Stage 1
 

Hi all,

I have passed the initial application and been invited to attend a test/interview day in NATS Corporate Centre in Whiteley Fareham. I have been given a 25 page document to study (an overview of ATC) which i feel comfortable with. I want to be as prepared as possible and some for the apptitude tests on the day. Has anyone recently sat the test who could shed some light on the type/difficulty level of the questions, maybe some exmaples you could think of? Also are calculators allowed?

I am really passionate about this; i just want to walk in and to know excatly what to expect to give myself the best chance of passing as possible. So anyone who has recently been there....help would be much appreciated =)

Number1 tatc
 

Not meaning to sound rude but there are pages of info on what stage 1 tests are about and numerous examples have been given. Also it has been answered about calculators and the answer is no. It wouldn't be much of a test with them, how many atc stations have you seen with calculators next to them ?
Basically brush up on your mental maths and find as many cubes/diagram questions as you can from Internet etc...

I've asked this before and read a lot of these pages, but I can't find anything -how much detail of the 25 page ATC overview document am I supposed to know, e.g. specific dates etc, or is it just a general knowledge of the document as a whole?

Hi Everyone,
I've been quietly observing this thread for a while and found out a couple of weeks ago I passed my stage 3, (they phoned me the day after) likely to be starting at the college in Oct/Nov... excited!
Good luck to everyone going through stages 1, 2 & 3.

There have been multiple, multiple, times that this has been covered, yet it reoccurs every few months. :ugh:

If anyone was to tell you that you only need to learn pages *, * and * would you just cover them? Surely if you're an enthusiastic and interested candidate you're going to want to learn the whole document, inside out and be prepared for anything and everything.
Granted, there are loads of aircraft to learn, and yes there are only a few questions on them but the rest of the document should be learnt in its entirety, especially if you're hoping to go all the way with the selection process to training? :}

I'm with T250. This isn't primary school, you are applying for a job and you're potential employer has sent you a document (which really isn't that long and doesn't contain that much information) and advised you that they are going to test you on it. If you want the job then surely it is obvious that the more you learn the more impressive a candidate you will be.

I'd also point out that NATS are just as interested in your attitudes and work ethic as they are in your innate abilities and aptitudes (if you are fortunate enough to get through to stage 3 you'll get grilled on this much more thoroughly at interview). Are NATS going to test you on every minute little detail? No, of course not. On the other hand, if one candidate knows it well enough to correctly answer any question you might choose to ask on it whilst another has only a loose overview and clearly hasn't bothered to commit themselves to learning the details, which one do you think they are likely to pick? The latter candidate has clearly demonstrated a positive attitude and shown that they are willing to work hard to get somewhere in the life, whilst the former candidate has only put in the minimum effort required.

If the attitude you demonstrate to NATS is that you are only prepared to put in the minimum amount of work to get the job then how will they be able to have confidence that you are going to pull your finger out at the college? (where you will have to learn a lot more information in vastly more detail - have you had a look at MATS part 1? It's over 400 pages long and you will need to know the majority of it in intimate detail before you graduate the college).

Someone is on their high horse! :E

Sorry Cottam, I think you missinterpret me. I'm simply pointing out that if a candidate wants to display themselves at their best then it will be in their interests to be thorough. I'm not judging anyone, but it just seems quite obvious to me that the more effort you choose to put in at this stage the better this will be reflected in the image you portray of yourself at assessment and the more likely you are to be successful.

Woohoo, passed my S1 (taken: Prestwick on 12th March) :)

Heading over to Fareham for my S2 on the 13th of April!

Just need to decide whether or not to buy this NATS Skytest disc and get cracking on my prep!

Good luck to everyone else waiting on results

clarification needed...
 

hi,
I'm another new wannabe ATCO:)
after going through nearly all the posts on this forum, I have a question with regards to Stage 1 which I'm about to book a date for.
How many questions is there and how much time are you given for each - maths, motivation, cubes and diagrams? everybody gives different numbers so not quite sure which is correct. it varies from 40 to 50 also someone earlier said there were 3 cubes with 15 questions each so 45 in total(I guess):) .the recent e-mail from NATS about new rules says there is 1h for maths/motivation and 1hr for the other 2. Does it mean you get 1/2h for each part of the test?
I'm doing a lot of preperation at the moment but just want to know if my calculation skills are anywhere near to what is expected.
any comments would be appreciated.
Regards,
b

also have just found this link to Manual of Air Traffic Services http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP493PART1.PDF
is it actually worth going through it in preperation for stage 1 (or hopefully later)?
thx b

I just found out I've passed my stage 3, I couldn't be any happier!!!
Just security checks and medicals to go now.

