Pat
 

Hi Pat
I've been through Stage 3 recently and had the same worries, I can't actually remember any of the questions being out of the ordinary so I would just do the usual preparation with regards of thinking of situations which could apply to a few competencies, as you've probably read on here there are 16 in total so be prepared for that aspect of things and you'll be fine.
Andy

Online Test
 

Hey all,

Only just applied and I was wondering what the initial online test involves which you are asked to take prior to the Stage 1 assessment day. Or am I just worrying far too much about it?

Cheers

Steph

Have a look at post 4703 on page 236, I asked practically the same question and this reply helped me - good luck!

My stage 1 is next Monday 26th, at CTC, the afternoon session - anyone else doing stage 1 then?

Hi all, another prospective trainee here!

I've got my stage 1 on Mon 26th at CTC in Whiteley too, but morning session rather than afternoon.

I've been busy reading the guideline document inside and out, but only just found this website and thread so I'll be sure to absorb as much as I can from this too before the first of (hopefully!) all three of the big days.

Just been watching the news about the Gatwick sale and was wondering about possible effects on NATS. New management could mean a change of ATC service provider at some point. Anyone got any thoughts on whether or not this potential insecurity might effect NATS recruitment? As I'm about to go through S3 I've been thinking a bit about whether or not I would want to do areodrome or area, but if NATS were to loose the Gatwick contract I presume that would create quite a drop in demand for new aerodrome controllers...

That said, I understand that the new owners already own London City, where NATS are the current ATS provider, so maybe its a non-issue.

stage 1
 

Anyone got their stage one at nPc Prestwick tomorrow (22 oct)?
I have tomorrow afternoon. If anyone needs directions, or is unsure what to do when they get there give us a shout as i work there. See you tommorw maybe.

I wouldn't worry too much Pat. The new owners are more interested in the passenger side of the airport (e.g. revenues from retail outlets e.t.c.). NATS will be around for a very long time at Gatwick I'm sure!

Hi all. Applied to NATS for the first time, got my Stage 1 at Prestwick on 20th November. Anyone else going on that day?

Want to say thanks to the participants of this forum. Reading all your posts has definately made me calmer ahead of the assessments as I have a better idea of what to expect. Fear of the unknown, and all that.

A quick question to those who have been through stage 1: How intensive are the maths-based calculations in the assessments? Maths has always been my weaker area, although I've been practising and studying like mad to brush up on everything I waved goodbye to in high school :)

Good luck to all the other applicants.

@Pat42

In regards to your question about preparation for the competencies for stage 3. Its quite hard to think of an example for Spatial awareness and everytime I have discussed this with interview experts they seem to think that any example - however you percieve it as weak - is a strong one. Can you think of any times (personal or at work/school) when you have had to build a mental picture of things to make something work? Parallel parking requires a lot of spatial awareness, unless you do it by stickers in the window like I was taught! You can apply the same logic to the other examples that are harder to think of. But whatever you do, make sure you tell the example from personal experience because this being a competency interview, they are sure to delve deeper into the situation and ask you specific questions about it.

Anyway best of luck Pat!

The new owners already employ Nats to run London City so I wouldn't worry and besides that if they did decide to get rid of Nats it would them cost a fortune what with there not being a radar room at the tower for starters. And Nats being as it is at the mo would probably strip the Tower and airfield of it’s equipment and maybe leave the kettle!

Possibly ..... but they may just offer you up to the new operator if you agree

The flexibility within Nats it not like it used to be. A move between units can take well in excess of 2 years if at all and that is in both NSL and NERL.

course start date
 

Hey guys, just had my 'congratulations' call from HR.Courses are fully booked until April/May time now, just to let everyone know. I was hoping for February but nevermind eh,lol xx

Congrats leanne, Just did my stage 1 this morning found it to be not too bad and will hopefully hear soon about results :-D

Good luck Reefie, am sure you will be fine xx

:ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok:

Thanks leanne, I really hope i have done well :)

Apologies if this is a really stupid question, but I cannot fathom it out!

A few times on this forum I have noticed that people have said that NATS don't mark negatively - what does this mean? My poor little blonde brain is very confused!

Negative marking is when you get a question wrong and a mark is subtracted from your total. If it's not negatively marked, you get zero for a wrong answer.

google.com is your friend:

"Negative marking, or formula scoring, means that some marks are deducted from overall test score for each wrong answer. This contrasts with right scoring in which nothing is deducted for a wrong answer."

S88

stage 1
 

well, stage 1 over with! ouch my head is sore!! really cant tell how i done, so suppose i will just have to wait!! as long as it isnt the full 15 days!! good luck 2 everyone who sat today. x