NAV Canada Assessment: 24 Questions and Hiring Process Guide

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What Is the NAV CANADA Assessment Process?

NAV CANADA is Canada’s civil air navigation services provider. It hires for two main air traffic services streams, Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) and Flight Service Specialist (FSS), each with a multi-stage selection process that runs before paid training begins.

This guide explains the published NAV CANADA selection pathway at a high level, based on NAV CANADA’s own careers and selection pages, and provides 24 original practice questions covering skill areas NAV CANADA associates with in-person testing.

The 24 questions on this page are original educational exercises. They are not official NAV CANADA questions, and they do not reproduce a live online assessment, in-person battery, or proprietary interface. Always follow the instructions in your Workday invitation and current NAV CANADA careers guidance.

Read the NAV CANADA hiring process guide on ATC Practice Test

ATCPracticeTest.com is an independent preparation site. It is not NAV CANADA. Broader ATC preparation is supplemental skill practice and is not presented here as an exact NAV CANADA simulation.

Who Takes It and Eligibility

NAV CANADA describes its air traffic services selection process as rigorous and designed to assess the core competencies required to succeed as an air traffic control or flight service professional. Passing one stage does not guarantee an invitation to the next stage.

At a high level, the published pathway includes:

1. Confirming eligibility and applying through NAV CANADA’s Workday recruiting system.
2. Completing a timed online assessment if invited.
3. Attending regional in-person testing if invited.
4. Completing a same-day pre-screening interview after successful in-person testing.
5. Attending an assessment centre session if invited.
6. Completing language testing when required.
7. Receiving selection and meeting pre-employment conditions before training.

The exact scheduling and operational availability of each stage can vary. Always follow the instructions communicated through Workday, NAV CANADA’s careers portal, and your personal email.

Eligibility requirements

NAV CANADA publishes the following basic eligibility requirements for ATCO and FSS candidates:

• be 18 years of age or older at the time of application;
• have a high school diploma or equivalency;
• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• be fluent in English for all regions, and fluently bilingual in English and French for the Montreal Flight Information Region, including the National Capital Region;
• be willing to relocate to the location of training or work, if required;
• be available to start full-time training within 18 months of application;
• meet medical requirements as set out by Transport Canada;
• complete a security check and continue to meet background-check requirements on an ongoing basis;
• complete an initial drug screening test, including cannabis, and comply with NAV CANADA’s Drug and Alcohol policy on an ongoing basis.

If requirements are not met, NAV CANADA states that an application can be screened out immediately.

Assessment Format

Step 2: Apply Through Workday

Candidates apply through NAV CANADA’s Workday recruiting system on the official careers portal. The application asks for information such as education and work history, and candidates are asked about stream preferences before applying.

Step 3: Online Assessment

Candidates who meet eligibility requirements may receive an email invitation to complete a timed online assessment. Per NAV CANADA’s published information:

• the assessment can be completed remotely, with no travel required;
• it is timed and takes approximately 30 minutes;
• it is the first assessment in the selection process and should be completed promptly;
• NAV CANADA recommends completing it on a desktop or laptop computer, not a phone or tablet;
• passing this stage does not guarantee an invitation to in-person testing;
• candidates unsuccessful at this stage are eligible to reapply one year after their testing date.

See a dedicated online assessment guide on ATC Practice Test for more detail on this specific stage.

Step 4: In-Person Assessment

Successful candidates may be invited to in-person testing, held by region based on operational requirements. NAV CANADA publishes that these sessions:

• are typically held at area control centres;
• require approximately one full day, about six hours;
• evaluate memory, working speed, spatial visualization, thinking and reasoning, attention, information processing, and simple math.

Successful candidates receive access to a training platform to help prepare for the in-person test. Candidates unsuccessful at this stage are eligible to reapply two years after their testing date.

