London · NATS air traffic control
Applying for an ATC role at Heathrow?
Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 70 million passengers and 470,000 aircraft movements per year. NATS provides air traffic control at Heathrow, and trainee controllers are recruited through NATS's national selection process.
NATS describes Stage 1 as eleven online ability tests covering areas such as spatial awareness, logical thinking, numerical ability, sense of direction and reaction speed, completed online within 14 days. Stage 2 is an online situational judgement test and a listening comprehension test. Stage 3 is a virtual assessment centre and Stage 4 a practical exercise.
The Heathrow environment is one of the most demanding in the world: controllers sequence simultaneous approach streams on two parallel runways while coordinating with the sectors above. NATS doesn't recruit trainees for a particular airport — where you're posted after training depends on NATS's needs.
ATC Practice has 10 original timed practice tests — spatial, numerical and logical reasoning, situational judgement, and fast-paced attention, memory and multitasking tasks — with explanations after each question. They're written to practise the kinds of abilities ATC aptitude tests assess; they aren't the real NATS tests, which NATS doesn't publish.
What's included in ATC Practice
Spatial Reasoning
40 questions · 20 min
Numerical Reasoning
40 questions · 20 min
Logical Reasoning
40 questions · 20 min
Situational Judgement
35 questions · 25 min
NDB Direction
24 questions
Switch — Dual Task
6 rounds
Heathrow Airport — common questions
What does a trainee air traffic controller at NATS earn?
NATS's 2026 rates: a starting package of £34,611.60 a year during basic training (£25,500 basic salary plus a £9,111.60 accommodation allowance), rising to about £37,490–£42,786 during unit training and £50,468–£56,247 once qualified, depending on the unit. Check the NATS careers page for current figures.
How many stages are there in the NATS ATC selection process?
Four: Stage 1 is eleven online ability tests, completed within 14 days. Stage 2 is an online situational judgement test and listening comprehension test. Stage 3 is a virtual assessment centre with an interview, an ATC knowledge test and an observed retest of earlier tests. Stage 4 is a practical exercise, online or at NATS in Whiteley.
About NATS Stage 1 selection
What tests are in the NATS Stage 1 aptitude assessment?
NATS describes Stage 1 as eleven online ability tests covering areas such as spatial awareness, logical thinking, numerical ability, sense of direction and reaction speed, completed online within 14 days and remotely proctored. Stage 2 is an online situational judgement test and an online listening comprehension test, completed within 14 days. NATS doesn't publish the names of the individual tests, how many questions they have, how long each one takes or the pass mark. Timed practice of the same kinds of skills is a good way to feel more prepared.
How competitive is NATS air traffic controller selection?
Trainee places are limited and the process is competitive: you need to pass each stage to move on to the next. If you don't pass a stage, NATS says you can't reapply until its next recruitment campaign.
Do I need experience or a degree to apply?
No. NATS doesn't require a degree or aviation experience. Its requirements are: 18 or over, the unrestricted right to work in the UK, five GCSEs at grade 4 (or Scottish National 5 at A–C) including English and Maths, a CAA Class 3 medical and security clearance.
What does ATC Practice include?
10 original timed practice tests: spatial, numerical and logical reasoning, situational judgement, abstract reasoning, NDB direction, a dual-task exercise, attention, working memory and error checking — with explanations. They practise the kinds of abilities ATC aptitude tests assess; they aren't the real tests. One payment of £20, no subscription.
Start practising for ATC aptitude tests today
One payment of £20 gives you unlimited access to the core ATC aptitude practice simulations, or £34.99 for Complete with five more. No subscription, access never expires.
Get access — from £20↩ 14-day satisfaction guarantee · No subscription