Hi all im new to this site and i am going for my stage 1 on the 18th march at 12.30 (anyone else going then?)
I have bought the SKYTEST disc to help me prepare for it. Is this the best thing to use? Just that people have been talking about going on SHL website which i have already done and i have found the questions completely different on SHL to what is on the SKYTEST disc. I found SHL mainly general maths percentages, pie charts etc. And the one where you have to read the article and answer the questions, there is nothing on the disc to suggest this is part of the test? Or am i taking the wrong tests on shl?
I have been reading what people have been writing on here and i know its the diagramming, spatial reasoning, ATC paper, and Maths questions to do with d/s/t and using 360 degrees of a compass that i need to learn.
Thanks

Just came back after 12hrs train trip to Swanwick :}

As u say Ginnersam, there are only diagramming, spatial reasoning, ATC paper, and Maths questions with S/D/T.

I found it all quite entertaining though, however the time is working against you in these tests. I've done all ATC paper questions and about 47 out of 50 in diagramming paper. I didn't have time to finish all the questions for the last cube though (there are 3 unfolded cubes, about 12 qs for each I guess - can't remember exactly to be honest). Math paper was alright - though I'm few questions short as well caused by time.

All in all, I think I did quite well - at least I did my best. I'm not very confident bout getting through that one though :}. Just need to wait for results now.

regards.

Thanks for those who gave some examples of the sort of s/d/t questions that would be asked. much appreciated. My only concern now is that some people have written about some questions revolving around 360 degrees of a compass. I haven't a clue about this, could anyone shed any light on this subject? any examples or things i could learn to help me in any way. Thanks guys.

Compass headings are pretty straight forward: If you're following a certain heading, then turn left/right x degrees, whats your new heading?

It's just basic addition and subtraction. Just remember that for a left (counter clockwise) turn you subtract, and that 360=0 degrees and is the highest value you can have (so 360+10 = 10 not 370).

Part One Aviation Questions
 

Just want to start off by saying this is a top forum for advice!!

I have a question though:

In the Part One tests, the Aviation Section, The Booklet that they send you that has the genral ATC info and then the facts and figures about aircraft types, how much of the aircraft info is in the test. i.e do i really need to be able to remember the seating arrangement, cruising levels and the speed of 30 or so different aircraft!!??

261_p

This is nothing personal against you directly, however what you asked in your post is a question which we get on this thread countless, countless times and although I'm not going to 'bite your head off' like has happened to other innocent new members such as yourself, allow me to politely ask you to read the last 40-50 pages of this thread and I promise you that you will find the answer to your question.

The answer is in fact no, you will not be expected to know all the aircraft for the test only a few however at some point (if successful) you will be required to know all the details. :ok:

Thanks Pat. Much appreciated!!

"This is nothing personal against you directly, however what you asked in your post is a question which we get on this thread countless, countless times and although I'm not going to 'bite your head off' like has happened to other innocent new members such as yourself, allow me to politely ask you to read the last 40-50 pages of this thread and I promise you that you will find the answer to your question."

Ok thanks for the info, however in my defence i will say, that whilst you are correct about reading the last 40-50 pages (and i take that on board) and this forum has a great wealth of knowledge and info for those of us applying, it isnt the most user friendly at 270 pages +.
Maybe it need to be broken up into seperate specific sticky threads? i.e:
NATS Interview Part 1
NATS Interview Part 2
NATS Interview Part 3
NATS Medical
NATS Application General queries

I'm sure i'm not the first to mention this and i truely do appreciate the info on here.
One for the admins?

But T250, thank you for the help:ok:

261_p, you're not the first to suggest a split of the thread in some logical order, it was discussed as recently as last week if I remember correctly. Personally I think that at least the first 100 pages of this thread should be deleted as they hold little to no relevancy to the selection process today.

You're welcome, good luck with your tests, keep us posted! :)

The NATS ATC online application
 

Hi,this is my 1st post,I want to apply for ATC training through NATS,I got to the part where they ask for certification/awards and membership relevant to your application.I dont know what this is and dont have anything like that.I am a british citizen but went to school in South Africa.All I have are my GCSE's.will this be a problem,do I need to obtain some sort of certificate?I cant move past this point without entering something.Can anyone help

Many thanks

I messaged the admins about putting together a NATS interview FAQs thread last week, but they haven't got back to me :(

I think it would be really useful for those starting out and would stop all the repeat questions, but I'm a little loathe to just put it up without the admins say so as it would be a waste if they just decided to amalgamate it straight back into this thread.

Mikek16,

I remember that bit of the application confusing me a bit too, can't remember what I put in it (if anything) but I'd just leave it blank if nothing comes to mind. All you need in terms of qualifications are GCSEs - I think it was 5 at A*-C including Maths and English, but might be worth checking the NATS website just to confirm that. I think this part of the application is just for extra qualifications and things such as membership of professional bodies or institutes. There were a few other really wierd bits of the application, like the section for your "skills" which was really confusing, but I don't think these parts matter too much (as long as you have the minimum qualifactions required acceptance, as far as I am aware, is based solely on your performance at the selection stages).

You can always email NATS HR if you're really worried and want some guidance.

thanks Pat42,glad to know I wasnt the only one to find that confusing,I have the relevant GCSE's so here's hoping I make past the 1st step.Have you been through the whole process or still in the process?

After reading through a load of posts on here a few people have recommended learning a few distances between major european cities. Could anyone say whether the distances on the test will be in miles, nautical miles or kilometres???

As far as I remember the distances were in miles. They were very approximate too e.g. 100 miles, 250 miles, 400 miles or 600 miles etc. Still makes you think though!