Step 5: Same-Day Pre-Screening Interview

Candidates who are successful at the in-person test are invited to complete a 15-minute pre-screening interview on the same day. This is a shorter screening step ahead of the fuller assessment centre interview.

Step 6: Assessment Centre

The assessment centre is a half-day session, typically held at a NAV CANADA area control centre, including group exercises, individual exercises, and an interview designed to assess candidates’ skills, abilities, and attitudes. Candidates applying for bilingual positions in the Montreal Flight Information Region complete a bilingual assessment centre session. Candidates unsuccessful at this stage are eligible to reapply three years after their assessment date.

Step 7: Language Testing

When required, language testing is completed with a third-party company over the phone. Confirm current rules through your official candidate communications.

Step 8: Selection and Pre-Employment Conditions

Selected candidates receive an offer before the training course start date. Before employment, candidates must meet pre-employment conditions, including medical and licensing requirements set by Transport Canada, security clearance, and drug testing, including cannabis, under NAV CANADA’s Drug and Alcohol policy.

Reapplication Waiting Periods

Stage where unsuccessful	Eligible to reapply after
Online assessment	1 year after the testing date
In-person assessment	2 years after the testing date
Assessment centre	3 years after the assessment date

Confirm current waiting periods and any exceptions directly with NAV CANADA.

ATCO vs Flight Service Specialist: High-Level Differences

NAV CANADA hires for two main air traffic services roles, and both generally follow the same overall selection pathway described above:

• Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) candidates work toward controlling traffic in towers, area control centres, or terminal environments after selection and training.
• Flight Service Specialist (FSS) candidates provide flight information and advisory services, generally through flight service stations or flight information centres, and may pursue different training streams within the FSS role after selection.

Both streams share the same basic eligibility requirements, Workday application process, online assessment, and in-person testing structure described above. Role-specific training content and duration differ and are addressed in NAV CANADA’s own training pages, not in this guide.

NAV Canada vs FAA ATSA vs FEAST

The NAV CANADA assessment process, the FAA ATSA, and FEAST are three separate systems, not different names for one test.

• The NAV CANADA assessment process described on this page is Canada’s own pathway, run by NAV CANADA.
• The FAA ATSA is a United States assessment administered through Pearson VUE for FAA air traffic controller hiring. See the FAA ATSA Test guide.
• FEAST is a EUROCONTROL-developed framework used by ANSPs and training academies mainly in Europe. See the FEAST Test guide.

NAV CANADA’s official pages reviewed for this guide do not state that NAV CANADA uses FEAST. Do not assume the systems overlap unless NAV CANADA’s own communications say so directly. For a full comparison, see the Air Traffic Control Tests hub.

Skills Evaluated

NAV CANADA associates in-person testing with skills such as:

• memory and working speed;
• spatial visualization;
• thinking and reasoning;
• attention and information processing;
• simple math.

Online, interview and assessment-centre stages also probe communication, teamwork and decision-making. Exact item formats and scoring models are not published as a public blueprint.

How to Prepare (5 Steps)

1. Read every official Workday and email communication carefully, since deadlines and next steps are communicated there.
2. Practice the device basics NAV CANADA recommends: use a desktop or laptop, not a phone or tablet, for the online assessment.
3. Build familiarity with the general skill areas NAV CANADA associates with in-person testing: memory, working speed, spatial visualization, reasoning, attention, information processing, and simple math.
4. Use the free training platform link NAV CANADA provides to successful in-person candidates once you receive it, and treat any third-party practice material, including the questions below, as general aptitude familiarization rather than a simulation of the real NAV CANADA interface.
5. Prepare for the pre-screening interview and assessment centre stages by reviewing your own experience with teamwork, communication, and decision-making, since these stages include an interview and group or individual exercises.

Assessment Tips

• Complete the online assessment promptly after the invitation rather than waiting until the last moment.
• Do not assume the ATCO and FSS pathways match another country’s air traffic control test.
• Track the reapplication waiting period tied to the stage where you were unsuccessful.
• Passing one stage does not guarantee an invitation to the next.
• Keep answers and examples consistent across interview and assessment-centre exercises.

