Air Traffic Controllers

With the Test Solution “Air Traffic Controllers”, the psychological aptitude of a person for the profession of air traffic controller can be assessed. It is suitable both for testing persons applying for training and for selecting applicants with prior professional experience. Therefore, the selection of test dimensions is based on international standards for testing prospective air traffic controllers (Eurocontrol, FAA), the competencies identified as relevant in the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, 2020), as well as findings from empirical individual studies (Seemüller et al., 2025; Roodbandi et al., 2025; Pecena et al., 2013) and meta-analyses on the relationship between psychometric test results and training success or work performance of air traffic controllers (Mouratille et al., 2022; Martinussen et al., 2000).

Cognitive abilities represent central predictors of training success for air traffic controllers (Mouratille et al., 2022; Seemüller et al., 2025) and generally show significant relationships with training success in technical-operational professions (Bertua et al., 2005). Meta-analyses have shown that spatial visualization ability plays a particularly important role in performance in this field (Mouratille et al., 2022; Martinussen et al., 2000). Experts also rate this ability as especially relevant for successful professional practice (Roodbandi et al., 2025). Accordingly, spatial visualization ability is also assessed in air traffic controller testing such as FEAST (Eurocontrol) and ATSA (FAA).

In addition to spatial visualization ability, quantitative, verbal and logical reasoning abilities are also correlated with the training success of prospective air traffic controllers. While an older meta-analysis found similarly high relationships of mathematical, verbal and general cognitive ability with training and occupational success (Martinussen et al., 2000), a more recent meta-analysis shows that quantitative knowledge correlates more strongly with training success than logical reasoning or verbal knowledge (Mouratille et al., 2022). These abilities can also be linked to the competencies according to the ICAO guidelines for air traffic controller training (2020), such as the importance of communication skills or problem solving abilities.

The profession of air traffic controllers places high demands on individuals: under conditions of high uncertainty and large information volume, rapid and accurate decisions must be made, often with safety-relevant consequences. Therefore, attention, working memory, as well as processing speed and reaction speed, often in the context of multi-tasking, are of high importance. These abilities are demonstrably related to training and occupational success or are considered central by experts (Mouratille et al., 2022; Martinussen et al., 2000; Seemüller et al., 2025; Roodbandi et al., 2025; Pecena et al., 2013) and are therefore regularly tested (FEAST, ATSA). Obtaining an overview can also be considered relevant. This can be viewed in connection with the ICAO (2020) competence definition of situational awareness, according to which effective situational perception consists of understanding the current situation and anticipating future events. Specifically, observable behavior of air traffic controllers is described, among other aspects, by monitoring relevant information, scanning systematically, and integrating the information obtained in order to make well-founded decisions.

In addition to cognitive factors, the relevance of personality is also discussed. While meta-analyses could not identify significant effects (Mouratille et al., 2022; Martinussen et al., 2000), traits such as self-control, persistence and reliability are rated as highly relevant by experts. Eurocontrol also provides an additional personality assessment with FEAST 3.

The Test Solution “Air Traffic Controllers” therefore comprises the following dimensions:

• Reactive stress tolerance (DT)

• Multi-tasking ability (M-TASK), screening: divided attention (TACO)

• Logical reasoning (INT)

• Numerical ability (INT)

• Verbal ability (INT)

• Spatial visualization ability (INT)

• Sustained attention (TACO)

• Working memory (SPAN)

• Obtaining an overview (ATAVT-2)

• Personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, emotional stability (FCB5)

The table below provides a complete overview of the specific weightings of the individual tests used to calculate the overall score for the Test Solution “Air Traffic Controllers”. For the weightings used to calculate the overall score, the best available effect sizes with regard to criterion validity were identified, taking into account results from validation studies and meta-analyses in the area of training and occupational success of air traffic controllers. Further information on the calculation and interpretation of the result of a testing can be found on the page: Notes on evaluation and interpretation

A standard form and a time-efficient screening form are available. The standard form covers the complete ability and personality profile and is intended for comprehensive aptitude testing. The screening form focuses on the central cognitive dimensions (spatial visualization ability, numerical ability and divided attention), as well as the relevant personality traits; for multi-tasking ability no parallel form exists, therefore practice effects and familiarization with the material cannot be ruled out in open mode administration, and thus the convergently valid dimension divided attention is administered. The test duration is approximately 129 minutes for the standard form and 38 minutes for the screening form.

References can be found here: Literature