NATS interview process
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Distance=Speed*Time and all that...
A/C flying at 420knots, 70 miles between A+B, how long to cover that distance etc...
Looking confused... you'll be right at home here then
Now see, this is where i get annoyed at myself. Using my physics ie D=S*T, the sum is 70miles divide by 420kts (lets assume 420kts is also 420mph)
So the sum would be 70/420 = 0.16 =1/6th hour = 10 mins
Now thats allvery well with a calculator, but how to divide 70 by 420 in your head? Also, if the answer is 0.24, how to convert that into minutes in your head?
A/C flying at 420knots, 70 miles between A+B, how long to cover that distance etc...
Looking confused... you'll be right at home here then
Now see, this is where i get annoyed at myself. Using my physics ie D=S*T, the sum is 70miles divide by 420kts (lets assume 420kts is also 420mph)
So the sum would be 70/420 = 0.16 =1/6th hour = 10 mins
Now thats allvery well with a calculator, but how to divide 70 by 420 in your head? Also, if the answer is 0.24, how to convert that into minutes in your head?
Last edited by craig51; 26th Aug 2008 at 17:16.
I did that in my head in about 5 secs and I'm about 40 years older than you are! The secret is to break the speed into 60 kt increments (one nautical mile per minute). 420 kts = 7 NM per minute. 70 miles divided by 7 = 10 mins. Who needs a calculator? 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGLF
Age: 38
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: EGLF
Age: 38
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its multiple choice, so they just want you to put the correct answer - doesnt matter how you get there! I would recommend practising the 60kts per minute method, (from my interview experience it was invaluable!) as it is much easier to work in your head - especially when those crafty interveiwers put you on the spot at stage 3!!!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LHR/EGLL
Age: 39
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bamboozle is correct... they're not going to throw out something that isnt do-able in your head... or at least they didnt through my process 
Now the mental maths on the computer tests at stage two whilst you're watching another part of the screen and have 2.6 seconds to answer... thats a bit diff
Basically its simple numbers. Forget physics or the term D/S/T if you want. Division and multiplication of what will usually be factors of 6 pretty much cover it
Now the mental maths on the computer tests at stage two whilst you're watching another part of the screen and have 2.6 seconds to answer... thats a bit diff
Basically its simple numbers. Forget physics or the term D/S/T if you want. Division and multiplication of what will usually be factors of 6 pretty much cover it
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, thats me back from my stage one in Glasgow. Fingers crossed I did well. The day went smoothly enough, got there, upto 2nd floor, registered, watched a DVD while the rest registered. This was when things got interesting.
While I was waiting, got chatting to a couple of guys, and asked them about the motivation paper. All i got was blanked looks. After some more chat, it turned out they never got the second email with the link etc, or anything through the post!
One of them went to speak to an organiser, and she then got us all together, and asked how many of us didnt get the material. From about 30 of us, 11 i think went home! I felt really sorry for them as one came all the way from Newport
They were offered the chance to sit it, but if they failed, they would have to wait a year!
Anyway, we were then sent through to a room, sat down at tables of two, and were given the checking paper. 5 mins to check as many as possible. Then the cubes, which we got 15 i think. Then the diagramming one, applying the change to the pattern, think we got 15mins for that.
The group was then split into two, one to sit the motivation paper, and the rest of us to speak to a controller. This i found was very helpful and we had a good chat.
Then the paper, which was 20? mins long. All in all, a good day, think i did OK, but really felt for the guys/gals who went home without even sitting the test!!!
While I was waiting, got chatting to a couple of guys, and asked them about the motivation paper. All i got was blanked looks. After some more chat, it turned out they never got the second email with the link etc, or anything through the post!
One of them went to speak to an organiser, and she then got us all together, and asked how many of us didnt get the material. From about 30 of us, 11 i think went home! I felt really sorry for them as one came all the way from Newport
They were offered the chance to sit it, but if they failed, they would have to wait a year!Anyway, we were then sent through to a room, sat down at tables of two, and were given the checking paper. 5 mins to check as many as possible. Then the cubes, which we got 15 i think. Then the diagramming one, applying the change to the pattern, think we got 15mins for that.
The group was then split into two, one to sit the motivation paper, and the rest of us to speak to a controller. This i found was very helpful and we had a good chat.
