Are they doing stage 3's at the college now?

The current lot of Stage 3 dates are at Swanwick, Bournemouth or Prestwick.

two questions if i may...

1. What starting date are people getting who pass the 3rd stage now.

2. Whats the 3rd stage pass rate, percentage wise.

Hi all, first post on the forum. I've read several of the previous 274 pages of post on this topic and couldn't find my answer.

I'm had my initial application approved and started reading the ATC training sample test document, but wondered to what degree of detail knowledge of this document is expected to be -are specific dates important, e.g. when the first phase of NOTA was established), or the designation of airspace classes? I'm not complaining or anything, just need to know from someone that's sat the test whether they're looking for a general overview of the text or exacting information.

Many thanks!

Joey,

Last time I was paying attention people were generally being put on the August course, though I think I did see a post from someone the other day who said they were on the October course, so you may have just missed the August one. Personally I'm really hoping they are still putting people on the August course as after 3 months of complications with my medicals there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel and I really want to be able to get on with it all now without further delay! It will also depend if you want to go area or aerodrome, I think the aerodrome courses are a little oversubscribed (partly due to several recent aero courses being cancelled as NATS didn't have need for the controllers at that time, or something along those lines) so you might have a longer wait if you want to go that route. I wouldn't be suprised if they aren't even offering aero at the minute, but don't have up to date info on that - anyone who has passed recently care to comment?

Regarding pass rate: my understanding is that there isn't a fixed pass rate, there is a benchmark standard and if you reach it you pass, so in theory all of your stage 3 group might pass or none of them might pass. I think statistically the pass rate for stage 3 is somewhere in the region of about 50%, but thats just based on hearsay. When I sat mine one of the assessors said that roughly the top 5% of total candidates make it to stage 3 and according to the NATS website about 3% pass the whole selection process, which does support a statistic of around a 50-60% pass rate for stage 3.

I presume you have your stage 3 coming up? Best of luck :)

Glasgow trainee
 

Hi, i see the last post made here was in 2007 so i hope this will still be read.
I was wondering if there were any A.T.C trainee's or Time served A.T.C 's from Scotland on the forum who could give me any info about how the colege works.
Im 26yrs old and married with 2 kids, ive been an hgv mechanic for 10yrs and im now looking to change careers and become an a.t.c which would be my dream job.
I was wondering how people manage to balance home life while training at the college and living so far away from family? Does the college provide accomadation and also would i be living down at the college for the full duration or would it be in weekly blocks (like when i was training to be a mechanic).
Hopefully one of you can explain some of this to me and give me an example of life as a trainee.
Thanks

Lubo,

I was at the college last year, I left my wife and 3 young kids back home in Edinburgh and stayed in a B&B for the duration of my course, visiting home every couple of weeks or so.

Some people bring their families with them but I think we did the right thing, I was able to study in a child free environment (And could enjoy the social life :ok:)

PM me for more info if you need it.

We were told at stage 3 that it was going to defiantly be October when we start though if there are drop outs on earlier courses and you were able to get on you may be asked to go on one of those. I have picked to be on aerodrome course and there is one running in July so I may get on that but if not I may have to wait longer then October because they cancel quite allot of aerodrome courses.

Oh they also said that in stage 3 you are not against each other if you all get through then there are places for you all.

@ Miss_Mia83

I am doing my ST1 in Prestwick Friday 26th Feb. As far as revision time goes I booked my interview yesterday so I only have 2 days! I hope to learn enough in that time to get through, the aptitude tests should be fine but the ATC paper will be more difficult. There seems to be some mystery as to how much detail we need to know... do you guys think I'm not leaving enough time? As a veteran student I'm relying on my ability to cram!

I really want this but I'm currently in my final year of a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering and this is the most strenuous time of year (at the minute I am participating in 5 projects running concurrently including a 20,000 word dissertation!:eek:) so I just have to hope I can learn enough to get through.

Are you attending the same date as me?

And didn't you just love it!!! ;)

Hi,
Its my first time on here so apolgies if I do things wrong :)

I have got my intial stage with NATS on friday and was just making sure that at thids stage, it is only the aptitude tests and a test on that booklet recieved by email and no actual interview?

Some one please get back to me asap

Thanks :):):)

You only have an actual interview in stage 3. Stage 1 and 2 are just tests.

