The NATS ATC Situational Judgement Test: What It Assesses and How to Prepare

The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is used in Stage 2 of the NATS ATC selection process. It presents you with realistic workplace scenarios and asks you to select the most appropriate response. This guide explains what the SJT assesses and how to approach it.

What Is a Situational Judgement Test?

An SJT presents a series of short scenarios — typically describing a challenging situation you might face as a trainee or qualified controller — and asks you to rank or select the response options from most to least appropriate.

Unlike aptitude tests, there is no strict right or wrong answer — responses are scored based on how well they align with the professional standards and values NATS looks for in ATC candidates.

What Behaviours Does the NATS SJT Assess?

Based on the NATS competency framework, the SJT is designed to identify candidates who demonstrate:

Safety-first thinking — choosing actions that prioritise the safety of aircraft above all other considerations, including workload, efficiency, and hierarchy.

Clear communication — selecting responses that involve clear, timely, and unambiguous communication with colleagues and pilots.

Workload management — recognising personal limits and communicating them proactively rather than accepting work that compromises safety.

Teamwork — choosing collaborative, professional responses over individual action or avoidance.

Integrity — reporting errors and near-misses honestly, even when this reflects poorly on oneself.

Calm under pressure — selecting methodical, systematic responses rather than reactive or panicked ones.

Common Scenario Types

How to Approach SJT Questions

Always prioritise safety over efficiency, workload or hierarchy. If an option involves immediately addressing a safety concern — even at personal cost or embarrassment — it is almost always the most appropriate choice.

Communicate early and clearly. Options that involve proactive, honest communication are generally scored higher than those that involve waiting, hoping, or acting unilaterally.

Don't act beyond your authority. Trainees who override instructors, or controllers who act without informing supervisors, are almost never the most appropriate option — even if their instinct was correct.

Avoid doing nothing. Options involving passivity — "wait and see", "say nothing" — are almost never the most appropriate in safety-critical scenarios.

How ATC Practice Helps

ATC Practice's Situational Judgement module includes 35 realistic ATC scenarios with detailed explanations for every answer option — explaining not just what the right answer is, but why each alternative is less appropriate. This builds the underlying reasoning rather than just scenario recognition.

Stage 2 also includes an online listening comprehension test. Our guide to the NATS listening comprehension test covers what NATS publishes about it and how to prepare.