SDM - Strip Display Management Test Advice

[mirciukk]

Hey everybody! Here is the deal ... I am applying for a job as ATC. Just passed the first part of the FEAST test. No problems there. And now, in 3 days time, i have to take the second part, the SDM test.
I have a preparation software that i used in preparing the FEAST test : SkyTest software. The thing is, i am trying to do the SDM test, but i find it quite hard, almost impossible.
I don't understand when a certain strip must be removed and i also don't get the opposite conflicts, i can't spot any of them and i didn't understand what they mean.
The test manual provided by SkyTest is really poor, just a page and a half and no examples nothing what so ever.
I could really use the help of anyone who did this test, even if they passed it or not. Please give me some advice about it or explain to me how the removal and opposite conflicts go.
I really really want to pass this test, so any advice or good words would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance and good luck to everybody out there reading this!

[LMX]

Just read the instructions when you do the actual test (not the SkyTest thing...). You'll get plenty of time to read the instructions and even practise how the test works before the real test starts, so it should be no problem.

[mirciukk]

thx! i will read the instructions very carefull, hope it will work out okay! if anyone has anything else to add, please feel free ....

[SKOS]

I have a preparation software that i used in preparing the FEAST test : SkyTest software

Hi mirciukk,

Regarding the FEAST test, can you elaborate on using the SkyTest Software in preparation? I mean, was it worth it?

Your feedback would be most appreciated.

Thanks

[mirciukk]

Hey! Yes, the SkyTest software was really useful on the first part of the FEAST test. Now, about the second part, the Strip Display Management test, i don't really know what to say. The test simulation is pretty much the same from what i've heard, but the instructions of the actual SDM test are more complex and more understandable. So, all in all, i suggest you use the SkyTest software at least for the first part of the FEAST. It will really help you.
Best of luck!

[SKOS]

SDM

Hi,

Thanks so much for the feedback. Keep us in the loop regarding your SDM test and good luck.

[mirciukk]

Great day today! Past the SDM test! It was quite an interesting test, didn't find it very difficult. Basically, if you read very carefully through the instructions and practice a little, there should be no problem on passing the test. I for one, didn't focus on finding the opposite conflicts. I focused on the sorting, revisions and discarding the flight strips. Also, i spotted 8 local conflicts. Seems that was enough since i passed it

Regarding the SkyTest software. The SDM test provided by them is actually more difficult then the actual test, but a very good asset to practice with and get used to the requirements.

Best of luck to you all!

[_-ego-_]

SDM

Hi mirciukk,
i just passed the first part of the FEAST test and had no preparation at all for it. Now i'm going to take the SDM test and i think it will be good to practice before the test. That SkyTest software, did you bought it or do you know anyplace where it can be downloaded freely?

If by chance anyone knows other softwares which may help preparing the SDM i would be very grateful

Thanks in advance

[PeterPan029]

Strip Display Management

Hi Mirciukk!

First of all, congratulations since you passed phases 1 and 2 of FEAST
Let me say I would like to get your results next Monday 18th October...
I'm getting some training with SkyTest Software as you already mentioned some time ago, but I'm completely unable to understand how the SDM works
I wonder if you could give me some instructions on that, at least for the following doubts:

1) When I sort the strips, there is always one column that seems to be chronologically disordered; but I can't understand what's the problem with that one since all the rest are ordered by time as well and there's nothing wrong..

2) I can't guess when to remove the strips when obsolete. First I used to remove them once the time had coincided with the given hour and minute; but it seems like you have to wait 5-6 minutes to do so... -it always says "strip removed too early".
3) What are local and opposite conflicts? How do I learn to find them and what is supposed to do if so?

I know I've got too many questions and it's a bit too late to answer me back; but this is the only opportunity I have to take the Eurocontrol test and I do really want to get there.

Thank you very much for your time and hope you passed the following phases!!

