The NATS Aptitude Test
What the NATS selection process for trainee air traffic controllers involves, according to NATS — plus free, original practice for the abilities it covers: spatial, numerical and logical reasoning and situational judgement.
Independent practice site, not affiliated with or endorsed by NATS, Aon, EUROCONTROL or the CAA. Our questions are original, written to practise the abilities these assessments cover — they are not the real tests. FEAST is a trademark of EUROCONTROL. Always confirm the current selection process on the official NATS careers website.
What is the NATS aptitude test?
The NATS aptitude test is the Stage 1 online assessment for trainee air traffic controllers with NATS: 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. It shortlists candidates before the later stages.
NATS (National Air Traffic Services) is the UK’s main air traffic control provider, and its trainee air traffic controller scheme is one of the most competitive graduate-level routes in the country. The NATS aptitude test is the first hurdle: an online set of timed tests that screens applicants before the later, air-traffic-specific assessment stages.
The test isn’t about aviation knowledge — you don’t need any to apply. Instead it measures the raw mental skills the job depends on: holding and manipulating information in your head, working with numbers quickly and accurately, spotting patterns and rules, and making sound decisions under time pressure. Because those skills can be sharpened, focused practice can help.
Practice areas
Abilities to practise for NATS
NATS doesn't publish its individual tests. These practice areas cover the kinds of ability it describes, each with a free demo of our original questions.
Spatial reasoning
Mentally rotating and positioning objects and directions — the skill most directly linked to managing traffic in three dimensions.
Try the free spatial reasoning demo →Numerical reasoning
Fast, accurate work with percentages, ratios, time, speed and distance, often against a tight clock — practise mental arithmetic, as NATS doesn't publish its calculator rules.
Try the free numerical reasoning demo →Logical (abstract) reasoning
Spotting the rule or pattern in sequences of shapes or symbols and applying it correctly at speed.
Try the free logical (abstract) reasoning demo →Situational judgement
Choosing the safest, most procedure-led response to realistic workplace scenarios — judgement matters as much as ability.
Try the free situational judgement demo →Abstract reasoning
Working out the hidden rule two reference grids share, then picking the grids that follow it — non-verbal, pattern-based inductive reasoning practice.
Try the free abstract reasoning demo →The Stage 1 tests are completed online within a 14-day window. Later stages add a listening test, an air traffic control knowledge test and a practical exercise. Applying to a European provider instead? Many use the Eurocontrol FEAST, a different set of tests. See all free NATS practice test demos.
Practice questions
Try four real practice questions
One from each ability NATS assesses, taken from our own timed tests. Pick an answer to see whether you were right and why. These are original questions written for the same abilities — not the real NATS tests, which are not published.
Spatial reasoning
An aircraft is flying on a heading of 090°. It turns 90° to the left. What is its new heading?
Numerical reasoning
An aircraft is flying at 420 knots. How far will it travel in 15 minutes?
Logical reasoning
All aircraft in Sector Alpha must be at FL200 or above. Aircraft Kilo is in Sector Alpha. Therefore:
Situational judgement
You are a trainee controller working alongside your instructor. You overhear the instructor give an incorrect altitude instruction that could result in a separation loss.
What is the most appropriate action?
Ten full timed tests, not four questions
These four are untimed and one per ability. The full tests are timed and cover every ability NATS assesses, with an explanation on every question.
One payment, not a subscription — lifetime access that does not expire after three months.
How it works & scoring
How the NATS Stage 1 assessment works
NATS says the Stage 1 tests are completed online within 14 days and are remotely proctored — your webcam and microphone are used to supervise the session. (NATS previously named Aon as its proctoring provider.) NATS doesn't publish the names of the individual tests, how many questions they have, how long each one takes or the pass mark. Expect to work against the clock, so practise building speed as well as accuracy.
How is the NATS aptitude test scored?
NATS does not publish a pass mark or pass rate, so treat any specific figure you see with caution and follow the official NATS guidance. The bar is high, so balanced preparation across every ability area is sensible.
What happens after Stage 1?
If you pass Stage 1, Stage 2 is an online situational judgement test and an online listening comprehension test, completed within 14 days. Stage 3 is a virtual assessment centre with an interview, an air traffic control knowledge test and an observed retest of earlier tests, and Stage 4 is a practical exercise and part 2 of the ATC knowledge test, held online or face to face at NATS in Whiteley. After that comes a conditional offer, subject to a Class 3 medical and security clearance. If you don't pass a stage, NATS says you can't reapply until its next recruitment campaign. Read our full NATS Stage 1 guide and NATS assessment centre guide for the later stages. The current process is always confirmed on the official NATS careers website.