Question Types With Original Educational Examples

The following 24 questions are original, practice-style items. They are not official NAV CANADA questions and are not a copy of NAV CANADA’s real online or in-person assessment.

Section 1: Numerical and Rate Reasoning (Questions 1-4)

Question 1

An aircraft travels 240 nautical miles in 2 hours at a constant speed. At the same speed, how far will it travel in 3 hours?

A. 300 nautical miles B. 320 nautical miles C. 360 nautical miles D. 400 nautical miles

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Speed = 240 / 2 = 120 nautical miles per hour. In 3 hours: 120 x 3 = 360 nautical miles.

Question 2

A facility processes 18 flight plans in 30 minutes. At the same rate, how many flight plans are processed in 2 hours?

A. 36 B. 54 C. 60 D. 72

Correct answer: D

Explanation: 18 flight plans in 30 minutes equals 36 per hour. In 2 hours: 36 x 2 = 72.

Question 3

Two values must be compared quickly: 0.72 and 0.7. Which statement is correct?

A. 0.72 is greater than 0.7 B. 0.72 is less than 0.7 C. They are equal D. Cannot be compared

Correct answer: A

Explanation: 0.72 is equivalent to 0.720, which is greater than 0.700.

Question 4

A candidate has 6 hours available for a testing day. If check-in takes 20 minutes, the assessment takes 4 hours, and a break takes 30 minutes, how much time remains?

A. 1 hour B. 1 hour 10 minutes C. 1 hour 30 minutes D. 2 hours

Correct answer: B

Explanation: 6 hours = 360 minutes. Subtract 20 + 240 + 30 = 290 minutes. 360 - 290 = 70 minutes, or 1 hour 10 minutes.

Section 2: Spatial Reasoning (Questions 5-8)

Question 5

An aircraft is heading east. It turns 90 degrees left, then 90 degrees left again. Which direction is it now heading?

A. East B. North C. West D. South

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Turning left twice by 90 degrees from east equals a 180-degree turn, which points west.

Question 6

Position A is north of Position B. Position C is south of Position B. Which position is furthest north?

A. Position A B. Position B C. Position C D. Cannot be determined

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Ordering from north to south: A, then B, then C. Position A is furthest north.

Question 7

A shape points downward (↓). After a 90-degree counterclockwise rotation, which direction does it point?

A. Up B. Left C. Right D. Down

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Rotating a downward-pointing arrow 90 degrees counterclockwise results in it pointing to the right.

Question 8

On a display, Object X is left of Object Y. Object Z is right of Object Y. What is the correct left-to-right order?

A. X, Y, Z B. Y, X, Z C. Z, Y, X D. X, Z, Y

Correct answer: A

Explanation: X is left of Y, and Z is right of Y, so the order from left to right is X, Y, Z.

Section 3: Memory and Attention (Questions 9-12)

Question 9

Memorize this sequence, then answer: 9 - 4 - 7 - 2. What is the second number?

A. 9 B. 4 C. 7 D. 2

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Counting in order (9, 4, 7, 2), the second number is 4.

Question 10

You are given three call signs and altitudes: AC201 at 8,000 feet, AC344 at 6,500 feet, AC109 at 9,200 feet. A moment later you are asked: which call sign is at 6,500 feet?

A. AC201 B. AC344 C. AC109 D. Cannot be determined

Correct answer: B

Explanation: AC344 was assigned 6,500 feet.

Question 11

Count how many times the number 7 appears in the following line:

3 7 9 7 2 7 8 4 7

A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5

Correct answer: C

Explanation: The number 7 appears four times.

Question 12

Which pair below is not identical?

