Free ATSA Practice Test: Realistic Sample Questions & Answers

Welcome to our free ATSA practice test (Air Traffic Controller Test).

This sample test was designed to give you a taste of some of the exam’s sections. The practice questions closely follow the format and structure of the actual questions. Additionally, they are coupled with detailed solutions so you can understand the logic behind each correct answer.

The free practice test covers three ATSA subtests: Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Personality Test.

To take practice tests simulating the gamified subtests – ATC Radar Simulation, Memory Games 1 & 2, and Spatial/Visual Relationship, visit this comprehensive guide.

ATSA Logical Reasoning Practice Questions

Most of the questions in this test section are “seating arrangement” questions (the other types are Graphs & Charts and Syllogisms).

These questions require you to arrange certain items or persons according to a set of given rules regarding their placements.

This subtest is considered extremely difficult for these four reasons:

You have only 80 seconds to answer each question.
You’re not allowed to use scratch paper.
You can’t leave an answer blank and return to it later.
You’ll get penalized for not answering all questions.

(Check this guide to see what are the other three difficult ATSA subtests)

Practice Question #1

Four teams – the Alphas, the Betas, the Gammas, and the Deltas – participate in a charity fundraiser event. Each team consists of one leader and one co-leader. Some of the team leaders and co-leaders are volunteering to set up the event.

The following rules are known about the volunteers:

– When a leader volunteers, their co-leader volunteers too.
– At least two co-leaders and one leader are volunteering.
– The Alpha leader volunteers only if the Delta co-leader volunteers.
– If both the Alpha leader and co-leader are volunteering, then the Beta co-leader is not volunteering.

What is the maximum number of volunteers for the event setup?

A. Four
B. Five
C. Six
D. Seven
E. Eight

Correct Answer: D. Seven

The rules translate as follows:

When a leader volunteers, their co-leader volunteers too, meaning if any leader volunteers, it automatically counts as two volunteers.
At least two co-leaders and one leader are volunteering, which means there are at least three volunteers.
The Alpha leader volunteers only if the Delta co-leader volunteers. So, if the Delta co-leader volunteers, it automatically includes the Delta leader and the Alpha leader (because when a leader volunteers, their co-leader volunteers too).
If both the Alpha leader and co-leader are volunteering, then the Beta co-leader is not volunteering. This means if the Alphas volunteer, only one of the Betas can volunteer, either the leader or co-leader, but not both.

To maximize the number of volunteers, the Delta co-leader volunteers (bringing in the Delta leader), the Alpha leader (who can volunteer because the Delta co-leader is volunteering), the Alpha co-leader (because when a leader volunteers, their co-leader volunteers too), and the Gammas (both leader and co-leader, because when a leader volunteers, their co-leader volunteers too).

That’s a total of seven volunteers:

Delta Leader
Delta Co-Leader
Alpha Leader
Alpha Co-Leader
Gamma Leader
Gamma Co-Leader
One of the Betas (either the Leader or Co-Leader)

So, the maximum number of volunteers for the event setup is seven.

Practice Question #2

For a two-day Science event at a local middle school, exactly six out of eight scientists with different specializations – Botanist, Geologist, Meteorologist, Neurologist, Ornithologist, Paleontologist, Quantum physicist, and Zoologist – are chosen to introduce their fields to the students.
On each day, three different scientists will present in three different time slots – morning, mid-day, and afternoon, subject to the following conditions: The Botanist can only present on day 2.
The Geologist and the Paleontologist cannot present in mid-day. If the Geologist presents on day 1, then the Quantum physicist and the Zoologist present on day 2. The Neurologist and the Meteorologist will not present on the same day. If both the Neurologist and the Paleontologist are presenting, then the Neurologist presents sometime before the Paleontologist.

If the Botanist and the Geologist presented in the afternoon, then which one of the following could be the other two scientists to present on day 1?

A. Neurologist, Paleontologist
B. Meteorologist, Ornithologist
C. Quantum physicist, Neurologist
D. Zoologist, Meteorologist
E. Neurologist, Meteorologist

Correct Answer: B. Meteorologist, Ornithologist

From the conditions, we can infer:

The Botanist presents on Day 2, and the Geologist cannot present in mid-day. So, the Geologist must present on Day 1 in the afternoon slot.
If the Geologist presents on Day 1, then the Quantum physicist and the Zoologist present on Day 2. So, they cannot present on Day 1.
The Neurologist and the Meteorologist will not present on the same day. So if one of them presents on Day 1, the other has to present on Day 2. But since only two slots are available on Day 2 (morning and mid-day), which the Quantum physicist and Zoologist already occupy, neither the Neurologist nor the Meteorologist can present on Day 2. So, they both have to present on Day 1.
The Paleontologist cannot present in mid-day. But since the Geologist already occupies the afternoon slot on Day 1, the Paleontologist cannot present on Day 1.
The Ornithologist has no specific restrictions and can therefore present on either day.

