FAA Pre-Employment Test for Air Traffic Control...?

Question

I have gone to the FAA site and looked up the different requirements involved with getting into Air Traffic Control... I'm 24 and looking to change career paths (better late than never?) The site is very detailed and informative up until the point where it talks about the Pre-Employment test... I have the 3 plus years of reliable employment, and I put in close to 5 years in college (but never finished since I lost interest in prior career path)... I don't have any recomendation from an AT-CTI school since I've never been to one. But it says no prior experience is "necessarily" needed. You can only take the test twice (IF you don't pass the second time you're SOL) So before doing anything naive, I was wondering has anyone taken this test? I read somewhere it can take up to 8 hours... what exactly is on this test? Is there any way to research if you have no experience in aviation? Sorry for so many questions, any tips will be MUCH apreciated, thanks in advance to all who read n' reply.

Answer 1

I took the test april 29, 2008.  I have no prior experience and It took from the time I applyed on the asap site to the test around 5 months for me to be excepted to take the test.  If you are excepted to take the test they will email you then you have to call them and set up a time and place. I took mine in long island NY.  You have to pay all your own expenses like hotel food and travel but the faa does pay for the test.. so it cost me about $300 not too bad...It took me around 6 hrs to take the test there is 8 sections you can take as long as you want as long as it doesnt exceed the 8 hrs.  It is very detailed but they do give you practice time befor each section.  It is all on a computer.  I got a book by patrick Mattson called air traffic control career prep...look it up on yahoo it is green and believe me GET IT....seriously....but I studied it every day befor the test for a month I did 4 of the 8 sections each night...and it will tell you a little about the career and hiring process....Thanks to that book which was very close to the test I got a 91.7 on the test... then after the test you wait to make a referral list which I made then for an interview then I dont know bc I havent made it that far but I hope this helps....Good luck