Need some advice.

[thankyou]

Hi,

i recently applied for NATS trainee atc.

I have passed the online test and have now been invited to the first stage on 4th December.

After reading peoples experience with the first stage they have learnt the test materials booklet for months. Is their any point me attending the first stage if i will only be able to read through the booklet around 10 times over a couple of days due to work commitments and so fourth.

The only reason i ask is because i have exams coming up and in order to attend i would have to miss 5 lessons of college and also pay £100+ for travel and accommodation.

Would be hugely grateful if anyone could advise me on what's best.

Thanks.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Do you want to be an air traffic controller? If so you should be giving it top priority.

[Talkdownman]

Where's your sense of commitment?
They don't give ATC licences away in cornflakes packets...

[PhiltheReaper]

Not to undermine your great authority HD, but perhaps to put a bit of a generation slant on this:

@Thankyou, your exams are extremely important and will form any part of a back-up plan which you may or may not have to enact in the future. It is sensible for you to concentrate on your studies, with most jobs requiring certain grades before you can even apply, including NATS!

However, the ATC motivation test itself is not going to grill your knowledge intensely at stage 1. Make sure those 10 read-throughs are careful and thorough. Make sure that key bits of terminology stick on your mind with the right wording. I can't say what is or is not in the test, but it is worth remembering that the exact wording of a particular piece of equipment is the level of detail they are looking for. Not necessarily all of the fine detail about the operation of such a device. I can reasonably say no more.

Be careful with your learning and make it count. Breezing through the document to get a general feel of the paper will probably do you little good on the day. This test does not take months of planning, but it does take careful consideration.

I hear it is a cracking job at NATS and I hope to all that is holy that I can one day be a part of it, the process itself I have found rewarding so if nothing else go for it, for the experience! I am hoping my experience of the process once will stand me in better stead this (the second) time around.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Phil

[alfaman]

:ugh: look at the dates, HD & TDM - the OP has less than 5 days to work through a long document, the screwing up of which will spoil his/her chances, & waste valuable time - flippant "try harder" comments really don't help.

Well put Phil - & for the OP, you're already in a learning frame of mind at college, so that should help but, your college exams are for the long term; putting those at risk for ATC wouldn't be worth it. The expectation is that you will be able to answer questions based on the booklet, so if you feel you won't be able to do that, you're not prepared enough, yet. You're the placed best person to judge whether you can make it work for you, but there'll always be another stage 1 day - perhaps better to delay for a date that fits if you can; if not, make that time count as best you can. Interviews are about feeling as comfortable as you can, being prepared is a big part of that. Good luck, whichever you decide.

[Brian 48nav]

You have quite a dilemma!

I don't know what NATS thinking is on interviewees pulling out at the last moment - it is possible that they may not look too kindly on an another application from you in a year or so; other Ppruners may be better qualified to give advice on this. I do know that some organisations, particularly airlines, only grant applicants one chance, if you turn them down once you don't get a second chance!

Far be it for me to suggest something dishonest - but there is a lot of flu' about lately- wink wink.

I expect you have used modern 'text speak' English in your post, but for applications etc it must be faultless ie capital I, there and their used correctly.

Best of luck!

[scottish-ghost]

I too only had 4days to learn it (and passed stage1) but what I did was have my iPad read the doc to me over and over aswell as reading it and making notes. Even when I was in the shower and stuff that way it just sinks in with out you noticing it. Might sound crazy to some people but it really helped me.