Hiring Bid Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee: FAA-ATO-18-ALLSRCE-57792

I was also allowed paper and pencil for the second part. The test even says on screen, for the logic problems, pen and paper is permitted.
 
I specifically asked my testing staff for pen and paper since its specifically said it was allowed. They wouldn't give it to me. The fact that some people did and some people didn't is not fair at all.

I might call HR tomorrow and see what they say about it.
 
I specifically asked my testing staff for pen and paper since its specifically said it was allowed. They wouldn't give it to me. The fact that some people did and some people didn't is not fair at all.

I might call HR tomorrow and see what they say about it.
That would be PSI’s fault though, not HR. What are they gonna do? Lol
 
There seems to be two different approaches to paper and pencil during testing. It MAY sound like semantics but it is not. The posts I have read say "allowed paper and pencil for the second part". What it doesn't say is they were PROVIDED paper and pencil. MagioX1 said "I specifically asked my testing staff for pen and paper". Does this sound like if you bring your own you are good to go but if you ask for it to be provided the answer will be no?
 
There seems to be two different approaches to paper and pencil during testing. It MAY sound like semantics but it is not. The posts I have read say "allowed paper and pencil for the second part". What it doesn't say is they were PROVIDED paper and pencil. MagioX1 said "I specifically asked my testing staff for pen and paper". Does this sound like if you bring your own you are good to go but if you ask for it to be provided the answer will be no?

When I took mine last year, we weren’t allowed to bring anything in. They put everything I did bring in a bag and kept it locked up. As for the pencil and paper thing, I was never told by the proctors or the ATSA itself I was allowed any. Nor did I feel I needed it at all.
 
To be clear - I was specifically instructed that pencil and paper were prohibited, and that if caught using any (my testing center had individual cameras focused on each test-taker, visible at the proctor's desk) you would be disqualified.

However, I agree with the above poster that I don't feel it would have helped very much, if at all. You don't have very long to complete all the questions, and if I had paper I would have been tempted to chart everything out in detail, which would ensure I wouldn't get to the final questions at all. You also don't have the ability to go back to previous questions even if you have time remaining at the end, so you pretty much get 60-90 seconds max per question or you have to move on. For several questions, I was only able to narrow it down to two possible answers before having to pick one and move on, but it was clearly good enough as I ended up with a TOL.
 
To be clear - I was specifically instructed that pencil and paper were prohibited, and that if caught using any (my testing center had individual cameras focused on each test-taker, visible at the proctor's desk) you would be disqualified.

However, I agree with the above poster that I don't feel it would have helped very much, if at all. You don't have very long to complete all the questions, and if I had paper I would have been tempted to chart everything out in detail, which would ensure I wouldn't get to the final questions at all. You also don't have the ability to go back to previous questions even if you have time remaining at the end, so you pretty much get 60-90 seconds max per question or you have to move on. For several questions, I was only able to narrow it down to two possible answers before having to pick one and move on, but it was clearly good enough as I ended up with a TOL.


Rando, did you recently take the test? Only ask because I took mine today. How long does it take to get results?
 
Rando, did you recently take the test? Only ask because I took mine today. How long does it take to get results?

Like MJ said, you'll never find out how you scored. Around a month or so after the exam window closes, if your USAJobs status changes to Referred that means you scored at least a 70%. If not, then either you failed it or they're slow to update the system. Then several months later if you get a TOL, it probably means you scored okay on the test. And that's the most you'll ever know about how you did.
 
Like MJ said, you'll never find out how you scored. Around a month or so after the exam window closes, if your USAJobs status changes to Referred that means you scored at least a 70%. If not, then either you failed it or they're slow to update the system. Then several months later if you get a TOL, it probably means you scored okay on the test. And that's the most you'll ever know about how you did.
Thanks, I was looking for this type of answer.
 
would it be crazy to think the highest atsa scores are offered enroute and the middleish scores get tower, or is it just plain random?
 
Just took my ATSA and all I can say is, It was rough. There were only a few sections where I believe I did some what well and other sections where I more than likely feel as if I did horrible. Reading assessment wasn't that bad but I did have to guess 1 answer due to the time limit to answer 18 questions. The psych eval wasn't that bad either but for that one I believe its to each their own. The radar portion I would say is easily the hardest part because you don't see the math problem long enough, let alone the answers. Im keeping an open mind because considering how I feel about the test apparently a lot of other people felt as if they did a lot worst and they got a TOL and are starting the academy soon. My advice to you is regardless of how you felt you did remember you don't know how you are graded. Just stay confident and go on with life until you get that email saying you're referred this test doesn't define you nor will it ever. When you get to the academy thats when its all going to count thats when the test really do matter.
 
It’s listed in one of the hiring directives they just go down the list of people enroute enroute tower enroute enroute tower... or something similar

Just to confirm though, when they're deciding who gets TOLs, do they start at the highest score and work down, or do they randomize everyone in Band 1 and pick from that? I would hope it's based on who scored highest, but you never really can tell with the FAA.
 
Just took my ATSA and all I can say is, It was rough. There were only a few sections where I believe I did some what well and other sections where I more than likely feel as if I did horrible. Reading assessment wasn't that bad but I did have to guess 1 answer due to the time limit to answer 18 questions. The psych eval wasn't that bad either but for that one I believe its to each their own. The radar portion I would say is easily the hardest part because you don't see the math problem long enough, let alone the answers. Im keeping an open mind because considering how I feel about the test apparently a lot of other people felt as if they did a lot worst and they got a TOL and are starting the academy soon. My advice to you is regardless of how you felt you did remember you don't know how you are graded. Just stay confident and go on with life until you get that email saying you're referred this test doesn't define you nor will it ever. When you get to the academy thats when its all going to count thats when the test really do matter.

I agree. No use worrying. Just wait and see type deal. What I don’t like though is that this is one of the only parts in the process that is out of your hands. In academy it’s only going to be on you and how hard you study. ATSA is just like let’s see how fast you can smash buttons on the keyboard and maybe how well you do says something about you.
 
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