NATS Assessment Day (Manchester - Sept 8th
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NATS Assessment Day (Manchester - Sept 8th
Hi ,
just wondering if anyone out there sat the tests for the trainee air traffic controller posts in Manchester on Sept 8th 2004?
I found out that I didn't meet "the required standard", unfortunately!
How did you guys do?
I know I really messed up the cubes test, but can't see where else I went wrong - not trying to sound arrogant there, by the way.
Tried calling NATS to find out my results and see where I went wrong, but can't get through to anyone.
Will reapply again next year - but really feeling demoralised at the moment.
Good luck to those who were successful.
just wondering if anyone out there sat the tests for the trainee air traffic controller posts in Manchester on Sept 8th 2004?
I found out that I didn't meet "the required standard", unfortunately!
How did you guys do?
I know I really messed up the cubes test, but can't see where else I went wrong - not trying to sound arrogant there, by the way.
Tried calling NATS to find out my results and see where I went wrong, but can't get through to anyone.
Will reapply again next year - but really feeling demoralised at the moment.
Good luck to those who were successful.
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If at first........
You won't get any response if you fail the initial assessment day - NATS claim simply too much volume to reply. I failed it first time - presumed I'd fallen down on the templates as well but re-applied and did much, much more prep for the second go. It paid off and now I'm waiting for stage 2, so that's all you can do - feels like a long year though I promise.
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Thanks for replying Billy.
So, what kind of preparation did you do the second time round, in order to pass the tests?
Any advice you can offer or any books you can reccommend for the cubes?
Cheers.
So, what kind of preparation did you do the second time round, in order to pass the tests?
Any advice you can offer or any books you can reccommend for the cubes?
Cheers.
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I've just started at the CATC in Hurn (hence the handle) in Bournemouth. It took two years in total for me to gett all the selection crap out of the way and to get into the college itself. It is definitely worth it though, they treat you like royalty once you get there. As for the cubes, there is no way to practice, you just have to get the nack of looking at which ones definitely dont fit, and work from there. If you write to NATS they will tell you what you failed on. my first time round i failed on the test with dots and arrows...
Keep trying, there are people starting with me who didnt get in until their third attempt, nothing wrong with at all.
It really is worth it.
Keep trying, there are people starting with me who didnt get in until their third attempt, nothing wrong with at all.
It really is worth it.
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before my 2nd attempt instead of reading loads about ATC i just used the booklet provided and instead just practised like a dullard; few sheets of mental arithmetic and fractions stuff every week for 3 weeks before. Made myself some little cut-outs of cube templates just to get into my head how they rotate and twist from flat plane into the cube. I also noticed I used scrap paper a lot more the second time around. Once the vertical switching commands got a bit more complicated I found I had time just to roughly write them out and still get it done. No rocket science to it I just put more effort in really - hope to christ I make it through interview now else another year in the wilderness.
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Thanks for the words of encouragement, Billy & Hurn-ia.
NATS Recruitment left a message on my phone, informing me that it was company policy not to provide feedback on the tests. However, as hurn-ia suggested - there is no harm in writing - just the small cost of an envelope and a stamp - even if they don't reply. Might give them an incentive by providing them with a SAE!!!
I totally understand your concern regarding wasting time, Billy. That's what has annoyed me so much - I can't re-apply until next Sept (12 month gap between retesting- once again company policy!)...then if I get through the tests- it's a further wait to be invited to an interview......providing I jump that hurdle...an 18 month training course follows!!
However, you still have your interview to attend - so be positive and try and read up on ATC as much as you can. I've heard they ask you to do some mental arithmetic in your head, by asking some scenario questions involving Speed,Distance and Time Calcs.
May show you a picture of an aircraft, and ask you to identify the type.
I'm sure you'll be fine......all the best.
NATS Recruitment left a message on my phone, informing me that it was company policy not to provide feedback on the tests. However, as hurn-ia suggested - there is no harm in writing - just the small cost of an envelope and a stamp - even if they don't reply. Might give them an incentive by providing them with a SAE!!!
I totally understand your concern regarding wasting time, Billy. That's what has annoyed me so much - I can't re-apply until next Sept (12 month gap between retesting- once again company policy!)...then if I get through the tests- it's a further wait to be invited to an interview......providing I jump that hurdle...an 18 month training course follows!!
