NATS interview process

[fdomenella]

DEG R&D at NATS...please help!!!!

Hi Nokio,

thanks a lot!I knew that pages and apparently is the only place where is possible find information.
Happy to know that the recruitment process is different from the ATCO's one.I would imagine that, but now I am sure and i feel better!
I think I m the only one that has applied for a DEG and that is writing on this forum!
Anyway, thanks again and I hope to do well!

fdom

[Frogga]

NATS 2nd Stage, what is involved?

Hi All,

Just booked my 2nd stage for NATS, on 15th April in Swanwick.

Does anyone whats involved, the e-mail says computer tests and a structured interview.

Any Clues Anyone?

Andrew

[stoneyrosetreered]

Heya,
from what i have heard the computer test is practically impossible to plan for, correct me if im wrong.
All the best to you.

[1967kev]

Second Stage

Frogga, don't worry too much about the second stage.

Learn the motivation paper back to front, prepare for some standard interview questions and you'll be fine.

With regards to the computer tests, don't worry about them. The aim of the game is to keep plugging away even if you think you are doing terribly. They, in my opinion, are designed to put as much pressure on you as possible. You will feel as though you have made a complete arse of it, but rest assured, you will not be alone in feeling like this!!!!

So, to summarise, ace the motivational paper, give good answers for your interview (which only lasts about 20 minutes) and keep going with the computer tests.

Then stage 3 comes.....hehehehe!!!!

Any questions just give me a shout buddy

Kev

[Frogga]

I did the Stage 2 about 18 months ago now, but was informed that the process has been slightly tweeked. Thanks for all the info.

Frogga

[Pinarello]

Stage 1

Hello,

I found out today that I made it through to stage 2!
This forum has been really helpful and this thread in particular has been awesome!

One book I found really helpful was 'How to pass professional level psychometric tests' by Sam Al-jajjong which has lots of cubes examples!

I took my stage one tests on 4th March (afternoon) at London Hilton
and I was wondering if any of the guys I was chatting too made it through (Cambridge, Birmingham and Aber) and to anyone else, Good Luck!

[lordja]

Hi All

Just interested to know if anyone has their 1st stage tests in London on the 20th?

I have been reading through the motivation paper and test examples for what seems like every night now for the last month... Can't wait to finally sit the tests.

Good luck to you all and hopefully see some of you on Thursday, 20th March.

[gooner24]

20th March

Hey lordja,

I also have stage 1 on the 20th of March and have also been reading the motivational paper more times than i can remember! What time is your session!? Mine is in the morning!
This forum has been a great help, thanks everyone!
Lets hope it all pays off!

[lordja]

Hi gooner24

My tests are in London in the afternoon. If there is anyone who has their tests in London on the 20th March in the afternoon then see you there.

Good luck

[rdk1979]

I found out last week that I passed the 1st stage tests. This was my 4th time taking this test in about 6 years - so just to prove that you should keep plugging away if you don't get through first time. I definately felt more relaxed and found the format hadn't changed too much in that time (other than a maths test which is no longer included).

Just got to pass the next 2 hurdles!

[Novas]

Morning all,

Under two weeks to go till my stage 2 now, and I've got a couple of very minor queries.

I understand what the computer tests involve, but during the final test (where you have the radar screen and you have to stop the planes colliding,) what are the maths questions that you have to answer? Is it basic arithmetic ( X minus Y) or situational questions (Plane flying at X mpg at Y degrees how long before it reaches it’s destination?)

Interview: How long is it? I know there won’t be a set time, but I think someone quite recently said it was around 20mins long, whereas someone a half dozen pages back said they were grilled for an hour.


Also I’ve not had any luck getting an ATC visit booked yet, I’ve been working a lot this month and not had the time to go through the yellow pages and start blitzing the phones yet. I contacted a couple of places in the midlands who all suggested I try and arrange it through NATS, who told me I should go back and arrange it direct with the ATC units.

If anyone does have any contact numbers/names/email address they can throw at me it would be much appreciated.

