Eurocontrol Testing and Interviews
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: anywhere
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
how I failed DART
After almost 2 years of preparation, I passed (in my country which is a part of Eurocontrol) Feast I, but failed DART.
By preparation I mean: Skytest, reading about aviation, reading about the national organization, watching movies about aircrafts and accidents. In my country, I had to pass medical and psychological examination, English and Feast I to get to DART.
About Feast I I have to say it was pretty similar to Skytest and preparation was very important to me. Everybody I knew had prepared, but not everybody passed. After Feast I, there were about 60 of us who were tested for DART. We were 400 at the beginning, so I felt good.
About DART, well, it's simple: at Skytest level 3, I got 100% at 5 subtasks and over 90% at the other subtasks.
But in the real test, at level 6, I had the revelation: I don't want to do this. I don't want to be an air traffic controller. I got mad during the test and I thought: this is what I had prepared for? This is what I would be doing for the rest of my life?
Well, I don't want you to say: she failed, what could she say? So, I will get more precise about my failure.
At level 6, I couldn't hear anything in my ears (those numbers and letters) for a long period of time. I only could hear what my colleagues heard in their own. And I started to check the level of sound. But this got me mad, why wasn't it like it supposed to be? Why couldn't I hear anything like my colleagues did? And I finished first the DART, but with this feeling that I'm not made for this. I expected something more spectacular from level 6. I expected something interesting. And it was very predictable and boring. And DART felt easy, but only because I already had demotivated.
One more thing about the people I met during the tests is this: don't make friends with them. It will cut your concentration. Those who passed seemed aggresive, silent, perverse, individualistic, cold and proffesional. They will talk to you about something and think about a very different thing.
They will seem weak and encouraging but they are just perverse. They reject you with a smile on their lips, because they feel stronger.
And what do I think in the end of the exams? You have to prefer numbers instead of words. Do you like to count anything? Then maybe you're good for the job.
And the last but not the least: how did you find out about this job? The ideal thing is that somebody announced you because they thought you might be good at it.
So, indeed it is not about the Skytest, although the preparation test is very good, it is not about this forum because you have to love numbers not words, and it is not about the people you meet there but about the ones who choose you. Or not.
In my native language, we say about a job that you have to have a calling for this, but by calling we don't mean the skills, but the fact that somebody has to call you for that job, because they think you're good for this.
So, good luck! If you think that you want to spend the rest of your life in front of a boring radar, talking and doing everything like a robot, and you think that you can do it for that amazind pay, have a nice experience. I had mine, and I say no, no, no.
By preparation I mean: Skytest, reading about aviation, reading about the national organization, watching movies about aircrafts and accidents. In my country, I had to pass medical and psychological examination, English and Feast I to get to DART.
About Feast I I have to say it was pretty similar to Skytest and preparation was very important to me. Everybody I knew had prepared, but not everybody passed. After Feast I, there were about 60 of us who were tested for DART. We were 400 at the beginning, so I felt good.
About DART, well, it's simple: at Skytest level 3, I got 100% at 5 subtasks and over 90% at the other subtasks.
But in the real test, at level 6, I had the revelation: I don't want to do this. I don't want to be an air traffic controller. I got mad during the test and I thought: this is what I had prepared for? This is what I would be doing for the rest of my life?
Well, I don't want you to say: she failed, what could she say? So, I will get more precise about my failure.
At level 6, I couldn't hear anything in my ears (those numbers and letters) for a long period of time. I only could hear what my colleagues heard in their own. And I started to check the level of sound. But this got me mad, why wasn't it like it supposed to be? Why couldn't I hear anything like my colleagues did? And I finished first the DART, but with this feeling that I'm not made for this. I expected something more spectacular from level 6. I expected something interesting. And it was very predictable and boring. And DART felt easy, but only because I already had demotivated.
One more thing about the people I met during the tests is this: don't make friends with them. It will cut your concentration. Those who passed seemed aggresive, silent, perverse, individualistic, cold and proffesional. They will talk to you about something and think about a very different thing.
They will seem weak and encouraging but they are just perverse. They reject you with a smile on their lips, because they feel stronger.
And what do I think in the end of the exams? You have to prefer numbers instead of words. Do you like to count anything? Then maybe you're good for the job.
