What Is the FEAST Test?
The First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test (FEAST) is a selection test taken by candidates for air traffic controller jobs. The test is developed and administered by Eurocontrol.
The full version of the test consists of 3 subtests:
- FEAST I – a collection of 13 cognitive ability tests + an English assessment. Takes 2.5 – 4 hours.
- FEAST II – two interactive tests focused on multitasking – Multipass and Radar (DART). Takes 1.5 – 2 hours.
- FEAST III – a personality profiling test. Takes 45 minutes.
Note that each Air Navigation Service Provider may use different subtests of the full test.
Test Structure and Question Format
Let’s briefly review each of the 3 FEAST subtests.
FEAST I
The FEAST I test contains 13 test modules, which can roughly be divided into 3 categories:
- Attention and Multitasking (4 tests)
- Memory (4 tests)
- Spatial Reasoning and Orientation (5 tests)
In addition to these tests, you will take an English Language Listening and Comprehension Test (ELICIT). As we’ve mentioned, the exact composition of tests may vary between different employers.
You will have 10 minutes recess between each test module.
We’ll cover the 13 tests here briefly here. For more information and sample questions, check out the FEAST I section.
Note: The names of the 13 FEAST I tests given here are not the official names, as Eurocontrol does not reveal them. Different info sources on the web may use different names.
Attention and Multitasking Tests
This FEAST I test category contains 4 tests, all assess your ability to pay attention to detail, maintain focus under distractions, and multitask.
- Awareness Test – pay close attention and identify when a constantly moving dot makes an irregular move.
- Divided Attention Test – assesses your ability to concentrate and divide attention. You are required to recognize when an event occurs in one of multiple screens.
- Multi Attention Test – this test is an extension of the Divided Attention Test and incorporates visual and auditory input simultaneously. At the same time, you are requested to solve math exercises.
- Spot Visual Conflicts – assesses your ability to pay attention to minute details and predict possible collisions.
Memory Tests
The 4 tests in this category focus on short-term memory.
- Memorize Instruments – Recall the state of a specific flight instrument based on an image of instruments previously presented.
- Memorize Pictograms – This drill is similar to Memorize Instruments, but this time using abstract shapes.
- Recall Numbers – Recall large numbers that are read aloud.
- Rules Application – understand the rules that govern relationships between numbers and shapes, and match pairs accordingly.
Spatial Reasoning and Orientation Tests
The 5 tests in this category of FEAST I deal with your ability to visualize and orient yourself using diagrams.
- Air Traffic Planning Test – Apply a given set of rules to plan the correct order for airplanes to land or take off.
- Coordinate System Test – This test assesses your ability to navigate through a coordinate system using distance and direction.
- Folded Cubes Test – This classic visualization test requires you to match folded and unfolded cubes.
- Matching Familiar Figures Test – The Matching Familiar Figures Test assesses both visual perception skills and attention span, with a series of fast-paced decisions based on visual data.
- Right-Left Orientation Test – Determine the relative location of objects within seconds in a highly quick decision-making sequence.
Read more about FEAST I
FEAST II
The FEAST II test contains two separate tests that focus on your ability to multitask:
- RADAR Test – navigate aircrafts safely on a radar screen.
- Multipass Test – taking charge of all air traffic in a given area – prevent conflicts and hand aircrafts over properly.
The RADAR Test is always part of FEAST II, yet you may or may not take the Multipass test, depending on your employer.
According to Eurocontrol, the test provider, these tests do not require any previous knowledge in air traffic controlling. However, they do emulate the working environment of an ATC.
Read more about FEAST II
FEAST III (FPQ)
The FEAST Personality Questionnaire (FPQ) is an additional option employers may add to the air traffic controller hiring process.
It contains a large number of statements, and you will be requested to rank how well these statements describe you, on a scale of 1-5.
The aim of the personality questionnaire is to assess whether your behavioral traits are suitable for working as an ATC. Naturally, employers will look at things like attention to detail, accountability, teamwork, adherence to rules and procedures, etc.
What Does the FEAST Test Measure?
