NATS interview process
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Had a couple of private messages asking what questions are being asked at Stage 1.
As bobit says above, it would be really unfair to do this so I'm afraid I can't be very specific but Learn the literature NATS sent you (all of it!) I spent weeks reading and making notes over and over again and it paid off as I could see the correct answer right in front of me. I know for a fact I got a couple of questions not based on the literature wrong and maths was never my strong point, so getting through the morning session was, for me, down to solid knowledge of the NATS document.
My only advice on the afternoon session would be from reading through this thread is that answering all the questions is possible, I didn't quite manage it but perhaps the people that can and accurately are the people NATS want.
As bobit says above, it would be really unfair to do this so I'm afraid I can't be very specific but Learn the literature NATS sent you (all of it!) I spent weeks reading and making notes over and over again and it paid off as I could see the correct answer right in front of me. I know for a fact I got a couple of questions not based on the literature wrong and maths was never my strong point, so getting through the morning session was, for me, down to solid knowledge of the NATS document.
My only advice on the afternoon session would be from reading through this thread is that answering all the questions is possible, I didn't quite manage it but perhaps the people that can and accurately are the people NATS want.
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yes, egnor the dream smasher up their ^^, following onto the other comments, nor shall i comment on the questions, but just try and learn a bit more about air traffic and airport's, read up on the ils in further detail. Other things such as way points and other navigational things.
Distance and measurements...i.e what is measured in what unit etc, the different types of units unsed within aviation, mb, dme, etc
Distance and measurements...i.e what is measured in what unit etc, the different types of units unsed within aviation, mb, dme, etc
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Overview
I have just completed whole process and since I have learned from this message board probably only fair I should contribute as well so here are my views
1) Anyone can learn anything - if you are not good at cubes then practice cubes, if you cannot do maths quickly then practice maths etc. etc. It drives me mental when people write on here you can either do it or you can't. Not true - some people may pick it up faster / easier but if you don't think you can learn new things then don't apply to be an ATC. I am not a natural at rotating cubes in my head (for example) in any way but I am much better than I was - just practice not magic.
2) Nobody knows what the pass marks are. Even those who finish all the tests (I didn't) don't know what they got right / wrong - so nobody can tell you definitively how many you need to answer as a minimum.
3) The literature they send you is a test. Learn it all - frankly it would take about 2 minutes for anyone to learn the bits that actually came up on my initial test if you knew precicesly what was going to be asked but that is not the game. The game is learn it all since you don't know what will come up.
4) It is a buyers market. You want a job and there are more candidates than places. If you are having to wait a long time (my application took 19 months start to end) then man-up and stop moaning. It might be slow - get over it. If it is taking a long time then get prepared - see 1).
5) Anyone who fails and tries again has my total respect.
6) There are circa. 1,900 ATCs (not a bit of info that was ever asked of me and in the public domain) and they will be a broad church in terms of views / opinions. Their views on here are sometimes treated as infallible - but you have to be discriminating in terms of what you do / don't take in from this forum. Includes this message.
7) Good luck.
1) Anyone can learn anything - if you are not good at cubes then practice cubes, if you cannot do maths quickly then practice maths etc. etc. It drives me mental when people write on here you can either do it or you can't. Not true - some people may pick it up faster / easier but if you don't think you can learn new things then don't apply to be an ATC. I am not a natural at rotating cubes in my head (for example) in any way but I am much better than I was - just practice not magic.
2) Nobody knows what the pass marks are. Even those who finish all the tests (I didn't) don't know what they got right / wrong - so nobody can tell you definitively how many you need to answer as a minimum.
3) The literature they send you is a test. Learn it all - frankly it would take about 2 minutes for anyone to learn the bits that actually came up on my initial test if you knew precicesly what was going to be asked but that is not the game. The game is learn it all since you don't know what will come up.
4) It is a buyers market. You want a job and there are more candidates than places. If you are having to wait a long time (my application took 19 months start to end) then man-up and stop moaning. It might be slow - get over it. If it is taking a long time then get prepared - see 1).
5) Anyone who fails and tries again has my total respect.
6) There are circa. 1,900 ATCs (not a bit of info that was ever asked of me and in the public domain) and they will be a broad church in terms of views / opinions. Their views on here are sometimes treated as infallible - but you have to be discriminating in terms of what you do / don't take in from this forum. Includes this message.
7) Good luck.
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Congrats KRepton, when did you sit stage 1?
I sat it on 26th and answered 36/50 diagramming and 35/40 cubes, im not exactly hopeful though. My theory is the longer they take to get back to you the less likely you pass, so just interested in when you sat it, cheers.
I sat it on 26th and answered 36/50 diagramming and 35/40 cubes, im not exactly hopeful though. My theory is the longer they take to get back to you the less likely you pass, so just interested in when you sat it, cheers.
Last edited by Eddy94; 28th Sep 2012 at 08:56.
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@Eddy94 Thanks, I also sat my test on Wed 26/09 at 9am. Good luck to you hopefully they will be in touch shortly.
