I too am interested in this. Do you just ring up and ask or what?

Some units are reluctant to arrange visits unless you are through stage 2 as they are quite busy and get a lot of requests. Either getting in touch with the unit directly if you can find their contact details (the UK AIP may help) or asking HR for some contact details is the best way to start.

Does anyone have an alternative number for HR?

trying to check some info after passing stage 3, but they constantly go to answerphone (and have been for 5 working days).

Can anyone PM an alternate? best not to post on here- they might not be too impressed!

When arranging my visits I sent a message through the message centre asking who to contact for Swanwick and Bristol visits. For Swanwick you will be given the email address [email protected] and for Bristol I was given the name and number of who to contact.

Don't be afraid to ask for help from NATS when arranging it, they were absolutely fantastic with mine.

pugwash i am having the same problem! its frustrating to say the least.
can you let me know if you manage to speak to them?
Thanks

Pugwash and HP20
 

I had the same problems as you guys are having a few weeks ago, just leave a message on the answerphone they get back to you the same day(generally)!

Hey,
I had my S1 yesterday, fingers crossed i passed!

I must say the NATS offices are the most impressive i have ever seen, defiantly makes you want to work there!

Paul

Hi,
Had my s1 last Friday- cubes were not only bad but catastrophic. only answered about 18 questions. Horrendous. Definitely not going to have passed it, figuring I'll think of it as a practice for next year. In the mean time, anyone know anything you can get hold of to get more of these cubes to practice?? I did loads of practices but everything only had a couple of cube questions in it and I think i need a bit more help than that... Other exams went really well, no worries there. VERY unlikely to be enough to make it up though.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

Online Test
 

Heya everyone,

I've got my stage 1 test day booked for the 25th August and I'm pretty excited (and nervous!) about it. Like Tehvon posted yesterday (and I couldn't see a reply to) I was wondering about the online test that I have to take before I go to stage one. I've looked up a few examples, but a lot of it I wasn't sure if it was talking about stage one or the online test. Are they similar things with the checking, spatial reasoning and diagramming? And is it timed?

On the NATS website it says "This will involve checking information, and completing a personal questionnaire", but from what people have said here a personality test takes place if you get through stage one. I been looking through this thread, but most of the things I've read haven't mentioned this first online test, they just go straight to stage one. And in the e-mail I got it linked me to a few practise questions, but the ones which people have said they've done at stage one, so are they the same things? I want to make sure I'm prepared before I start doing the online test!

Right, now back to making notes on the guideline document for the motivation test whilst I wait for an answer :) ...

xx

believe the online test is just to give you a mild indication of what to expect in the stage 1 tests...

and for a tower/unit visit, i'd say dress respectably, even if we at the unit dont :}

Thanks AJ7. I thought they were similar, it's just nice to have someone else say it and know that I'm not getting completely the wrong end of the stick! Which would be a terrible way to start.

Hey, no I had my Stage 2 on 3rd Aug, just trying to arrange my tower visit now for Stage 3.
Good luck though for stage 2, I heard really quick on the wed after, so you should hear pretty soon xxx

Hey,

Here is a list of Acronyms found in the S1 test booklet, i found it helped me revise, so maybe it can help you to! Just copy it into text editing software and print!

Hope it helps,

Paul

Nats S1
 

Hi
was just wondering with the online tests if we dont do very well on one part but fine on the other will that majorily effect if we get thru s1 also if we dnt do brilliant on one but fantastic on the others at the s1 interview will it be a definate no to gettign thru to s2?
thanks

Katie 53a, There are examples of spatial awareness exercises on page 131 of this thread. You can actually teach yourself how to do the aptitude tests. On the link to psychometric-success.com site you learn different strategies to improve on the cubes test. I think one of them involves the process of elimination. Hope this helps & best of luck with the results at stage 1.
You can also find a list of recommended books on psychometric tests on the SHL website.

Stage 3 interview
 

Hi

I too have my stage 3 on 21st August.
Travelling from Newcastle the day before 6 hr drive.........
Found this site really useful with plenty of good advice:D

Are you travelling in the morning or are you staying over?

