ATC interview help!!!

[amydunn]

Hi guys, :)

I have my stage 1 selection interview coming up next month and I just wanted a few different peoples perspectives on what i should expect on the day. I have been reading some of the material they sent me for the motovational paper, and have also tried a few online tests. I seem to be doing ok in all of them although my maths isnt that brilliant (even though i got a C grade at GCSE level....does this matter?

I would just like some first hand experience knowledge on what to expect from each of the stages and how everyone else found that the day went....easy?... hard?..............basically i just want as much info as possible!!!!! LOL

Thanks xx

[rodan]

Hi Amy. If you do a search, you'll find all the advice you can shake a stick at. There's a very comprehensive thread that covers your requirements here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=265195). Good luck!

[amydunn]

Yeah, i saw all that but it all looks pretty back dated and different people saying conflicting things....hence why i started a new thread so that people could put up-to-date comments of recent interviews on here and make it look less confusing LOL!!

Thanks anyways though! :)

[miki-atc]

hi amy,
i've done my test today.its nowhere near the material they told me to practice.
that spatial practice with the unfolded cube?you have 20 min to answer 40 questions.
diagraming?you have 12 commands not 4. 20 min for 50 questions.
i hope you are much smarter then me.

good luck

[amydunn]

miki-atc

Thanks for the advice.....what sort of questions did you get based on the given material?? All in all how do you think the day went??

[Bamboozle Woozle]

Amydunn,

As said above, your best bet is to go through the NATS interview process thread - you get perspectives from people who have been going through the same process that you will for the past few years. It hasnt really changed in that time, so dont worry if they are a few years out. The thread is really useful, but it is worth remembering that it wont actually help you pass any stage if you aren't up to standard - there are no cheaters or backdoors I'm afraid!

I completely understand your worries, having been through it in the last few months - but just relax! Learn the pre-reading you got send and I would recommend maybe getting some psychometric workbooks if you a worried about the tests.

Best of luck:ok:

[Gonzo]

The first post on the large NATS recruitment thread was only made in February 2007, so it's not out of date at all.

Yes, the time limits are tight, and for good reason; we need to see how you perform under pressure.

As the poster above says, there are books available to practise the style of tests you'll encounter.

It's very difficult to say if they are hard or easy, it varies tremendously from person to person.

Just remember that at the first stage, there is no interview. There should be a trainee ATCO there, so ask him as many questions as you can! :ok:

[monkeyboy21]

Just did my stage one today! Try and practice some spatial awareness tests using cube templates, and make sure you read the notes as recommended in the confirmation email. It is quite a relaxed affair, and the instructors are helpful. THe most important thing they stress is accuracy and speed. Most of the other candidates i talked to only managed to finish about 70% of the spatial awareness paper, so don't be alarmed by that.

Quick thankyou to the regular contributors on the other NATS thread, as their advice is invaluable, so make sure you read it!

oh, and good luck!

[smellysnelly2004]

When I went through the selection process a couple of years ago I answered just over half of the questions on the cubes and got through. It's been mentioned before but the tests are supposed to be hard and push you beyond your limits.

[amydunn]

Thanks alot for the posts guys!!!

I guess im just worried about what to expect lol, im sure i will be fine...........just need to calm these damn nerves!! lol

[NeoDude]

Don't use up all your nerves just now. You'll need them when you get to the college :ok: (IFR Summatives tomorrow :eek:)

[steffi_kel]

Why don't you have a 'maaaaaheeeeeeeeeeeetoooo' to help calm those nerves Scabface??? :}

[SACrIGGER]

pipedown !

[NeoDude]

I think you'll find it's spelt "mooooheeeeeetoooooo"!! :ok:

[watch_the_birdie]

haha "Scabface"

[NeoDude]

:*

FYI, I am fully healed. I'll learn that pavement! :ugh::ugh::ugh:

;)

[ke200]

Hope it goes well! I'm applying to be come an ATCO too... Got my test on July 14th at Charing cross - I'm gonna create a thread asking if someone has access to more of the test materials - I hardly think three questions is going to prepare me :s Might I ask where you got your practice papers or other test materials?

[stoneyrosetreered]

ke200, Those tests are there to test your natural ability at the task, thats possibly why there are so few practice questions. Before my stage 1 I searched everywhere to find examples for the spatial reasoning, the best technique I found was to find an object and then imagine it at different angles (even draw it) then flip it upside down and put it into unusual positions and do it again. Goodluck!

[SACrIGGER]

This website has some good examples questions that you will be asked in stage 1.

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/employment/QTests.pdf

The only ones that are simialr are the-

Diagrammatic Test – Version 1
Diagrammatic Test – Version 2
Spatial Reasoning Test.

I think that the motivation question are similar to some of the papers you fill in, but can't be sure.

[ke200]

@ stoneyrosetreered (http://www.pprune.org/forums/members/stoneyrosetreered.html), thanks for the tip, that's a good idea actually! I know it's meant to test natural ability, but with practise I'm hoping to 'naturally' improve :D Best to get used to the tests - the same with any examination.