NATS interview process

[T250]

Andrew777

Just got the email back to inform me that I didn't pass Stage 1.
It is a shame that they don't give feedback, it would help a lot and I don't see why that can't just give you scores on the emails.

I found the tests extremely difficult and I read the Motivation paper every day for four weeks and learnt all the aircraft and well as doing the practice tests.
Does anyone pass Stage One first time?

Also, if you can only apply to a maximum of three attempts then why the 12 month gap?

Sorry to hear you didn't pass the first hurdle.
Although NATS' official mantra is they do not provide feedback, its worth a shot either emailing them or calling them and politely asking. You may find (as I did) that you did quite well in some tests and less so in others which will help if you do decide to re-apply.

Out of interest, which test did you find the hardest? How many commands/instructions were there in the diagramming test you sat?

[CaptJayJay]

Online Test

I have Stage 1 on the 25th January, however, I can't complete the online tests as the site is not compatible with Windows 7!

Anyone else have this problem? The site throws up an error message saying it only works with Vista/XP etc.

I've emailed both SHL and NATS but had no reply.

How am I supposed to complete the tests if SHL can't make their tests compatible with the latest, most widely used operating system?!

[piqla]

I think one of your friends will be willing to lend to you a laptop for 10 minutes to do those tests...

[marco888]

Yeah - I had a similar problem on a Mac.

Had to borrow my sister's laptop to do the tests. Bit of a pain actually. When you've psyched yourself up already.

[Scrotchidson]

Stage 3 - 29th January

Hi all!
I've just started my preparation for Stage 3 which is on the 29th. I've done Stage 3 before, around November 2007 and I know a few things have changed since then but I'm pretty sure I know what to do to prepare.

Just a quick question for anyone who has just sat Stage 3 and even just sat Stage 3 on a 2nd attempt (so you've sat Stage 3 before similarly to me), I wanted to ask about the actual Interview itself. Last time I went through the assessments I got two test materials to learn up on however this time I've only been given the one test materials (they took away the motivation paper from stage 2). In the interviews now do they give you less technical questions than they used to?

Thanks
Scott

[lizplt]

I'd think of like 3 or 4 for each. Or just write down all the previous experiences you've had that may be relevant to skills needed to be an ATCO, because although I thought I was well prepared they still threw a spanner in the works by saying "yeeaaah that example doesn't work with the rest of the questions" and you'd be put on the spot to think of another example.
Loved the team game though. I wanna do that again because I thought I'd cracked it until they came around with those cards.

[Scrotchidson]

"though they may well ask a bit about any NATS facilities you have visited as part of the "ATC motivation" competency and that might be an opportunity to show how much you absorbed in any visit(s) you did"
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Thanks a lot for the info, i've already been to heathrow and im going again the day before stage 3 so that should be worthwhile, i'll also have a look into going to swanwick but my time is limited due to work.

Have you got any examples of the questions they asked you about your visits?

Thanks!
Scott

[Tom1984]

Lizplt -

I have also been penciled in for the Aug Area course !! So.. thats makes 2 !! Woohoo !! Maybe we should start a NATS 224 group on facebook as well lol ... or is that too eager !! 8 bloody months ....!! ha

Tom

[lizplt]

Ah now you've got me all excited again. It's gonna have to be done. Anyone else on August Area course find it. I'll start it now. NATS 224 on facebook.

Liz x

[Noroll]

Pat42 as always,thanks a lot.

[apostate]

Stage 2 dress code

Hey everyone, just a quick question for those of you who have done Stage 2 already: were people dressed quite formally? I know the dress code is supposed to be smart/casual but I wouldn't want to show up in jeans and find everyone wearing suits and vice versa.

Thank you in advance

[student88]

Hey - naturally for my S2 everyone dressed up to the nines. However on the invite it said smart casual where as my invite to S3 specifically said smart dress so I guess that NATS do expect a difference in appearance. I think you'll be able to get away with a shirt and trousers, I ended up taking off my tie as soon as I sat down at the computer.

Make sure you're comfortable!

Good luck, S88

[apostate]

Yep. it sounds like it's better to overkill in this situation I think.
Thanks for the quick reply!

[OnEsTeP]

Diagramming

Im pretty sure there are around 8-12 instructions. I can not remember exactly how many im afraid.
Regards

[plato 1]

Quick question.

On the s/d/t tests on stage 1 can you use a calculater + how many q's are there?

Much love.

[Pat42]

I went in a suit to stage 2, most other people there were dressed similarly so it won't do you any harm to over dress (you won't be the only one). That said, the one guy who did turn up dressed more casually (jeans and a shirt) was also at my stage 3, so it obviously didn't hold him back. Just don't turn up in a tattered pair of trainers and your favourite Metallica T.

It's quite an intense day at stage 2 as well, so make sure that you are comfortable whatever you choose to wear.

[Pat42]

Plato,

No calculators, they want to check out your mental arithmatic. Besides, these are the kind of questions you should really be able to do faster in your head than by the time you've got the calculator out of the drawer, keyed in all the numbers etc.

If I recall correctly there were about 25 questions, but it was a while ago now. If you have a look back in the thread around the beginning of September you should be able to find a post I put up after stage 1 which goes into more detail.

[Louis_Evard]

Morning all (at least it will be by the time I've finished typing this post),

I have managed to get to the 3rd stage of the ATC assessment and am due down in Swanwick this coming Tuesday (starting to get nervous). I have read quite a few of the replies in this post and they have been very helpful with my preparation (in particular Pat42), just wanted to say thanks!

My question is with regard to the current weather conditions. I live all the way up in Harrogate (North Yorkshire) and so I am concerned that the forecast Snowfall for Sunday and Monday may hamper my chances of getting down to Swanwick.

Has anyone else encountered difficulties in getting there? and what are the minimum number of people required for the group exercise?

Regards,

Louis

[Pat42]

I don't know what it'll be like on the way down, but I'm in Southampton and the snow is pretty sparse in this neck of the woods. We haven't had any fresh stuff in days and all the main roads are completely clear now (just a little icy first thing in the morning). It seems to be it's own little micro-climate here, once you're a few miles out of the city it's just like everywhere else. The M3 and M27 will be fine though so once your in the south it'll only be the last few miles around Swanwick you're likely to have any trouble with.

[Louis_Evard]

Set off a day early just incase the snow got worse up north. Apparantly it was a good idea as it seems quite a bit of snow fell overnight. Got a call from NATS HR confirming whether or not I would be available, I'm glad I was able to say yes