SkyTest ATCO Preparation: Choose the Right Air Traffic Control Package
Buying the wrong air traffic controller preparation software is an expensive way to prepare for the wrong assessment.
SkyTest sells separate commercial products for:
- general European ATCO screenings;
- United Kingdom and Ireland ATCO screenings; and
- Germany, Austria and Switzerland ATCO screenings.
The packages are not interchangeable. A NATS candidate should not automatically purchase the general European edition. A DFS, Austro Control or Skyguide candidate should compare the regional package. A confirmed FEAST candidate should first use EUROCONTROL’s free official platform and then compare any commercial product with the modules named by the employer.
SkyTest also sells pilot-selection products. Those are not substitutes for ATCO preparation. SkyTest is a third-party provider. It does not administer FEAST, NATS, DFS, Austro Control, Skyguide, FAA ATSA or NAV CANADA assessments, and no product can guarantee selection.
Package Comparison
| Package | Route to review it for | Product page |
|---|---|---|
| European ATCO Screenings | Supported FEAST Stage 1, FEAST Stage 2 and other European routes | European ATCO package |
| UK and Ireland ATCO Screenings | Supported NATS, IAA, HIAL, Global ATS and related UK/Ireland routes | UK and Ireland ATCO package |
| Germany, Austria and Switzerland ATCO Screenings | Supported DFS, Austro Control, Skyguide and regional routes | Regional ATCO package |
Package content, compatibility, price, access period and commercial terms can change. Check the current product page before purchase.
Choose by Employer, Not by Job Title
The words “air traffic controller” do not identify the assessment.
Before choosing a package, confirm:
- the employer;
- the country;
- the exact assessment names;
- the stages in the invitation;
- the language;
- the operating system and device requirements;
- the license duration; and
- the refund or cancellation terms.
Two organizations hiring for the same occupation can use different pretests, work samples, interviews and assessment centers.
European ATCO Package
The SkyTest European ATCO package is the general edition associated with supported European air traffic controller selection routes.
Its product description includes preparation related to FEAST Stage 1, FEAST Stage 2 and other ATCO ability domains.
It may be relevant when the employer confirms:
- FEAST;
- FEAST Stage 1;
- FEAST Stage 2;
- selected cognitive tests;
- selected multitasking tests; or
- another assessment included in the current package.
It is not automatically appropriate for every European organization.
A FEAST user can:
- select only part of FEAST;
- add national tests;
- use an online prefilter;
- add organization-specific exercises;
- change the sequence between campaigns; or
- use different cut scores.
EUROCONTROL provides a free official FEAST preparation platform and recommends candidates use it rather than relying on unauthorized third-party products. Use the official platform first, then decide whether additional practice volume is worth purchasing.
An additional tracked link to the same European product is available through the European ATCO product page. It is not a separate edition.
Read the FEAST test guide before purchasing.
UK and Ireland Package
The SkyTest UK and Ireland ATCO package is the edition to review first for supported UK and Irish routes.
SkyTest associates the package with organizations or categories such as:
- NATS;
- Irish Aviation Authority;
- HIAL;
- Global ATS;
- Aon or cut-e-style pretests;
- FEAST-related tasks; and
- selected situational-judgment content.
This does not mean that every organization uses every module in each campaign.
A NATS applicant should compare this package with the current invitation rather than assuming the assessment still matches a prior campaign.
Before purchase:
- confirm the campaign is open;
- identify each named stage;
- compare those stages with the package description;
- check technical compatibility; and
- review current license terms.
Read the NATS assessment guide.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland Package
Candidates applying to DFS, Austro Control or Skyguide should review the Germany, Austria and Switzerland package.
The current product description can include combinations of:
- regional ATCO exercises;
- selected FEAST Stage 1 tasks;
- selected FEAST Stage 2 tasks;
- mathematics;
- English;
- physics; and
- technical comprehension.
The presence of FEAST-related modules does not make this package identical to the general European edition.
An additional tracked link to the same regional product is available through the regional ATCO product page. It is not a separate edition.
DFS applicants
Use the current DFS invitation to identify the process. Do not confuse:
- the regional ATCO package;
- DLR pilot-selection products;
- airline aptitude products; or
- general FEAST preparation.
Austro Control applicants
Compare the current invitation with the Austria-specific and FEAST-related exercises included in the regional product. Do not assume the campaign remains identical each year.