So, the only scientists left who can present on Day 1 are the Meteorologist and the Ornithologist, corresponding to option B.

Day 1:

Time Slot	Scientist
Morning	Meteorologist
Mid-day	Ornithologist
Afternoon	Geologist

Day 2:

Time Slot	Scientist
Morning	Quantum physicist
Mid-day	Zoologist
Afternoon	Botanist

Practice Question #3

There are 5 objects in different shapes on the children’s shelf. Square, Circle, Triangle, Hexagon, and Pentagon. The Square should be next to the Triangle, and the Circle should be next to the Hexagon. However, the Hexagon is not next to the Pentagon, which is on the far right. The Triangle is in the second spot from the left. The Square is to the left of the Triangle and Pentagon. The Square and the Circle are next to each other.

In which position is the Square?

A. Between Triangle and Pentagon
B. Between Triangle and Hexagon
C. Between Pentagon and Circle
D. Between Circle and Triangle

Correct Answer: D. Between Circle and Triangle

Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Position 5
Circle	Square	Triangle	Hexagon	Pentagon

The Pentagon is on the far right (rule 4), so it’s in Position 5.
The Hexagon is not next to the Pentagon (rule 3), so it can’t be in Position 4. Given that the Circle should be next to the Hexagon (rule 2), the Hexagon and Circle should be in Positions 3 and 4.
However, the Square is to the left of the Triangle and Pentagon (rule 6) and should be next to the Triangle (rule 1). Since the Triangle is in the second spot from the left (rule 5), it should be in Position 3. Hence the Hexagon is in Position 4, and the Circle is in Position 1.
The Square is next to the Triangle (rule 1) and also next to the Circle (rule 7), so it should be in Position 2, between the Circle (Position 1) and the Triangle (Position 3).

Therefore, the Square is in Position 2, between the Circle and the Triangle (Option D).

Practice Question #4

Chemistry class is 90 minutes long, and Physics class is 120 minutes long. Alex attends both Chemistry and Physics classes. Sam never attends Chemistry class. Sam is a student in Biology. Alex missed Physics class today due to a dentist appointment.

Which statement must be true?

A. Biology students never attend 90-minute long classes.
B. Alex sometimes attends Physics, but not Sam.
C. Sam had a Physics class earlier this week.
D. Alex is a student in Biology.
E. Alex had a toothache today.

The correct answer is B. Alex sometimes attends Physics, but not Sam.

Based on the given information:

Chemistry class is 90 minutes long, and Physics class is 120 minutes long.
Alex attends both Chemistry and Physics classes.
Sam never attends Chemistry class.
Sam is a student in Biology.
Alex missed Physics class today due to a dentist appointment.

It is clear that Sam doesn’t attend Physics class (since it is not mentioned), and Alex sometimes does (since he attends both classes and missed today due to a dentist appointment). Therefore, option B “Alex sometimes attends Physics, but not Sam,” must be true. None of the other options can be definitively proven true based on the given information.

Practice Question #5

The new environmental regulations state that protective gear must be worn and secured, and a pollution sensor must always be active while operating within the factory. The use of other protective devices would be prioritized according to the previous hazard level regulations and in accordance with the factory’s safety officer’s daily instructions. On days of high pollution forecast, maximum protective wear should be implemented inside and within a 200 meters external radius outside the factory with no exception.

Read the following statement and choose the correct answer.

During a high pollution forecast, maximum protective devices must be worn when operating at a distance of 250 meters outside the factory.

A. True
B. False
C. Cannot Say

The correct answer is B. False.

Explanation:

The given information states: “On days of high pollution forecast, maximum protective wear should be implemented inside as well as within a 200 meters external radius outside the factory with no exception.”

This implies that during a high pollution forecast, maximal protective devices must be worn within a radius of 200 meters outside the factory. Thus, the statement that maximal protective devices must be worn when operating at a distance of 250 meters outside the factory is false because it exceeds the specified radius of 200 meters. Therefore, the answer is B. False.

Take 9 additional ATSA Logical Reasoning practice tests on this page.

ATSA Reading Comprehension Practice Questions

This subtest is designed to assess your verbal reasoning skills.

You are asked to mark a single correct answer out of the four possible choices.

Your answers must be based solely on the information provided rather than your previous assumptions and general knowledge.

Questions may address a specific subject that was introduced in the passage. Alternatively, they may pose a question in a variety of phrasings:

The author most likely agrees with all of the following except:
Which of the following claims is best supported by the passage?
Which conclusion can be drawn from the passage?

