Do we think it might be useful to start a separate thread for actual test day / results discussions?

I notice that 'most' of the traffic (excuse the overly obvious ATC related word) on this thread is actually not on the topic of the interview process?

:P Just a suggestion.

As for the chap sitting stage one and asking about help. I've heard of a program called SkyTest (you'll have to find it online somewhere). I think it helps with Stage 1 and Stage 2 preparations for NATS testing.

from memory, there isn't a great deal of long division to be done. Any more recent Stage 1s (than late 2010) might have better memories / advice.

Phil Still bathing in fame.. ish :P

Stage 1 is not too bad at all. Most of it is either can or can't. Study the book they send you and you should be fine. Keep calm and work as quickly as you can with cubes and diagramming....time is short!

Really really hope stage 2 results are sent tomorrow....can't bear the waiting game any longer :(

Stage 1
 

I have learned the majority of the NATS booklet for stage 1, but I was wondering is it essential that you know every plane in the booklet, and what speed they go, how many people they seat, which airline operate them etc? Can someone who's done stage 1 for the ATCO tell me if questions like this came up frequently on the test?

Good luck to all those still waiting for their stage 2 results. It must be horrible not knowing.

Something to cheer you up if worse comes to worse - this was the second time I took stage 2 after failing it last year. Having done it before, it definitely calmed the nerves. It didn't help me answer the questions any faster or do the strip display test any better but having had the experience once before did help - at least I didn't mash the keypad on some of the tests this time among other things.

Second time round I've passed. I don't know what I did better (or should it be "less bad") this time round or whether I scraped through (quite likely) or passed with flying colours (yeah right). Either way it doesn't matter.

If you get the dreaded email then don't worry too much. Give it another shot next year (I most definitely will if I fail stage 3). You won't be like Tim who passes all the stages first time and completes the college to graduate at the age of 21 (and turns out to be nice bloke and all) but so what.

At least thats what I've been telling myself over the last 12 months.

See you at stage 3 BillTheLeaper.

Robb - you need to know recognise the different type of aircraft. I don't think they ask specific questions about the exact seating variations especially as it varies by airline but you need to know more or less. If they ask you which aircraft would be suitable as a city hopper and its between an ATR42, 752, A321 or jumbo then you should be able to recognise which is the smaller aircraft (the ATR42 with around 50 seats I think).

As for the cruising speeds I'm pretty sure there is at least one question on that.

Do what I did - learn the whole blinking thing and you'll feel more comfortable going into the exam. You're gonna need to know about these aircraft anyway if you get through.

Thank you chocolatehobnob.....that's re-assuring. I'm so pleased you've passed this time and I wish you all the best for Stage 3 !!!

But your right....waiting is becoming a real nightmare....but patience is a virtue (as they say :(...)

Hey all!

I just got lucky and managed to get an opening for my Stage 1 on the 20th in Fareham! Now I don't have to go to Scotland! Makes life easier.

P.S. Good luck to everyone awaiting results, I got to stage 3 last year and now i am more nervous as before i didn't even know if i was capable of passing the aptitude tests!

Seb

So the stage 2 results are finally in then. Hope everyone does really well !!!!

I failed...but there's always next year :( :(

Good luck again !!

Sorry to hear that Gaz. :( I'm still waiting to hear. :confused:

Failed too. (Damn)

Good luck to everyone who got through and to those who're applying this year.
And to those, like me, who didn't get through, I hope I'll see you next year. :ok:

I'd also like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to making this thread the go to source for most of my NATS application process information and I hope it carries on for many years to come.
(Or at least for the next year or two ;)).

....... For my own edification, could someone tell me what kind of questions were in the Occupational Personality Questionnaire?
Not knowing would kill me. Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry to hear about the bad news guys, but the best of luck next time when you'll be better prepared :ok:

Really sorry to hear that mrfrost....I know exactly how you feel, and it ain't good :(

But you'll absolutely be seeing me again next year...not giving up that easily t all :) And now I know what to expect from stage 2 I can actually prepare a bit better for it.

All the best to everyone else!!!

What is the average age of people attending the NATS college course? And what age do people usually pass?

I'm still waiting to hear the results from my stage 2 on the 6th....I'm guessing it isn't good news then :(

Chockybiscuit, well done mate! See you at Stage 3 - it might be worth liasing about that.. familiar faces and all?

For those others, I'm really sorry to hear it. From the calibre of people I met at my stage 2, I feel it was a lottery who passed and who didn't. Top blokes one and all.

As for the Occupational questionnaire, it's the usual stuff.

Which is most and least like you from a selection of 4. ... x 100 questions!

Phil

Sorry for the double post. Rumour has it those who did stage 2 with me may be able to take Stage 3 in June.

Phil

Results in - and unsuccessful!

Ah well - was an interesting experience!

Good luck to y'all going through the process - and congrats to those successful at your respective stages!

:ok:

Between 22 and 30, majority less than 26 years old.

