NATS interview process
Join Date: Feb 2014
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I am booked in for the 7th March, and any tips would be appreciated 
I've tried to read through the information given to me as much as possible, but other research has shown that does not seem to be paramount to the test. Could anyone help to clear this up?
I've tried to read through the information given to me as much as possible, but other research has shown that does not seem to be paramount to the test. Could anyone help to clear this up?
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Edinburgh
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Systems Crash 24th January
Hey All,
Just wanted to touch base and see how those of you who had to re-sit the tests after the massive systems crash on the 24th January actually ended up doing? Very interested to hear from the group of guys I was sat with in Costa (we all were ejected early, about 40mins before the rest of the group) -- I have just been back down today and am pleased to say that so far, all went well. DART was possibly a little sketchy towards the end, however.....
Just wanted to touch base and see how those of you who had to re-sit the tests after the massive systems crash on the 24th January actually ended up doing? Very interested to hear from the group of guys I was sat with in Costa (we all were ejected early, about 40mins before the rest of the group) -- I have just been back down today and am pleased to say that so far, all went well. DART was possibly a little sketchy towards the end, however.....
Join Date: Jan 2014
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After sitting my stage 2 on the 25th I'm now waiting with bated breath for the email telling me how I did...
I think everything went well but I suppose you never really know.
I think everything went well but I suppose you never really know.
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Stage 2
Hi, Im booked in for the 7th March stage 2 assessment center. I've read through the documents they give you for the preparation everyday since i was sent the email and am pretty confident on the majority of the document. I was just wondering if anyone would be able to give me some tips and to tell me what it consists of and what each test entails. Here are some of my questions.
Is the paper based test multiple choice or written based and what does it consist off, is it just to do with the document they send you or is there other stuff you need to know?
What does the FEAST computer test consist off and how hard is the test and is there anyway to prepare for it?
What does the DART computer test consist off and how hard is the test and is there anyway to prepare for it?
Also has anyone used the "SkyTest Preparation Software for NATS ATCO Screening" to prepare for this and how similar it is to the test and whether or not it is worth buying to prepare.
Any information will me much appreciated
Thanks
Is the paper based test multiple choice or written based and what does it consist off, is it just to do with the document they send you or is there other stuff you need to know?
What does the FEAST computer test consist off and how hard is the test and is there anyway to prepare for it?
What does the DART computer test consist off and how hard is the test and is there anyway to prepare for it?
Also has anyone used the "SkyTest Preparation Software for NATS ATCO Screening" to prepare for this and how similar it is to the test and whether or not it is worth buying to prepare.
Any information will me much appreciated
Thanks
Last edited by C4M19; 1st Mar 2014 at 18:09.
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Edinburgh
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Quietly Chuffed
So It happened yesterday morning, the wee notification on my phone, alerting me to a new email from NATS, stating that I had been successful in passing Stage 2. What a relief - Pretty sure it all came down to the last part of the DART test for me - bit on the wire really...
Anyways, So of those of you whom have received similar good news, has anyone heard of any stage 3 dates at all? Or perhaps have any active members on here completed stage 3 in the last 18 months and wish to divulge a little as to what we could perhaps expect?
Looking forward to yet another EDI-SOU trip in the coming weeks, hope to see some familiar faces there too!!!
Anyways, So of those of you whom have received similar good news, has anyone heard of any stage 3 dates at all? Or perhaps have any active members on here completed stage 3 in the last 18 months and wish to divulge a little as to what we could perhaps expect?
Looking forward to yet another EDI-SOU trip in the coming weeks, hope to see some familiar faces there too!!!
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Devon
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I'm booked in for Friday 7th march, staying at the premier inn the night before. Is anybody else staying there?
I feel like I'm starting to grasp the doc that needs to be learnt, the feast and dart worry me!!!
I feel like I'm starting to grasp the doc that needs to be learnt, the feast and dart worry me!!!
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Yay! Got my 'Into stage 3' email this morning. Really happy about that.
I imagine none of the other people who have got the good news have heard anything more? I figure that as there was a period of 7 or 8 weeks just finished where they held stage 2 days that they may be gearing up for a (hopefully), quite forthcoming stage 3 date?
