NATS interview process
Join Date: May 2008
Location: bournemouth
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my application process so far
hello all.
ive got my third stage coming up on the 21st of july and i thought i would let everyone know the process i went through just in case it helps anyone.
firstly im only 18, i finished sixth form literally 2 weeks ago so it goes to show that anyone can do it. you just need to apply yourself. my first stage was held at the hilton hotel at tower bridge, london. even though the email says smart, casual its always best to wear a suit if possible, (first impressions are important). there were 50 people at my test, all standing around looking nervous. firstly we were seperated into one large and two smaller groups which then went off to do either the motivation paper, the pychometic tests or the meeting with the atc.
i was in the larger group so i had to do the three tests first, personally i felt this was good as i was still fresh when i had a go at them. the tests are hard, though if they don't seem hard, it means you havnt done them right. they are designed to test you and you should not finish them. these three tests took 45 minutes, the time flies and use the note pad provided where appropriate (it helped me alot).
after these tests my big group was split into two smaller ones and we then went into the motivation test and the meeting. i did the meeting first and asked some questions about the job. this is not part of the selection so you can relax and take it all in. the motivation paper was relatively simple. it was basic questions about the material you will be sent. its easy enough if you put the work in.
after this test we were free to go. it took a week for HR to send a SLR questionnaire via email, i was not aware that this occured but i did it anyway. answer truthfully and honestly because even though there are hundreds of questions, they all ask relatively similar stuff so its easier just to be honest. after completing this i recieved an email asking me to book my stage 2 interview. this was at the CTC at fareham, southampton. there were only three other guys at the interview and they were nice enough. i advice you to try and get to know your fellow applicants, not only does it make the time go faster but you now have people you can contact throughout the remainder of the process.
the second stage consists of a computer test and a structured interview of roughly 60 questions. i did the computer test first and found it completely impossible. i came out and nearly left as i felt i did so badly, but again you are meant to feel this way. they are designed to seem impossible. my advice is don't give up and just keep trying to answer as best as possible, however stressed you get.
next is the structured interview, the lady who interviewed me was really nice and i was quite comfortable throughout. be prepared for some strange questions and DON'T LIE. after this is had to completed another motivation paper which lasted 30 minutes and was alot harder than the one in stage 1 so revise ALOT. i am serious you are going to want to spend alot of time looking through the material and getting to know it well. i recommend a few hours a day, after this test we had to fill out a security questionnaire and another questionnaire alot like the SLR one i had to fill out online. after that we were free to go.
after a week of nerves i finally got an email telling me i had been successful and i am through to the last stage.
i advise you to try and get some work experience at a nats location. i live in bournemouth so i spent time at the college with the guys on the course currently. when i told the woman i had done work experience she looked impressed so i think this will help alot.
other than that good luck.
hope this helps.
ive got my third stage coming up on the 21st of july and i thought i would let everyone know the process i went through just in case it helps anyone.
firstly im only 18, i finished sixth form literally 2 weeks ago so it goes to show that anyone can do it. you just need to apply yourself. my first stage was held at the hilton hotel at tower bridge, london. even though the email says smart, casual its always best to wear a suit if possible, (first impressions are important). there were 50 people at my test, all standing around looking nervous. firstly we were seperated into one large and two smaller groups which then went off to do either the motivation paper, the pychometic tests or the meeting with the atc.
i was in the larger group so i had to do the three tests first, personally i felt this was good as i was still fresh when i had a go at them. the tests are hard, though if they don't seem hard, it means you havnt done them right. they are designed to test you and you should not finish them. these three tests took 45 minutes, the time flies and use the note pad provided where appropriate (it helped me alot).
after these tests my big group was split into two smaller ones and we then went into the motivation test and the meeting. i did the meeting first and asked some questions about the job. this is not part of the selection so you can relax and take it all in. the motivation paper was relatively simple. it was basic questions about the material you will be sent. its easy enough if you put the work in.
after this test we were free to go. it took a week for HR to send a SLR questionnaire via email, i was not aware that this occured but i did it anyway. answer truthfully and honestly because even though there are hundreds of questions, they all ask relatively similar stuff so its easier just to be honest. after completing this i recieved an email asking me to book my stage 2 interview. this was at the CTC at fareham, southampton. there were only three other guys at the interview and they were nice enough. i advice you to try and get to know your fellow applicants, not only does it make the time go faster but you now have people you can contact throughout the remainder of the process.
the second stage consists of a computer test and a structured interview of roughly 60 questions. i did the computer test first and found it completely impossible. i came out and nearly left as i felt i did so badly, but again you are meant to feel this way. they are designed to seem impossible. my advice is don't give up and just keep trying to answer as best as possible, however stressed you get.
next is the structured interview, the lady who interviewed me was really nice and i was quite comfortable throughout. be prepared for some strange questions and DON'T LIE. after this is had to completed another motivation paper which lasted 30 minutes and was alot harder than the one in stage 1 so revise ALOT. i am serious you are going to want to spend alot of time looking through the material and getting to know it well. i recommend a few hours a day, after this test we had to fill out a security questionnaire and another questionnaire alot like the SLR one i had to fill out online. after that we were free to go.
after a week of nerves i finally got an email telling me i had been successful and i am through to the last stage.
i advise you to try and get some work experience at a nats location. i live in bournemouth so i spent time at the college with the guys on the course currently. when i told the woman i had done work experience she looked impressed so i think this will help alot.
other than that good luck.
hope this helps.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
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wow, all the info has really helped calm my nerves so thanks!! What sort of questions do you get asked in the structured interview?? Just so i have a general idea xx
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I just finished my stage 2 yesterday and found out i got through today. I think the information on page 35(?) of this thread helped a lot, (think it was from nokio).