Just found out that FlyBe is now doing a direct flight from Manchester to Bournemouth which is excellent news for me being a northerner. It only costs £25 one way or £60 return including taxes and charges. Could be very useful for people going to the college for stage 3, or at the college wanting to pop home sometime. Seems allot cheaper than driving.

My first post, hello everyone.

Just wanted to ask if anyone else has shared my experience when applying to NATS?

I completed my online application in January and received that standard email saying that they were considering my application and should expect to hear back in the near future. After about 10 days I emailed them back, just as a follow up. I received no reply.

I emailed another follow up recently and as yet I have received no reply.

EDIT - Got reply, they want me for Stage 1 Selection Test:)

Give me a home...
 

Hey guys, I'm new here too. (Just kicked off the box; there's packing everywhere...)

Got my Stage 1 on March 12th at 1300. Just wondering if anybody else here will be going?

jking - I was going to ask if there was an interview at this stage, so ta for clearing that up for me too.

Been cramming on the paper this last couple of weeks (being fresh outta uni does help, I gotta say), and I think I'm pretty up to scratch with the material... The SHL test gave me a 93% rating on my psychometric without prep, though I do plan on practising some more just in case.

The S/D/T part is what I'm dreading the most tbh. Setting myself some questions each night, so hopefully it'll all be fine :p

Good luck to the rest of you going for your stages!

Oh, and for Android users, there's a cube spatial awareness game/app that seems to mimic the one in the NATS preview test paper, so check it out: Cubes spatial reasoning FREE v1.1 Game for Android | Brain & Puzzle

I don't have an Android mobile, so if anybody comes across anything similar please post a link!


Later

stage 1
 

hello everybody!!
bulletsamurai, I did my first time stage 1 last September and there wasn't any interview, we did some test 1 of them was spatial reasoning, I think interviews are in stage 2 but I'm not sure, could anybody help us and tell us what are stage 2 and 3 about??
thanks

Everyone has to apply online through the NATS website, I assume you have done this, surely you had a good look around the site including the section labelled 'the selection process' where there are 3 pdfs covering what is involved at each individual stage.
Or, look around at the previous 10-20 pages or more of this thread if you're feeling enthusiastic but try to use a bit of initiative. :ok::)

Seromero,

Stage 2 is a day of computer tests - basically lots of games which test a whole load of things like your reactions, multitasking, performance under pressure etc.

Stage 3 is the interview and a group exercise to assess your team working and stuff like that.

The NATS ATCO careers website through which you applied contains all this information and more so well worth doing a bit of reading ;)

removal of strips
 

Does anybody know if a removal of strips has to take place immediately or when the aircraft passed the next checkpoint in sdm test in feast test??
thank you for help :ok:

Ok,thank you,i think you have a good point,but i just want to be best prepared for the test....:)

Only 3 days to go until my stage 2. Can't wait!! Although when its over I know I'll be dreading the results.

So it's looking likely that the start date at college will be in october for people passing stage 3?

Hi,I really hope someone can help,I followed the link on my invitation email from NATS for my phase 1 tests to the shl website for pratice tests.I was asked to register and answer a bunch of questions.After that I was given the tests but closed the site because I was fearful that they were the actual tests.I tried again a couple days later and had to go through the process again but was assigned a different username.This time I took the tests.The 1st was reading some texts and answering true false or not stated.I think I did ok on this but the 2nd test blew me away.It was working out percentages of percentages,pie charts,graphs,I didnt have a clue.

My questions are did I in fact do the actual tests and how does NATS know my results,if I registered again and took the tests again would they know,would they count or what?

Also do the tests I mentioned sound familiar and what did anyone do to prepare for them?

Any help would be much appreciated
Nervous guy.
P.s I think its great that forums like this exist and so many people take the time to help others:bored:

from what ive picked up while reading threads on this forum, i believe that these tests dont count towards your stage 1-3, not sure what they are actually for though, probably some 3rd party research or something.

The link says 'Practice Tests.'

I found the verbal one to be fine; the maths one's a little tricky but not too bad... Having said that, I've not seen my marks because every time I click the link on the SHL site for the results the thing crashes! :ugh:

Stage 3! Aaaaaaagh!!!!!!!!!
 

Hey people,

How is everyone?

Got my Stage 3 on Thursday at Bournemouth and am really nervous!!!!

I'm worried about the interview. Can they really turn you down if you don't do well at the interview? Even though you did well at the tests and group task?

