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

[HD-FLO]

Just took the ATSA today and the computer was not registering my responses for the radar portion. Just kept running and crashing balls together no matter how many times I hit the number keys. I notified the proctor and they could do nothing to pause or restart that section. Very depressing I did not get a fair assessment of my ability due to computer malfunction . I submitted a formal complaint with PSI and they are reviewing my case for retesting. Any other advice?

 

[Stinger]

Just took the ATSA today and the computer was not registering my responses for the radar portion. Just kept running and crashing balls together no matter how many times I hit the number keys. I notified the proctor and they could do nothing to pause or restart that section. Very depressing I did not get a fair assessment of my ability due to computer malfunction . I submitted a formal complaint with PSI and they are reviewing my case for retesting. Any other advice?

On Monday call Aviation Careers. FAA website was down for maintenance, so there's a number of people that have had issues today.

EDIT: I'm just going off a couple reddit posts, not sure if it's really the FAA website having an issue or the PSI equipment. Either way, you're not alone.

 

[HD-FLO]

On Monday call Aviation Careers. FAA website was down for maintenance, so there's a number of people that have had issues today.

EDIT: I'm just going off a couple reddit posts, not sure if it's really the FAA website having an issue or the PSI equipment. Either way, you're not alone.

Thanks, I was planning on giving them the call. The guy next to me had his screen cut off halfway through last section of his test. I’m not very happy with PSI. Hopefully they will make things right.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

PSI likely has no idea when FAA maintenance is scheduled and likewise FAA has no idea when PSI has tests scheduled. Being that this is close to the end of the testing period I'd venture a guess it's going to take a lot of effort on your part to be able to retest, if you're allowed at all.

 

[LEAD004]

Back in 2014 when I took the ATSAT my computer stopped working (key strokes) during the Letter Factory portion of the test. I immediately got up during the test and walked over to the proctor to tell them what was going on. The gentleman came over to my computer, gave it a look and then told me to go to the next sections and finish it up, but that he’d note who I was and what computer station it was and make a phone call. When I finished doing the whole thing he told me I could come back the following day to redo the entire thing because there’s no way to redo one section. I went back the following day and redid it all. My advice to anyone scheduling their tests (I know it’s a different test now) is to try and schedule yours for the first day (there were 3 different days I could have tested in that same location) because if you have something weird happen then you have other options potentially. Try not to schedule yours on the last day just in case.. they may tell you your SOL and then your exam is shot.

 

[HD-FLO]

PSI called a few hours back and said they have forwarded it to a department for review and request retest. I’m supposed to hear back tomorrow. I had to call and wait on hold for hours for a supervisor but well worth the time and effort if I end up getting to redo that one section. The first radar run stopped responding halfway thru the run. I was just hitting numbers and nothing.. got proctors attention and she noted it too. Thankfully the second run w the math worked after but I still want to redo that first one. I wanted to pull my hair out helplessly watching those balls fly around.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

PSI called a few hours back and said they have forwarded it to a department for review and request retest. I’m supposed to hear back tomorrow. I had to call and wait on hold for hours for a supervisor but well worth the time and effort if I end up getting to redo that one section. The first radar run stopped responding halfway thru the run. I was just hitting numbers and nothing.. got proctors attention and she noted it too. Thankfully the second run w the math worked after but I still want to redo that first one. I wanted to pull my hair out helplessly watching those balls fly around.

You can't redo one section. It's all or nothing

 

[Theow3n]

HD-FLO is it possible you hit the Num Lock key at any point instead of 7?

 

[Deejay4rmDaBoot]

HD-FLO is it possible you hit the Num Lock key at any point instead of 7?