Good luck to everyone else going through their stages and to those waiting on their results.

Baart
 

EAch test is about 20 mins each, ATC test is about 15 mins. Cubes i believe had 40 question in 20 mins, diagram about 50, numeracy 40 i think. The first hour is to get papers out and back in and 2 tests, if you apss that then you stay for next test etc....
With regards to MATS part 1 , i think that is way to in depth for the interview stages, you wont need any of it until college, and YES you will have to know all of it then. Dont get too bogged down with it now. Learn the document they give you back to front, brush up on your mental maths and you will be fine.

LEMONY- Congrats to you, very well done, cant imagine how that feels, last chance coming up !!!

I was the only girl there so it shouldnt be too hard to remember me lol, were you the one in glasses?

Congratulations too

Congrats Lemony and Lowlevelowl :)


Baart, MATS part 1 is way way more than you need to delve into at any point during the selection process. At stage 1 you need to focus on the document they send you, any further information from other sources will probably be more confusing than helpful. Even at stage 3 (presuming you get that far) the mere fact that you are aware of the existence of MATS part 1 and know what it is should be more than enough to satisfy the interviewers that you've done your research ;) Of course, a little light reading to satisfy your curiosity won't do any harm, but you are unlikely to be questioned on it!

Stage 3 Joy!
 

Just had the good news that I passed stage 3! It was on the 12th of March. Wondering how the others got on who were there with me? I had was in the grey suite with blonde hair!

Just the medical and checks to go now!

Congrats Lemony and Lowlevelowl.

I didn't make it through...was player 4 in the game. Names Joe. Dunno if im gunna try again...costs too much money travelling.

I just hope the bloke who was on his 3rd chance made it through. Enjoy college ad the atc life..:)

Joey2by4

You managed to make it to stage 3 this year, so chances are if you tried again you will get to this point easily, just try and get some interview practice in. It will be well worth the effort when you get the e-mail to say you have passed, and it shows some determination too the fact you have re-applied. Don't give up if it is what you want to do!!

Lemony

Joey2by4
 

I agree with Lemony, when i got the email last year saying i failed stage 3 and i thought i had done fairly well, i thought i wouldn't do it again. But even after a really bad year for me i know its what i want to do, so ive gone for it again and hope to get to stage 3 again to prove i can do it. This is my last chance so i have to give it a go.
All the best for whatever you decide to do.

Ishy1312?
 

Hey- i think i was in your group- i was player 1 on the group exercize (also the only girl in our group) Congrats on getting through- i was so excited when i got my email saying i'd passed stage 3 yesterday. I'm really nervous about the medical though. Hopefully we'll see each other at the college

Medical
 

Just passed my medical yesterday. And JUST about passed on it I must say... apparently my left eye is slightly long sighted, and the right is fine. It was just borderline acceptable! Close shave or what! The optician had me very worried at one point!!

Conditional offer becomes unconditional! :)

pat, jimmy
 

Thanks, you've been most helpful.
b

Can anyone help?
 

Ok so I recently passed stage 2 and selected a date for my stage 3. I've been doing loads of preparation for it and have even managed to get to spend an afternoon in the Tower at Heathrow listening in and observing everything that goes on.

However I just received an email from NATS saying that my interview had been cancelled and no further action was required on my part. To put it bluntly I'm bricking it right now. Does this mean they've rejected my application? Does it just mean the date is no longer available? They sent it at 16:55 so there was no time for me to contact them regarding it and the prospect of worrying all weekend is killing me.

Has this happened to anyone else before or does anyone have an idea of what it might mean?

I'm really worried right now so if anyone can offer any advice other than wait till Monday I'd be very grateful.

Congrats to those that have just passed too.

Tattoos?
 

Just a quick question regarding NATS policy on tattoos. I have a small paragraph on my back it is well hidden, does anyone know if they allow this?:ugh: Thanks

Pibby

That you have it is no problem. What it says might be.........:}

Can't recall being asked about tattoos at any point during selection. If its well hidden I can't see why it would be a problem.

haha ! ok Thanks very much and its aviation related so they cant complain too much !!