Skyguide applicants
Review the regional ATCO package rather than a Swiss pilot-selection product. The word “Swiss” does not make a pilot package suitable for Skyguide controller recruitment.
Route-to-Package Decision Table
| Candidate route | Package to review first | Main caution |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed general FEAST route | European package | Use EUROCONTROL’s free platform first and confirm modules |
| NATS | UK and Ireland package | Follow the current NATS campaign |
| Irish Aviation Authority | UK and Ireland package | Confirm current IAA stages |
| HIAL or Global ATS | UK and Ireland package | Check employer instructions |
| DFS | Regional package | Do not substitute pilot products |
| Austro Control | Regional package | Confirm Austrian stages |
| Skyguide | Regional package | Do not purchase Swiss pilot prep |
| FAA ATSA | FAA-specific preparation | European packages may not match |
| NAV CANADA | NAV CANADA-specific preparation | Follow the current Canadian process |
FAA ATSA
The FAA Air Traffic Skills Assessment is a separate U.S. assessment.
A European SkyTest ATCO package should not be treated as complete ATSA preparation merely because both pathways recruit controllers.
FAA candidates should start with the ATSA test guide.
NAV CANADA
NAV CANADA operates its own selection sequence through Workday, online assessment, regional testing and later stages.
Do not purchase a FEAST, NATS or regional European package without confirming that its exercises match the current Canadian invitation.
Read the NAV CANADA assessment guide.
How to Use Practice Software
Practice software is most useful for developing abilities rather than memorizing interfaces.
Use it to work on:
- sustained concentration;
- divided attention;
- working memory;
- spatial awareness;
- numerical speed;
- rule application;
- monitoring accuracy;
- multitasking; and
- comfort with timed exercises.
Review:
- where errors occur;
- whether speed reduces accuracy;
- which instructions are misunderstood;
- whether concentration falls during longer sessions;
- which task categories need deliberate practice; and
- whether scores improve only because one task has been memorized.
Do Not Memorize Alleged Live Content
Avoid files or discussions claiming to reproduce confidential assessment content.
Providers and employers can change:
- interfaces;
- instructions;
- time limits;
- item pools;
- scoring;
- modules; and
- stage order.
Focus on the underlying ability and accurate rule application.
Purchase Checklist
Before paying:
- confirm the job is ATCO, not pilot;
- identify the employer;
- identify the assessment names;
- confirm the country-specific route;
- use any official free practice first;
- compare package modules with the invitation;
- check language and operating-system compatibility;
- review license duration and commercial terms; and
- purchase only the matching edition.
A discounted mismatched product is still a wasted purchase.
Can SkyTest Predict the Official Result?
No.
Practice scores cannot predict:
- the official cut score;
- applicant ranking;
- test difficulty;
- training capacity;
- interview performance;
- medical qualification;
- security approval; or
- final selection.
Use performance reports as diagnostic tools, not guarantees.
Common Mistakes
Candidates often:
- buy by job title rather than employer;
- purchase pilot software for ATCO selection;
- skip official free FEAST practice;
- assume NATS equals general FEAST;
- use European software for FAA ATSA;
- use FEAST software for NAV CANADA without confirmation;
- ignore device compatibility;
- overlook license terms;
- memorize alleged live tasks; or
- interpret practice scores as an official prediction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which package is intended for general FEAST preparation?
The European ATCO package is the main general edition, but candidates should use EUROCONTROL’s official free platform first and confirm the employer’s modules.
Which edition should a NATS applicant review?
The UK and Ireland ATCO package, subject to the current NATS invitation.
Which package should a DFS applicant review?
The Germany, Austria and Switzerland ATCO package.
Is a Swiss pilot package suitable for Skyguide?
Not automatically. Skyguide applicants should review the regional ATCO package.
Are the two European links different products?
No. They are tracked links to the same general European edition.
Are the two regional links different products?
No. They are tracked links to the same Germany, Austria and Switzerland edition.
Can SkyTest replace official instructions?
No.
Does SkyTest guarantee a pass?
No preparation product can guarantee a passing result, ranking, training place or job offer.
Comparing ATC pathways?
Start with the air traffic control careers hub and ATSA vs FEAST vs NAV CANADA. Independent practice hubs are available at ATSA, FEAST and NAV CANADA on ATC Practice Test.