Not much info about stage 2, just that you cant prepare really.
sitting it next friday 05/10
Not much info about stage 2, just that you cant prepare really.
sitting it next friday 05/10
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Well done KRepton, oddly enough I did the exact same number of questions as you on each, there were some of the later cubes where it became and educated guess between 2 options so if I don't get through I think it will be down to these.
How did you find out? Was it through e-mail or do I need to make sure my phone is by me?
Once again, congratulations and good luck
How did you find out? Was it through e-mail or do I need to make sure my phone is by me?
Once again, congratulations and good luck
Join Date: Sep 2012
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for all of you going to stage 2, there was a fantastic site called feast test or something, it was only £20 membership and everything you needed was on it, unfortunately, one day it was shut down, i think it was illegal for them to be hosting such material, there was everything on there, atc related, i asked them why it was shutdown and they were unable to give me a reason. 
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@Crazy_Voyager, thats impressive mate, thanks for the info too. But like the post above says, it does seem there is a sense of urgency in the recruitment team to get people through the stages asap atm, any how time will tell. Gonna presume i've failed miserably and stop thinking about it, always the best policy 
Last edited by Eddy94; 28th Sep 2012 at 11:52.
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Hi All,
I sent off my application the other day, and was invited to do the online test (where you have to click the matching string of text or numbers in like 6 seconds etc) yesterday. I did this and this morning have received an email saying they would like to invite me to an assessment centre.
I'm guessing not everyone get's invited to the assessment centre, so I guess it's a good thing?
If I'm unable to do any of the dates offered, what do I do? wait until they have some new dates? Need to start reading up!!
Thanks guys
Kingsley
I sent off my application the other day, and was invited to do the online test (where you have to click the matching string of text or numbers in like 6 seconds etc) yesterday. I did this and this morning have received an email saying they would like to invite me to an assessment centre.
I'm guessing not everyone get's invited to the assessment centre, so I guess it's a good thing?
If I'm unable to do any of the dates offered, what do I do? wait until they have some new dates? Need to start reading up!!
Thanks guys
Kingsley
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@eddy94, the odds are against you so do your very best and hope you make it is indeed (IMO) the right attitude.
@Kingsley91
Just wait for them to put up more dates if you can't make any of the ones they posted.
In general I find it intresting that the october course (it's called that on their website) now seems to be starting late November? Esspeically intresting because that means that they may want to put me on that course instead of in January, but I haven't heard anything to point to that so I belive I'll keep on counting on January. It seems like the most likely option still I belive.
@Kingsley91
Just wait for them to put up more dates if you can't make any of the ones they posted.
In general I find it intresting that the october course (it's called that on their website) now seems to be starting late November? Esspeically intresting because that means that they may want to put me on that course instead of in January, but I haven't heard anything to point to that so I belive I'll keep on counting on January. It seems like the most likely option still I belive.
Last edited by Crazy Voyager; 28th Sep 2012 at 13:02.
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I have to agree with 2slipsandagully and bobit , not really respectful to others who have done it or are waiting to do it.
All I can say is learn the document they sent you the link for in the email, just learn it! The diagramming I didn't complete but I was more making sure what I put was 100% correct. The cubes were a different thing all together, not very convinced how I did on that paper.
Hopefully they can put me out of my misery and let me know within the next few days, if I don't pass, oh well, I will definitely be applying again next year. Practice does make perfect and I feel the test on Wednesday certainly helped me know what to expect.
All I can say is learn the document they sent you the link for in the email, just learn it! The diagramming I didn't complete but I was more making sure what I put was 100% correct. The cubes were a different thing all together, not very convinced how I did on that paper.
Hopefully they can put me out of my misery and let me know within the next few days, if I don't pass, oh well, I will definitely be applying again next year. Practice does make perfect and I feel the test on Wednesday certainly helped me know what to expect.
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You know?, to all who think it's not really "respecful" to post info on what the tests regards... I am aware that NATS warns you you can't do so. Logical, besides, it's one of the rules. But I think you take it to extreme. I'm not asking anyone to link any information but to just "help", you know, you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours. It costs nothing. I've nerver known of helping being forbiden. This is a community which purpose, amongst others is to post information that is useful to all. Always respecting certain boundaries of course.
But very far from obeying NATS instructions to not post confidential information is what some of you say about no posting anything. Not a tip, not nothing. After all, this is no competition. But I'm not gonna beg for it, obvisously.
But very far from obeying NATS instructions to not post confidential information is what some of you say about no posting anything. Not a tip, not nothing. After all, this is no competition. But I'm not gonna beg for it, obvisously.
Last edited by mts1; 28th Sep 2012 at 14:38.
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Hi
Just took the online comparison test.
unfortunately I accidentally clicked the back button on my mouse during the practice test.
It then seemed to allow me to take the actual test. Do you think that my "real" test results will have gotten through ok?
If not is that me out of the process for a year?
Just took the online comparison test.
unfortunately I accidentally clicked the back button on my mouse during the practice test.
It then seemed to allow me to take the actual test. Do you think that my "real" test results will have gotten through ok?
If not is that me out of the process for a year?