Id just like to add a few quick thoughts; firstly, those computer test are bloody difficult! that motivation paper was bloody difficult! (call signs for Bournemouth anyone? Frequency range of VOR's? no, anyone?), however i didn't find the interview too nerve racking, speaking as a person who is, err lets say, the opposite of savoir-faire, the whole interview was fairly relaxed & like the someone said before, I was quite comfortable working through the assigned questions.
................
now, lets try and finally arrange a site visit, leads anyone?
Id just like to add a few quick thoughts; firstly, those computer test are bloody difficult! that motivation paper was bloody difficult! (call signs for Bournemouth anyone? Frequency range of VOR's? no, anyone?), however i didn't find the interview too nerve racking, speaking as a person who is, err lets say, the opposite of savoir-faire, the whole interview was fairly relaxed & like the someone said before, I was quite comfortable working through the assigned questions.
................
now, lets try and finally arrange a site visit, leads anyone?
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Stage 1, what does it involve?
Hi,
Just wondered what the stage 1 testing involves. Obviously I have read the example aptitude tests which are provided by NATS, but do they also test verbal reasoning/mental arithmetic or is it typically a test involving stuff very similar to that outlined in the examples. Also, how long are the tests?
Thanks for any info.
Just wondered what the stage 1 testing involves. Obviously I have read the example aptitude tests which are provided by NATS, but do they also test verbal reasoning/mental arithmetic or is it typically a test involving stuff very similar to that outlined in the examples. Also, how long are the tests?
Thanks for any info.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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it was on the paper, just not in my head at the time of the test, i suppose i assumed they wouldnt be that cruel, they were.
do you know the answers to the aforementioned questions?
do you know the answers to the aforementioned questions?
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: LHR/EGLL
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Bournemouth's designator is EGHH, and VORs operate in the band 108.0MHz to 117.95MHz.
I checked, and both answers came up on a Google search using sensible search strings.
I checked, and both answers came up on a Google search using sensible search strings.
Join Date: Dec 1999
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For those not aware, there's a recurring urban legend amongst NATS candidates, completely fictitious, that someone tried the motivation paper at a stage two a while ago, and one of the candidates there beat that person's score. This person didn't like being shown up so, and promptly failed that candidate..
Completely fictitious.
Completely fictitious.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Mischief making tales now...? I can say with some certainty that that situation would have been very unlikely to occur when i went through the interview process. More likely the question - 'Are you motivated at all??'
On related matters... are the questions still multiple choice?
On related matters... are the questions still multiple choice?
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: kent
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Hurn Preparation (Prep. H).....
..... Does anyone have any constructive ideas/comments as to what preparation can be done before starting at the 
college in October. I did see a post a few months back regarding course books and material but I'm unable to locate it! Also, if you could share your views on accomodation, house shares, room letting etc. in relation to price and location in Bournemouth.... grateful I would be!
Thanks for your help.
college in October. I did see a post a few months back regarding course books and material but I'm unable to locate it! Also, if you could share your views on accomodation, house shares, room letting etc. in relation to price and location in Bournemouth.... grateful I would be!Thanks for your help.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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MATS Pt1 may be a good read
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP493Part1.pdf
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP493Part1.pdf
Join Date: Jun 2007
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chedchenko...
in terms of prep for college: have a good thorough read of the stuff they send you - i think its still the Nav DLP although maybe more now. make a start on aircraft recognition if you dont know them apart already, it'll help a lot.
asides from that have a read of MATS I (as linked above) but maybe stick to section I as thats the general stuff.
in terms of prep for college: have a good thorough read of the stuff they send you - i think its still the Nav DLP although maybe more now. make a start on aircraft recognition if you dont know them apart already, it'll help a lot.
asides from that have a read of MATS I (as linked above) but maybe stick to section I as thats the general stuff.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Hi,
I just applied for the stage 1 (coming up on 1st August).
As I read this tread through (quite long thread actually), I see people talking about what's called "motivation paper".
Could you give me more insight about it (or them if there are a lot to fill in)?
How would one prepare for that 'cause I read earlier someone say something like he had prepared himself well enough on it... so...?
Yea so I wanna make it through for the 1st stage and I'd like to have some advice about how to prepare well or on what should I spend more time preparing, things like that?
Thank you for replying.
Chris
I just applied for the stage 1 (coming up on 1st August).
As I read this tread through (quite long thread actually), I see people talking about what's called "motivation paper".
Could you give me more insight about it (or them if there are a lot to fill in)?
How would one prepare for that 'cause I read earlier someone say something like he had prepared himself well enough on it... so...?
Yea so I wanna make it through for the 1st stage and I'd like to have some advice about how to prepare well or on what should I spend more time preparing, things like that?
Thank you for replying.
Chris