Then the paper, which was 20? mins long. All in all, a good day, think i did OK, but really felt for the guys/gals who went home without even sitting the test!!!
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: LHR/EGLL
Age: 45
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bamboozle is correct... they're not going to throw out something that isnt do-able in your head... or at least they didnt through my process
Pencil, paper, scientific calculator, C5P slide rule all required!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: France
Age: 37
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi you said I quote :
" Anyway, we were then sent through to a room, sat down at tables of two, and were given the checking paper."
What do you mean by "the checking paper"?
What did you have to check? is that what's called the motivation paper?
Are the controllers cool and and do they share a lot of their "knowledge" with you or do they just wait on you to ask questions and answer them by a wee answer?
Thanks for replying.
Chris
PS: Good luck on your results, I wish you to get through to the 2nd stage.
" Anyway, we were then sent through to a room, sat down at tables of two, and were given the checking paper."
What do you mean by "the checking paper"?
What did you have to check? is that what's called the motivation paper?
Are the controllers cool and and do they share a lot of their "knowledge" with you or do they just wait on you to ask questions and answer them by a wee answer?
Thanks for replying.
Chris
PS: Good luck on your results, I wish you to get through to the 2nd stage.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR/Surrey
Age: 39
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah many a candidate has fallen flat after Gonzo kicks off the interview with the simpler questions, to break the ice.. String Theory and Quantum Interlocking Pair-Tunneling Phenomenon are his favourites I've heard.
He has very high standards!
He has very high standards!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LHR/EGLL
Age: 39
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed I wasn't... for which I am eternally grateful 
I anticipate being caught at some point though for a technical poser or two. I live in hope otherwise
Like the time when salicyclic acid cropped up in my oral board...
I anticipate being caught at some point though for a technical poser or two. I live in hope otherwise
Like the time when salicyclic acid cropped up in my oral board...
Last edited by AJ7; 11th Jul 2008 at 19:32. Reason: p.s.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LHR/EGLL
Age: 39
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lafouine
The 'checking' Chris refers to is Basic Checking: Its to do with the ability to match strings of digits or letters exactly and accurately in a short period of time.
For example, 134867 will be printed on the left hand side of the page.
You have to pick out the exact match to that from the right hand side of the page. I think its 50 to do in 5 mins.
Adrian
The 'checking' Chris refers to is Basic Checking: Its to do with the ability to match strings of digits or letters exactly and accurately in a short period of time.
For example, 134867 will be printed on the left hand side of the page.
You have to pick out the exact match to that from the right hand side of the page. I think its 50 to do in 5 mins.
Adrian
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As per AJ7, thats exactly what it is.
Re the chat with the controller, she really was excellent. I have been in a group many times when we have to ask the person questions, and without fail, no-one says a word. BUt she was really cool, described what she did, and she just let the conservation flow. She was also very honest and candid re pay/conditions etc, and I thought overall it was very good.
I must say, i have been to a lot of interviews, and this was one of the slickest around.
The hotel was in a great spot ie good links to motorway, airport, public transport etc, no time was wasted faffing around, and all the organisers were happy and polite.In some places the hotel/venue is in the middle of no-where, you get a grunt from the staff, and things takes ages to do!!
Re the chat with the controller, she really was excellent. I have been in a group many times when we have to ask the person questions, and without fail, no-one says a word. BUt she was really cool, described what she did, and she just let the conservation flow. She was also very honest and candid re pay/conditions etc, and I thought overall it was very good.
I must say, i have been to a lot of interviews, and this was one of the slickest around.
The hotel was in a great spot ie good links to motorway, airport, public transport etc, no time was wasted faffing around, and all the organisers were happy and polite.In some places the hotel/venue is in the middle of no-where, you get a grunt from the staff, and things takes ages to do!!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: France
Age: 37
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
all right,
I got it now,
just like the thing presented in their practice paper they send you.
OK, I think it's called clerical tests, not too sure!
anyway thanks for your help.
I LIKE this thread, your questions get answers really quick!!!
Thank you guys!!!
Chris
I got it now,
just like the thing presented in their practice paper they send you.
OK, I think it's called clerical tests, not too sure!
anyway thanks for your help.
I LIKE this thread, your questions get answers really quick!!!
Thank you guys!!!
Chris