NATS Air Traffic Controller Assessment Process

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How does the NATS air traffic controller assessment process work?

The current NATS trainee air traffic controller selection process consists of four assessment stages.

Candidates who successfully register and receive approval may progress through:

1. eleven online ability tests;
2. an online Situational Judgement Test and Listening Comprehension test;
3. a virtual assessment centre containing an interview, an Air Traffic Control knowledge test and observed retesting;
4. a practical exercise delivered virtually or face to face.

Passing all four stages may lead to a conditional offer of employment. Candidates must then satisfy the relevant medical, security, right-to-work and pre-employment requirements before beginning training.

The assessment process is designed to identify potential for a safety-critical training programme. It does not merely test whether an applicant already knows about aviation.

NATS recruits people from varied backgrounds, and prior air traffic control experience is not required for its trainee route. The selection process therefore examines whether candidates demonstrate abilities and behaviours that may support successful training, including:

• spatial awareness;
• logical thinking;
• numerical accuracy;
• directional awareness;
• reaction speed;
• listening comprehension;
• professional judgement;
• communication;
• situational awareness;
• adaptability;
• learning from feedback;
• performance under pressure.

The exact process can change between recruitment campaigns. Test providers, delivery methods, stage names, technical requirements and practical exercises should always be checked against the current NATS recruitment information and the instructions issued to each candidate.

Current NATS assessment stages at a glance

NATS currently states that Stages 1 and 2 are virtually proctored by Aon and require candidates to consent to webcam and microphone use for identity validation. Stage 3 is currently described as a virtual assessment centre, while Stage 4 may be delivered remotely or face to face.

This table is a summary, not a permanent specification. The invitation supplied for your own recruitment campaign takes priority.

Before the assessment stages begin

The assessment process normally follows an initial registration and eligibility review.

Before receiving Stage 1 tests, an applicant may need to demonstrate that they satisfy requirements concerning:

• minimum age;
• school qualifications;
• English and Mathematics;
• right to work in the United Kingdom;
• willingness to undergo medical assessment;
• ability to obtain security clearance;
• mobility;
• professional conduct;
• truthful disclosure.

Read the NATS eligibility requirements before investing substantial time or money in assessment preparation.

Meeting the eligibility conditions does not mean that the candidate has passed any part of the assessment process. It means only that the application may proceed for consideration under the relevant campaign.

Stage 1: eleven online ability tests

The current official NATS process describes Stage 1 as a battery of eleven online ability tests.

NATS states that these assessments are designed to examine skills such as:

• spatial awareness;
• logical thinking;
• numerical ability;
• sense of direction;
• reaction speed.

These categories should not be interpreted as eleven confirmed test names. NATS does not state on its main recruitment page that each ability corresponds to one separate test.

A single assessment may involve more than one cognitive demand. For example, a task could require a candidate to interpret direction, retain a rule and respond quickly at the same time.

What Stage 1 is likely to evaluate

At a broad level, ability testing can help assess whether a candidate can:

• understand unfamiliar instructions;
• identify relevant information quickly;
• apply a rule consistently;
• distinguish similar visual details;
• interpret spatial relationships;
• process numerical information accurately;
• follow directional changes;
• respond without excessive delay;
• maintain concentration;
• balance speed and accuracy.

The tasks are intended to measure cognitive performance, not professional controller knowledge.

Applicants should not assume that they need to learn:

• air traffic control separation standards;
• radar-vectoring techniques;
• aviation law;
• operational phraseology;
• licensed controller procedures.

Attempting to teach yourself professional procedures is not an effective substitute for preparing the abilities actually being assessed.

Stage 1 proctoring

NATS currently states that Stage 1 is virtually proctored by Aon.

Candidates must consent to webcam and microphone use to validate the test-taker’s identity. A candidate who does not provide the required consent may be blocked from taking the assessments.

The invitation may also specify rules concerning:

• identification;
• room conditions;
• permitted materials;
• additional screens;
• browser settings;
• interruptions;
• leaving the camera view;
• mobile phones;
• notes;
• calculators;
• technical support.

Follow the supplied rules exactly.

Do not assume that an item is permitted because it was allowed in a different employer’s Aon assessment.

Preparing for Stage 1

Useful preparation can include:

• practising original spatial-reasoning exercises;
• improving mental arithmetic accuracy;
• working with direction and orientation tasks;
• practising rule-based logic;
• developing sustained attention;
• completing controlled reaction exercises;
• learning to read instructions carefully;
• working under gradually increasing time pressure.

