HPSC ADO Screening flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Screening purpose

Screening predicts whether an applicant can complete air traffic control specialist training to standard; it is a selection gate, not a measure of current job competence.

ADO screening battery

A proctored, computer-administered set of timed aptitude subtests used to assess applicants for air traffic control specialist trainee positions.

Criterion-referenced scoring

Applicant scores are compared to a fixed performance standard or cut score, not to the scores of other applicants taking the same test.

Cut score

The minimum score on a scored component that separates passing from failing performance; it is set in advance and applied uniformly.

Non-compensatory scoring

Each mandatory subtest must be passed on its own; strong performance on one subtest cannot offset a failing score on another.

Spatial reasoning items

Items requiring mental rotation, orientation, or tracking of objects in two or three dimensions, reflecting the visualization demands of airspace and radar work.

Perceptual speed

The ability to rapidly compare, locate, or discriminate visual symbols and patterns accurately under time pressure, a core requirement for scanning displays.

Working memory demands

Subtests require holding and updating several pieces of information while performing a concurrent task, mirroring simultaneous traffic and communication handling.

Multi-tasking subtests

Tasks that require monitoring two or more streams of information and responding to each without letting one stream degrade the other.

Numerical computation items

Arithmetic and quantity problems solved without a calculator under time limits, testing speed and accuracy with the numbers used in headings, altitudes, and speeds.

Logical reasoning items

Items requiring deduction from stated rules or conditions, such as determining which ordering or assignment must be true given a set of constraints.

Standardized administration

Identical instructions, timing, equipment, and proctoring are used for every candidate so that scores are comparable across administrations.

Test security rules

Candidates may not record, share, or discuss item content; a breach invalidates the administration and may disqualify the candidate from further consideration.

Retest eligibility window

A defined waiting period before a failed or prior candidate may test again, limiting practice effects and preserving the meaning of the cut score.

Practice test limits

Official familiarization materials show item formats and timing but do not disclose live items, so rehearsal improves familiarity rather than inflating scores.

Accommodation approval process

Requests for altered testing conditions must be documented and approved before the test date; approved accommodations do not change the scoring standard.

Guessing strategy

Because most subtests are scored by number correct within a time limit, unanswered items yield no credit; candidates should answer every item they can reach.

Time management on subtests

Each subtest is separately timed; spending excess time on one item reduces the number of items attempted and therefore the raw score.

Score reporting

Candidates receive a pass or fail result against the cut score; individual subtest scores are retained by the hiring authority for review and validation.

Composite versus subtest scores

A composite summarizes overall performance, but eligibility depends on meeting the standard on every mandatory component, not on the composite alone.

Validity evidence

The battery is supported by studies linking screening scores to later training performance, which is why the cut score is tied to training outcomes.

Reliability of screening scores

Internal consistency and retest stability indicate how much score variation reflects true ability differences rather than measurement error.

Measurement error

No test score is perfectly precise; scores near the cut score are treated with caution because small error can change the pass or fail outcome.

Adverse impact review

Pass rates are monitored across demographic groups, and the job-relatedness of the screening battery must be documented to defend its use.

Computer-based test format

Items are presented on screen with automated timing and scoring; candidates respond by keyboard or mouse and cannot revisit a subtest once it closes.

Reading the instructions

Instructions appear before each timed subtest; the timer starts after instructions, so reading them fully does not consume scored working time.

Answer accuracy versus speed

Most subtests score correct answers within a fixed time, so both accuracy and pace matter; random rapid responding lowers accuracy without net gain.

Eliminating answer options

For multiple-choice items, discarding clearly impossible options raises the chance of a correct response when the answer is not immediately known.

Memory subtests

Tasks requiring recall of symbols, sequences, or instructions after a delay assess the retention demands of clearances and flight data.

Attention to detail items

Items require spotting small differences between strings, symbols, or displays, reflecting the need to detect subtle changes in traffic information.

Screening versus training

Screening predicts training potential before instruction; it does not certify competence, which is established later through formal ATC training and certification.

Test-day identification

Candidates must present valid government-issued identification matching their application before admission to the testing room; mismatches prevent testing.