A. 5124 / 5124 B. 8837 / 8837 C. 6295 / 6259 D. 3061 / 3061

Correct answer: C

Explanation: 6295 and 6259 contain the same digits in a different order, so they are not identical.

Section 4: Logical Reasoning (Questions 13-16)

Question 13

All candidates who pass the online assessment are invited to in-person testing. Candidate P was not invited to in-person testing. What must be true?

A. Candidate P passed the online assessment. B. Candidate P did not pass the online assessment. C. Candidate P passed the in-person test. D. In-person testing is optional.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: If passing the online assessment leads to an invitation, then not being invited means the online assessment was not passed.

Question 14

Only candidates who complete a background check may receive a final offer. Candidate Q received a final offer. What must be true?

A. Candidate Q completed a background check. B. Candidate Q skipped the background check. C. Background checks are optional. D. Candidate Q did not apply through Workday.

Correct answer: A

Explanation: If only candidates who complete a background check may receive an offer, then a candidate who received an offer must have completed one.

Question 15

If a candidate is unsuccessful at the in-person assessment, they may reapply after 2 years. Candidate R reapplied after 8 months. What can be concluded?

A. Candidate R was unsuccessful at the in-person assessment. B. Candidate R was not previously unsuccessful at the in-person assessment stage. C. NAV CANADA has no reapplication rules. D. Candidate R skipped the online assessment.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Since the stated waiting period after an unsuccessful in-person assessment is 2 years, reapplying after only 8 months indicates the candidate was not in that specific waiting period, so they were not previously unsuccessful at that stage under that rule.

Question 16

Bilingual assessment centre sessions are required only for candidates applying to bilingual positions in the Montreal Flight Information Region. Candidate S completed a bilingual assessment centre session. What must be true?

A. Candidate S applied to a bilingual Montreal Flight Information Region position. B. Candidate S applied outside the Montreal Flight Information Region. C. Bilingual sessions are required for every candidate. D. Candidate S failed the in-person assessment.

Correct answer: A

Explanation: If bilingual sessions are required only for bilingual Montreal Flight Information Region positions, then completing one implies the candidate applied to such a position.

Section 5: Multitasking (Questions 17-20)

Question 17

You are tracking two things: Task 1, count every odd number; Task 2, note whenever a number is greater than 15. Sequence: 12, 17, 9, 22, 14, 19. How many odd numbers appeared, and how many numbers were greater than 15?

A. 3 odd numbers, 3 numbers greater than 15 B. 2 odd numbers, 2 numbers greater than 15 C. 3 odd numbers, 2 numbers greater than 15 D. 2 odd numbers, 3 numbers greater than 15

Correct answer: A

Explanation: The odd numbers are 17, 9, and 19, which is three. The numbers greater than 15 are 17, 22, and 19, which is also three.

Question 18

You must handle three tasks with different urgency: Task A (low priority, due in 40 seconds), Task B (high priority, due in 15 seconds), Task C (medium priority, due in 8 seconds). Which should you address first?

A. Task A, since it was listed first B. Task B, since it is high priority C. Task C, since it is due soonest D. All three at the same time

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Even though Task C is due sooner, Task B carries the higher priority level, and priority generally outweighs a small timing difference in prioritization-style tasks.

Question 19

While tracking two aircraft on separate but converging routes, you receive a short audio-style update changing one aircraft’s assigned altitude. What is the best response?

A. Ignore the update and continue with your original plan B. Register the update accurately, then reassess both aircraft’s positions C. Apply the update only after finishing all other tasks D. Assume the update does not affect the second aircraft

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Multitasking-style tasks generally reward accurately registering new information immediately and reassessing the full picture, rather than delaying or ignoring updates.

Question 20

After noticing you responded incorrectly to the previous prompt, what is the best approach for the next prompt?

A. Skip the next prompt B. Slow down significantly for the rest of the session C. Treat the next prompt as a fresh task and respond carefully D. Change your previous answer after the fact

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Recovering quickly from a single error and treating the next task independently helps avoid a chain of repeated mistakes.