Practice Question #1

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are two leading carriers operating out of the United States, with overlapping routes in over 100 cities. Due to U.S. anti-trust laws, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has blocked the proposed acquisition of Delta Air Lines by American Airlines. A market analysis revealed a negligible chance of any new airline entering the market after the acquisition. American Airlines suggested multiple solutions, including the divestiture of Delta’s 80 overlapping routes to Southwest Airlines and the relinquishment of landing slots to United Airlines at Los Angeles and Chicago airports. However, the FTC concluded that these measures were insufficient, given Southwest’s existing market size and status in the aviation industry.

Based on the passage, why was the proposed acquisition blocked?

A. To maintain market competition
B. To promote economic stability in the U.S.
C. To encourage the entry of a new airline into the market
D. To facilitate the growth of smaller airlines

The correct answer is (A) – To maintain market competition.

The proposed acquisition of Delta Air Lines by American Airlines was blocked by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chairman due to U.S. anti-trust laws. The passage states that there is a negligible chance of any new airline entering the market after the acquisition.

American Airlines suggested some solutions to address this concern, such as divesting Delta’s 80 overlapping routes to Southwest Airlines and relinquishing landing slots to United Airlines at Los Angeles and Chicago airports.

However, the FTC determined that these measures were insufficient because of Southwest’s existing market size and status in the aviation industry.

Based on this information, the reason the proposed acquisition was blocked was to maintain market competition. This can be inferred from the fact that the FTC concluded the suggested measures were insufficient because Southwest Airlines already had a significant market size and status.

By blocking the acquisition, the FTC aimed to prevent a reduction in competition by keeping two leading carriers, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, as separate entities.

Practice Question #2

A pharmaceutical company recently conducted a clinical trial for a new experimental drug aimed at treating a rare neurological disorder. The trial involved a control group receiving a placebo and an experimental group receiving the actual drug. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in the symptoms of the experimental group compared to the control group. However, some critics argue that the trial’s sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions about the drug’s effectiveness. They claim a larger sample size is necessary to account for potential variations and ensure reliable and generalizable results. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of conducting further studies to validate the initial findings before making any conclusive claims about the drug’s efficacy.

What is one potential limitation of the clinical trial mentioned in the passage?

A. Insufficient sample size for drawing definitive conclusions
B. Lack of control group in the study
C. Inadequate statistical analysis of the trial data
D. Lack of diversity in the participants

The correct answer is (A) – Insufficient sample size for drawing definitive conclusions.

The passage states that critics argue the trial’s sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions about the drug’s effectiveness. A small sample size may not adequately represent the broader population affected by the rare neurological disorder. With a limited number of participants, the results may be subject to chance variations or bias, making it challenging to accurately generalize the findings to a larger population.

A larger sample size helps to mitigate the effects of random variation and provides more robust statistical power for drawing meaningful conclusions. By including a more significant number of participants, researchers can increase the reliability and validity of their findings, leading to more confident conclusions about the drug’s effectiveness.

Practice Question #3

In an effort to promote renewable energy sources, the government is considering implementing a subsidy program for residential solar panels. The program would provide financial incentives and tax benefits to homeowners who install solar panels on their properties. Proponents of the program argue that it would encourage the adoption of clean energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute to a more sustainable future. However, some critics raise concerns about the potential drawbacks of such a subsidy program. They believe that it may lead to increased government spending and place an additional burden on taxpayers. Additionally, they argue that the program may primarily benefit wealthier homeowners who can afford the upfront solar panel installation costs.

What is one potential negative consequence of implementing a subsidy program for residential solar panels?

A. Increased government spending on renewable energy initiatives
B. Accelerated adoption of clean energy sources
C. Reduction in taxpayer burden
D. Widening socioeconomic disparities in accessing solar energy

The correct answer is (D) – Widening socioeconomic disparities in accessing solar energy.

The passage mentions that critics raise concerns about the subsidy program primarily benefiting wealthier homeowners who can afford the upfront solar panel installation costs. This suggests the program may inadvertently contribute to widening socioeconomic disparities in accessing solar energy. Lower-income households may benefit the most from reduced energy costs and face barriers due to financial limitations.

By providing subsidies and incentives, the program may lead to increased adoption of solar panels among homeowners who can already afford them, further exacerbating existing inequalities in accessing renewable energy resources. This could result in an unequal distribution of the benefits of clean energy and hinder efforts toward achieving broader societal sustainability.

Take 7 additional ATSA Reading Comprehension practice tests on this page.

ATSA Personality Practice Questions

On the ATSA personality test, each question consists of a block of statements. Read the statements, and try to think if you identify with them in a workplace.