Ttfn,

[watch_the_birdie]

The maths questions in the computer test (the ones at the same time as the colliding thing) are basic arithmetic like adding and subtracting. Could be anything like 9+2 or 5499-3924, etc. There are multi-choice answers for these, 4 or 5 to choose from I think. They are literally only up for 2 seconds or so, so you have to be fairly quick.

The stage 2 interview should be about 20 mins, not an hour. The questions are set, and the interviewer doesn't really talk back except asking the next question. I think they have a list of key words or something that they listen out for you to say (no idea what they are, but pretty common sense....like obviously don't say I have no confidence, I'm pessimistic, etc....).

And that is that.

[latitudehopper]

Useful book

Hi guys, just been to stage 1..... again..... I have the HTP Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relation Test book if anyone wants it... helped me prepare for the spatial awareness bits. A tenner all in p and p included and its yours! just drop me an email, inbox at jamiedunbar dot net

[Z-Man]

Hi,

First post here, I have my Stage 3 interview next week.

From what I read does the technical interview involve D/S/T questions again?

Thanks

[CookiemonsterW]

July start dates?

Has anyone been confirmed for a July start date at the college? I found out I passed the 3rd stage interviews and my medical by end of Feb, but heard nothing since. Does that mean it's likely to be Oct?

[watch_the_birdie]

Most likely to be Oct. The July course (including me) are mainly people who passed late last year.

[stu_h]

I passed the medical mid-Feb but no date yet.

When I spoke to HR a couple of weeks ago they said they were still waiting on course numbers from the college and it could be July or October.

Stu

[dazpoo23]

just thought i'd recap my experience at stage 1, considering the help you guys have been i thought it might be worth it.

To start off i had a morning appoinment at the new hilton in deans gate manchester, a beatutifull building but intimigatingly posh. I was impressed at the expense went through but was greeted by a suprisongly hostile short balding HR bloke, and his cherie female co-worker. Whilst waiting i was suprised to hear the number of people expected to turn up (43+), about 20 of us sat in near silence, there was then a small talk we jotted down our reference numbers and then left for the motivation test. Stupidly i had left my reference shhet upstairs in the intiial room and after being given the test the preivously cheery lady left us to do the test as she fetched my sheet.

motivation paper- all i can say is manage your time well cause it went fast, the questions were a mixture of technicall (in the paper), and general knowledge (how far from london to; scotland and other euporpean centres). Also remember to LEARN THE AIRCARFT DETAILS, i remember reading elsewhere in this thread that it was needed but luckily i skimmed over it.

next came the motivational talk, which wasnt what i expected and seemed to be hindered by the seeimngly timid group and inexperienced ATCO (who wasnt fully qualified yet). during the break he ended up switching on te Tv and watching news 24

ability test-Also needs a precise memeory of time, i ran 4 questions short(which i penicled in later on, and most others didnt finish) the best advice for this is not to second guess, if you think its right, tick it.The data check test wasnt too bad, as for letters you can remeber them phoentically.
Then came the cubes, they start of easy, but you really ned to visualise them in your head, every now and then i will think about what im doing too mcuh and loose concentration, so its best to just let your natural abilities take over. I had a minute or so left at the end of this and used it to correct some mistakes. Being an architecture student my spatial awarness wasnt too bad.
Sequencing was my hardest test, in the time the tutor is going over rules ect it can be used wisely to throughly remember the action to each symbol, i even found myself jotting down the answer on spare paper.

11days later i recieved an email to do persoanlity questionaire, does this mean i'm through 1st stage, can i get kicked out on basis of questionaire results?

btw there were alot of suits, some jeans and t-shirts, i just wore casual/smart trousers and a shirt and jumper, i dont think they care too much as it cant be of the utmost relevance at this stage

[watch_the_birdie]

Receiving an email inviting to do a personality test does indeed mean you passed that test day. However, it has been known on some occasions (evidence in this thread) that people CAN fail the online personality questionaire. So choose carefully, but above all honestly. You'll have at least two, if not more personality-style tests in the later stages, and they DO pick up on differences, no matter how minor. Usually these can be explained by talking to you in person, but often massive clashes mean an automatic "fail", so I've been told by HR.

[dazpoo23]

^^ thanks. I do feel though that on occasions there will be obvious right answers that you know there are looking for, I guess its in my own interested to be honest though