If anyone has any inkling of an idea as to what types of questions they will be asking (other than the PDF guide on the website), I will be in your debt forever.

Is the interview more of a 'getting to know you' thing to check you're not an axe murderer?

Any help is appreciated.

Good luck to all who have Stages 1, 2 and 3 coming up.

Mark
:uhoh:

Got my stage 1 booked today, its on 30/4/10 in prestwick. anyone else booked in for then? Need to start brushing up on my maths now :( not done any since leaving school. Im nervous already lol but ive never been to an interview without getting the job so hopefully my luck carries on.
Has anyone else been the main bread winner in the family and decided to take the chance and go for the atc training? how did you cope with paying mortgage, bills etc...
I think ill manage to scrape by between myself and my wife but it should all be worth it in the end. :ok:

Hi all,

I've literally just applied for NATS and received the bog standard 'considering your application' e-mail.

Then received a further mail saying that they'd forwarded my application to the medical department for review. I'm assuming this is because I wear glasses?? (ever so slightly short sighted)

I was just wondering if anyone else had gone through this and how long it generally takes them to get back to you?

Thanks!

Just got an e-mail. Had my S2 done just yesterday and I'm through to the S3! Aww! :}


@jenga-jen - I had my application forwarded to medical department as well due to my eyes correction. They have replied the next day sending an invitation to S1.

tooomek
 

Well done.

S2 yesterday? Damn that was a quick reply.

Got my S3 on Thursday. Only applied to NATS 4 weeks ago. Here I am thinking I'm going through it quick. Congrats again.

Mark

I was there yesterday also, and I passed too :ok:

Not yet booked my stage 3, got too much uni stuff at the minute, but will be soon.

Hopefully see you guys at the college

Lemony

Rolfeo:

The stage 3 interview is a competency based (or structured) interview. I'd highly recommend doing some research into this type of interview and how it works (try googling it, or visiting the careers sections of your local library) as it is probably quite different to any kind of interview you may have done before.

The competencies you are being tested for are all listed on the pdf you mentioned.

...and yes you can fail at the interview, it is just as important a part of the selection process as everything else.


Jenga-Jen:

As you suggest, the medical department are probably just checking your glasses prescription (its unlikely there would be anything else that would show up on your initial application that would require investigation at this stage that you wouldn't already be aware off). They are usually pretty quick but I wouldn't fret about it, the selection process can be pretty long term (I started 6 months ago and still don't have a start date just yet) so one or two days isn't really going to make a major difference in the long run.

Skytest Nats Atco Screening Disc
 

I have asked this question previously but nobody has replied. Has anyone used the SKYTEST DISC to practice for the test and how true to the real test is it. I am going for my stage one on the 18th march at 12.30. And i have been using the disc to practice. Nobody on here has metioned it, and the stuff on the disc is totally different to what is on shl. Thanks

You dont do the checking tests, but you do do Diagramming and Spatial Reasoning (cubes). Then theres an arithmetic paper (thats not too difficult) and the ATC knowledge paper (which is difficult if you dont learn the stuff, otherwise its a piece of cake)!

Thanks Pat42, I'll keep everything crossed that I hear something from them soon!

SkyTest
 

Iv never bought the CD or know anyone who has but I think it is abit of a waste of time as you can find any of that information and do just as good revision for free. Though please do leave a bit of a review on here for others and you never know you could sell it on when your done.

Pat42,

Thanks for the help. I've had a friend who was the hire and fire person for the 2nd biggest PR company in the world, help me. She was helping me more with an unstructured interview than a competency interview.

I'm feeling a lot better about it now, although that will change at 9am tomorrow!!!

Thanks again for all your help throughout this thread.

regards,
Mark

Failed my Stage 1 last year. Where abouts do they do these nowadays?

last minute advice?
 

woah tomorrows crept up quick, stage three at 8:15!! now can't focus on much else

any last minute tips and hints from the pros here that have been there done that??

see you in the morning Rolfeo & Amymil :bored:

Last minute tips? Yup. Relax, make sure you're prepared (bit late if you're not already!) and get a good nights sleep.

Then tomorrow just be calm and collective and most importantly yourself. If you're the right type of person they'll give you an offer. No point trying to be what you think they are looking for as if you get an offer based on a good acting performance it will no doubt come back and kick you in the arse further down the line!

Am sure you will do fine :ok: