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NATS interview process

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Old 20th Nov 2007, 12:27
  #521 (permalink)  
 
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Is there a further section after the interview stage? I thought my most recent message from NATS mentioned an assessment day after the interview, but maybe I got confused. I just hadn't read anything about that on here is all. I will read it again...

Ginger

(Also, jumping the gun by a considerable margin, but if I were to be successful, would I have to redo the Class 1, or is it enough that I already hold one?)
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Old 21st Nov 2007, 08:57
  #522 (permalink)  
 
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Ginger,

I had a JAA class 1 medical, but still had to do a UK class 1 before starting at Hurn. A lot of the JAA 1 counted but still had to go through the motions anyway....
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Old 21st Nov 2007, 16:35
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The NATS initial medical is slightly different to the UK CAA Class 1, so you'll still have to do one.
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Old 22nd Nov 2007, 17:55
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Oh dear, woe is me and so forth

I'm an optimistic guy, but my assessment at Fareham today was not good (Stage 2??). Firstly I was sure I was told there would be two interviews, so I was prepared for a normal interview and a personality-type one. As it turns out, I just had the latter, so a lot of my preparation was unnecessary. I found the 'giving examples' a bit exhausting as it was really hard to think of responses in a few cases, despite knowing that I had plently to call on somewhere in my memory.

Worse though, were the electronic tests. I have done plenty of electronic aptitude tests, so wasn't particularly worried about them, but christ I found these tough. Stopping numbers colliding while doing sums was the worst - I barely answered any of the maths questions as I could not read the question, do the arithmetic and respond before the question disappeared again. I wondered if these were solely to try and distract you from the 'aircraft', but probably not. Also, sorting numbers and then having to factor extra instructions was so hard to do in the time allowed. Adding the digits together, seeing if it was a match and remembering the right category was almost too much for the 3 seconds or so given.

So it seems maybe my brain is not that of an ATCO, unless i've been really lucky. Damnnation to my grey matter, and good luck to everyone else in the process. I'm sure you'll fair better.

Ginger
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Old 22nd Nov 2007, 17:59
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If it's any help - after my stage 2 I felt exactly the same, that I had exactly no hope of getting through it. I then found out that I'd done really well at them later on, so don't panic.

Also you might just find that the 3rd electronic test (sums while stopping colliding) isn't actually looked at...
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Old 22nd Nov 2007, 18:08
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Well those are comforting words - thank you. I'll just have to wait and see...

Ginger



P.S. I don't want to lower the tone, but a further distraction during the test was that the desk area outside was populated by a silly percentage of absolutely beautiful girls/women! I could feel my neck straining against my better judgement.
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Old 22nd Nov 2007, 19:25
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lol. Nice.

I felt the same after the computer tests. I reckon that they are designed to stress you out and that the only way to pass is not to give up. Probably testing that you won't throw your headset away in disgust and lose the plot should your sector get a bit busy.
 
Old 22nd Nov 2007, 19:55
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I don't want to lower the tone, but a further distraction during the test was that the desk area outside was populated by a silly percentage of absolutely beautiful girls/women! I could feel my neck straining against my better judgement.
You sure you were in CTC? At Fareham???????



I'm joking ladies!
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Old 24th Nov 2007, 12:15
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Maybe the girls are put there to distract you :P But being a girl myself, I didn't find that a problem...

Yes, I felt completely crap after the tests, and then found out that actually I had done "really well", and later found out in my 3rd round interview that I got the same scores as the Air Traffic Controller interviewing me got. So it can't have been all that bad...(I asked what the scores meant, but they didn't have a clue)

Good Luck
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Old 25th Nov 2007, 11:43
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I too felt thoroughly depressed after the stage 2 computer tests. I felt my 'big chance' had come to an end. I can't have performed that badly as I'm not a TATC at Hurn. There is light at the end of the tunnel even though you feel all hope is lost.