Nick

Myers
 

I'm driving up in the morning for my S3, driven it for the first 2 stages and for my Swanwick visit and it takes 2.30-3 hours to get up so I figure it's better to just get an early night and get up for it than to mess around the night before with getting to wherever I'd be staying etc.

See you on the 21st!

S3 Result
 

Holy mother of all things holy. Found out I have passed S3!

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

It's crazy! I am in shock! Seriously can't believe it! :):):):):):):):):):):):)

Wooooooo!!!!

Ahem, sorry, I'm a little excited :)

Well done! I had my S1 yesterday. When you had your S1 how long did it take for a reply, and how long ago was it u did your S1. just so i can get an idea of how long the whole process takes.

How did you think you did on the cubes on the day of S1?

Seb

congrats jochi85

well done Jochi- its a lovely feeling isn't it

although i'll be totally happy once i have passed the medical- its worrying me at the moment!

Got a no for stage 2, ah well.
University it is then!

hey pugwash! still awaiting medical results? I've been away busy for weeks and seem to remember you mentioning you were having your medicals a while ago. How long has it taken them so far?

Interview Dates
 

Hi,

I've recently recieved the S1 dates e-mail but I can't attend any of the dates for specific reasons.

I declined the invitation and got an e-mail back from them stating if I wish to re-consider I should go back onto the date selection link and book.

I was wondering, do new dates become available after a while or do I now have to wait and re-apply next year?

Thanks

Hey all,

Haven't read the last 30 pages or so as been a bit busy...

I have a 9th edition of Graham Duke's book if anyone wants to make me a reasonable offer (PM please). I have no idea how much these go for.


Good luck to all of you applying or that have passed stage 3. This is my second week at the college, I am doing area and let me tell you..... It is bloody hard work, but if it's what you want to do and you're prepared to put the work in then good luck. For anyone that thinks they might not be able to put the time in then i'll say don't bother, i'm married and my wife works shifts, I have come to the realisation that i'll not get to see her, infact i'll not be doing anything but studying for the next 9 months! But hey - it's a awesome job at the end!

I'll say it again, good luck to all still applying and congrats to those that have passed stage 3!

PDF

Online Application
 

Hi guys,

I'm about to reapply again after failing at Stage 3 last year but the entire layout of the application seems to have changed. I was going to fill it in slowly but it doesn't look like I can save information anymore.

Am I missing something obvious or does it have to be completed in one sitting?

I think it does yes...However maybe you could do the questions as well as write them down, the canx your app then re appy?
Dont take this as true though as id hate you to not be able to apply for a year.

I just did my online test, the one prior to the stage one intervew. Does anybdy know how important it is as my mouse froze halfway through:uhoh::ugh:

Ive just joined btw so nice to meet you all:ok:

HI
 

Im going for my initial stage 1 this wednesday and am freaking out lol

Does anyone know what happens, and can you debrief me step by step the things they make you do ????

oh yes and do they still do an actual interview ?????

PS: They didnt say anything about D/S*T questions.... Do they sill do them?????

S1 - test durations!
 

Hi everyone

I'm about to sit my S1 tests for the second time on Sept 11th at Prestwick (what a date..) and would just like to confirm a few things before I re-organise all my revision.

To the best of my knowledge, and this forum, as of this month August, the S1 tests go as follows:

1st paper. 30 Multiple choice questions based on the literature NATS provides for you. Unknown time limit, possibly 20 minutes?

2nd paper. Spatial Abillity - Cubes! 20 multiple choice questions. Unknown time limit, possibly 20 minutes?

3rd paper. Abstract Reasoning - Operations. 60 multiple choice questions arranging shapes via instructions. Unknown time limit, possibly 20 minutes?

4th paper. Mental Arithmitic (Maths) - Distance/time/speed questions probably revolving around aircraft movements. Unknown amount of questions, unknown time limit, possibly 20 minutes?

Can anyone fill in the blanks? I've been testing myself rotten over the last fortnight and realise all my numerical/letter checking practice maybe for naught. I even recruited friends and family to "make" tests for me based on templates I created!