However, you still have your interview to attend - so be positive and try and read up on ATC as much as you can. I've heard they ask you to do some mental arithmetic in your head, by asking some scenario questions involving Speed,Distance and Time Calcs.
May show you a picture of an aircraft, and ask you to identify the type.
I'm sure you'll be fine......all the best.
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I was there in Manchester on the 8th - I'm going to be down in Hurn for interview on October 7th. Those cubes were a nightmare though! I think I did OK (well, I assume so given the outcome!) but my brain felt like jelly afterwards.
Hurn-ia - did they tell you at any point what sort of numbers get through the interview stage?
Hurn-ia - did they tell you at any point what sort of numbers get through the interview stage?
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Hello...
I was at Manchester with you on the 8th September! Got my second stage interview at the same place in October! Anyone have any advise for the computer tests? I'm not sure how to prepare (if I can) for these, and its the bit I'm least positive about!
Thanks for any hints you can give...
Hope to see some familiar faces next month!
I was at Manchester with you on the 8th September! Got my second stage interview at the same place in October! Anyone have any advise for the computer tests? I'm not sure how to prepare (if I can) for these, and its the bit I'm least positive about!
Thanks for any hints you can give...
Hope to see some familiar faces next month!
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CheesyRobMan & Winter2004 - congratulations to you guys for getting through. Wish I was joining you, but unfortunately not! - I'm going to drown my sorrows in Las Vegas for a week, instead.
No consolation whatsoever!!
What group were you in?
I was in Group B.
No consolation whatsoever!!
What group were you in?
I was in Group B.
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We were told that this time round 30 out of 7000 got through, usually it's something like 30 out of 1000. dont think 30 is the limit though, if you're good enough, you're in!!
It's so worth it, i was scared ****less, but when you first sit down in met or nav in the college you think, yes, this is it!!
as for vegas, i was there for two weeks in the summer, best two weeks of my life believe me!! have a buffet in excalibur!!
It's so worth it, i was scared ****less, but when you first sit down in met or nav in the college you think, yes, this is it!!
as for vegas, i was there for two weeks in the summer, best two weeks of my life believe me!! have a buffet in excalibur!!
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Group D
I was also in Manchester on the 8th of September and, unfortunately, failed. Will definitely be there again next year though, and much better prepared. I was in group D. Anyone else here from that group?
I\'ve just noticed that you were, Winter2004. Give me a clue...
I\'ve just noticed that you were, Winter2004. Give me a clue...
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Hi Brownstudy...
I was one of the two ladies in the group.
Quite suprised there were only five there in total!
The cube section was a nightmare but I think we were lucky getting that section out of the way in the morning!
Good luck for next year!
I was one of the two ladies in the group.
Quite suprised there were only five there in total!
The cube section was a nightmare but I think we were lucky getting that section out of the way in the morning!
Good luck for next year!
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Winter2004
Oh yes. I had coffee in the afternoon with the only two women in our group. Well done for getting through to the next stage, and I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully, I may work with you one day.
Oh yes. I had coffee in the afternoon with the only two women in our group. Well done for getting through to the next stage, and I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully, I may work with you one day.
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Selection Tests
I read your comments regularly and quite honestly I feel a little upset at times. How has this situation developed?
Imagine a large company pays over half a million pounds to advisors and selection agencies to come up with a scheme to select controllers; they can hardly justify the fee if all "they" say is that there is no more relevant a test than to sit the candidate down at a simulator and watch them [after some preparation].
Regretably they come up with totally irrelevant "playschool" games....don't take a NATS rejection as a fair assessment of ATCO potential......and during the process if you ever meet some-one who claims to be a controller, ask them where and when and for how long.
NATS bosses want to see something for their money....hence the tests.
Imagine a large company pays over half a million pounds to advisors and selection agencies to come up with a scheme to select controllers; they can hardly justify the fee if all "they" say is that there is no more relevant a test than to sit the candidate down at a simulator and watch them [after some preparation].
Regretably they come up with totally irrelevant "playschool" games....don't take a NATS rejection as a fair assessment of ATCO potential......and during the process if you ever meet some-one who claims to be a controller, ask them where and when and for how long.
NATS bosses want to see something for their money....hence the tests.