And the last but not the least: how did you find out about this job? The ideal thing is that somebody announced you because they thought you might be good at it.
So, indeed it is not about the Skytest, although the preparation test is very good, it is not about this forum because you have to love numbers not words, and it is not about the people you meet there but about the ones who choose you. Or not.
In my native language, we say about a job that you have to have a calling for this, but by calling we don't mean the skills, but the fact that somebody has to call you for that job, because they think you're good for this.
So, good luck! If you think that you want to spend the rest of your life in front of a boring radar, talking and doing everything like a robot, and you think that you can do it for that amazind pay, have a nice experience. I had mine, and I say no, no, no.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Home away from home
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I met a bunch of great people during my nats application, some passed and some failed, but the character traits you describe are not even close to those shown by the atcos I've met. Then again, sounds like you didn't want to pass any way.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: anywhere
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Crazy Vayager, you are so right. At a certain point, I realised I don't want this. I can't say I could do it and I chosed not to, but although the test did't seem impossible to pass, I just had the feeling I'm not the right person for the job.
As to the type of people I met, well, this is my very subjective perception, which also might indicate I just had a terrible misunderstanding with myself when I decided to apply in ATCO jobs.
Good luck to all those who are made for this job! Good luck to those who are made for other jobs!
As to the type of people I met, well, this is my very subjective perception, which also might indicate I just had a terrible misunderstanding with myself when I decided to apply in ATCO jobs.
Good luck to all those who are made for this job! Good luck to those who are made for other jobs!
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Europe
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not that I care, because I'm not applying anywhere, but I think your post would be so more useful and you would seem so much more professional if you just said that you lost your motivation instead of criticising everything and everyone and telling that it is boring to be in front of a radar because that is indeed exciting for other people.
Personally, I think that either you completely understood all the other people wrong or none of those 60 doing the dart are actually meant to be ATCs.
If there is one thing they tell you in the beginning of the process is that your interview and your assessment starts the moment you enter the building, so you should be as much friendly as you can and definetely get to know the other people. At least because some of them may actually be your future colleagues during training and co-workers later on.
What I interpret from that is that most people are naturally very nervous and they dont talk as much as they would in a relaxed environment. But saying they are there and all they want is to mislead you when they actually think otherwise, that is just something unthinkable if I may say. Specially because the application process is generally not a competition. Yes, they may have a specific number of openings, but if they find 3 or 4 more people perfectly suitable for the job, they will most of the times accept them or put them in one future group. It is very hard to find possible ATCos.
And as far as I can tell, the skytest or whatever it is called was definetly not a help for you, as it increased your expectations and made you stress out in the end. Things weren't going as planned, and of course, you started being stressed and noticing everything you shouldnt notice. I would say this is the real proof why not to use the preparation softwares. That and the price of them
Anyway, I wish you luck to your future career and should you want some free advice, please don't ever criticise others just because you failed because, with all due respect, that is what this post seems to me.
h&k*
Personally, I think that either you completely understood all the other people wrong or none of those 60 doing the dart are actually meant to be ATCs.
If there is one thing they tell you in the beginning of the process is that your interview and your assessment starts the moment you enter the building, so you should be as much friendly as you can and definetely get to know the other people. At least because some of them may actually be your future colleagues during training and co-workers later on.
What I interpret from that is that most people are naturally very nervous and they dont talk as much as they would in a relaxed environment. But saying they are there and all they want is to mislead you when they actually think otherwise, that is just something unthinkable if I may say. Specially because the application process is generally not a competition. Yes, they may have a specific number of openings, but if they find 3 or 4 more people perfectly suitable for the job, they will most of the times accept them or put them in one future group. It is very hard to find possible ATCos.
And as far as I can tell, the skytest or whatever it is called was definetly not a help for you, as it increased your expectations and made you stress out in the end. Things weren't going as planned, and of course, you started being stressed and noticing everything you shouldnt notice. I would say this is the real proof why not to use the preparation softwares. That and the price of them
Anyway, I wish you luck to your future career and should you want some free advice, please don't ever criticise others just because you failed because, with all due respect, that is what this post seems to me.
h&k*
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: anywhere
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I said I had demotivated.