Preparation should begin with accuracy.

When a candidate immediately attempts every exercise at maximum speed, they may reinforce impulsive methods. A better progression is:

1. understand the instructions;
2. identify a reliable solution method;
3. practise it accurately;
4. record recurring errors;
5. introduce realistic time pressure;
6. repeat the skill using varied formats.

The dedicated NATS Stage 1 tests guide explains these ability areas in greater detail.

Stage 2: situational judgement and listening comprehension

Candidates who pass Stage 1 may be invited to two further online assessments:

1. a Situational Judgement Test;
2. a Listening Comprehension test.

These tests examine different abilities from the Stage 1 cognitive battery.

A candidate who performs strongly on numerical or spatial tasks may still find Stage 2 challenging because it requires professional judgement and accurate processing of spoken information.

NATS currently states that Stage 2 is also virtually proctored by Aon.

The NATS Situational Judgement Test

A situational judgement test presents workplace scenarios and asks the candidate to evaluate possible responses.

The task may require a candidate to:

• select the most appropriate action;
• identify an ineffective response;
• rank several options;
• rate the effectiveness of possible actions;
• decide what should happen first.

The exact response format should be taken from the candidate instructions.

Principles relevant to safety-critical judgement

Effective responses in a safety-critical organisation commonly reflect principles such as:

• protecting safety;
• following applicable procedures;
• communicating concerns promptly;
• gathering enough information before acting;
• involving the appropriate person;
• taking responsibility;
• remaining calm;
• treating colleagues respectfully;
• avoiding concealment;
• learning from mistakes;
• escalating proportionately.

This does not mean that one simplistic rule solves every scenario.

For example:

• escalating every minor issue immediately may be disproportionate;
• attempting to solve a serious safety concern alone may be irresponsible;
• delaying action until complete certainty is available may create further risk;
• following a procedure without noticing that circumstances have changed may be ineffective.

Candidates should consider:

1. What is the immediate risk?
2. Is safety involved?
3. What responsibility does the person have?
4. Is further information needed?
5. Who should be informed?
6. Is the response proportionate?
7. Does it protect trust and accountability?
8. What should happen after the immediate issue is controlled?

The NATS Stage 2 tests guide contains original scenarios and a structured method for analysing them.

The NATS Listening Comprehension test

The Listening Comprehension test assesses the ability to understand and retain spoken information.

Listening can be more difficult than reading because information may:

• be presented only once;
• contain similar names or numbers;
• include irrelevant details;
• follow a sequence;
• require an inference;
• continue while the candidate is processing an earlier point.

Relevant abilities may include:

• sustained auditory attention;
• short-term memory;
• identifying key facts;
• distinguishing similar details;
• understanding instructions;
• recognising sequence and causation;
• retaining information accurately.

A practical listening method

When listening to a spoken passage, mentally organise the information around six questions:

• Who is involved?
• What happened?
• Where did it happen?
• When did it happen?
• Which details or numbers matter?
• What action or conclusion follows?

Do not attempt to memorise every word. Focus on the structure and meaning of the message.

Preparation can involve:

• listening to short factual recordings;
• summarising them without replay;
• recording names, dates and numbers;
• identifying the sequence of events;
• answering questions after a delay;
• increasing passage length gradually.

Practise without subtitles when the goal is listening comprehension.

The NATS Stage 2 tests guide also provides original, non-official listening practice methods.

Stage 3: the virtual assessment centre

Candidates who pass Stage 2 and meet the minimum requirements may be invited to a virtual assessment centre.

The current NATS process states that Stage 3 is held through Microsoft Teams and includes:

• an interview;
• an Air Traffic Control knowledge test;
• retesting of previous assessments while the candidate is observed.

Each component serves a different purpose.

The NATS interview

The interview gives assessors an opportunity to examine the candidate’s motivation, understanding, behaviours and evidence from previous experiences.

Potential competency areas may include:

• teamwork;
• communication;
• adaptability;
• resilience;
• accountability;
• decision-making;
• learning from feedback;
• managing pressure;
• following procedures;
• responding to mistakes;
• motivation for the career;
• understanding of mobility and training.

Candidate reports on Glassdoor, Quora, forums or social media may mention individual interview experiences. These accounts should not be treated as a confirmed question bank.

The assessment may change between campaigns, and interviewers can ask follow-up questions that require the candidate to explain genuine personal experience.