Cheers,

Beatriz

[nadila]

Hi PeterPan, per what I´ve figured out:

1) When I sort the strips, there is always one column that seems to be chronologically disordered; but I can't understand what's the problem with that one since all the rest are ordered by time as well and there's nothing wrong..
The colums have to be sorted chronologically with the latest time on top.

2) I can't guess when to remove the strips when obsolete. First I used to remove them once the time had coincided with the given hour and minute; but it seems like you have to wait 5-6 minutes to do so... -it always says "strip removed too early".
There are different ways to remove strips:
1) Look in the schedule in the other page. It tells you at what time the flight is supposed to be at the next interception point.

2) Look on the flight, its at a certain time, and it shows where the next interception point is, so you go to the next interception point and check at what time it is supposed to arrive at that point. If the time of arrival is after, then you can remove the strip at the previous interception point.

3) What are local and opposite conflicts? How do I learn to find them and what is supposed to do if so?

I need help with this one too. How do we solve conflicts?, I know how to find them, but don´t know how to solve them.

For those of you that have taken the test, do they give you pen and pencil to make calculations?

And I still have not been able to figure out how the divided attention test works. on the SkyTest.

As far as the learning and applying rules, it is my understanding that the rules are cumulative????


Help

[separation]

>>>I still have not been able to figure out how the divided attention test works. on the SkyTest<<<

You need to press 1 for scrren one and 2 for screen two when you think the ball and line are going to cross. on the harder ones you have to do sums at the same time and enter the answers on the keyboard also.

[DoubleDi]

Hello everyone.
I'm from Ukraine, and the sad news came to our country. Each ATCO trainee is obligated to pass the SDM test... I've got the only month to get prepared for it.
Bodies, how can i get the SkyTest software, or any other one, that can resque me?
I really need your tips, so looking forward them. thanx to all

[fidelove]

Hello!!!

I am starting with this test, but have already not been able to understand all rules. If I am able to do my proposal before anyone I will, but if anyone could make a videocast with an example on this test execution, could be really useful for everyone on this forum.

If nobody is able, when I really understand the mechanism I will do the videocast.

Regards, and Merry christmas!!!

[Dario777]

Hello everyone

I have my SDM test tomorrow and while i found the SkyTest software very useful for part 1 of the FEAST tests I find the SDM simulation to be poorly explained and have also found quite a few bugs ocurring.

The software will often crash when i pause the simulation and what's more annoying: I often get more strips than I am able to allocate beneath each chekpoint! Maybe there's something I'm missing out on but more often than not I find it impossible to finish the tests as I run out of space.

I do hope the ACTUAL test is better explained and that I do not run into these issues tomorrow.

Has anyone else experienced similar problems?

Thank you

[fidelove]

I have understood!!

Hello all!!!

I can say I have finnaly understad the SDM test, which has not been so easy

1. Insert new strips: This task is as easy as inserting each strip on each checkpoint, maintain the descending order, strips with older time up to strips with newer time
   
2. Deletion of strips: When a plane goes from MD to BA, there exists two strips, one with estimated time on MD and another with estimated time in BA. When the plane reaches BA checkpoint, strip in MD must be removed. If plane route finishes in BA, strip in BA must be removed too. Be aware the route can include several turns through the same checkpoint, and time intervals must be consider as well.
   
3. Local conflicts: These conflicts happens when two planes plan to go through the same checkpoint with a difference of not more than 4 minutes and no more than 30 FL.
   As example checkpoint MD with two strips on local conflict:
   
   1. IBERIA MD 13:40, 300 FL
   2. AIR FRANCE MD 13:44, 330 FL
4. Opossite conflicts: These coflicts includes two checkpoints and two strips on each checkpoint. The situation is that two planes are between the same two checkpoints at the same time, and altitude difference on both checkpoint is less or equal to 30 FL. Example of opposite conflict:
   1. IBERIA MD 13:40, 300 FL
   2. IBERIA BA 13:46, 280 FL
   3. AIR FRANCE BA 13:37, 300 FL
   4. AIR FRANCE MD 13:44, 330 FL

If something is not clear ask me, because I think I have full understand this test.

