To quote Traffic is... ;

"NATS towers aren't always too keen to allow visitors unless they are already in the recruitment process, but still worth giving them a try. Otherwise try the non NATS towers.

For those going through the recruitment process and wanting a visit before stage 3, then it's quite easy to sort out. Either speak to HR for some contact numbers or have a look in the AIP (you can search on line for this under CAA documents) for your chosen airfield and you'll find the number for ATC. I'd recommend two if you can to get a broader picture and a better idea of what goes on."

Hope this helps! :ok:

If you do try and visit a NATS tower in the London region, you're probably better off trying Stansted or Luton as they're landside as opposed to Heathrow and Gatwick, and so you dont need to go through the hassle of getting an airside pass.

College
 

Hi guys,

I'm one of the lucky ones who is at NATS college now. I started at the beginning of July and to be fair, its difficult but do-able.:E

Just thought I would leave a post in case anyone has any questions about what college life is like etc

Fell free to pm me

Cheers

Kev:ok:

Hey!! I had my stage 1 in manchester yesterday afternoon too!!

Im glad im not the only one that thought "what the hell" about the cubes! lol, how do you think you did in the rest of the tests??

x

I've never posted on this thread before but after reading through it what feels like hundreds of times I thought I'd say a big thank you to all that have posted information on here it must have sunk in as I got an e-mail today saying I have passed stage 3!!!!! and subject to to medical/references etc. I'm in. Once again a big thank you.

Evening all.

Been directed here as I'm facing my Stage 3 assessment next Wednesday in London. getting quite nervousnow too which isn't good. However, I did get to this stage last year so know what to expect..... doesnt stop the nerves though...

Off to Swanwick for a tour on Saturday and then Luton on Sunday for a brief tour of where my auntie works. Could prove useful.

So just thought I'd pop in and say hi!

Andi

Hi everyone,

I'm just back from 1st Stage that took place in Belfat.
People were very nice all during the time set.

A part from that anyone who was there too today?
I'm the only black guy who was in the group, just so you know.

I found the diagramming and cubes part quite doable, don't wanna say easy 'cause I don't have my results yet.

SOME TIPs :
go to the website http://www.psychometric-success.com
they've got exactly the SAME questions that you can find in the NATS tests.
Not kidding!!!!!

the CHECKING part has 4 BIG practice set of questions (40 each), you can find them in the package named "CLERICAL".

The CUBES are in the spatial package and the diagramming are in the ABSTRACT RESONNING package.

I'm telling you, it's THE SAME TYPES of question, worth to check for revising!!!

Well obviously you have to pay something like 15£ for each package but who cares about money when there is success ahead!!!

I'll keep you guys posted about my results, hope to get through to stage 2!!!!


C y'all,

Chris

Hi,

Just passed my stage 2 today, despite the evil that is the computer tests! Big thankyou to all the contributors for all your advice, it's been invaluable!
Well here's to stage 3 in Manchester! :uhoh: (big gulp and puts head straight back in to the motivation paper)

College Test
 

Hi All,

I was wondering if any of the the college grads can give any details about the first test faced on navigation and what kind of bits are covered in it?

Also, any tips on which B & B's are the best out of that long list :ugh:, some good or bad experiences?

Thanks in advance :ok:

If you are referring to the Nav DLP, then the first test is on sections 2-7 and 10. Well, that's what us July intake had a few weeks back.

The other sections are "re taught" in the first few weeks. No major drama. It is multiple choice, except for a few variation/deviation and track/heading questions where you just work it out yourself.

I'm not in a B&B, I'm house sharing, but Westby Road is apparently the place to be for B&Bs. Some people have differing views on what is good and what isn't, but on the whole the Strand, the Edwardian and Ravensbourne seem to be most popular. The Au Levant (or the Boscombe Reef as it is now) is one to be avoided apparently, though some people seem to like it. If they like living with dirty kitchens, etc that is....

Just got invited to do personality test from 21st July (London) 1st stage....fingers crossed!

Thanks for the help WTB, i'll check those ones out :ok:

So what do they test you on on the 1st stage? as in what type of personality features such as spatial awareness etc?

alphamanic:

nav test - read the document a few times and get it to sink in and you'll have no bother :ok:

as regards b&b's - i stayed in the ravensbourne for my time (6 months) and i have no complaints at all to make, good rates, great landlord and good people (ATC only) staying in there. plus westby road is good for social/study depending on time of week :)

ross:

if you havent already, read through this whole thread. i agree it may take a while at 67 pages but there is heaps of info that has accumulated over time from loads of good sources and is pretty much all still relevant. if you have any specific questions then feel free to ask on here or pm, but i think you'll find the majority of your answers in detail are already on here :ok:

For all those candidates, and future candidates out there, have a read of this passage from G SXTY from his post http://www.pprune.org/forums/intervi...ml#post4212224

Yes, it's about getting a job in the cockpit, but it gives you all an idea of how much prep he did before his interview. Might be worth some thought.:ok:

Interview
 

Friday 15th Aug :-)

Anyone know about parking at the centre etc?