And I felt so sorry for the long efforts I made to study and to prepare for the exams and for all the nice talking with the people I met on messenger or in person. Because I have been sociable.
Maybe you are right and I'm wrong about the people I met, but I keep my opinion that when you are in an exam, you should keep in mind that you are there to pass, not to make friends.
From my past experiences, I passed exams where nobody smiled to me, where nobody seemed to like me, where nobody noticed me. And this wasn't the case. Some of them seemed so kind. Including a supervisor who smiled very warm to me
Well, I also hope you are professional enough to understand that after such efforts and hopes, I just can't be happy and not thinking that passing exams is a matter not only of skills but mainly of attitude.
Again, good luck to you all!
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Earth
Age: 44
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was motivated, but I failed at DART after passing all other exams with high scores.
Now I cannot figure it out why I fail on the final part after passing all the medical exams, psychology test, english test and FEAST test. I got very little feedback and I am looking for help to get better for the future.
As feedback I was told that if 2 planes collides they will remain on the radar, not just dissapear as in the Skytest training software.
Can anyone help me with some information?
Thank you in advance.
Now I cannot figure it out why I fail on the final part after passing all the medical exams, psychology test, english test and FEAST test. I got very little feedback and I am looking for help to get better for the future.
As feedback I was told that if 2 planes collides they will remain on the radar, not just dissapear as in the Skytest training software.
Can anyone help me with some information?
Thank you in advance.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: europe
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i want to become an ATCer so badly
hi guys,
this is my first post! I want to become an ATCer more than anything!
Although some of you believe that practising in not a good idea...
i decided to practise.... think will make me feel more confident...
However i tried to find feasttest.com preparation tool but the webpage does not exist.
Does anyone use it?
this is my first post! I want to become an ATCer more than anything!
Although some of you believe that practising in not a good idea...
i decided to practise.... think will make me feel more confident...
However i tried to find feasttest.com preparation tool but the webpage does not exist.
Does anyone use it?
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: germany
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
if you really want to know if you have the skills to become an ATCO,stop practicing!
believe in yourself, that is the best practice. if you love the jobs, you will cry if you pass the tests and fail the training because you passed the tests only because of your preparation!
believe in yourself, that is the best practice. if you love the jobs, you will cry if you pass the tests and fail the training because you passed the tests only because of your preparation!
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Poland
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
*cough* *cough* *cough**cough**cough**cough**cough**cough**cough**cough**cou gh**cough**cough**cough*
sorry im alergic to BS
brains are built to evolve every day , thats why we dont live in caves anymore . everything can be learnt and developed . EVERYTHING , so unregistered spare us with your wonderful , already known , obvious advices please . Ask any pshicologist about developing cognitive space , IQ , being spontaneous and other skills you think they cannot be trained.
sorry im alergic to BS
brains are built to evolve every day , thats why we dont live in caves anymore . everything can be learnt and developed . EVERYTHING , so unregistered spare us with your wonderful , already known , obvious advices please . Ask any pshicologist about developing cognitive space , IQ , being spontaneous and other skills you think they cannot be trained.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: germany
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
so mister supercool, why do you think they test you before the training starts instead of training you(because it's "possible" 
)?
and why do you think they pay thousands of euros for psychologists to analyse your skills?
and why do you think all ansp's test their applicants?
of coouuurse because it can be learnt.
of course you can improvie your skills. but as an example:
you are not trained and can run 100 meters within 12 seconds,someone who has trained for some years can run 100 meters within 11.5 seconds.
what do you think. who is better? you without training or he with a lot training?
of course you!
and why is training useless? because they want to compare applicants without any experience. it is impossible to compare applicants with experience and applicants without expericenes together.
)?and why do you think they pay thousands of euros for psychologists to analyse your skills?
and why do you think all ansp's test their applicants?
of coouuurse because it can be learnt.
of course you can improvie your skills. but as an example:
you are not trained and can run 100 meters within 12 seconds,someone who has trained for some years can run 100 meters within 11.5 seconds.
what do you think. who is better? you without training or he with a lot training?
of course you!
and why is training useless? because they want to compare applicants without any experience. it is impossible to compare applicants with experience and applicants without expericenes together.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: not telling
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unregistered: forget it, we've tried - they dont want to know.