For anyone who have already to this test, how log does it takes, and how many checkpoints there are as maximum?

Regards!!!

[LimaKim]

SkyTest

Hello!!!!!!
I have my sdm in a few weeks.And I want to ask everybody - how to prepare for it???
I know that there is zone, and You shoud work with strips and find conflicts...but it is general info....I want to know more))))

What about SkyTest? I've read about it, that it really can helps...but....I can't find if(((( PLEASE!!!! HELP!!!! where can I get IT???????

Thank U!!!!

[Shadowrun]

Yes, SDM test in Skytest software is buggy.

Apart from that "pause window" which 90% times it doesn't let you to continue playing in Skytest, a few of us have found:

* Average time for removing strips >> It's wrong. This will make ur final percentage decrease a lot. So, forget about final percentage.

* You usually get more strips than space available in ur table. BUT you can move CHECKPOINTS STRIPS for allocating more flight strips (but it won't enough anyways).

* Revisions tell you to change info from flight strips that haven't still appeared.


Good news:

Real FEAST exam is with 8 checkpoints and only 2-3 strips for each one (Skytest sends you 300 strips ) So you'll spot easily local conflicts. Few users have passed FEAST-2 without focusing on opposite conflicts at all. Local conflicts varied from 5 to 10.

First time you make a mistake (bad removal, bad insert, wrong conflict, etc) FEAST exam stops and tells you your mistake. After that, it doesn't tell you anymore.

Bad news:

Revisions in real FEAST exam are harder than in Skytest. In Skytest it tells you all data from flight strip before revision. In real exam they only tell you flight number and then, new info you need to change.

In a few words... practice SDM but don't trust game behaviour. And at final statitics check only "how many strips you inserted/removed correctly" (don't look percentages).

EDIT: I've just been told about Feast Test Prep Tool ( feasttest.com ). SDM, English test and Sorting Figures/numbers are quite more similar to real exam.

[fidelove]

Thank you Shadowrun for your feedback!!! I have found it very useful!!!

Anyway I have some doubts. As you say there are 8 checkpoints ans 2-3 strips per checkpoint I understand the insertion and deletion it is not so difficult, because on SkyTest I think these are the tasks which makes me spend more time. In you opinion which taks is more complicated to perform??

My second question is about the revisions. SkyTest revision can be as:
"IBERIA 342 calculated arrival time at Madrid 12:35 flight level 310 new arrival time 12:36 descending to 300", could you please give us an example how FEAST SDM revisions are?

And last question, and strip must be deleted when next strip time is reached, or when is reached time + 1 minute??

Thanks a lot and regards!!!

[Shadowrun]

HI, fidelove!

I understand the insertion and deletion it is not so difficult, because on SkyTest I think these are the tasks which makes me spend more time.

Exactly. Skytest gives many many strips to allocate during exercise.
Anyways, allocationg strips is the easiest part in SDM, if you dont control that.........

In you opinion which taks is more complicated to perform??

Opposite conflicts.

could you please give us an example how FEAST SDM revisions are?

Kind of: "IBERIA 342..... arrival time is 12:36.... descending to 300".
Both data are the new updated data.

strip must be deleted when next strip time is reached, or when is reached time + 1 minute??

They show detailed instructions before every test, and then 8-10 min practice before real exam.
They said we have to remove strips when time is reached in 2nd checkpoint.

Have you tried FEASTTEST.COM ? I dont know how it performs revisions in SDM.

[Shadowrun]

Oh! And another trick to get 1 mistake less.

If revision says: "FLIGHT LEVEL: EIGTH ZERO" you must not type 0-8-0 (as one should expect), but only 8-0.

Test will tell you u've made a mistake.

Different people from different days got same revision error with "8-0", that's why I think exams are exactly repetitions of same pattern.
I asked one of the exam supervisor about this software bug and he said "yes, but we cannot tell anyone because all contestants should face tests under same conditions".