Phil,
as one who is in the twilight of his 'ATC career', it would be interesting to sit the 100 'Occupational' questions just to see how I did over the last xx years.
Best of luck to all of you!

Sitting my Stage 1 in the end of June, so just a quick question..

for the time (s/d/t) will most of the questions be in multiple of 60
e.g.
Difference between Detroit and Toronto = 228, average speed of 240, how long to get there?

So I work that out like this..
260/60 = 24/6 = 4
228/4 = 57 (Convert to hours if need be)

Which is correct right?
However using the OASC website (I know it's not ATC) but you get questions with like 186, which doesn't go into 60.

And one more thing, is there any websites/books that could help me with the diagramming in stage 1?

Thanks in advance, and good luck to thos who have got through and commiserations to the rest.

Good luck from your results :)

so how does this work then?
At 24 mph, how long does it take to travel 18 miles?

60 obviously doesn't go into 24, but 6 does..
24/6 = 4 miles per 10 minutes, is that right?
but then where do I go from there?

18miles is 3/4 of 24miles (the distance travelled in one hour), therefore it would take you 3/4 of an hour to travel 18 miles, i.e 45 minutes.

hey guys/gals,

First stage assessment on Friday for me, just wondered on dress code...smart casual means so much in so many different places. What did you wear and what were others wearing. Would smart jeans and smart jumper be sufficient?
Many thanks

Another bit of advice for the stage ones is to really work as quick as possible with cubes and diagramming. Of course, be accurate....but there isn't enough time to check and double check your answers...and time disappears...so go quickly, especially with the first 10 or so when they are simple.

I had time to check my answers... But maybe I'm weird :8

How do you work out the fuel bit? that's the next thing i'm on to, as you can tell maths isn't my strongest point :P

MrBlue, from what I recall the fuel questions were a minor, extra layer on top of the S/D/T questions.
They will tell you how much fuel you have (50 gallons) and how fast you burn through it (25 gallons per hour) then your speed (300 mph) and ask which of the multiple choice distance answers is the furthest you can reach (a. 400 miles, b. 580 miles, c. 720 miles, etc).
All you have to do is first calculate the fuel (50 gallons at 25 gallons per hour is 2 hours), then it's the same old S/D/T questions as before (300 mph for 2 hrs means max distance of 600 miles so answer B).
My example was easy but the questions aren't too hard. They just want to see if you'll trip up with extra layers to work through.

edit: ... or they'll do it the opposite way around and give you the distance and speed then the rate of fuel consumption and ask how much fuel is needed to fly this distance.
This is just the distance divided by speed to find the time needed and then multiply the fuel consumption by the time to see how much fuel you need.

Stay chilled and good luck.

@ Crazy Voyager
I had about 5 minutes spare at the end of the cube test but I didn't need to check any of my answers :cool:

edit: "Pro" tip for the cube test. If you're sure the right answer is the first cube you look at don't waste time ruling out the others. It always seems to take me longer to work through a wrong cube and since there are 3 or 4 wrong cubes for every question then it's best to move on straight away when you find the right one.

Cheers MrFrost, I understand it a bit better now, I can only do my best I suppose, just another quick question, I have heard somewhere that the s/d/t is multiple choice, I highly doubt that's true but maybe you can confirm it :)

Stage 1 is multiple choice :)

Ahhhhh Stage 1 tomorrow!! Nervous!

Hi, New to this forum. Ive got stage 3 interview & group exercise next thursday at bournemouth airport, really nervous about interview, can anyone whos had the interview post what questions they got? Is that allowed? James

jstanley.

See your personal messages.

Well failed stage 1! Well done to all that got through!

esudfu, is that at CTC? Because I will have my stage 3 on the 31st aswell but that is at the Swanwick center.

jstanley, the best of luck to you :)

First, this thread was useful in giving me an idea of what to expect at stage 1, so thanks!

Had my stage 1 at the corporate center (Whitely/Fareham, you know the one) this morning this morning, made it through to the 2nd half. Motivation, numerical, and diagramming all OK, though I'm going to be having nightmares about cubes! Told we'd hear back by Wednesday, so good luck to others waiting :)

Just got the good news after stage 2; an invite to do the occupational personality questionnaire. congrats and commiserations to all the other recent stage 2 guys.

^^^ Same here. Don't know why it took so long for it to come through compared to everyone else but I don't care, I'm just happy I made it through. I felt sure I'd failed.

Congratulations to those who make it. Good job http://imagicon.info/cat/8-2/icon_biggrin.gif

Good luck to all who have future tests, interviews etc & well done to all who passed their tests. :ok:
Counting down the days to my interview on thursday :uhoh: & getting increasingly nervous, lol, can anyone whos had stage 3 give me some tips/pointers.

Hi to everyone!

Any recommendation about accomendation in Fareham??

I have my stage 2 the 2nd of june so I will spend the night before there.

Hope to meet someone there and good luck to everyone!!