Hi, does anyone know if they have started test centres at Heathrow house yet? im thinking of applying for a third and final time but cant afford to be making too many trips down to fareham.

I have just received an e-mail from NATS asking me to do a Bio-Data personality questionnaire, and has stated that upon receipt of this they will send an e-mail regarding the next stage of the process. Does this mean I've passes stage one?? (Surely they wouldnt ask me to do this questionnaire if I had failed).

Can I fail the personaltiy questionnaire?? there were lots of questions about how I analyse people, my learning styles and how I am with rules and regulations.

Hopefully it means I'm on my way to becoming an ATC :)

Good luck to all the others getting their stage one results too, and all other stages at that.

Lemony

Just got my rejection for Stage 1 - tests on 25/01 :-(

Knew it was coming though - only got to 30/50 on cubes and about 25/50 out of diagramming before I run out of time. This was despite revising hard for weeks!

Wish everyone else the very best of luck! - and I'll try again next year.

Hi All,

I'm a newb to the forum. I've been reading through this post for a week or so and wish to thank EVERYONE who has posted something useful on it.

I had my Stage 1 tests today. Only finished the first paper (which was on the ATC stuff we had to revise). Did around about 3 quarters of the other 3. Really struggled with the spatial awareness which usually I'm good at. I'll be surprised if I pass. But I enjoyed the experience and will try again next year if I don't get through.

Was there anyone else here who had the tests today?

Mark

-
 

Weeee, Im sittin in an EasyHotel and tomorrow I will go to check the nats college in Bcity, Im pretty excited>)

CaptJayJay
 

There were 50 cube questions at your stage 1, not 40??

just a quickie regarding flying into glasgow airport as opposed to prestwick.... instead of going into glasgow for the train to prestwick just go to paisley train station by taxi or bus from glasgow airport, only a few mins away then half hour on train to prestwick. saves having to backtrack on yourself :O

Had my S1 today at 12.30 in Fareham. Any1 else there? Im not too confident on getting through! The motivation paper and numeracy were pretty easy, the diagramming was okay, but i fear i buckled immensely on the spatial awareness..only managed to do about 25/40 properly, then guessed a few when i realised time was up soon!! Dont know how they expect anyone to get through the spatial reasoning and diagramming in 20 mins.crazy!! Anyway, good luck to anyone who has and stages coming up!

Hi,

Yeah I was there, at Fareham yeah? The tests were ok, a lot harder than I had expected, nothing can prepare you for that!

:)

Amen to that!

Got an email yesterday from NATS saying i didnt pass the tests on 29/01. Thought i would be close, but annoyingly there is no indication of just how well, or bad, you did. I am pretty sure that my ATC knowledge and numeracy would have been high but would more than likely have been let down by the other tests.

Still, can always apply again. And in the meantime, theres always Eurocontrol, whos selection stages, i must say, i prefer the sound of (interview and tests at each stage!)

Well, well, well..

I did my S1 last Friday, I have done the questionnaire yesterday and just received an e-mail that I'm through to the S2 :}. I'm so happy, gonna start preparing for the FEAST now.

btw. they have been so quick with that, thought I'm gonna have to wait bit longer then that.

regards.

What is there that I can do to prepare for the feast tests?? I've heard people say that there isnt a lot you can do as its all computer based and that they give you examples and practice whilst there, but I would really like something relevant which I could do to help me on the day.

Any examples will be brilliant and much appreciated.

Lemony

am i right in saying you still do the personaltiy questionaire after S1? seems a bit unfair for someone to pay to get to either fareham or prestwick and pass S1, only to get home and sit the questionaire and fail!:ugh:

Hi

I got an e-mail after I had sat the stage one tests asking me to complete the personality questionnaire, and it said after receipt of this they would send me an e-mail regarding the next stage, so surely they cant fail you on it?

Lemony

Hi,

Do NATS use the online testing prior to stage 1 as part of your assessment, or is it just to give you an indication of what to expect when at stage 1?

Thanks, BM

When I attempted the on-line testing I managed to do the basic checking, but when it came to the numeracy test it wouldnt upload the results and kept saying it was incomplete.

When I spoke to the lady at the test day she said to not worry about them as they dont do much, and they really dont hold any resemblance to any of the tests you do at stage one either. I wouldnt worry about them, still do them but I dont think they count for much to be honest

Thanks Lemony :ok:

I think that I did ok on them but, they did catch me a little off guard!

Hi guys!

I have just recieved an email telling me that I have to do the online test and point a day to go for the interview. I haven´t done the tests already, but I was wondering what about non-UK people, I mean, I have some idea about your language(I am a pilot) but not sure I have enough level for this... any foreign working there?

Thanks in advance

@maddog37,

I'm sure there's a several number of foreigners working at NATS. I'm Polish and I've already applied and got through the 1st stage, therefore I don't think NATS does look at foreigners in any different way then on British people.

But definitely you need to have English on a very good level. I'm not saying mine is brilliant, but I didn't find any difficulties with it yet.

Just don't worry and go for it :ok:

Thanks for your reply Tooomek!!!! I am still starting with the proccess... but your words gave me a different point of view, more possitive I can said:ok:

Wahoo!

I'm through to Stage 2! Just got my email.

I did my Stage 1 on Monday and now I'm through. What a great week.

Anyone have tips for what to expect or things to practice for Stage 2, I've booked it for this Monday!

Thanks to everyone on this forum for all their posts.

Mark

YEAH!
 

see you in Bournemouth in Oct :};)

I too got the email saying I passed Stage 3. Ecstatic is an understatement!!! :eek::):)

Good luck to all those waiting for results, hope you get in and see you in October.

ou yes!
 

Ally!! nice job!! congrats:D.