Airservices Australia Psychometric Testing
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
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2rights, there is no age discrimination, either positive or negative. You sink or swim on your own merits - that applies to the entire process, from initial testing to final field training. You'll be given exactly the same chance as everyone else.
That said, the training is very full on so favours the speed and flexibility of a younger brain. The generalisation is the older you are the harder it gets, so you at 40 will find it harder than you at 25 (but you still might find it easier than the 25 year old sitting next to you). What matters is it boils down to whether you can meet the standards or not, not your age.
From a purely statistical point of view at 40 you are behind the eight ball.
That said, the training is very full on so favours the speed and flexibility of a younger brain. The generalisation is the older you are the harder it gets, so you at 40 will find it harder than you at 25 (but you still might find it easier than the 25 year old sitting next to you). What matters is it boils down to whether you can meet the standards or not, not your age.
From a purely statistical point of view at 40 you are behind the eight ball.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Age: 45
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Interesting that the USA (again) is the odd ball. The mandatory retirement age is 56. To get controllers to get the minimum time necessary, you have to be hired before your 31st birthday. The irony is that you can't access part of your retirement without penalty until age 57. This usually leaves controllers in a predicament for a year.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Australia
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Hi Lew, They provide basic calculators for you to use on the day, so if you did the psychometric tests using a scientific calculator, then i recommend you do some practice tests on SHL using a basic function calculator.
Join Date: May 2010
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Could anyone please advise on how much weighting/consideration is given to the 'Personality Questionnaire' that is required to be completed shortly before the assessment centre? My understanding is that it is supplemental to the interview on the day. Is the questionnaire given much consideration in weighing up an applicant overall? I find these types of questions extremely tricky to answer, even though you are told to answer them honestly! 
Cheers.
Cheers.
Join Date: Oct 2002
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DMCMan, I can't comment on a specific 'weighting', but the psychological factors are a big part of the process. It's not just about having the cognitive ability to do the job, you need to be able to emotionally cope with the responsibility under pressure as well. Just be honest and dont try and give answers you think they want to hear (to be honest it's a dead set give away if you try anyway..)
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane
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Thanks for the heads up 
I was thinking that. I've been doing a lot of online practise shl tests to better prepare myself for the upcoming assessment day. I read on a related airservicesaustralia link online that there is a part to the assessment day covering vectors and time/speed/distance maths. I've been relearning most of this in the past couple of weeks. Hoping I can scrape through it alright.
I was thinking that. I've been doing a lot of online practise shl tests to better prepare myself for the upcoming assessment day. I read on a related airservicesaustralia link online that there is a part to the assessment day covering vectors and time/speed/distance maths. I've been relearning most of this in the past couple of weeks. Hoping I can scrape through it alright.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: The Big House
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Applications Re-Opened
Hello Everyone,
Just to let you know, Airservices has re-opened the application process for ATC.
The link is here:
Job details|Airservices
The initial requirements have been slightly lowered, removing the need for a science qualification. All you need now is a pass from High School that would allow entry into University. The testing is still very similar and the assessment day hasnt changed.
Get those applications in, and good luck to all that are interested!
Just to let you know, Airservices has re-opened the application process for ATC.
The link is here:
Job details|Airservices
The initial requirements have been slightly lowered, removing the need for a science qualification. All you need now is a pass from High School that would allow entry into University. The testing is still very similar and the assessment day hasnt changed.
Get those applications in, and good luck to all that are interested!
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Victoria, Australia
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That is good news, wasn't sure i'd have my PPL license in hand by close of application window and previously didn't qualify under the old requirements for not having completed a year 12 maths.
YAASB
This is something that I have been advocating for a while, most senior school students (HSC, Matriculation, whatever) are told to take the subjects that excel at, be it Art, Music, Maths or Ancient History. This opens up a much wider net of potential applicants; however the important thing is the aptitude to do the job and the medical requirements.
Good luck one and all.
Hello Everyone,
Just to let you know, Airservices has re-opened the application process for ATC.
The initial requirements have been slightly lowered, removing the need for a science qualification. All you need now is a pass from High School that would allow entry into University.
Just to let you know, Airservices has re-opened the application process for ATC.
The initial requirements have been slightly lowered, removing the need for a science qualification. All you need now is a pass from High School that would allow entry into University.
Good luck one and all.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Australia
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I had my assessment a couple of weeks ago. One of my referees was contacted a couple of days ago but the other has heard nothing. Does anyone know of anyone who has gotten through with only one reference checked?
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Australia
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From memory, this is mentioned in the preamble of the online application.
On my second application they add a question asking what would you do differently this time to get through, You would be hard pressed to convince them you would get it right a third time regardless of whether or not it's a hard and fast rule.
On my second application they add a question asking what would you do differently this time to get through, You would be hard pressed to convince them you would get it right a third time regardless of whether or not it's a hard and fast rule.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Australia
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Agree with you completely but always thought it was a bit rough for those that missed out by literally one mark in an assessment centre, on perhaps two occasions. As someone posted on here earlier (not sure where), what about those that had to apply maybe 5 times, eventually got the job, went on to have a 30+ year career, became supervisors/trainers? These people exist...
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Agreed DMC,
I only missed out by a couple of points last year too which is why I reapplied, if I missed out by heaps then I wouldn't have bothered. Maybe they have worked out that a large percentage of applicants don't succeed on subsequent applications so they would rather allocate their resources on the better bet being the first timers.
I only missed out by a couple of points last year too which is why I reapplied, if I missed out by heaps then I wouldn't have bothered. Maybe they have worked out that a large percentage of applicants don't succeed on subsequent applications so they would rather allocate their resources on the better bet being the first timers.