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NATS interview process

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Old 15th Nov 2008, 15:24
  #1641 (permalink)  
AJ7
 
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Ghost...

It'll be reasonably sensible numbers like 15/30 minute chunks as opposed to 78 mins... and the speeds/distances will also be conducive to being able to work out the answer in your head. pretty sure you wont need to resort to long division as mentioned. And its multiple choice too, so the right answer should be obvious even if you're 1/2 kts out.

On the matter of hearing results, at both stage 2 and 3 got told there and then that I'd passed... glad it removed the waiting around, hate that

Best of luck all
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Old 15th Nov 2008, 16:52
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Will they still provide any scraps of paper to doodle on?
Hey I'm starting to get good at this division merlaki
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Old 16th Nov 2008, 13:27
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Motivational Paper 2

Hi folks

studying for S2 and am trying to memorize the info given for my S1 especially all the info for the aircraft types.

Just wondered if i will be tested on exactly what is said in the S1 booklet only?

Before anybody responds saying learn it to the letter, i am fully aware and prepared to do this because i know it will be far tougher down the line but the reason i am asking is that i am using 3rd party books/websites and there is conflicting advice, especially on the standard seating part.

example - Booklet advises standard seating on a Boeing 737-800 is 160, but have read elsewhere it is 175, and the booklet gives no info on standard seating for 737-500, although again have read it is 123 as standard.

am a little confused about the level of external sources i am supposed to use if any, but the reason i am doing so is because the booklet is a little disorganized in this regard, sometimes given maximum seating sometimes not, not always breaking seating down by series number...

any advice would be appreciated.
shugs
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Old 16th Nov 2008, 13:52
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Could someone please advise me on how long the S1 math section test is?
I know its multiple choice, but how long do they give you in total?

Also is it done on sheet form or online?
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Old 16th Nov 2008, 14:12
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hi GhostUK

there is no 'maths section', rather there is 4/5 maths questions in the motivation paper which has something like 25-30 questions in total. they give you 10-15minutes roughly, but it is easily accomplished if you know the stuff they give you in advance.

its all done on paper, you just shade the appropriate box in.
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Old 16th Nov 2008, 14:13
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Hi GhostUK,

I did my Stage 1 last week in Glasgow. In answer to your questions, you do indeed get given scrap paper during all the tests. The maths questions appear as part of the motivation paper - approx 5/6 out of the 40 if I remember rightly. There is no separate maths paper.

Others have already recommended this but see Nokio's post on page 22 for a guide to how many questions you should expect for each part of Stage 1 as well as timings. My tests were exactly the same and got 18 minutes for the motivation paper (although it flies by!).

Good luck!
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Old 16th Nov 2008, 15:01
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paperclip810,

I really appreciate that info mate.

THANK YOU

All the best with yours.
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Old 16th Nov 2008, 15:06
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Shugs, the stuff tested at stage 2 is what is in the stage 1 and the stage 2 "extra booklet" (I believe there still is a one for stage 2?). This is all that will be in the multi-choice test at stage 2, nothing extra that is nasty and trick-questioning. And I don't remember there being much on seating numbers?

(You could always give the answer to the question "And how many people would there be on board a 747?" - "Depends how many tickets they sold". That was ACTUALLY said in a oral board a month or so back at the college).
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Old 16th Nov 2008, 22:10
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birdie... you gotta tell me who came up with that gem!! thats sublime...

and as regards those capacity questions, the choices of answer arent likely to be 156/157/159/161... theres going to be enough of a difference between the options that if you have read the info you should get the right answer. e.g. 747-400 capacity 100, 200, 300, 600.
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Old 17th Nov 2008, 13:34
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Thanks watch_the_birdie/AJ7
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Old 17th Nov 2008, 21:31
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Which personality do you think an ATC role would suit better, an introvert or an extrovert?
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 13:16
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Personality Questionnaire