Using STAR without sounding rehearsed

The STAR framework can help organise an answer:

• Situation: provide the necessary context;
• Task: explain what you were responsible for;
• Action: describe what you personally did;
• Result: explain the outcome and what you learnt.

A strong example should make clear:

• why the situation mattered;
• what choices were available;
• why you chose your action;
• how you communicated;
• what happened;
• what you would repeat or improve.

Do not invent an example or memorise a model answer word for word.

The NATS Stage 3 assessment centre guide explains how to prepare credible interview evidence.

The NATS Air Traffic Control knowledge test

The knowledge test is distinct from the Stage 1 aptitude assessments.

Aptitude testing examines how a candidate processes information. A knowledge test examines what the candidate has researched or learnt.

Preparation may reasonably include public information concerning:

• the role of NATS;
• the purpose of air traffic control;
• aerodrome control;
• approach control;
• area control;
• the NATS training pathway;
• controller locations;
• safety-critical working;
• teamwork and communication;
• current recruitment information.

The exact syllabus is not guaranteed by unofficial flashcards or candidate-created study sets.

Quizlet, Brainscape and similar platforms may contain:

• outdated material;
• incomplete information;
• user errors;
• recalled content;
• information from a different campaign;
• questions that were never part of a NATS test.

Do not copy or memorise protected questions allegedly taken from a real assessment.

The same Stage 3 guide covers ethical study for the ATC knowledge test using public information.

Observed retesting

NATS currently states that Stage 3 includes retesting of previous tests while the candidate is observed.

This is an important reason to develop genuine competence rather than rely on:

• recognising one familiar practice interface;
• assistance from another person;
• prohibited notes;
• external tools;
• unusually favourable home conditions;
• memorised answers.

Observed retesting may help NATS verify that the earlier results reflect the candidate’s own performance.

Candidates should therefore be prepared to:

• follow instructions under observation;
• explain technical difficulties honestly;
• work without unauthorised assistance;
• manage the pressure of being watched;
• apply the same reliable methods used during preparation.

The exact assessments selected for retesting and the observation procedure may differ between campaigns.

Stage 4: the practical exercise

Candidates who pass Stage 3 may be invited to a practical exercise.

The current official page states that Stage 4 can be conducted:

• virtually through Microsoft Teams; or
• face to face at the NATS Whiteley office.

NATS has also publicly described the deployment of a realistic work-sample exercise within trainee-controller recruitment.

In that work sample, candidates manage a simulated section of airspace in real time. They receive a briefing, talk through their thinking and complete a series of short runs. Assessors provide feedback between runs and observe how candidates adapt their approach.

NATS has identified abilities such as situational awareness, communication and problem-solving as relevant to this realistic assessment environment. It has also explained that the assessment remains human-led, even though the platform uses digital-twin technology.

What the practical stage may examine

The practical exercise may provide evidence of whether a candidate can:

• understand a new rule system;
• build an accurate mental picture;
• identify developing conflicts;
• prioritise actions;
• communicate decisions;
• maintain safety;
• work efficiently;
• explain their reasoning;
• receive feedback;
• modify an unsuccessful method;
• improve across repeated attempts.

The objective is not necessarily to achieve perfect performance immediately.

A trainee controller must be capable of learning from instruction and building safe, repeatable habits. The response to feedback may therefore be as informative as the candidate’s first attempt.

What not to do

Do not attempt to obtain:

• recordings of the official practical exercise;
• leaked screenshots;
• confidential instructions;
• remembered scenarios;
• exact assessor prompts;
• unauthorised copies of the platform.

A commercial simulation may help practise general task management, but it should not be presented as an exact reproduction of the NATS exercise.

The NATS Stage 4 practical exercise guide explains transferable preparation methods.

How progression decisions are made

NATS does not publish a universal percentage that guarantees success across every stage.

Candidates should not assume that:

• 70% is always a pass;
• one high score compensates for every weak result;
• every test has the same weighting;
• progression depends only on an average;
• the cut-off remains identical between campaigns;
• completing every question guarantees success;
• another candidate’s result reveals the required standard.

Assessment decisions may involve:

• minimum standards;
• performance across several tests;
• competency evidence;
• observed behaviour;
• campaign capacity;
• consistency during retesting;
• performance in the practical exercise.

Only NATS and its authorised assessment partners can confirm how the applicable campaign is scored.

Are NATS assessments the same as FEAST?

NATS assessments should not automatically be described as FEAST.