@ Murphy23:

Was your Stage 3 on March 22nd? Same thing has happened to me and I'm just as confused and frustrated as you are.
Think it's very poor of NATS not to offer any explanation as to why the interview is cancelled.
Furthermore, I don't even live in England and now have plane tickets, hotel booked and bus ticket, which are all paid for but now useless :ugh:

Let's hope someone can shed some light on this soon...

It was booked for 22nd April which is when I assume you meant. I'm kind of glad that it is not just me but obviously gutted for you with all that booked already. I've left them about. Dozen messages but obviously no response yet so I guess we shall have to wait until Monday to find out what has happened.

I really hope you manage to get some kind of compensation from NATS for the inconvenience they've caused you.

I did mean 22nd April, sorry about that :ok:

I'm not holding my breath for any compensation I have to say. As far as I know, they only reimburse transport cost within the UK. And only what exceeds £50. The flights are hardly UK transport and the £30 bus ticket from Heathrow is below the limit :(

Anyway, my main concern is this very unprofessional way of letting us know about the cancellation. No explanation, no nothing :confused:

I'll also try to get hold of them on Monday, but if you should hear from them first, then any info and/or input you have would be greatly appreciated :ok:

I agree that it was a very unprofessional way of doing things. No explanation or anything. As I said in my original post I was worried sick so hearing someone else is in the same boat as me does make me feel slightly better about things.

I know they say they only re-imburse over £50 UK travel but the cancellation is their fault not yours so I really hope that if you explain to them the situation they have left you in they will try to acommodate you.

Absolute worst case scenario I live near Heathrow and my Sister lives near Bournemouth so I'd be willing to put you up and help in whatever way I could.

Obviously as soon as I hear anything I shall post on here. Either way I'm still going up that damn tower. How often do you get a chance like that?

Once again if anyone else is in the same boat or has any experience or insight into our predicament it would be most welcome.

S1 coming up
 

Hi
Iv got S1 coming up this coming wednesday at Prestwick, anyone else going there?

I wanted to ask whether we can make notes on the sheet of paper when working out diagramming and speed or any other paper?

I need to write things down to make sense. Those who have done S1 please let me know hat is the situation.

By the way my S1 got cancelled on Friday, however I emailed them, they got back to me and said we have reset you, you can allocate a new time slot, I chose the same day but for an afternoon instead a morning.

Also
 

Can I also ask regarding diaggramming

The rules for working out diagramming is it the same as what is in the practice leaflet sent to us by email?
for eg, shade in the whole figure, revese shading, swap the figure etc..
the signs for these changes are they also same?

Murphy23: Check your PMs:ok:

Ramzan
 

You will get a piece of paper to work out diagramming but not for the maths but it is multiple choice. The symbols are generally the same but they also add symbols to reverse the answer and put them in a different order eg symbol 1 becomes symbol 4 . Basically ignore it until you have worked out all the others. There are more symbols to cancel previous or next command etc ....
Good luck with it, hope that helps

I have just re-booked my Stage 1 for Thursday 15th April at Whiteley. I haven't done any studying so far so i'm thinking i need to do some intensive studying in the next couple of weeks! :8

So then just spoke to NATS HR department who have asked me to say that anyone who's Stage 3 has been mysteriously cancelled should contact them asap.

Ninja edit: have just received my email asking me to re-book my time. However I would still advise people to contact HR if they are having any further troubles.

I didn't even have a chance to call them. When I woke up I already had the email in my inbox saying it was a system error, I was still booked for my stage 3 and they were looking forward to seeing me.

I take back what I said about NATS being unprofessional - s... happens ;)

stage 1
 

Is s/d/t test similar to 1 or 2 does anyone remember ?

1. X travels 28 miles evry 8 minutes. How many miles does it travel in 5 hours and 36 minutes?

2.At 170 mph, how long does it take to travel 170 miles?

Natnat25
 

Basically it's both of them. You will have to either work out the speed, distance or time in a question. Some are as basic as you have written others require a bit more thought (does depend on how good you are at maths I guess ). Google sdt questions and there is quite a few out there. Any mental maths questions are good to do to get your brain working.

stage 1
 

are u allowed to make notes on numeracy test ?