Hello everyone,
I was hoping you could give me a bit of advice...
I took the stage one test several weeks ago and felt very confident afterwards. I received an email last week telling me that I had to do the above questionnaire and then await details of the next stage - it seemed to suggest that I'd passed the tests.
The tests were (as everyone says) a bit of a nightmare. Yesterday I was informed that I had been unsuccessful. Now, I realise this may be just my disappointment talking, but I really can't stand the idea of failing a personality test! How on earth am I supposed to improve on that for next time? I just don't believe those things are any kind of decent judge of your potential or character.
Basically, I was wondering if you think I'd have any chance of persuading NATS to give me a face-to-face opportunity, or whether I should just move on?! Alternatively, am I wrong to assume that I passed the initial tests, but then failed the questionnaire ? That would certainly be a lot easier to live with...
Thanks in advance
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 14:05
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Do you think if someone has a really high score than nats will not be so worried about the personality test? However if someone’s score is borderline they use the personality test as a deciding factor?
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 19:03
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Hi Avenarius
have read quite a few of the threads on this page, but don't recall anybody saying they were turned down at S1 but then successfully got a face to face. think this does occasionally happen at later stages though depending on circumstance. I would guess you are right to assume you passed the tests if they invited you for the personality thing, if you had failed them don't think NATS would have bothered.

Just briefly, i was in same position, failed S1 1st time because of that test, passed the 2nd time. i was more honest the 2nd time and think this is what got me through. (am currently preparing for S2).
If it helps, the ATC at S1 said he was in the minority for getting through the application first time.

Hektor, again just from what i have read, the personality test is pivotal, they will not overlook just because of how you perform in other tests. personality plays a huge part in how NATS think you will perform, and indeed how you do perform/think/interact, think that is why you get 2/3 personality tests before being accepted for college.
hope my extremely limited knowledge/guess work is useful
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 21:02
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Hi Avenarius,

Sorry to hear you haven't got past Stage 1 this time. Somewhere in amongst this 87 pages of interview goodness I seem to remember seeing that NATS have (in the past) given feedback on why candidates have failed Stage 1 - it appears they can give you some idea of which parts you did well/not so well in. Perhaps that's a more productive and useful thing to do rather than try and convince them that they should see you? Personally I think anyone willing to ask for feedback or constructive criticism should be well-thought of - at least you care enough to try and improve and show them what you can do next time round.

Out of interest (since I'm still waiting on S1 results myself), how long did it take until you heard that you were invited to do the personality test?
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 21:43
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Avenarius...yes, unfortunately it is possible to fail a personality test. If that were not the case, then it would be difficult to justify its inclusion in the selection process.

I'm afraid you won't find out what sections of the personality test you failed on, if indeed that was the case. If you still want to re-apply next year, use the time wisely.

Shugs, I'd say that currently around 30% of successful candidates get in on their second or third attempt. I find it a real shame when I see candidates applying again but who haven't done anything to improve their chances.
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 21:59
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Thanks for that Gonzo, although I must say I am now slightly disheartened, you make it sound like if you dont get in first time then the odds are against you in that sense I agree with Avenarius, in that if you fail the personality test and nobody gives you feedback, how can you take steps to improve.
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Old 18th Nov 2008, 22:29
  #1658 (permalink)  
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I'd suggest the odds are against everyone who applies for NATS at any time, only a limited number make it through, you have to work hard and really want to do it to get there. That said it also shouldnt be seen as the only option, if you fail first time around, use the 12 months wisely to improve yourself and make it your mission to prove to the recruiters that you are worthy of a job offer. Your application won't be viewed positively or negatively as regards other candidates, its what you have changed about you that is the pivotal factor.

And for my two pence worth surrounding personality tests... surely you just answer the questions? I mean sure theres a lot of them, and some of them may have answers that dont necessarily apply to you, but on the whole theres an answer to suit the type of person you are. Sometimes I think people may suffer in these tests cause they get caught between giving their personal answer and the answer they believe they want NATS to hear... May be wrong on that and stand to be corrected, but for me thats a sure fire way of confusing yourself and showing up badly to the recruiters. Just be yourself...
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 06:30
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Shugs, this is something where statistics and 'odds' cannot represent the situation. If you are unfortunate enough to be knocked back, you fail at something more tangible than the personality test (stage 1 tests, stage 3 interview etc), and you spend the year working on the areas you failed on, you stand a higher chance of being accepted.

We do not assess a candidate any differently if they're a re-applicant.

in that sense I agree with Avenarius, in that if you fail the personality test and nobody gives you feedback, how can you take steps to improve.
The danger with giving feedback about a failed personality test (i.e. you need to be more decisive), is that next year the candidate may well lie to appear more decisive.
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 07:39
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Thats better Gonzo
the lower success rates for people who apply 2nd/3rd time is because they don't put in the effort, as opposed to the system being against them.
cheers
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