FEAST is the First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test associated with EUROCONTROL and participating organisations.

The current NATS recruitment page describes its process using:

• eleven online ability tests;
• situational judgement;
• listening comprehension;
• an assessment centre;
• a knowledge test;
• observed retesting;
• a practical exercise.

It does not state that every candidate is completing the standard FEAST sequence.

Do not assume that NATS uses:

• FEAST Part 1;
• FEAST Part 2;
• FEAST III;
• DART;
• MULTI-PASS.

Use What is FEAST? for information about the European assessment system.

Are NATS assessments the same as the ATSA?

No.

The Air Traffic Skills Assessment is associated with the Federal Aviation Administration’s controller-hiring process in the United States.

NATS operates a separate UK recruitment route with its own eligibility requirements, assessment stages, medical system, security process and training arrangements.

Some underlying abilities may overlap because both processes concern air traffic controller selection. That does not make the tests interchangeable.

Read What is the ATSA? for the FAA context.

Assessment conditions and integrity

Air traffic control is a safety-critical occupation. Integrity during recruitment is therefore directly relevant to suitability.

Candidates should:

• complete tests independently;
• follow proctoring rules;
• use only permitted equipment;
• provide valid identification;
• remain visible when instructed;
• report technical problems honestly;
• protect confidential assessment material;
• provide truthful application information.

Prohibited or inappropriate behaviour may include:

• asking someone else to complete a test;
• receiving assistance during the assessment;
• using hidden notes;
• consulting a mobile phone;
• recording the screen;
• photographing questions;
• sharing assessment content;
• using leaked material;
• attempting to bypass identity checks;
• opening unauthorised software.

Even when a particular action is technically possible, it may still violate the assessment conditions.

Technical preparation for online stages

Before each remote assessment, check:

• device compatibility;
• browser compatibility;
• operating-system requirements;
• webcam access;
• microphone access;
• internet stability;
• power supply;
• identification documents;
• room lighting;
• background noise;
• notification settings;
• assessment-support contact details.

Use the same computer and environment for a system check where possible.

Do not begin an assessment when:

• the internet is unstable;
• another person may enter repeatedly;
• the device battery is low;
• the webcam is malfunctioning;
• you have not read the instructions;
• you do not know whether starting the link begins the timed session.

When a genuine technical failure occurs, follow the official support procedure and record:

• the time;
• the test name;
• the error message;
• what happened;
• whether progress was saved;
• any case or reference number.

Do not repeatedly restart a test unless instructed.

Workplace adjustments

Candidates who face a barrier during recruitment should contact the NATS Talent Acquisition team as early as possible.

NATS states that a formal diagnosis is not always required simply to discuss support. Examples of possible adjustments mentioned on its careers information include:

• sharing an interview structure in advance;
• holding an interview online where attendance at a location is not possible;
• allowing extra time for some assessments where appropriate.

An adjustment is not guaranteed merely because it has been used in another recruitment process.

The available support depends on:

• the candidate’s needs;
• the ability being assessed;
• maintaining assessment validity;
• technical feasibility;
• the stage involved.

Do not wait until an assessment has started before raising a known barrier.

How to prepare for the complete process

The assessment stages measure different areas, so a balanced preparation plan is more effective than practising one test repeatedly. For a full multi-week framework, see How to prepare for NATS ATC selection.

NATS aptitude test preparation: Practise for the NATS aptitude and assessment process with ATC Practice.

Affiliate disclosure: We may receive a commission if you purchase through this link, at no additional cost to you. ATC Practice is an independent third-party preparation provider and does not guarantee the exact assessment content used by NATS.

Phase 1: understand the process

Review:

• the current four stages;
• delivery methods;
• proctoring rules;
• technical requirements;
• deadlines;
• eligibility conditions;
• medical and security requirements.

Phase 2: establish a cognitive baseline

Practise short exercises involving:

• spatial reasoning;
• direction;
• numerical accuracy;
• logical rules;
• attention;
• reaction speed.

Record both speed and accuracy.

Phase 3: strengthen weak abilities

Separate weaknesses into categories.

For example:

• misunderstanding instructions;
• slow calculations;
• directional confusion;
• impulsive responses;
• concentration lapses;
• poor time allocation.

Use targeted exercises before returning to mixed practice.

Phase 4: prepare Stage 2 skills

Practise:

• analysing workplace scenarios;
• identifying safety implications;
• listening without subtitles;
• retaining numbers and sequences;
• summarising spoken information;
• distinguishing relevant details.