The 3 FEAST subtests aim to create a full image of a candidate on which hiring decision can be based. This image includes:
- Cognitive skills – memory, spatial reasoning, vigilance, English
- Multitasking ability
- Personality profile
Who Uses the FEAST Test?
The FEAST Test is used by multiple Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) across Europe and worldwide. Major ANSPs using the FEAST test are:
- Canada – NAV Canada
- UK – Global ATS
- Germany – DFS-Aviation Services, GRA, GAF
- UAE – DANS
- Italy – ENAV
- Romania – Romatsa
- Singapore – CAA Singapore
FEAST I
Let’s go over each of the 13 tests of FEAST I in detail.
Attention and Multitasking Tests
Awareness Test
In the Awareness Test, a dot moves along a circle. Occasionally, the dot will make a “double jump” (move two steps instead of one). Your task is to indicate whenever this happens by clicking a button.
Divided Attention Test
In this test, you will be presented with several screens, on which a bar and a dot randomly circulate. Your job is to identify any collision between the bar and the dot and indicate the screen number in which this collision happened.
Multi Attention Test
This test is the most challenging in terms of divided attention. You are required to perform 3 separate actions simultaneously:
- Determine whether two constantly changing shapes are identical.
- Determine whether given math exercises are correct or not.
- Respond to random sound cues.
Spot Visual Conflicts
This test presents you with images containing a large number of trianUI5TGgles facing in various directions. Your task is to indicate whether there are any two triangles exactly facing each other (Conflict) or not (No Conflict).
Memory Tests
Memorize Instruments
You will be presented with a set of flight instruments with various data. After a few seconds to memorize, you will be shown various options for one of the instruments, and will need to recall the previously shown data.
Memorize Pictograms
This test will first present you with a basic shape to memorize. Then, you will need to recall that shape from a variety of very similar shapes. The test will constantly switch between this task and simple math exercises to increase challenge.
Recall Numbers
In this test, a sentence containing a large number will be read aloud once. You need to memorize the number and correctly choose it from the given options a moment later.
Rules Application
This test assesses your concentration and memory by measuring your ability to apply rules and coming to correct conclusions.
You will be presented with a set of rules that determine matching pairs of shapes or numbers. You will then be asked to match a shape to its pair according to these rules. The rules may change during the test.
Spatial Reasoning and Orientation
Air Traffic Planning Test
This is probably the most challenging test of all 13 tests on the FEAST I. In it, you are given a set of rules, and you need to plan the landings and takeoffs of aircrafts accordingly.
The task takes place on an abstract map of points connected by tracks.
Examples of Rules
- Only aircrafts below/above a given speed can land.
- Airplanes closer to the runway will land first.
- Faster airplanes will land first.
Coordinate System Test
This multiple-choice test will present an image of a coordinate system with various points (aircrafts and destinations). You will be required to distance, heading, and rotation angles between given points.
Folded Cubes Test
This is a classic test of spatial reasoning. You will be presented with an image of an unfolded cube, followed by several standard cubes. Your task is to pick the cube that accurately represents how the unfolded one looks like when folded. Arrows will sometimes be added to the cubes to increase the challenge. 45°
Matching Familiar Figures Test
This test is a variation of the classic MFFT. It assesses visual perception and impulsivity through a series of tasks in which you need to compare a set of given shapes to a reference one and determine whether they are equal.
The main variation is that equity may be determined by specific rules, not only by visual match.
Right-Left Orientation
In this test you will be shown a quickly changing set of images. Each image depicts a character with a shape on each side. Your task is to quickly determine on which side of the character the requested shape appears.
FEAST II
These are the 2 multitasking tests you will go through on the FEAST II test:
FEAST RADAR Test
On this test (also known as DART test) you are required to navigate several aircrafts safely according to information on a radar screen. To avoid any conflicts, you will direct the aircrafts to change their altitude and/or heading.
FEAST Multipass Test
This test tries to emulate the actual work of an ATC. You are in charge of controlling and navigating air traffic and required to hand aircrafts over safely and on time. You will need to resolve conflicts and occasionally attend to brief sequences of information through the radio (audio tasks).
