NATS interview process
Does anyone know if the NATS papers are structured like that?
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Hi guys,
It sounds like loads of you are stressing about the maths questions. My advice is...don't! I remember when i went through the selection process (albeit 4 years ago so things may have changed) i really struggled with anything harder than the most basic maths questions and would be very surprised if i got any correct at all. I think the spacial awareness tests are far more important to get correct and would advise you all to try and get some practice on those sorts of questions. Also make sure you nail the motivation paper!!
I've been valid for over a year now and never use maths at work!
It sounds like loads of you are stressing about the maths questions. My advice is...don't! I remember when i went through the selection process (albeit 4 years ago so things may have changed) i really struggled with anything harder than the most basic maths questions and would be very surprised if i got any correct at all. I think the spacial awareness tests are far more important to get correct and would advise you all to try and get some practice on those sorts of questions. Also make sure you nail the motivation paper!!
I've been valid for over a year now and never use maths at work!
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Ok I've read the past 10 or so pages and couldn't see my answer from skimming. Sorry, I know it's annoying but I haven't the time to read the entire thread.
I just want to hear from someone who's taken the stage 1 tests. It's just the test paper I'm concerned about - the one that they give the 25 page material about. Could you summarize the paper? What sort of questions are asked? Is it highly important to remember everything, including the list of specs and all the meanings of the words and what they stand for?
I have seen a couple of answers but they basically say to be better safe than sorry. I would like to hear from someone who has actually taken the test please.
Thanks in advance
I just want to hear from someone who's taken the stage 1 tests. It's just the test paper I'm concerned about - the one that they give the 25 page material about. Could you summarize the paper? What sort of questions are asked? Is it highly important to remember everything, including the list of specs and all the meanings of the words and what they stand for?
I have seen a couple of answers but they basically say to be better safe than sorry. I would like to hear from someone who has actually taken the test please.
Thanks in advance
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IsItMeUrLookin4
Whilst I appreciate you're innocently enquiring about the test paper, let me just put this out there (and to all those other posters who ask similar questions).
If candidates who have indeed taken the test paper (myself included) told you to only revise and learn pages 3, 14 and 25 because that's all that's asked about, would you just learn that?
This is a career you're applying for, and whilst inevitably, some individuals will plum for the above rather immature approach to selection, it seems quite astonishing to me that this question is even being asked.
If you're truly serious about NATS then surely you're going to read and learn and keep going over the entire booklet - whether only 2 pages are examined or not.
It seems to me if you're going to be selective in what you're prepared to learn at the first stage then you're not what NATS are looking for. I know I wouldn't want an ATCO to cut corners when handling my flight...
Just my thoughts, make of them what you will.
If candidates who have indeed taken the test paper (myself included) told you to only revise and learn pages 3, 14 and 25 because that's all that's asked about, would you just learn that?
This is a career you're applying for, and whilst inevitably, some individuals will plum for the above rather immature approach to selection, it seems quite astonishing to me that this question is even being asked.
If you're truly serious about NATS then surely you're going to read and learn and keep going over the entire booklet - whether only 2 pages are examined or not.
It seems to me if you're going to be selective in what you're prepared to learn at the first stage then you're not what NATS are looking for. I know I wouldn't want an ATCO to cut corners when handling my flight...
Just my thoughts, make of them what you will.
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Could you summarize the paper?
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Whilst I appreciate you're innocently enquiring about the test paper, let me just put this out there (and to all those other posters who ask similar questions).
If candidates who have indeed taken the test paper (myself included) told you to only revise and learn pages 3, 14 and 25 because that's all that's asked about, would you just learn that?
This is a career you're applying for, and whilst inevitably, some individuals will plum for the above rather immature approach to selection, it seems quite astonishing to me that this question is even being asked.
If you're truly serious about NATS then surely you're going to read and learn and keep going over the entire booklet - whether only 2 pages are examined or not.
It seems to me if you're going to be selective in what you're prepared to learn at the first stage then you're not what NATS are looking for. I know I wouldn't want an ATCO to cut corners when handling my flight...
Just my thoughts, make of them what you will.
If candidates who have indeed taken the test paper (myself included) told you to only revise and learn pages 3, 14 and 25 because that's all that's asked about, would you just learn that?
This is a career you're applying for, and whilst inevitably, some individuals will plum for the above rather immature approach to selection, it seems quite astonishing to me that this question is even being asked.
If you're truly serious about NATS then surely you're going to read and learn and keep going over the entire booklet - whether only 2 pages are examined or not.
It seems to me if you're going to be selective in what you're prepared to learn at the first stage then you're not what NATS are looking for. I know I wouldn't want an ATCO to cut corners when handling my flight...
Just my thoughts, make of them what you will.
I can assure you I'm taking this very seriously. I wouldn't have signed up here to enquire if I wasn't bothered. I just wanted a clearer picture of how the test will be presented.
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It's not an essay style paper. It's multiple choice and it's based on the entire motivational booklet. The content is all factual. I'm assuming it hasn't changed much since last year when I took it.
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Anyone else seen this from NATS:
"The continuing very high levels of interest in the opportunity to train as an Air Traffic Controller mean that we have sufficient candidates to meet all our 2011 Trainee Air Traffic Control needs. We have therefore taken the decision to close our recruitment system to all new applicants from 1st April 2011.