Phase 5: prepare for the assessment centre

Research:

• NATS;
• controller specialisms;
• training;
• locations;
• mobility;
• safety-critical work.

Prepare genuine examples demonstrating:

• teamwork;
• resilience;
• accountability;
• adaptability;
• communication;
• learning from feedback.

Phase 6: practise learning under observation

Complete unfamiliar tasks while:

• explaining your reasoning;
• receiving corrective feedback;
• applying the feedback in another attempt;
• remaining calm after an error;
• reviewing whether performance improved.

This supports preparation for practical assessment without reproducing the official exercise.

Common assessment mistakes

Preparing only for Stage 1

Passing the cognitive tests is only one part of the process.

Candidates must also prepare listening, judgement, interview, knowledge and practical skills.

Searching for exact questions

Recalled questions may be inaccurate, outdated or protected.

Skill development is more reliable and ethically appropriate.

Assuming speed matters more than accuracy

Fast, careless performance may undermine the ability being measured.

Develop an accurate method before increasing pace.

Ignoring instructions

The official task may differ from a familiar practice format.

Read every instruction and complete any available tutorial carefully.

Memorising situational judgement rules

Professional judgement requires context.

“Always tell a manager” or “always act immediately” is not a reliable strategy for every scenario.

Using generic interview scripts

Assessors may ask follow-up questions that reveal whether the example is genuine.

Prepare evidence, not a speech.

Treating aviation trivia as the whole knowledge test

Understanding NATS and the controller role is more useful than collecting obscure facts without context.

Becoming defensive after feedback

The practical stage may assess whether a candidate can learn and adapt.

Listen, clarify where necessary and apply the feedback visibly.

Comparing progress with anonymous candidates

Candidates may receive invitations at different times or misunderstand their own status.

Use official communication to assess your application.

Assuming the process never changes

Older NATS PDFs and third-party guides may describe previous recruitment systems.

The current NATS page and candidate invitation take priority.

Limits of assessment preparation

Preparation can help you:

• understand common aptitude demands;
• improve accuracy;
• manage time more effectively;
• strengthen listening habits;
• analyse workplace situations;
• organise interview evidence;
• research the role;
• become comfortable with remote assessment;
• respond more effectively to feedback.

Preparation cannot:

• guarantee progression;
• reveal future test questions;
• guarantee a particular score;
• replace the required aptitude;
• guarantee medical clearance;
• guarantee security clearance;
• ensure a preferred posting;
• guarantee completion of controller training.

Be cautious with any provider claiming to offer:

• official NATS questions;
• an exact replica;
• a guaranteed pass;
• a confirmed passing score;
• secret assessor criteria;
• leaked practical scenarios.

You can also review the available NATS aptitude test preparation package from ATC Practice.

Affiliate disclosure: We may receive a commission if you purchase through this link, at no additional cost to you. Third-party preparation materials cannot guarantee the exact tests, questions, timings or assessment format assigned by NATS.

What to verify officially

Before completing any NATS assessment, verify:

• the current number of stages;
• the assessments included at each stage;
• the current assessment provider;
• whether Stage 1 and Stage 2 are proctored;
• webcam and microphone requirements;
• identification requirements;
• permitted materials;
• supported devices and browsers;
• completion deadlines;
• whether breaks are allowed;
• whether an assessment can be paused;
• the procedure for technical problems;
• the workplace-adjustment process;
• the format of the Stage 3 assessment centre;
• the interview arrangements;
• the scope of any published knowledge-test guidance;
• which previous tests may be repeated;
• whether Stage 4 is virtual or face to face;
• the location of any in-person assessment;
• the current practical-exercise format;
• outcome and reapplication rules.

Use the official NATS trainee air traffic controller page and the instructions in your candidate account as the primary sources.

Campaign-specific instructions always take priority over an independent guide.

Bottom line

The current NATS air traffic controller assessment process contains four distinct stages.

Candidates first complete online ability tests, followed by situational judgement and listening assessments. Those who progress may attend a virtual assessment centre containing an interview, a knowledge test and observed retesting. The final assessment is a practical exercise that may examine both current performance and the ability to learn from feedback.

Prepare broadly. Develop the underlying cognitive skills, practise active listening, understand professional judgement, research NATS, prepare genuine interview evidence and become comfortable adapting after correction.

Do not rely on leaked questions or an old description of the recruitment process. Verify every stage against the current NATS information and your official assessment invitation.