FEAST — First European Air traffic controller Selection Test — is a battery developed by EUROCONTROL to help air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and training organisations select candidates for air traffic control training.

FEAST is not one fixed test that every organisation administers identically. EUROCONTROL provides FEAST I, FEAST II and FEAST III components, while the recruiting organisation decides which components it uses and may add other assessments or interviews.

This page explains the test battery. For a preparation workflow centered on EUROCONTROL’s free official practice platform, use FEAST Preparation.

FEAST I

EUROCONTROL describes FEAST I as a set of cognitive ability tests plus an English-language test.

The current candidate site identifies abilities including:

  • decision-making;
  • planning ability;
  • memory;
  • logical reasoning;
  • visual perception;
  • attention;
  • multitasking;
  • spatial orientation;
  • English-language knowledge.

The tests are computer-based and use a keyboard and mouse.

EUROCONTROL says FEAST I takes a minimum of about 2.5 hours and can take up to approximately 4 hours, depending on how many tests the FEAST user organisation includes. Breaks are provided during the session.

Some tasks use multiple choice; others require rapid reactions. EUROCONTROL also warns that candidates may not be able to answer every item, which does not by itself mean they have failed.

FEAST II

Candidates who successfully complete FEAST I may be invited to FEAST II.

EUROCONTROL currently describes FEAST II as one or two more complex work-sample tests designed to measure multitasking ability:

  • RADAR;
  • MULTI-PASS, where used.

The candidate site says the FEAST II battery may contain up to two tests and that the work-sample tests take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours.

No previous air traffic control procedural knowledge is required. EUROCONTROL says the tests are designed for beginners and the task instructions explain what candidates need to know.

FEAST III

Many FEAST user organisations also use the FEAST Personality Questionnaire (FPQ) as part of their selection system.

This is different from the cognitive tests. EUROCONTROL states that there are no right or wrong answers in the same sense and advises candidates to respond naturally and instinctively.

Not every organisation uses FEAST III.

Test-day administration

EUROCONTROL states that FEAST is computer-administered and scored. Before each test, candidates receive instructions, example items and an opportunity to practise a sample question so they understand the task.

Your recruiting organisation controls the location, schedule, component selection and any additional recruitment stages.

Do you need aviation knowledge?

EUROCONTROL says no aviation background is required to pass FEAST. The knowledge needed to complete FEAST tasks is explained in the instructions.

That does not mean you should ignore the ATC profession. Other parts of the recruitment process, especially interviews, may require you to understand the role and organisation you applied to.

Official FEAST preparation

EUROCONTROL provides a free FEAST Training Platform.

Its current FAQ says:

  • the platform covers almost all FEAST I tests;
  • FEAST II tests are not included;
  • training tasks follow the same principles but may differ from the real tests in layout, instructions and details;
  • EUROCONTROL’s platform is the only practice software authorised by EUROCONTROL;
  • commercial FEAST software is not authorised and may be misleading;
  • as a rule of thumb, about eight hours maximum on the training platform is sufficient for familiarisation.

Use FEAST Preparation for a structured preparation plan.

Original skill drills

The following exercises are original JobPracticeTests material. They are not FEAST items and do not reproduce EUROCONTROL’s interface.

Question 1: logical rule

All flights marked R require secondary review. Flight K is marked R.

What follows?

A. Flight K requires secondary review.
B. Every flight requires secondary review.
C. Flight K has already departed.
D. Secondary review is optional.

Answer: A. The stated rule applies to Flight K.

Question 2: working memory

Read once: B4 - T8 - L3 - Q6.

Which pair appeared third?

A. B4
B. T8
C. L3
D. Q6

Answer: C. L3 was third.

Question 3: mental arithmetic

An aircraft covers 84 nautical miles in 42 minutes at a constant average rate. How far does it cover in 15 minutes?

A. 25 nm
B. 30 nm
C. 35 nm
D. 40 nm

Answer: B. 84 ÷ 42 = 2; 2 × 15 = 30.

Question 4: attention rule

A display rule says: “Respond to the red signal before the blue signal unless the blue signal flashes.”

Both signals appear and the blue signal is flashing. Which comes first?

A. Red
B. Blue
C. Neither
D. Either

Answer: B. The exception in the rule applies.

Retesting and passing rules

EUROCONTROL does not impose one universal retest policy for every FEAST user organisation. Its candidate FAQ tells candidates to contact the organisation where they tested because different organisations apply different policies.

Likewise, the recruiting organisation owns your result and feedback policy. EUROCONTROL does not issue a universal FEAST certificate to candidates.

What can come after FEAST?

Passing FEAST does not automatically grant access to ATC training. A FEAST user organisation can add further tests and usually an interview, and its selection process can contain organisation-specific medical, language or other requirements.

Official sources

This guide is independent, non-commercial and based on the current public EUROCONTROL candidate documentation.