Opinion ID: 4390304
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Biographical Assessment

Text: In November 2012, the FAA hired Applied Psychological Techniques, Inc. (“APTMetrics”), a human resources consulting firm, to review and recommend improvements to the FAA’s hiring process for Air Traffic Control Specialists. In 2013, APTMetrics developed the BA test to replace the FAA’s existing Air Traffic Selection and Training Test. The BA is an initial screening test that determines whether an applicant possesses certain characteristics empirically shown to predict success in an Air Traffic Control Specialist position. These characteristics include flexibility, risktolerance, self-confidence, dependability, resilience, stress ROJAS V. FAA 5 tolerance, cooperation, teamwork, and rules application. The FAA implemented the BA for the first time during the 2014 hiring cycle for Air Traffic Control Specialist applicants. In Summer and Fall 2014, the FAA revised the BA, and APTMetrics performed validation work related to the revised BA (the “2015 BA”). The 2015 BA was subsequently incorporated in the 2015 Air Traffic Control Specialist hiring process. 1 In November 2014, the FAA Office of the Chief Counsel asked John Scott (“Scott”), then Chief Operating Officer of APTMetrics, to create “summaries and explanations” of its validation work on the 2015 BA in anticipation of litigation on the FAA’s hiring practices. Scott provided the Office of the Chief Counsel with an initial summary in December 2014 and a supplement in January 2015.