How to Prepare for the TSA Airport Assessment

If you have ever flown out of or into an airport in the United States, you will be familiar with the security procedures that are in place. The screening process includes metal detectors and full-body scanners, bag searches, and potentially pat-down checks to check a passenger isn’t carrying any prohibited items.

These security procedures are administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – so what is TSA at the airport? It’s a Homeland Security agency set up in response to the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001.

With the goal of ensuring safe freedom of movement, the TSA maintains airports, highways, railroads, and more.

One of the most prominent roles within the TSA is the Transportation Security Officer (TSO). These employees are the face of the TSA and work on the front line.

If you are applying for a role as a Transportation Security Officer, you will need to pass stages including a computer-based skills test, medical evaluation, and Airport Assessment.

The TSA Airport Assessment is an important part of the TSA hiring process. It makes sure that prospective hires have the necessary skills and knowledge to work in a demanding, people-facing role.

With the whole TSO hiring process lasting around 90 days, the Airport Assessment is usually step five out of a total of eight steps.

You will only progress to the next stage of recruitment if you pass the assessment. It is critical that you are successful in the Airport Assessment if you are to secure a role as a TSA Transportation Security Officer.

This article will equip you with the necessary knowledge to succeed in the TSA Airport Assessment. It will outline what to expect at the TSA airport assessment, offer tips on how to prepare, and provide common TSA Airport Assessment interview questions that you may face during the assessment.

What Is the TSA Airport Assessment?

The TSA Airport Assessment is a stage of the hiring process that evaluates a candidate's skills, reactions, and ability to perform job-related tasks under pressure.

The assessment is designed to ensure that the best and brightest candidates move to the next stage and ultimately join the TSA as Transportation Security Officers.

During the assessment, you will be observed and tested on abilities including interpersonal skills, customer service, and security awareness.

To prepare for the test, you should understand what to expect at a TSA Airport Assessment.

TSA Airport Assessment Components

The TSA Airport Assessment consists of three components:

• Check-In
• Color Vision Test
• Panel Interview

The Check-In

By checking in, you are beginning your Airport Assessment journey. You should be very proud of your progress so far in the hiring process.

For the check-in stage, you will need to provide two forms of government-issued identification. This can be your driver’s license, passport, or social security card.

The second part of check in will be handing in personal belongings such as phones and keys. It is recommended that you do not bring unnecessary items, as there may be limited room to store them.

Lastly, you will sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to confirm that you will not share any details of the test with anyone else. You must abide by this.

After check-in, you will move onto the vision test.

TSA Color Vision Test

The TSA uses the Farnsworth D-15 Color Vision Test in the Airport Assessment. This is part of the screening process, because all Transportation Security Officers must be able to distinguish between colors.

The three-minute test will give you a pass or fail outcome.

During the test, you will be presented with 15 small cubes of varying shades of one color. To pass the test, you must line up the colors in a certain order.

If you make too many mistakes when sorting the colors, you will fail the test. You will be given another chance to retake the test, but a second failure will result in disqualification.

In the event you are disqualified, you must wait six months before retaking the Airport Assessment.

TSA Standardized Panel Interview

The final stage of the TSA Airport Assessment is the panel interview. This is a standardized interview, meaning that all candidates are asked the same TSA Airport Assessment questions. This can make it easier to prepare for, as you can predict the kind of thing the panel will want to ask you about.

If in the interview you are struggling to answer the TSA Airport Assessment interview questions, the panel has a second set of standardized questions that they will ask you.

The panel will be made up of between two and six people. You will be asked six questions on soft skills.

You should prepare to answer TSA Airport Assessment questions on the following six soft skills:

• Adaptability, Flexibility, Resilience: These skills refer to the ability to pick up new skills and deal with difficult situations 
• Honesty and Integrity: The panel will assess if you are fair, trustworthy, and reliable. They will also measure how well you meet the TSA’s ethical standards.
  
• Teamwork: This is an important skill, as a TSO role requires you to work collaboratively. The panel will assess capabilities such as communication, conflict resolution, and the ability to give constructive feedback.
  
• Problem Solving: Working as a TSO requires you to quickly resolve issues that can arise without warning. Some of the skills required are creativity, dependability, and active listening.
  
• Leadership and Decisiveness: TSA employees need to be able to lead a team to ensure smooth operation of US transportation systems. You will also be assessed on your ability to make quick and effective decisions.
  
• Interpersonal Skills: The role of a TSO is public-facing and can be highly stressful. The interview panel will want to understand how understanding, empathetic, and friendly you are.

In your interview preparation, it can be useful to consider the type of questions you may be asked. Think about how you can demonstrate that you would act in the most appropriate way. You should relate your answer back to the six soft skills. 

For example, in the question, "How would you handle a difficult passenger?", you can talk about how you would remain calm. You can then assure the customer that their concern is important to you, and use problem solving to come to a fair conclusion.

Another example question is, "What would you do if you noticed suspicious behavior?" Although your TSA training will cover spotting suspicious behavior, the panel will want to know that you have the soft skills to act correctly in this situation. You should again talk about remaining calm and level-headed. What decisions will you make based on your initial feeling?

How to Prepare for the TSA Airport Assessment

Preparation is the key to passing the TSA Airport Assessment. To increase your chances of success, follow these tips.

Study TSA Policies and Procedures

It is a good idea to familiarize yourselves with TSA protocols, security measures, and threat detection. This will help you connect your interview answers to TSA standards and expectations.

The best resources for preparation are official TSA materials and online practice tests.

Prepare for the Interview

Understanding the six soft skills that the interview focuses on will help you prepare strong answers.

Remember to link your answers back to the required capabilities and TSA policies.

As with any interview, the Airport Assessment screening can be nerve-wracking. It is important to remember that you do possess these capabilities, and it is just a case of demonstrating them.

It can help to do mock interviews with family or friends to become familiar with showcasing your interpersonal skills. 

What to Expect at the TSA Airport Assessment

Assessment Environment

After you have checked in and signed the necessary documentation, you will take the Color Vision Test in a closed room with an examiner.

The final stage of the Airport Assessment is the standardized interview. This will also take place in a closed room. You will be asked six questions by between two and six interviewers.

It is important that you are prepared to complete tasks and answer questions while being observed and evaluated. This can be nerve-wracking, but it is a short process that can lead you to your chosen career as a TSA Transportation Security Officer.

Evaluation Criteria

The criteria used to assess candidates in the interview includes critical thinking, communication skills, attention to detail, and customer service aptitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TSA airport assessment?

The TSA Airport Assessment is part of the screening process for TSO roles. It includes a color vision test and a panel interview.

What are common TSA airport assessment questions?

The six interview questions are standardized and asked to all candidates.

How can I prepare for the TSA interview?

You can prepare by researching TSA policies and procedures and by using practice tests.

What should I bring to the TSA airport assessment?

You should bring with you two forms of government-issued ID such as your passport, driver's license, or social security card.

Final Thoughts

If you have been invited to take the TSA Airport Assessment, congratulations! This is the next step of the hiring process and moves you one step closer to working as a Transportation Security Officer.

For the best chance of success, it is important that you prepare effectively. You should make use of study resources and practice materials.

Try your best to stay confident in your abilities. The Airport Assessment is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are ready for a role with the TSA.