Malakajin: another joker with ZERO chance of ever making it with Eurocontrol. This thread needs to be closed.
Malakajin: another joker with ZERO chance of ever making it with Eurocontrol. This thread needs to be closed.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UKCC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys, why do you think, that people can not get and obtain skills for this job?
It's not born-skills, and you can get it during training!!!!!!
In ukraine, we have stupid system! we should pass the training at first, and than just before graduating we had to pass feast! and at first during my training i did not do best, but with time, i increase and improve my preparation!
In two month's i'm going to graduate, and will have simulator training test and knowledge test!
And i think, it doesn't matter how do you feel in the beginning, before applying, every one can obtain skills to be an ATC!!!
I'm sure that no one can sit in front of radar screen and perform ATC job! you should be trained to do it!!!!
It's not born-skills, and you can get it during training!!!!!!
In ukraine, we have stupid system! we should pass the training at first, and than just before graduating we had to pass feast! and at first during my training i did not do best, but with time, i increase and improve my preparation!
In two month's i'm going to graduate, and will have simulator training test and knowledge test!
And i think, it doesn't matter how do you feel in the beginning, before applying, every one can obtain skills to be an ATC!!!
I'm sure that no one can sit in front of radar screen and perform ATC job! you should be trained to do it!!!!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guess it's possible to learn anything - provided you have enough time. However that is not the case with air traffic controller training. You have a limited amount of time and that is why they need to know if you are able to learn more or less complicated things considerably fast. It is better not to practice for the FEAST test because if you do not have the ability to learn new things quickly, you are not going to make it through the training. They are not looking for perfect controllers but people who can be trained to become one.
One more thing: an unsuccessful trainee asked reason for their termination: "You are progressing, but not fast enough."
One more thing: an unsuccessful trainee asked reason for their termination: "You are progressing, but not fast enough."
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UKCC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't agree with you!
The feast test is not good thing for assessment!
Some one can be really good in simulator training and other subjects, but other's can't do it well, but they good in such mental things like feast test!
A lot of people who passed feast package with me, they are not good in such subjects like meteorology, atc service, navigation! they don't have brain to study it!!! even english...we are the 4th year in cadets, and a lot of them dont have even the 3rd level of ICAO...but they passed feast...
some can pass feast and they are not able to controll 5-8 a/c at the same time, but another one didn't pass it, good in every subject and have more than 20 a/c undercontroll in simulator, and dreamed to become an atc since childhood!
The feast test is not good thing for assessment!
Some one can be really good in simulator training and other subjects, but other's can't do it well, but they good in such mental things like feast test!
A lot of people who passed feast package with me, they are not good in such subjects like meteorology, atc service, navigation! they don't have brain to study it!!! even english...we are the 4th year in cadets, and a lot of them dont have even the 3rd level of ICAO...but they passed feast...
some can pass feast and they are not able to controll 5-8 a/c at the same time, but another one didn't pass it, good in every subject and have more than 20 a/c undercontroll in simulator, and dreamed to become an atc since childhood!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: germany
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
of course,the feast is not a good test because it is too easy! but what do you think, why do so many fail the training? because they practiced for feast.
in germany,we have a different system which is much more difficult, but nearly all who pass the test,pass the training,too.
when you have the entrance level for universities,you should be able to learn such things as atm etc. that is nothing which has to be tested by feast.
if a student fails the training because of something like this, he was too lazy.
and sorry,but you shouldn't be so ahm,unfriendly. your english isn't perfect aswell.
in germany,we have a different system which is much more difficult, but nearly all who pass the test,pass the training,too.
when you have the entrance level for universities,you should be able to learn such things as atm etc. that is nothing which has to be tested by feast.
if a student fails the training because of something like this, he was too lazy.
and sorry,but you shouldn't be so ahm,unfriendly. your english isn't perfect aswell.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UKCC
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why did you decide that i am unfriendly?)
I just don't agree with you)
I spend a lot of time at father's job, at simulator training...and this test doesn't reflects the knowledge.. some could overtake you, just because you failed the tests...it's not "fair play"...
I just don't agree with you)
I spend a lot of time at father's job, at simulator training...and this test doesn't reflects the knowledge.. some could overtake you, just because you failed the tests...it's not "fair play"...