NATS interview process
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Hey!
I just received the e-mail saying I passed through to the Stage 2 Assessment Day which will be in September.
Can anyone please tell me a bit of how that's going to be like? Is there anything I need to learn before I go?
Also, at this point, the chances of getting in are still pretty slim, right?
Thanks!
I just received the e-mail saying I passed through to the Stage 2 Assessment Day which will be in September.
Can anyone please tell me a bit of how that's going to be like? Is there anything I need to learn before I go?
Also, at this point, the chances of getting in are still pretty slim, right?
Thanks!
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Hi guys,
I have just filled in my application a couple of days ago. Looks to me as if I'm late, as some of you are now on Stage 2 already. You think I got a chance to jump in?
Good luck to everyone!
I have just filled in my application a couple of days ago. Looks to me as if I'm late, as some of you are now on Stage 2 already. You think I got a chance to jump in?
Good luck to everyone!
Join Date: Mar 2010
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BiaP,
Stage 2 used to be all computer based but it has changed I believe. It tells you a little about what to expect on the NATS website but basically be prepared to spend a large part of the day in front of a computer.
The exam is based of the learning material they send you and as long as you put the work in and learn everything they send you, then you will have no problem with the exam.
For the computer tests (FEAST and DART) you will need to have 100% concentration throughout the day so get a good nights sleep. Having been through them in the military and now NATS, I am of the opinion that you can’t learn or practice the aptitudes, but I am sure there are those that will come on here and disagree with me. Good luck with it all.
NelM,
There are always different stages going on at the same time so just because people are at stage 2 or 3 doesn't necessarily mean you have missed out.
Stage 2 used to be all computer based but it has changed I believe. It tells you a little about what to expect on the NATS website but basically be prepared to spend a large part of the day in front of a computer.
The exam is based of the learning material they send you and as long as you put the work in and learn everything they send you, then you will have no problem with the exam.
For the computer tests (FEAST and DART) you will need to have 100% concentration throughout the day so get a good nights sleep. Having been through them in the military and now NATS, I am of the opinion that you can’t learn or practice the aptitudes, but I am sure there are those that will come on here and disagree with me. Good luck with it all.
NelM,
There are always different stages going on at the same time so just because people are at stage 2 or 3 doesn't necessarily mean you have missed out.
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Actually, I worried for nothing. Just got an email saying I shall be sent details on how to do the online assessment within the next 14 days. So it is ongoing really, they keep inviting new people for tests...
Better do some of those games online while waiting for further instructions
Better do some of those games online while waiting for further instructions
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Selection and Process for NATS
Hi all,
Application process | NATS
Did anyone have taken the test for NATS process? How difficulties 'bout the test?
Thank's
Application process | NATS
Did anyone have taken the test for NATS process? How difficulties 'bout the test?
Thank's
Join Date: May 2010
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ATC Motivational doc
hey all, reapplying for the 2nd time soon once i get back and was hoping someone could PM me the ATC Motivational doc as iv misplaced the last one and id love to start learning it again
thanks and good luck to everyone 'in the system'
thanks and good luck to everyone 'in the system'
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ATC Motivation Paper
They have just re-designed the application process and may have changed the motivational paper. If I were you I would wait until the recruitment team send you the current document to make sure you are not working off an old version.
Join Date: Jul 2013
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So disappointed with how I did my Swift comprehension aptitude tests. Can't believe it! The time limit puts so much pressure! Only done 5 out of 8 questions on Error checking and I think I did them all well, Numerical Comprehension was my best bit, think I only ran out of time on one of the questions and pretty much sure all others were correct, but then Verbal Comprehension was a mess. The text printed on the left side was so long and the letters were small. Took so much time to go through it. I don't even remember at what point the time ran out and how many of those I've actually done in the end. I simply can't believe I found it so hard bearing in mind I am a linguist! Feel so down now, think there is no chance I passed.
It probably didn't help I was upset all day about some bad news and my hand was shaky a bit. I have underestimated the whole thing, thought that the initial tests can't be that hard, so decided not to rest and wait till tomz. I wish I did.
Generally, the test is not hard at all but there is not much time. And my advice is not to skip the question and hope you can get to it later, there is no time for that! I missed on 2 questions as I was unsure and wanted to go back to them. Takes some precious seconds to click back through the questions and before you know it, you're out of time...
It probably didn't help I was upset all day about some bad news and my hand was shaky a bit. I have underestimated the whole thing, thought that the initial tests can't be that hard, so decided not to rest and wait till tomz. I wish I did.
