ATSAT Questions

[MD-11Loader]

Just got the email inviting me to take the ATSAT test here in ATL, and I am pretty excited. Many people have told me that you can't really prep for this thing, and I wanted to see if you all could confirm that. I am a bit worried about the test. I am not a military ATC, and didn't go to school for it. I have my private pilot and instrument ratings, but I doubt that they will really help me out in this situation. What can I do to ensure the best score possible? Thanks in advance.

[ATC wannabe]

Originally Posted by MD-11Loader

Just got the email inviting me to take the ATSAT test here in ATL, and I am pretty excited. Many people have told me that you can't really prep for this thing, and I wanted to see if you all could confirm that. I am a bit worried about the test. I am not a military ATC, and didn't go to school for it. I have my private pilot and instrument ratings, but I doubt that they will really help me out in this situation. What can I do to ensure the best score possible? Thanks in advance.

This is what I used and what most others as well. I felt better prepared after using it even though the test is slightly different. It comes with a disk to practice.

http://www.amazon.com/Traffic-Contro...4592989&sr=8-1

[Beehive]

Originally Posted by ATC wannabe

This is what I used and what most others as well. I felt better prepared after using it even though the test is slightly different. It comes with a disk to practice.

http://www.amazon.com/Traffic-Contro...4592989&sr=8-1

I studied with it. I recommend it to all applicants.

[ajcowing]

Yah, I agree that the "green book" is a big help. I started studying it about a week in advance of the test, and I feel that it helps, significantly. The "letter factory" is slightly different on the real test, and the ATC scope part of it is easier on the test, than it is on the disk. The disk prepares you very well for the math and the angles portions. Good luck, and don't be too concerned about it; it is a fairly simple test. Most people I know have scored in the 90's and the others have scored in the high 80's. You only need a 75 to pass, so you won't have a problem with that at all.

[Polarbear]

Honestly, unless someone gives it to you, your wasting your time and money. 70% is passing. 85% is Well qualified. Contrary to what you have been told, most don't study for it. This is not from a poll online, but from asking those in OKC. I did not study, and I am here. If anything, brush up on angles and time/distance problems(If you are really worried about this, PM me and I'll send you some).

Do the Time/Distance problems in your head and realize they are not complicated(i.e. An airplane flies 200 nautical miles in 2 hours. How fast was the airplane traveling?). They will not ask: an airplane traveled 135 miles in 14 minutes, how fast did it travel?

Also everything is multiple guess....I mean choice, lol. The correct answer will be in front of you. Nothing is fill in the blank.

I will save you the money and give you the math to study: R*T=D
R= Rate(i.e. mph, knots)
T= Time
D= Distance


Angles:

Memorize what angles look like from 1-360 degrees. Concentrate on 0-45 degree intervals (i.e. 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 360). You can guess the interval by looking at those and seeing what is closest(i.e. if you see a angle that is close to 45 degrees and the answers can be 50, 97, 135; 50 would be the correct answer).

ATC, letter factory, etc are not weighted very high. A lot of people have crashed a ton of planes and scored in the 90s. You will have plenty of time to learn them in the practice exercises and are not expected to be experts at it. I did find Letter factory to be fun, but their are better games based on ATC that you can get for free.

Do not stress over this test. It is really not that hard(although you'll come out feeling like you failed miserably). A score over 85 only gives you bragging rights and trust me.....people are not going through the halls bragging about "I did this well on the AT-SAT...........". They would probably be ostracized and ridiculed if they do.

A score between 70 and 85 isn't bad either. I'd begin to have a good side income if I had a dime for those I have met who were hired with a score between 70 and 85. (If you can't get a 70 on your own, I'd look into another career.).

In short, I would worry more about other things rather than this test.

[JKoffler44]

Thanks for your post Polarbear, I found it very reassuring. Math isn't my strongest point.

[kmiller]

Thanks for your post Polarbear. I have my AT-SAT test on the 14th, bought that career prep book from B&N, and only picked it up once. I just have to brush up on doing the math stuff in my head after many years of using a calculator all through college. For the angles, I pretty much have a way of getting by that; I pretty much follow your method.

[Beehive]

Memorize the 10-key pad. You'll fly through the Scan Test if you do. And whether you study or not, read the instruction thoroughly for each section and take the practice questions serious.