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NATS interview process

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NATS interview process

Old 15th Mar 2007, 10:58
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When I did my stage 1 in January, we didn't do the aviation knowledge exam.. I was told that this would be done in stage 2 (which is in a week and a bit).

Is this the same for anyone else? It seems from the posts above that the knowledge exam was done in stage 1 for some people and stage 2 for others.. If that's the case, how will they differentiate when stage 2 comes around? Unless everyone has to do a knowledge test in stage 2 from that lovely PDF regardless of what they did in 1?

"The day will consist of a Motivation paper, a personality questionnaire, computer tests, and a structured interview."

Buuut - I've already done an online personality questionnaire!

Seems that only so much preparation can help. We were told we'd have the motivation test in stage 1 at the beginning, so I learnt it really thoroughly, but then that never actually happened! Bizarre. It's all a big test, isn't it :P
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 11:04
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No- I know that there is no -ve marking. I'm saying do HR analyse the way in which the applicant approached the tests/what they decided was important for a result.

This is the first time they see how you react in a relatively stressful and time-demanding situation... And are likely to see a bit of your TRUE personality in your approach. Seeing as they delegate part of the day to personality questionnaires
I would be surprised if they do not look at HOW you answered the brain tests!

For instance, candidate A scored a better score but I think we would all chose candidate B as a more suitable candidate.

So from a HR perspective should you guess the remaining questions in order to have a chance to pick up a few points, or is it better to do the best from what you attempted and get a higher relative percentage?
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 11:08
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EGMC,

Candidate A:
This person got 29 correct in the first 30 Q's...THEN got 8 wrong in the last 10. He obviously just guessed them- we do not want somebody who blags and guesses the answer... Plus, really he only got 77%

Candidate B:
gets the same score up to the point when the invigilator says "2 minutes", but then carries on as normal and spends two minutes on one question and gets it right, scoring 30 out of 40 = 75%

So although this person got a lesser score, still scored quite well, and out of those he attempted got a whopping 97%. He didn’t try to blag his way through but was more concerned with doing his job well or not at all
I have to say that I don't know. However, you could look at it the other way: Candidate A used his initiative and knew he wasn't going to finish all the questions if he worked them out, given two minute left, so he guessed them; while Candidate B steadfastly refused to change his plan in the face of overwhelming evidence that he'd not finish all the questions.

It's been a few years since I did the tests myself, and I remember I finished most of them, but I guessed the last few if I was running out of time.

As far as I know, it's just a straight total up the marks, rather than weighting any particular questions.
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 11:10
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Agree, don't over analyze...they won't know you guessed them !
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 11:12
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Timelapse, there are two different knowledge tests, one at stage 1 and one at stage 2.
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 11:20
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Aha thanks - makes sense! Sounds like the first one got omitted then on my round for whatever reason
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 11:51
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Good point Gonzo,

Sorry 'bout all of that... it WAS a little pedantic I suppose anyway, but I just remembered feeling very paranoid about my approach in that little waiting period.

The two pdf motivation booklets were very similar, so it would make sense to merge them into one test, but when I did them [Oct&Nov], I sat two. One at stage 1, the other at stage 2... the second one had a few more DST calculations in them... right at the end too! [when your brain was already frazzled!]
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 12:05
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Never apologise for asking a question!
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 13:54
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Just been sent an e-mail from NATS HR asking me to complete the Personality Questionnaire, which is meant to take 40 minutes. Sounds like it will be something similar to last years Stage 1 Questionnaire.

SHT6Y
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 14:19
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SHT6Y - It's great fun! Enjoy every second of it..

(It's horrible)
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 14:59
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It's worth spending the time doing it, as I went for my first stage tests last Thursday. Did the online personality test on Tuesday evening and have had an email this morning inviting me to Stage 2.

The dates for Stage 2 are 26th March to 5th April, so the sooner you do it and find out, the more time you will have to prepare for the next stage - assuming you get through!
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 15:04
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Actually, I'd like to ask a question myself to anyone who has recently been through the process for Stage 2.

Is the structured interview an HR one or does it involve ATCO's?

When I last went through the selection process, you had computer tests, HR interviews and also one with ATCOs. It's not clear from the email I've been sent what it will exactly involve...

Thanks
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 15:10
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That was nasty!
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 15:15
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Indeed.


Which of these 4 essential ATCO qualities is the least true of you...
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 15:26
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Is the structured interview an HR one or does it involve ATCO's?
HR only.

The ATCO/HR interview is at stage 3
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 15:30
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Which of these 4 essential ATCO qualities is the least true of you...
That question didn't come up for me...
Wonder if the questions are generated based on answers which we put into the 'Learning Styles' questionnaire at the initial tests.
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 15:33
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What I mean is the questions for me were all similar to this..

Which of these is the most and least true of you

a) I'm motivated
b) I work well in a team
c) I am calm under pressure
d) I take control of a situation

Tough stuff!
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 15:36
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Doh, sorry - with you now.

I know what you mean - they were like fail/fail answer options!!!
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Old 15th Mar 2007, 15:41
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Yeah exactly.. Lots of stuff repeated but worded slightly differently too, probably to catch you out.
Well, good luck! I hope you get kazzy01's turnaround time and not mine

btw, if anyone wants someone to study with for stage2 tests via MSN or something then feel free to email/pm me (mine is on the 26th)
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Old 22nd Mar 2007, 20:29
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Hi,

I too have been fortunate enough to get through the stage 1 tests, and the fail/fail multiple personality questionairre, and have the pleasure of the stage 2 tests and interview in a few weeks time. Does anyone have any words of wisdom on what to expect and how (apart from reading the document they give you) one should prepare?

Thanks!
Gemsound
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