Section 6: Instruction and Communication (Questions 21-24)

Question 21

Read the instruction: “Complete the eligibility questions before submitting your Workday application.” Which step happens first?

A. Submitting the application B. Completing the eligibility questions C. Both happen at the same time D. Neither is required

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The word “before” indicates that completing the eligibility questions comes first.

Question 22

Instruction: “Use a desktop or laptop computer for the online assessment, not a phone or tablet.” Which setup follows the instruction?

A. A tablet with a stable internet connection B. A smartphone on a strong Wi-Fi network C. A laptop connected to a stable internet connection D. Any device, since the instruction is only a suggestion

Correct answer: C

Explanation: The instruction specifically recommends a desktop or laptop and excludes phones and tablets.

Question 23

Read: “Candidates who are unsuccessful at the in-person assessment stage are eligible to reapply two years after their testing date.” According to this statement, what determines when a candidate may reapply?

A. The date they submitted their original application B. The date of their in-person testing C. The date they received their offer D. There is no waiting period

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The passage specifically ties the two-year reapplication window to the testing date of the in-person assessment.

Question 24

Instruction: “Respond to communications from Workday and your personal email promptly, since passing one stage does not guarantee an invitation to the next.” What is the best interpretation of this instruction?

A. Candidates should wait until they feel ready to respond B. Candidates should respond promptly and not assume automatic advancement C. Passing any stage guarantees the next invitation D. Email communications can be ignored if Workday shows a status update

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The instruction highlights both promptness and the fact that advancement is not automatic, supporting answer B.

NAV Canada Practice Answer Key

1. C
2. D
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. A
7. C
8. A
9. B
10. B
11. C
12. C
13. B
14. A
15. B
16. A
17. A
18. B
19. B
20. C
21. B
22. C
23. B
24. B

How to Score This Practice Set

This scoring guide is for the 24 practice questions on this page only. It is not an official NAV CANADA scoring system, and NAV CANADA does not publish a public pass threshold for its online or in-person assessments.

• 22-24 correct: Strong grasp of the underlying concepts. Move toward timed, mixed practice.
• 17-21 correct: Solid foundation. Review the section where you missed the most questions.
• 11-16 correct: Moderate readiness. Practice numerical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and memory separately before combining sections.
• Fewer than 11 correct: Start with untimed practice and review explanations closely before adding time pressure.

Common Challenges

Candidates often struggle with:

• Assuming the ATCO and FSS pathways are identical to another country’s air traffic control test.
• Using a phone or tablet for the online assessment despite NAV CANADA’s recommendation to use a desktop or laptop.
• Waiting until the last moment to complete the online assessment after receiving the invitation.
• Preparing only for a written test and ignoring the pre-screening interview and assessment centre stages, which include interviews and group exercises.
• Assuming passing one stage guarantees an invitation to the next.
• Missing the specific reapplication waiting period tied to the stage where a candidate was unsuccessful.

Practice Resource CTA

For a dedicated NAV CANADA pathway walkthrough on our specialist aviation site, continue to NAV CANADA preparation on ATC Practice Test.

For additional third-party aptitude drills that may support general memory, spatial, reasoning and math practice, NAV CANADA assessment practice on JobTestPrep can be used as a third-party resource. JobTestPrep is not affiliated with NAV CANADA. Practice materials do not reproduce NAV CANADA’s live interfaces and do not guarantee advancement, selection or a training offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• NAV CANADA Careers in Aviation
• NAV CANADA Flight Service Selection and Training
• NAV CANADA Flight Service Specialist
• NAV CANADA FAQ for Job Seekers

Related Guides

• Air Traffic Control Tests: FAA ATSA, FEAST and NAV Canada
• FEAST Test
• FAA ATSA Test

Continue with the full NAV CANADA preparation hub on ATC Practice Test