BAW1T
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Old 26th Nov 2007, 13:05
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Stage 1

Was anyone else at the stage 1 tests last Thursday at Marble Arch?
If so have you heard anything back yet?
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Old 28th Nov 2007, 19:49
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Hi all,

I've been reading this thread with interest over the past few weeks as I've worked my way through the ATCO application process. I had my Stage 2 in Fareham this morning and already have an email confirming my progression to Stage 3. All good so far...

Anyway, I would really like to try and arrange a visit to a NATS facility before I go to the interview. Unfortunately being 'stranded' in Norwich means a drive to either Swanwick or Preswick for a visit isn't very viable just for a visit. So I thought of trying to arrange a visit to either Stansted or Heathrow tower to at least get a taste for the job.

Is this viable? If anyone could push some contact details my way I'd be much obliged...I can't seem to find much on the net.

Cheers!
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Old 28th Nov 2007, 23:07
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Wink 1 Stage test on 11 dec 2007

Hi everybody,

i have booked my 1st stage test on 11 dec 2007 in glasgow, and i am preparing for that test.
I am bit confused about the Arthimetic Numerical Reasoning test, With Spatial Reasoning Incl design & Shapes test, do i need to prepare for Arthimetic numerical test as well or NOT???

Pleae help me because i have not enough time to prepare. the contents of the test which i know are,

1. Apptitude test (Shapes design, basic checking, 3d conversion)

2.Motivation test

3. Personality questionair

is there any thing else???
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Old 29th Nov 2007, 07:55
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Going to college!

Hey all, just wanted to let you all know I have got my email confirming that I have been succesful at the 3rd stage, so assuming I pass the medical and security I will be going back to college in the summer! I am well chuffed!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all on this thread as you all have been real helpful.

Not sure whether going to be invited to June or Septmeber intake yet - anyone else confirmed for next June or September?
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Old 29th Nov 2007, 09:41
  #535 (permalink)  
 
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I have no idea what intake they are thinking I am going for - I've heard mumblings of June...

I had my medical last week which was all good, I think they are now just getting references and stuff, haven't really heard much recently.
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Old 29th Nov 2007, 16:07
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Seconding chaudhrysahabs post (2 above) what tests do the Stage 1 comprise of now?

I always understood they were structured as a motivation test, personality questionnaire and the aptitude tests being spacial reasoning, basic checking, diagrammatical and mental arithmatic + several others

Have they changed as chaudhrysahab mentions above?
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Old 29th Nov 2007, 16:33
  #537 (permalink)  
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No mental arithmatic when I was there in April.
 
Old 29th Nov 2007, 16:47
  #538 (permalink)  
 
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I always understood they were structured as a motivation test, personality questionnaire and the aptitude tests being spacial reasoning, basic checking, diagrammatical
As neodude said that list is correct, or was when I went in May. There is no specific mental arithmatic test, but that doesn't mean you won't need to brush up the mental arithmetic for use in the other tests
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Old 29th Nov 2007, 18:15
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I did stage one in June and didnt get through but when I did it it was just the motivation test which is a multiple choice based on the info they send you so make sure you learn it well. Then the personality questionnaire which is fairly straightforward. Then it's the aptitude tests which include basic checking, diagrammatic and spatial reasoning. Diagrammatic is when they show you shapes that mean different things and you have to say what comes next in the sequence, I found that quite easy, then it's the cubes which is by far the hardest bit of the tests. That was it.

Hope you both have more luck than I did. I'm counting down the days til June so I can reapply again. Has anyone known HR to let you reapply before the 12 months is up??!! I'm determined to pass second time!!

Congrats atcowannabe, I hope I'm in your position this time next year!

Vic
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Old 4th Dec 2007, 13:24
  #540 (permalink)  
 
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1 stage interview

Hi all,

I will have my first interview next Moday. I feel prepared but there are a few pages at the back of the "motivation" material about aircraft specific configuration.

Are those last pages worth of studying or should it be enough with a rough read?

Many thanks
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