Really want to make it this time as this is my last chance due to my age (35)

Cheers

VFFX

I do believe there is no longer an age restriction so it may not be your last chance. Not that it won't go smoothly this time. :ok:

Agreed, I believe there is no upper age limit.

Will anybody be attending Stage 2 in Fareham on Tuesday, 18th August?

VFFX
 

See my post on page 200 of this forum - this details everything at stage 1.

Does anyone know how many questions they will ask you on the aircrafts???????? as i have learnt quite a few of them and have my S1 this wednesday.......
:bored::bored::bored:

anyone got any last minute hints or tips??????
and btw should i wear a suit ??????:cool:


PS do they allow calcualtors for the tests??????

Abz217 I thnk you've just learned the first lesson:O

Always check what you've written .... and more importantly where you've written it.

Can anyone show me how to do the equation for this question please?

Does stage 1 get harder than this?

Hey Guys, I failed my S1 last year and just took it again on monday the 10th of August. I have to say after being very organised this year by revising and not just turning up, I feel fairly confident that I will pass! I understand I haven't passed but sincerely know that I couldn't have improved significantly as I only missed 3 questions on the whole test so FINGERS CROSSED.

ANYWAY...

The tests are as follows:-
1. Motivation Paper, these are the questions relating to the material NATS sent you. I don't remember how many questions, sorry!
2. Spatial Reasoning, these are the cubes. 40 questions 20 minutes.
3. Diagramming, this is the ability to follow instructions in order. 50 questions 20 minutes.
4. Arithmatic, 20 questions, 15 minutes, these consist of a lot of S=D/T questions, if you want my advice if you purely practice that you'll find yourself ina very comfortable position.

After taking the test last year I remember that the pace of the test was very fast so I found myself answering the first half of each set of questions super fast, not double or triple checking but just blasting through them, then easing off and concentrating more as the test progressed.

If I can offer one piece of advice it would be just relax and try not to get fluttered, if a question is hard just move on.

There is no negative marking on the day and it even says in the test booklet, give your BEST answer.
BTW did anyone else take their tests on the 10th>

Abz217. You can find all the offical hints & tips on the NATS site: http://atcocareers.co.uk/pdf/Hints-a...Three-Days.pdf

There is now an official mention of the numerical paper.

On my test there were two aircraft specification questions.

The dress code for the event is smart/casual. I think the idea is so that you blend in with the company dress code policy.

No calculators are allowed. You have to do all the number crunching in your head or on scrap paper.

Good luck.

RByrne,

Q: Aircraft 40 nautical miles away, at 30,000 ft descending at 3000ft per minute and travelling at 240 knots.. can it make it?

A: 3000ft per minute and starting at 30000ft means it will take the aircraft 10 mins to reach the ground. 240 knots = 4 nautical miles per minute (know your 60 time table!). In 10 mins, aircraft will travel 40 nautical miles, so it will make it (but only just!).

Hope that helps a bit...

Ok, this is a fairly straight forward bit of maths dressed up in a scenario.
The easiest way to think about these is to ignor the story and look at the numbers.

There are two key questions, which are:

1/ How long will it take the aircraft to reach the airport?

and

2/ How long before the aircraft hits the ground?

The aircraft is travelling at 240 knts, which is 240 nautical miles per hour. by deviding by 60 (minutes) you get the aircrafts speed per minute in knts. In this case every minute the aircraft will travel 4 miles. So the answer to question 1 is 40 (distance) / 4 (Speed) = Time = 10 minutes

Now for the second question, the aircraft is falling at 3000 feet per minute. This is just another speed/distance/time question dressed up differently. The units have changed (feet per minute rather than miles per hour) but the maths is the same. so you know the speed, you know the distance, so again what you need is the time. So the answer to question 2 is 30000 (distance) / 3000 (speed) = Time = 10 minutes

So to answer the main question, the aircraft will take 10 minutes to cover the 240nm to the airfield, and it will fall out of the sky in 10 minutes, so the answer is they will make it, if only just.

Most question you will get will be like this. The key is not to panic and just see the two simple maths equations rather than one complex one.

Simples.

Oi, my explanation took longer to type than yours!!!!!!