Ya never know, psi gets paid alotta money to give multiple test so I would think they inspect all their keyboards and computers before each test. Plus I assume everyone did the practice before your test so you would know if there was a problem with the keys before hand ??‍♂️

 

[Theow3n]

Ya never know, psi gets paid alotta money to give multiple test so I would think they inspect all their keyboards and computers before each test. Plus I assume everyone did the practice before your test so you would know if there was a problem with the keys before hand ??‍♂️

I only know from experience but I quickly figured out what I did, but if Num Lock is pressed no answers will register.

 

[Reztrop]

I just took the AT-SA in Knoxville on Saturday. On the first section of part two my test randomly quit on me. I had three questions remaining with 5 minutes to spare. It just went back to the screen that showed I had completed the first part and was ready to start the "most like me, least like me" section. Just wondering if anyone else had this happen?

 

[HD-FLO]

The loose overlay around the answer key kept sticking to my finger so perhaps number lock was inadvertently pressed. I can not believe it was loosely payed on keyboard without being taped. And no mention of numlock issue in instructions. Terrible test design. I also hated how the math answers were f keys(very confusing when you are rushing and the answers are a b c d). HR told me to email them and should be able to get test rescheduled.

 

[OKbusyB]

If you guys are stressing out about one key on a keyboard, have fun with the ERAM keyboard...

 

[Deejay4rmDaBoot]

Moral of the story is... Test early= No problems ?versus Test at end of window= out of Luck??‍♂️

 

[HD-FLO]

Let’s put a key that will lock out the answers right next to we’re you are quickly typing with all your attention focused on the screen in a timed evolution with no way to pause. Great thinking PSI

 

[Deejay4rmDaBoot]

Let’s put a key that will lock out the answers right next to we’re you are quickly typing with all your attention focused on the screen in a timed evolution with no way to pause. Great thinking PSI

I'm not understanding, so was it your fault or PSI equipment not working. The amount of people claiming faulty stuff happening is absurd right now. I could see one or two people something going bad but everyone who taking the test now has a issue i.e. my screen blacked out, my keys weren't responding, etc...These people give important life changing test all year every year so I know someone has to inspect the computers if not before every test at least every 2-3 test given, that said these computers are not used on a daily basis so the chances of something going wrong are very small. It baffles me ?

 

[yoboiconnor]

Each practice test should also show you if the keys are working properly. I spent quite a few minutes on the practices just to get familiar with the odd keys they use.

 

[HD-FLO]

There are major design flaws with the testing. You would have a major advantage coming in if you use a keyboard that has the number key to the side. Having function buttons represent lettered answers. Loose paper overlays on keyboard itself. My keyboard and mouse were very dirty/sticky. It is all ridiculous because it has nothing to do w ATC. How familiar you are w a keyboard layout and/or items placed on keyboard unsecured should not give you an advantage/disadvantage on an aptitude test. Plus having a button that locks the ability to input answers right next to valid answer keys is just plain stupid. Not to mention they prevent the test monitor from being able to pause the scenario to trouble shoot.

 

[HD-FLO]

I'm not understanding, so was it your fault or PSI equipment not working. The amount of people claiming faulty stuff happening is absurd right now. I could see one or two people something going bad but everyone who taking the test now has a issue i.e. my screen blacked out, my keys weren't responding, etc...These people give important life changing test all year every year so I know someone has to inspect the computers if not before every test at least every 2-3 test given, that said these computers are not used on a daily basis so the chances of something going wrong are very small. It baffles me ?

I don’t know if it was the key or another issue for me but when someone mentioned number lock issue for themselves the thought of how terrible an idea to use that section of the keyboard came to mind. Seriously like have a killswitch in your car next to the blinker light. FAA candidates deserve better.

 

[Deejay4rmDaBoot]

I don’t know if it was the key or another issue for me but when someone mentioned number lock issue for themselves the thought of how terrible an idea to use that section of the keyboard came to mind. Seriously like have a killswitch in your car next to the blinker light. FAA candidates deserve better.

True, but this is life and life is unfair... all you can do is hope the next poor soul had a harder time than yourself but even then nothing is guaranteed its one step fwd and three hops back