Woooo - test is done!
TLDR:
Parts 1-4 were fairly easy (differences/variables/spacial relationship/simulation) I practiced a lot using the
ATCprep software on the most difficult settings possible. Parts 5-7 (logical reasoning/reading comprehension/personality q's) were definitely a bit more challenging mostly because of the time limit. I'm not the fastest reader on the planet so while I tried my best to manage my time for each question, somehow it still got away from me verrrry quickly. The personality questions weren't hard...just a lot of them.
Full Test Review:
- Differences - this is the first part on the test and very similar to the ATCprep software. I know some people said they felt it was faster/different than the software but I didn't feel that way. I recommend practicing 8 rounds in a row on the ATCprep software because then you can get a feel for how you perform during those last few rounds when your brain is pretty much on autopilot. Each of these rounds seem to test how many accurate differences you can input. I went into it thinking there would be a set number of differences to calculate for each round, but just do as many as accurately and as quickly as possible.
- Variables - again, very similar if not identical to what's on the ATCprep software. Practice and get a system down that works for you that doesn't involve talking out loud. You have to be quiet enough so no one else in the tiny room can hear you so don't get in the habit of saying the numbers out loud.
- Spacial Relationships - similar to ATCprep but mixes up the eye being present and not present. There's no way to practice this type of randomization on the ATCprep software but I didn't think it was difficult to swap between the two. You CAN practice this section before you take the actual test so at least you can get fairly comfortable with it right before testing.
- ATC Simulation - I definitely had a few collisions towards the end and definitely missed math problems. Honestly, the speed of the "planes" didn't seem that much faster to me than what I set in ATCprep (I used custom settings and made everything as fast and difficult as possible and was scoring ~87/88%). I actually feel like the math questions were a lot harder because I wasn't able to do as much quick mental math and figure out the answer based on the last numbers (ie: 12*53 - the answer would have to end in 6). The problem was, you'd have multiple answers ending in 6 that were close together so you would have to do a more thorough estimate of the number before answering....and by that point the next math question was on the screen so I learned quickly to just pick something and move on. The ATCprep was also different in how it divided answers - ie: the real test shows 5/1 vs ATCprep which would show 5÷1. You'd also get division math questions where the answer was a decimal - ie: 61/2 and the answers offered could be 30.5, 32, 31, 31.5. Focus on the collisions but definitely try to get as many math questions answered as you can. After section 4 is a good time to take a break before the PSI moderator helps you set up for sections 5-7. You can take more breaks than just 1 (do what works best for you)...but I only felt the need to grab some water and run to the bathroom and I was ready for the next section.
- Logical reasoning - Ha. There are 18 questions and 20 min to answer them. You better be good at allocating your time because it goes by QUICKLY. You can easily spend 2-3min trying to wrap your mind around the mumblejumble within one word problem and what it is you're actually trying to answer....I DON'T RECOMMEND this approach...because there's not enough time to spend 2-3min on a single question. There are charts where you have to interpret information provided (ie an invoice with expenses and purchasing conditions for sales and you have to find the answer for "how many purchases qualified for the sale in June and July"). There are lots of ordering questions where you have to interpret which of the following statements can or cannot be true based on the conditions provided in the problem. Personally, I find this difficult to do in my head and piece of paper would help me at least order out peoples initials to know where they fall in place in a line. I know I got a few correct but others I had to guess.
- Personality Questions - 2 sets of questions on each page...52 pages. You get 3 statements for each question in which you have to pick you are "most like" or "least like". Lots of the statements are repeated throughout but in different ways (ie: "I like to be the leader of a team" or "I like to lead" or "I like to be in control"). No right or wrong. I don't know how they use these questions to identify if you're a good fit or not, but that's not my job soooo.
- Reading Comprehension - Very straightforward. You get a paragraph and you answer questions regarding it. All I can say again is allocate your time correctly so you don't spend too much time on one question.
Tips (disclaimer - I haven't actually passed the ATSA *yet* 😉 and this was my first time taking it so this is just what I feel helped me):
- The ATSA Compilation post is very helpful to understand what is on the test. If you haven't reviewed this, you're doing something wrong. Also spend some time reviewing the comments in that post. Many of your questions will be answered on there.
- I found the ATC Prep software very helpful. I felt extremely confident going into this portion of the test because of my practice with this. Only $29.90. I just wish the software also included some timed reading comprehension and logical reasoning questions so I could have practiced gauging my time a bit better but you can find timed practice questions online if you just google it.
- Many others have said this but if you mess up, get over it and move on. The next question is coming whether you like it or not so if you're still stuck on what happened with the last question, you're going to continue making mistakes.
- At no point during the test does it tell you if you got something wrong. ATCprep does this so I want to make it clear that you're not going to receive any active feedback during the test.
- No pen and paper offered and no you're not able to bring your own
- Don't wear a bulky jacket as you'll have to take it off, but come prepared wearing a tighter fitting pullover in case it's cold in the room.
Good luck to everyone! Fingers crossed!
