The Flight Engineer Aptitude Screening Test (FEAST) is an essential step for candidates aspiring to roles in air traffic control or flight engineering. It is designed to measure a candidate’s aptitude in areas such as multitasking, memory, spatial awareness, and decision-making. With a competitive nature and rigorous assessment format, preparing strategically for the FEAST is crucial. In this article, we’ll provide you with key tips to ensure you’re fully equipped to perform at your best.
Understand the Structure and Phases of FEAST
The FEAST exam is broken down into several stages, each assessing different cognitive abilities. By familiarizing yourself with each phase, you can tailor your preparation to ensure you’re ready for every aspect.
- Phase 1: Focuses on cognitive skills like logical thinking, memory, spatial awareness, and multi-tasking.
- Phase 2: This phase evaluates more practical abilities like handling air traffic control scenarios, requiring efficient decision-making and the ability to manage multiple variables at once.
- Phase 3: If applicable, it may include personality assessments or simulations that test behavior under stress.
Enhance Multitasking Skills
A significant part of FEAST is designed to assess your ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Controllers and flight engineers must juggle several streams of information at once, making multitasking essential.
How to practice:
- Use Apps: Download apps designed to improve multitasking and cognitive flexibility, such as ATC simulators or mind-challenging games that require dividing attention.
- Simulate Busy Environments: Try working in environments where you are interrupted or challenged to divide your focus among multiple tasks, like working on a puzzle while responding to quick questions.
Improve Your Memory
Your memory will be tested significantly, particularly in recalling sequences, locations, and instructions. Building strong short-term and working memory will allow you to perform better during the test.
Memory training techniques:
- Mnemonics and Chunking: Use mnemonic devices or break information into smaller chunks to help recall longer sequences more easily.
- Memory Games: Engage in games or apps that challenge your memory. Some popular ones are Lumosity or Dual N-Back, which specifically target working memory improvements.
Sharpen Spatial Awareness and Visualization
Spatial awareness plays a huge role in the FEAST assessment, especially when it comes to visualizing air traffic patterns, positioning objects in space, or predicting the movement of entities.
How to improve:
- Puzzles and 3D Games: Engage in puzzles like Rubik’s cubes or play 3D video games that require you to map out spaces and move objects.
- Practice Visualization: Try exercises where you close your eyes and visualize the movement of objects in space. Picture moving an object from one point to another and rotating it mentally.
Develop Decision-Making Under Pressure
Aviation roles demand the ability to make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. The FEAST assessment often includes scenarios where quick thinking is crucial, testing your decision-making process in a time-sensitive context.
How to train:
- Timed Problem Solving: Practice solving logic puzzles, math problems, or situational challenges under time constraints. Set a timer and work on making decisions quickly and accurately.
- Simulate Real-Life Scenarios: Enroll in online ATC or flight simulation games that emulate high-pressure environments, requiring quick yet accurate decision-making.
Practice Time Management
FEAST is not just about solving problems—it’s about solving them efficiently. Time management is a crucial skill to develop in preparation for the test.
Time management tips:
- Simulate Exam Conditions: Practice taking mock tests under timed conditions to simulate the pressure of the actual FEAST. This helps you adapt to the time limits and refine your pace.
- Prioritize Tasks: Learn to quickly assess which tasks require more focus and which can be solved more rapidly, ensuring you allocate your time wisely.
Stay Calm and Focused
The FEAST test can be mentally draining, especially since it requires intense focus for prolonged periods. Staying calm is crucial to maintaining performance throughout.
Stress-management strategies:
- Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques: Practice mindfulness or deep breathing exercises to help you stay calm during stressful situations. Techniques such as the 4-7-8 breathing method can help to reduce anxiety and refocus your mind.
- Take Breaks During Study Sessions: Regular breaks during your preparation ensure that you don’t burn out and can stay sharp for longer study periods.
Conclusion
Success in the FEAST exam depends on preparation and practice in critical areas like multitasking, spatial awareness, memory, and decision-making under pressure. By using these key strategies, you can build the necessary skills and mental agility to excel in the FEAST assessment. Stay focused, practice regularly, and approach the exam with confidence, knowing that you’ve equipped yourself with the best tools for success.