How to prepare
How to pass the NATS aptitude test: five steps
You can’t practise the real NATS questions — they aren’t published — but you can practise the same kinds of ability under time pressure so working quickly and accurately feels familiar.
Learn what each stage assesses
Before drilling questions, understand the abilities NATS says it assesses — spatial awareness, numerical ability, logical thinking, sense of direction, reaction speed and, at Stage 2, situational judgement. NATS doesn't publish the individual tests, so focus on the abilities rather than any particular question format.
Practise under strict time limits
Speed matters as much as accuracy. Practise with a timer so you build pace and calm accuracy. Untimed practice can give a false sense of readiness.
Sharpen your mental arithmetic
Numerical tests reward fast, confident work with percentages, ratios, time and distance. NATS doesn't publish whether calculators are allowed, so practise mental maths so the numbers stop being the bottleneck.
Target your weakest test type
A single weak area can hold back an otherwise strong application. Identify it early and spend the most practice time there.
Practise situational judgement
Situational judgement rewards safety-first, procedure-following, team-oriented choices. Practise reading each scenario for the response that keeps operations safe and follows the rules, rather than the one that feels most assertive.
FAQ
NATS aptitude test — common questions
What is the NATS aptitude test?
The NATS aptitude test is the first stage of selection for trainee air traffic controllers with NATS (National Air Traffic Services). It is an online set of timed ability tests that measures the core mental skills air traffic control demands — spatial awareness, quick and accurate numerical work, logical reasoning and judgement under pressure. It is completed remotely and is used to shortlist candidates before later assessment stages.
What tests are in the NATS Stage 1 aptitude battery?
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; Stage 3 is a virtual assessment centre with an interview, an air traffic control knowledge test and an observed retest of earlier tests; and Stage 4 is a practical exercise and part 2 of the ATC knowledge test, held online or face to face at NATS in Whiteley. NATS doesn't publish the names of the individual tests, how many questions they have, how long each one takes or the pass mark. Always confirm the current format on the official NATS careers site, as selection can change.
How hard is the NATS aptitude test?
It is very competitive. NATS recruits a small number of trainees each intake against thousands of applicants and does not publish pass rates. If you don't pass a stage, NATS says you can't reapply until its next recruitment campaign. Speed and accuracy both matter, which is why timed practice of the abilities involved is worthwhile.
Can I practise the NATS aptitude test online?
You can't practise the real NATS tests — NATS doesn't publish them. What you can do is practise the same kinds of ability under time pressure. Our platform has original timed practice tests for spatial, numerical, logical reasoning and situational judgement, plus air-traffic-themed tasks, so working quickly and accurately feels familiar.
How long should I prepare for the NATS aptitude test?
Most candidates start practising four to eight weeks before their assessment. That is enough time to get comfortable with every test type, build speed and accuracy, and iron out weak areas without burning out. Short, regular timed practice sessions work far better than one or two long cramming sessions.
Is the NATS test hard?
The NATS test is demanding, but mainly because of speed and accuracy rather than difficult content. Many candidates find the challenge is working quickly and accurately rather than the difficulty of individual questions. That makes timed practice one of the most useful things you can do.
What is on the NATS Stage 1 assessment?
The NATS Stage 1 online assessment is 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. It screens applicants before the situational judgement and listening tests at Stage 2. NATS doesn't publish the names of the individual tests, how many questions they have, how long each one takes or the pass mark. Always confirm the current line-up on the official NATS careers site, as the process can change.
How do I pass the NATS test?
There is no shortcut, but candidates who pass tend to do the same things: learn each test type in advance so nothing is a surprise, practise under strict time limits to build speed, sharpen mental arithmetic for the numerical test (NATS doesn't publish its calculator rules), fix their weakest area early, and answer situational judgement questions with a safety-first, procedure-led mindset. Short, regular timed sessions over four to eight weeks work far better than last-minute cramming.
Is this the same as the Eurocontrol FEAST test?
No. NATS uses its own Stage 1 online tests, while many European air navigation service providers use Eurocontrol FEAST. Both assess similar kinds of ability, such as spatial, logical and numerical reasoning and attention, but they are different tests.
Practise the abilities NATS assesses
Ten original, timed practice tests plus interview prep — one payment, unlimited attempts.