Looks like I have to dress up for this one too :-(

Ezy

parking at CTC is well... :ugh:

you'll find a space but you may have to do a few laps first... leave plenty of time for that :ok:

depends what you classify as dressing up too :suspect:

enjoy the retro computers, its an interesting experience...

lol, i forgot to mention the computers in stage two. I literally laughed out load when i saw those, the woman supervising me didn't seem to pleased when i cracked an amstrad joke about them.

Yeah the computer is a bit Commodore 64 isn't it.....

Off down to London today for the night then stage 3 tomorrow.......

Someone play me the Rocky theme.....I'm getting fired up.

Not long got back.......am shattered....

Met some very friendly people, hopefully all went well. Just the waiting game now, that's the wost bit!

good luck hluszko... hope the wait isnt too long :ok:

Hi guys!! (and gals!)

Just wondered if anyone has heard back from the stage 1 interviews at manchester on 30th july yet??

Damn i hate this waiting game!!

I've not heard anything yet and I was there in Manchester.

Yea the waiting game is anoying!!
I'm also waiting, I was on stage1 at Belfast on the 1st August.

In this thread, some people claimed to have received their results the next day; lucky them.... :-)

Anyway good luck all on the waiting!

Chris

Just got an email...........

Not happening....

Am not happy.

Hluszko,
I really am sorry for you... :-(

Hope you'll get through next time.

Still waiting on the results here... Stressful

As for stage 1 - Manchester 30, afternoon - got the results today. (Yeah, I'm still in. Not so sure after the personality test, though ;)

Wondered if anybody could elaborate on how NATS determine postings for new recruits? If you are chosen to follow the aerodrome route, do you have any say as to where you get to go (even a rough geographic preference)?

The normal procedure is to post you as far away from where you want to go as possible :hmm: (except for several lucky ones like me who got exactly what they wanted).

The posting system seems to be a combination of an enormous roulette wheel and Chaos theory :}

In all seriousness you can make it known what you want and you might get it, but "business need" is what will determine it at the end of the day. You'll get a posting where it is needed and where *they* reckon you will do well at with very little consultation; unless things have changed.

Stage 2
 

Can anyone give more info about what to expect then the email does? It was a little brief.

Also, anyone know of a hotel nearby?

Or / and a train station?

Not sure whether to drive or get the train, go on day or night before etc etc

Thank you

eZY

:-)

Stage 2
 

I would recommend driving, i do not remember going past a station on the way down although, there was an airport nearby! :ugh:

Stage 2 can be broken down into:-

Another motivation paper, a little harder than stage one, i would recommend reading the resource over a couple times and checking out the airport and airline codes.

There is the interrogation, bascially lots of question in quick order. Mostly standard interview types with some personality types thrown in for good measure. All thick and fast and they will expect you to elaborate on each answer.

Lastly the computer tests, there is not really much i can say about these that'll prepare you any better apart from, stay relaxed and that everyone believes they have done badly on them. :}

Otherwise, good luck and hope you get through :ok:

Just finished peronality test. How long does it usually take for the results??

Couple of days usually but could be up to 15 working days as standard.

Alpha - did they specifically look for elaboration in the HR interview? must have changed tack since my time through...

Definitely driving to stage two if at all possible is the best way. Although as previously mentioned parking can be awkward

They tend to ask very blunt questions which get a blunt answer in return, a lot of yes or no answers and then they'll ask for examples :ugh:

It is not too bad though so as long as you're honest you should be fine :ok:

I wouldn't worry too much about parking, there was plenty of spots when i drove down...

the computer tests are designed to make you cry... :}

(its the only feasible answer i've heard) :E

Just done my personality test thing after getting through stage 1 (30th july manchester) and was wandering if it is possible to fail the personailty bit as it says there is no right or wrong answer?

Also, is there much choice for the location and date for the stage two tests should i get through?

Thanks

It is possible to fail but there are no right or wrong answers. There are right and wrong personality types, however.

Just got the e-mail confimring I actually have a personality contrary to popular belief!!

Now I have to fill in a full application!! Onwards and upwards??????

Stage One
 

Hey guys,

I've got my stage one in London tomorrow and have my fingers firmly crossed. I'm quite confident about my knowledge of the ATC content as well as the ability to pass the aptitude tests, the one thing I'm really concerned about is those cubes!! I was just wondering how people who pass stage one found these...did the answers come naturally? How many did you get through?

I failed stage one last year and HR gave me feedback saying that was the one area I needed to improve on, so fingers crossed I've done enough prep work to pass this time. I've really struggled over the past year to find many example questions though, so have practiced generic spatial practice questions. Hopefully that will be enough.

Any tips greatly appreciated!

Vic

Im glad Im not the only one scared of the cubes. Ive not been to a NATS Assessment before and tomorrow is my first time. I think I should be ok on the motivational paper, diagrammatic reasoning and data checking. The only issue could be time available to think and answer. Ive been trying to fold cube nets into cubes and rotating them at all angles in my head for the past few days. Im getting better but again would appreciate anyone who knows of any websites/books with lots of cube questions to practise.
Good Luck to all those attending tomorrow's sessions!