Generally, the test is not hard at all but there is not much time. And my advice is not to skip the question and hope you can get to it later, there is no time for that! I missed on 2 questions as I was unsure and wanted to go back to them. Takes some precious seconds to click back through the questions and before you know it, you're out of time...
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I'm currently a serving Police Officer with 7 years in so far. I am a fully qualified detective but really fed up and considering leaving.
ATC is one of my options as an old work colleague of mine left to do this.
How long does it take to get to £30k salary? Is it about one year as I understand it to be 2-3 months on about £11k then you go op to about £21k, then after another 9 months you go up to £30k or similar?
I have my CV registered on the NATS website, and at this time I'm just beginning to research and think about it.
ATC is one of my options as an old work colleague of mine left to do this.
How long does it take to get to £30k salary? Is it about one year as I understand it to be 2-3 months on about £11k then you go op to about £21k, then after another 9 months you go up to £30k or similar?
I have my CV registered on the NATS website, and at this time I'm just beginning to research and think about it.
Join Date: Sep 2008
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It's about a year on the lowest training salary, currently around £12k, but that depends on how quickly the courses progress, and how well you do. I'm now looking at starting at unit in June, and this will be over 18months since I started at the college.
When you get to unit, you go onto the student wage, I think this is currently about £18k. You will be on this until you validate, which can take anything from 1 year to 2 years. So, essentially you won't get anywhere near the £30k mark for at least 3 years, and that's if you pass everything first time, the courses run relatively timely and you validate in 18months.
When you get to unit, you go onto the student wage, I think this is currently about £18k. You will be on this until you validate, which can take anything from 1 year to 2 years. So, essentially you won't get anywhere near the £30k mark for at least 3 years, and that's if you pass everything first time, the courses run relatively timely and you validate in 18months.
Join Date: Dec 2008
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What Kimikkins says is true to a point.
It can be quicker though. I started at the college on £11k, passed the aerodrome course first time (took 5.5 months), was posted to a unit and after a further 8 months validated, so from start at the college to validation (£40k salary) was 13 months.
This shouldn't be relied apon, but it can be done.
It can be quicker though. I started at the college on £11k, passed the aerodrome course first time (took 5.5 months), was posted to a unit and after a further 8 months validated, so from start at the college to validation (£40k salary) was 13 months.
This shouldn't be relied apon, but it can be done.
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Ooops, you're right Whitelighter, I'd forgotten about the Aerodrome route!!
If you go strictly Aerodrome, then you will get that higher salary sooner than if you go anything radar i.e. Approach or Area.
If you go strictly Aerodrome, then you will get that higher salary sooner than if you go anything radar i.e. Approach or Area.
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@whitelighter (and other ATCOs)
I've read on NATS FAQ that around 80% of ATCOs are appointed to Area/Approach. Was Tower you choice or were you assigned there? I would assume that Tower is in general preferred choice, do you know how it is decided who goes where?
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No but if you find out how they do it please let me know 
Jokes aside,
You sign up to be an ATCO, you can make a personal preference known to the relevant people (just as with postings), but you've signed up to do whatever you're assigned to do. If you're not ready to commit to that then there are a lot of other people who are.
It's very harsh, but that's the way it works. I got what I wanted to do, some on my course did not. Down both routes though is a very good job if you make it through so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Also the preferences vary, in my experience most people aren't that bothered. On some courses most want Aerodrome, on some most want Area, so it varies.
Jokes aside,
You sign up to be an ATCO, you can make a personal preference known to the relevant people (just as with postings), but you've signed up to do whatever you're assigned to do. If you're not ready to commit to that then there are a lot of other people who are.
It's very harsh, but that's the way it works. I got what I wanted to do, some on my course did not. Down both routes though is a very good job if you make it through so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Also the preferences vary, in my experience most people aren't that bothered. On some courses most want Aerodrome, on some most want Area, so it varies.
Last edited by Crazy Voyager; 6th Aug 2013 at 07:36.
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Let us know how you do, I am currently waiting for Stage 1 results.
For spatial I think you can't prepare, but try to find fastest method for diagrammatical. I was solving those in my mind, a friend was faster with drawing. I suppose you could also check all possible answers one by one, but that would probably be the slowest way.
For spatial I think you can't prepare, but try to find fastest method for diagrammatical. I was solving those in my mind, a friend was faster with drawing. I suppose you could also check all possible answers one by one, but that would probably be the slowest way.