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

[jdatc]

Evals ARE more competitive than the ATSA ?, just because you "scored low" on the practice ATSA doesn't mean that you wouldn't be considered for the academy, there is no way to tell how the ATSA is scored that's all confidential and any test claiming to have those numbers is probably false anyway.

Every step of the hiring process is a stage. I fail to see how someone getting ATSA software is a bad thing if they want to make it to the next stage.

It’s very true that this is a completely aptitude based profession, but trying to make sure you get selected is stage one.

Just like evals at the academy are a stage. Classroom training at the facility is a stage. Dysim is a stage. And finally OJTI, is a stage.

 

[Reztrop]

Every step of the hiring process is a stage. I fail to see how someone getting ATSA software is a bad thing if they want to make it to the next stage.

It’s very true that this is a completely aptitude based profession, but trying to make sure you get selected is stage one.

Just like evals at the academy are a stage. Classroom training at the facility is a stage. Dysim is a stage. And finally OJTI, is a stage.

Agreed. No one in this pool had to take the Biographical Questionnaire. My main focus is getting past ATSA. If I get past that step then I'll focus on the next. But I'm not going to go into it blind when there are opportunities available to help. I turn 31 in January. After that I have no more chances. Just trying to make the best of the one I currently have.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

I definitely understand it being an aptitude test, but my mindset is that the ATSA is highly competitive. If I can practice and increase my score by a few points that may very well be the difference between being able to move on or not. Whereas the final evals I would imagine aren't so competitive as they are simply pass or fail.
For example, on the app the first time I tried the collision/math section I scored a 20. I realized where I went wrong and the second time I scored a 90. If I took the test the first time for real and performed the same as I did initially I would never be considered for the academy.

a) You are able to practice each section on the test prior to completing the actual section. I highly recommend using the practice sections until you are comfortable with the keyboard or mouse entries and what exactly is going on in that section.
b) evals are highly competitive. It may just be "pass or fail" but facility placement goes based on class rank. If you are the worst passing member of your class, you will have no choice where you go as you will pick last. Best in the class gets first choice.

 

[Reztrop]

a) You are able to practice each section on the test prior to completing the actual section. I highly recommend using the practice sections until you are comfortable with the keyboard or mouse entries and what exactly is going on in that section.
b) evals are highly competitive. It may just be "pass or fail" but facility placement goes based on class rank. If you are the worst passing member of your class, you will have no choice where you go as you will pick last. Best in the class gets first choice.

I understand. That being said, maybe I'm just looking at it the wrong way.
If I fail the ATSA I don't get to continue. I turn 31 in Jan. That's it. I'm done.
If I pass the evals, but I'm last in my class I still have a job.
I'm focusing more on the possibility of the job overall and not placement at this point. To me, that's kinda putting the cart before the horse.
Again, maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way.

 

[ChuckMastaT]

I'm not really worried about it either, I'm just bored as hell . Plus, would be nice to see what all the fuzz is about regarding that dot collision part

I found it, it was on the StuckMic ATSA guide Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test - AT-SAT

They had two separate "games" that I assume are related and similar to the ATSA

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Simulation Game

Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) Scan Game

 

[TheeThor]

I found it, it was on the StuckMic ATSA guide Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test - AT-SAT

They had two separate "games" that I assume are related and similar to the ATSA

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Simulation Game

Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) Scan Game

Awesome dude! Ill check it out, thanks

 

[TheeThor]

I found it, it was on the StuckMic ATSA guide Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test - AT-SAT

They had two separate "games" that I assume are related and similar to the ATSA

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Simulation Game

Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) Scan Game

Does seem to be more related to the old test but still cool anyways

 

[SavageOne]

Where is it available for $15?

Maybe it was 30, my bad.

 

[schiff]

I applied for the OTS Bid in July and I got the software. It's only $15 and I think that it's pretty useful. Most of the problems are easy to do once you practice it 2 or 3 times. The hardest one for me is the one with the moving dots while answering math questions. Just trying to get it perfectly right as fast as possible is tricky.

I recommend it.

It was $30 when I checked. And for those saying it's just an aptitude test, I get that, but if I have the option to practice (mainly the section where you remove collisions while also having math problems pop up, everything else seems easy) and get comfortable, I know I will feel that much more confident and comfortable going into the actual test. I saw someone else saying either on these forums or reddit that competition would be tough this year and that it would be best to try to get 90 or above on the test. If that is true, I'd rather take every possible action I can to ensure I move on to the next step.

 

[sizziano]

I found it, it was on the StuckMic ATSA guide Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test - AT-SAT

They had two separate "games" that I assume are related and similar to the ATSA

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Simulation Game

Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) Scan Game

Those are from the old test.

 

[ChuckMastaT]

Those are from the old test.

Yeah, I just realized they were from '09 haha

 

[jdatc]

Just do some natpro’s. You’ll be fine.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

Just do some natpro’s. You’ll be fine.

Red Baron go to red five now

 

[Flashy Vectors]

ATCPREP.com is what I used definitely recommend it’s an aptitude test but familiarization is still an advantage.

 

[Sunshine]

I understand. That being said, maybe I'm just looking at it the wrong way.
If I fail the ATSA I don't get to continue. I turn 31 in Jan. That's it. I'm done.
If I pass the evals, but I'm last in my class I still have a job.
I'm focusing more on the possibility of the job overall and not placement at this point. To me, that's kinda putting the cart before the horse.
Again, maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way.

I think you are on the right track. I'd feel the same if I were in your situation. You can live anywhere for a few years and then try to transfer out if you don't like where you start out. Also not everyone has the same top picks for location when leaving the academy.

 

[Roo617]

Any updates anyone? Aviation careers doesn’t seem to respond to emails

 

[ATCHopeful]

Any updates anyone? Aviation careers doesn’t seem to respond to emails

Still received for me, but someone on Reddit said they called HR and HR said they want to have all the applications reviewed by the end of the month. We'll see.

 

[HD-FLO]

Called HR and they told me I'm referred for testing. Expect email with instructions within a couple weeks. My status still says received on USAJOBS. Very excited for the next step 😀

 

[ATCHopeful]

Called HR and they told me I'm referred for testing. Expect email with instructions within a couple weeks. My status still says received on USAJOBS. Very excited for the next step 😀

Congrats. I guess I will call next week to get an update myself.

 

[HD-FLO]

Thanks, I think you will get the same news if USA still says received. Good luck!