Existing applicants are not affected by this announcement and will continue to be assessed for a Trainee role."
Looks like we got through just in time.
On a different note, does anyone know if there is still any flying involved in the course or has the finance department shut the till on that?
"The continuing very high levels of interest in the opportunity to train as an Air Traffic Controller mean that we have sufficient candidates to meet all our 2011 Trainee Air Traffic Control needs. We have therefore taken the decision to close our recruitment system to all new applicants from 1st April 2011.
Existing applicants are not affected by this announcement and will continue to be assessed for a Trainee role."
Looks like we got through just in time.
On a different note, does anyone know if there is still any flying involved in the course or has the finance department shut the till on that?
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Hello, I am sitting the first selection day on may the 20th. Do you know what the pass rates are for the tests?? and also im colour blind, any advice on that???
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@samblundell
Not sure which class of colour vision deficiency you have, but during stage two tests, there are exercises of sorting shapes by colour. No idea as to the pass mark.
@Glamdring
Didn`t think so, but while on a visit to Bristol last week someone asked me, and I had no idea. Are any laws/rules of flying inculded?
Not sure which class of colour vision deficiency you have, but during stage two tests, there are exercises of sorting shapes by colour. No idea as to the pass mark.
@Glamdring
Didn`t think so, but while on a visit to Bristol last week someone asked me, and I had no idea. Are any laws/rules of flying inculded?
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@samblundell
Now this document is 4 yers old so there might be a newer one, but this was the one I found with a quick google.
For refrence it can be found here http://natscareers.co.uk/PDFs/NATS_A...lClearance.pdf
and my quote is off page 9.
I'm not sure to what degree you are colour blind, but if you haven't taken any of those tests maybe you should try it out before you spend a lot of time and money on the application process?
Sorry to give you bad news, but I suppose it would've turned up sooner or later...
As for the pass mark NATS doesn't say anything about each test, but their website states that 3% pass stages 1,2 and 3 put together. But as for each test, your guess is as good as mine
Now this document is 4 yers old so there might be a newer one, but this was the one I found with a quick google.
For refrence it can be found here http://natscareers.co.uk/PDFs/NATS_A...lClearance.pdf
and my quote is off page 9.
Colour Perception
Normal colour perception is defined as the ability to pass the Ishihara test or to pass Nagel’s anomaloscope as a normal
trichromate .
An initial applicant with less than perfect colour vision shall be classed as unfit.
Normal colour perception is defined as the ability to pass the Ishihara test or to pass Nagel’s anomaloscope as a normal
trichromate .
An initial applicant with less than perfect colour vision shall be classed as unfit.
Sorry to give you bad news, but I suppose it would've turned up sooner or later...
As for the pass mark NATS doesn't say anything about each test, but their website states that 3% pass stages 1,2 and 3 put together. But as for each test, your guess is as good as mine
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Yeah I am in Fareham, Red falcon. I'm a little nervous about the maths part but thats it.
Cheers Crazy voyager, I heard there are colour blind contacts you can get co i might see if i can get hold of some before the medical.
Cheers Crazy voyager, I heard there are colour blind contacts you can get co i might see if i can get hold of some before the medical.
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Well if you can sort it that way it's great I would advise you to check with HR first though, it would be such a shame if you made it all the way through to be kicked out due to medical reasons 
I would advise you to check with HR first though, it would be such a shame if you made it all the way through to be kicked out due to medical reasons
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Well I sat my third and final stage last week!
My Stage 3 was at the Swanwick Centre with five other guys all around my age (20,20,21,21,22,22!).
I thought the group exercise (a basic logistics game with multiple rules) went very well, and I got involved without being bossy or overbearing.
As for the individual interview, I felt I really cocked up one question.
I should hear back in two weeks, and hopefully I'll post come feedback up here for you all
My Stage 3 was at the Swanwick Centre with five other guys all around my age (20,20,21,21,22,22!).
I thought the group exercise (a basic logistics game with multiple rules) went very well, and I got involved without being bossy or overbearing.
As for the individual interview, I felt I really cocked up one question.
I should hear back in two weeks, and hopefully I'll post come feedback up here for you all
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@kwagga
That wasn't a question. I was answering the earlier question by stating that there hasn't been any type of flight training at the college for a while.
In answer to your question Air Law covers a large chunk of the college material.
@samblundell
You will be tested on your colour vision during the medical. Anything but normal colour vision is a fail unfortunately. The test used is the Ishihara test. If you are borderline on this the CAA will retest you using 1 or more lantern style tests. There is a large discussion on the unfairness of current colour vision testing in the Medical forum of this website, you might want to give it a read.
That wasn't a question. I was answering the earlier question by stating that there hasn't been any type of flight training at the college for a while.
In answer to your question Air Law covers a large chunk of the college material.
@samblundell
You will be tested on your colour vision during the medical. Anything but normal colour vision is a fail unfortunately. The test used is the Ishihara test. If you are borderline on this the CAA will retest you using 1 or more lantern style tests. There is a large discussion on the unfairness of current colour vision testing in the Medical forum of this website, you might want to give it a read.