For each question, please allocate one statement to ‘Most like me’ and one to ‘Least like me’, thus leaving one statement to ‘Neutral’.

Practice Question #1

I value being with others	Most	Least
I abide by guidelines and legislation	Most	Least
I am self-assured with new contacts	Most	Least

Most Like Me

Recommended Statement: I am self-assured with new contacts

Social Confidence when encountering new contacts represents the team and the organization positively. These team members can also step up when the manager takes the lead with customers and stakeholders. This is thus a highly desirable dimension.

Neutral

Recommended Statement: I abide by guidelines and legislation

Rules help ensure work is completed correctly and diligently while providing guidelines for the equitable treatment of employees. Although extreme levels of the Rule Following Dimension are not positive, a moderate representation of a candidate’s score is desirable.

Least Like Me

Recommended Statement: I value being with others

It would be harmonious if the affiliative leader/team member could be defined in one word. They portray their leadership by facilitating harmony and conflict resolution among team members. Their goal is to build groups that work well together in achieving the deliverables set forth by the organization, which includes the highest quality customer experience possible.

However, their motivation is not just concerned with meeting performance standards, but they are sincerely interested in ensuring co-workers feel engaged with one another. This leadership style is thus favorable to many employees, and this type of candidate is often recruited to inspire team building and build employee morale.

Practice Question #2

I base judgments on statistics and evidence	Most	Least
I strategize in advance	Most	Least
I am more chatty than most	Most	Least

Most Like Me

Recommended Statement: I base judgments on statistics and evidence

Having a strong grasp of data save time: There is no need to rely on others to pull data, make dashboards, automate simple tasks, and derive insights.

Likewise, without the analytical skills needed to make appropriate data-driven decisions, it can be very easy to make wrong decisions that are very costly to an organization in terms of time and money. These skills are particularly valued in government and regulatory settings.

Neutral

Recommended Statement: I strategize in advance

Forward-thinking staff are the ones that move ahead. They’re innovative, proactive rather than reactive, leading their field. This occurs because they decide what to achieve and stay laser-focused on the task.

Recruiting forward-thinking employees is an asset to ensure positive cultural influence and balance in a reactive environment where task delivery is stalled and nothing new is being accomplished. Government and regulatory environments thrive when there is a balance between current priorities and a future focus.

Least Like Me

Recommended Statement: I am more chatty than most

Extroversion is being outgoing and directing attention to things other than yourself. It’s characterized by sociability, assertiveness, talkativeness, and excitability. Individuals high in extroversion seek social interaction and love engaging with others.

Being able to converse comfortably in various settings is a strong and desirable quality for managers and team members. This is not to say it is advisable for all team members to be extroverts, as many introverts work hard on demonstrating excellent social conversation and, in time, come to enjoy it. This quality will be awarded an average overall score across the questionnaire in other questions.

Practice Question #3

I set challenging targets	Most	Least
I am discreet about my successes	Most	Least
I consider it a high priority to be on top	Most	Least

Most Like Me

Recommended Statement: I set challenging targets

The optimal workplace goals for achieving the best performance outcomes are realistic and challenging. This gives an individual a feeling of pride and triumph when he attains them and sets him up to attain the next goal. The more challenging the goal, the greater the reward generally, and the more passion is evoked for achieving it.

Neutral

Recommended Statement: I consider it a high priority to be on top

Healthy workplace competition can be beneficial because it too can help bring out the best in people. It helps them grow, accept defeat, and learn humility.

It also promotes creativity and often leads to innovation. Research by the Academy of Management suggests that the right type of competition can motivate employees, drive them to put in more effort and achieve greater results.

Least Like Me

Recommended Statement: I am discreet about my successes

While sharing too many successes at once with your colleagues can seem like you’re bragging, conversely, not sharing enough may prevent people from knowing about your exceptional abilities.

Striking a balance between oversharing and under-sharing is the key, that is, sharing your wins without alienating your audience and making it a priority to be interested in there’s. Though it is a workplace issue to consider, being modest (discreet about your successes) is not highly relevant to selection activities.

Take 33 additional personality practice tests on this page.

Don’t Stop Here – Continue Practicing for the Gamified Subtests

Since the sample test you just completed covers three sections of the ATSA, practicing for the other four challenging subtests is vital.

These are the gamified subtests – ATC Collision Simulation, Memory Games 1 & 2, and Spatial/Visual Relationship.

There are no other “formal” study materials for these four subtests except for practice simulations that look and feel like the actual test.

This site provides several sample questions for these gamified tests and a comprehensive preparation course that mirrors the entire test.

Now, all that’s left is to practice as much as possible for all seven subtests, arrive in the best mental shape possible, and ace the ATSA test!