Also, I was discussing this with some of the guys over lunch, but where on the progression do you actually think this is now?
I believe that '3000' and 'quarterly' are to be taken with a pinch of salt, certainly considering how many people were made to wait well over 3 months to get into stage 2 (I count myself lucky that stage 0-3 has been about 2 weeks!).
I was of the argument that the stage 2, as per the infographic, was the morning session, and that the stage 3 was DART, with Stage 4 being...Stage 3. The NATS description is ambiguous and a little contradictory as the infographic would lead one to believe that there are still two stages remaining at this juncture, but the blurb under the 'How to Apply' section makes it look like this is the final bit to come.
Just my 2c worth (maybe a bit more!).
I imagine none of the other people who have got the good news have heard anything more? I figure that as there was a period of 7 or 8 weeks just finished where they held stage 2 days that they may be gearing up for a (hopefully), quite forthcoming stage 3 date?
Also, I was discussing this with some of the guys over lunch, but where on the progression do you actually think this is now?
I believe that '3000' and 'quarterly' are to be taken with a pinch of salt, certainly considering how many people were made to wait well over 3 months to get into stage 2 (I count myself lucky that stage 0-3 has been about 2 weeks!).
I was of the argument that the stage 2, as per the infographic, was the morning session, and that the stage 3 was DART, with Stage 4 being...Stage 3. The NATS description is ambiguous and a little contradictory as the infographic would lead one to believe that there are still two stages remaining at this juncture, but the blurb under the 'How to Apply' section makes it look like this is the final bit to come.
Just my 2c worth (maybe a bit more!).
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Mind if I ask when you took your stage 2 tests? I passed about a month ago and still haven't heard anything. I assume there's a lot of us in the same boat and I'm just being paranoid that they've somehow forgotten me... Ha.
I agree about the infographic. It does seem a bit... Wrong. I was looking and I'm thinking that the stage 3 day is what stages 3 and 4 are in the image? I don't know.
I agree about the infographic. It does seem a bit... Wrong. I was looking and I'm thinking that the stage 3 day is what stages 3 and 4 are in the image? I don't know.
Join Date: Mar 2014
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I passed stage 2 early feb and have still yet to hear anything about stage 3.
I'm also hoping that the 'how to apply' section is correct and we only have one more day of assesments to go. Maybe they will send a few home at lunch again.
I'm also hoping that the 'how to apply' section is correct and we only have one more day of assesments to go. Maybe they will send a few home at lunch again.
Join Date: Feb 2014
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I took the test last Friday, 7th March.
I'm pretty sure looking at the schedule when I was booking my date that the 7th was the last day of 7 or 8 weeks of Stage 2 assessment days. Hopefully they put those together with the view to taking a Stage 3 with all the successful people pretty soon after.
I'm pretty sure looking at the schedule when I was booking my date that the 7th was the last day of 7 or 8 weeks of Stage 2 assessment days. Hopefully they put those together with the view to taking a Stage 3 with all the successful people pretty soon after.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Has anyone received an email regarding stage three dates, or am I correct in thinking that they are still on hold for the time being? Just concerned I may have been lost in the system...
Alex
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2013
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I passed Stage 2 in January, I was on one of the first dates and I've still heard nothing regarding Stage 3 so I've been sending the odd email but not been told much.
In regards to the confusion about Stage 3 & 4 and all the stuff that people are talking about above me, I asked Claire who was running the Stage 2 tests when I was there and she said the last stage is Stage 3 and then a medical so I'm not sure quite how outdated the infographic is, a few other people who have already been through NATS have told me that Stage 3 was the last stage for them as well.
In regards to the confusion about Stage 3 & 4 and all the stuff that people are talking about above me, I asked Claire who was running the Stage 2 tests when I was there and she said the last stage is Stage 3 and then a medical so I'm not sure quite how outdated the infographic is, a few other people who have already been through NATS have told me that Stage 3 was the last stage for them as well.
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I think it comes from the fact that you can fail your medical, it is very rare but it happens. Therefore the infographic I think described the medical and security clearances as "stage 4", the difference being that most people pass the "stage 4" with no issues. Those that do have issues normally pass it after a bit of extra work is put in.
That's my take on it anyway.
That's my take on it anyway.
