mistakes:

• thinking FEAST and ATSA are the same test
• using FAA-specific assumptions for a FEAST process
• using FEAST-specific assumptions for FAA hiring
• comparing scores across systems
• assuming retake rules are the same
• assuming English testing is identical
• ignoring official instructions
• relying only on forums
• memorizing unofficial task descriptions
• using leaked or unauthorized content

The correct process is the one described by the organization that invited you.

Ethical preparation for both tests

Whether you are preparing for FEAST or ATSA, prepare ethically.

Avoid:

• leaked test questions
• screenshots from real sessions
• copied official items
• confidential task descriptions
• unauthorized answer keys
• exact-replica claims
• sharing protected test content after testing

Train the underlying abilities. Do not try to bypass the selection process.

What to verify officially

Before taking FEAST, verify with your ANSP, academy, university, recruiter, or aviation organization:

• test date
• test stage
• location or online method
• identification requirements
• allowed and prohibited items
• official familiarization material
• result process
• retake policy

Before taking ATSA, verify through official FAA communications:

• vacancy announcement requirements
• eligibility rules
• test scheduling process
• testing instructions
• allowed and prohibited items
• result communication
• next hiring steps

If this guide conflicts with your official instructions, follow the official source.

Bottom line

FEAST and ATSA are different air traffic controller selection tests used in different recruitment systems.

FEAST is associated with participating European and international aviation organizations. ATSA is associated with FAA air traffic controller hiring in the United States.

Some cognitive skills overlap, but the test format, scoring, results, retakes, and hiring process are different. Prepare for the specific test you are invited to take.

Preparation resources

If you are comparing catalogs before purchasing, keep pathway fit in mind: FAA ATSA prep is not interchangeable with FEAST modules.

You may still scan these corners from the same publisher: FEAST 2–oriented notes, NAV CANADA–oriented prep, and general ATC aptitude pages. Publisher: JobTestPrep.

Compare commercial options with our guides: Best ATSA Practice Tests and JobTestPrep FEAST Review.

Frequently asked questions