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Yeah saw that too. That was there position on March 11th too.
Shame they can't give anymore details. I felt the large Stage 2 session they gave just finished would have paved the way for Stage 3 for the successful applicants.
It is interesting to see that they are still taking applicants, and would be even more interesting to have someone at the stage 2 level asking questions here.
Maybe it is a case of not enough people being successful in the 8 or so weeks just past to warrant a Stage 3 date yet. I'd certainly be intrigued to hear form any other March 7th guys.
A few posts before that on their careers page they had responded to someone saying that stage 3 was in the process of being scheduled. Must be a dynamic situation.
Shame they can't give anymore details. I felt the large Stage 2 session they gave just finished would have paved the way for Stage 3 for the successful applicants.
It is interesting to see that they are still taking applicants, and would be even more interesting to have someone at the stage 2 level asking questions here.
Maybe it is a case of not enough people being successful in the 8 or so weeks just past to warrant a Stage 3 date yet. I'd certainly be intrigued to hear form any other March 7th guys.
A few posts before that on their careers page they had responded to someone saying that stage 3 was in the process of being scheduled. Must be a dynamic situation.
Join Date: Jun 2013
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waiting for stage 3
Hi Guys,
Don't want to put a downer on things but I passed Stage 2 in June of last year and am still waiting for a stage 3 date.
You have to consider SES is going to have a huge impact on ATC numbers required. Once the college knows how many candidates are needed for a new training course the dates will be set but with a new intake just started training this year we could be waiting a good while longer yet
Don't want to put a downer on things but I passed Stage 2 in June of last year and am still waiting for a stage 3 date.
You have to consider SES is going to have a huge impact on ATC numbers required. Once the college knows how many candidates are needed for a new training course the dates will be set but with a new intake just started training this year we could be waiting a good while longer yet
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Oh yes, SES will have a huge impact. In terms of the way NATS are struggling to keep up with their European counterparts and are continuing to fail miserably when investing in their training system. Management and so called 'HR Business Partners' sadly have ridiculous amounts of control over training and numbers. 'Short term view' comes to mind.
I wish you all the very best of luck if applying, but feel very sorry for those going through the NATS training system - it certainly isn't what it once was. There is very little investment in their people, absolutely no research into why trainees fail at the several phases of training and certainly no steps taken which might assist in preventing the failures. Instead, there are mind boggling numbers of alleged business masterminds who deem it appropriate to take ownership over who stays and who goes. I have seen it happen on countless occasions. I speak from first hand experience and can honestly say that NATS needs major, major reform in training if claims of being a 'World Leader' are to continue...
I wish you all the very best of luck if applying, but feel very sorry for those going through the NATS training system - it certainly isn't what it once was. There is very little investment in their people, absolutely no research into why trainees fail at the several phases of training and certainly no steps taken which might assist in preventing the failures. Instead, there are mind boggling numbers of alleged business masterminds who deem it appropriate to take ownership over who stays and who goes. I have seen it happen on countless occasions. I speak from first hand experience and can honestly say that NATS needs major, major reform in training if claims of being a 'World Leader' are to continue...
Join Date: Feb 2014
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When was the last Stage 3? I'm amazed that the last one was before last summer, yet they are only starting training this year.
I have to imagine that they set the wheels in motion recently in an attempt to bring a new cohort of trainees in. NATS brought in a new Talent Acquisition Specialist, I believe it was Claire - who was overseeing the Stage 2 days. They also recently reposted the ATC advert on their Facebook page, seems like a lot of effort to go to in order to just pool people.
I know I am biased in as far as I'm trying to maintain a positive outlook for the near future, but that would be how I see how NATS have moved recently.
I have to imagine that they set the wheels in motion recently in an attempt to bring a new cohort of trainees in. NATS brought in a new Talent Acquisition Specialist, I believe it was Claire - who was overseeing the Stage 2 days. They also recently reposted the ATC advert on their Facebook page, seems like a lot of effort to go to in order to just pool people.
I know I am biased in as far as I'm trying to maintain a positive outlook for the near future, but that would be how I see how NATS have moved recently.
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Stage 3
I also passed 7th March and am still awaiting a date. It's only been 3 weeks since the email confirmation but so eager. Worrying reading some passed in June last year