Well if they were to do so that is age discrimination which is obviously against the law, and something I expect NATS are particularly careful not to do considering their recent battle in court in which they had to remove the upper age limit.

And anyway, just do your best!

Surely if you're enthusiastic you're more likely to succeed at each stage anyway? I think its more motivation rather than enthusiasm that is one of the key qualities and attributes being saught. Make sure you show your enthusiasm throughout the process, bear in mind that won't get you through alone.

rossbrereton18,

I don't think your enthusiasm is assessed directly at all in the first stage. There is no one to one at any point. There are too many people. For this stage I think the motivation paper is used to assess your enthusiasm. Ie, if you're enthusiastic you will learn the paper. I'm sure when you get to stages 2 and 3 and you start talking to people then it'll start to matter. I suspect that it won't be a case of you being chosen because you are enthusiastic, rather that you will be rejected for not being enthusiasic.

If they are, they are also very good at forgetting about it once you actually start working for them !!!

Thanks for that!
Maybe your not as enthusiastic as you think you are!

This myth of 18 year olds being turned away to assess how much they want the job (i.e. see if they return) is nothing short of illegal. It doesn't mean they don't do it, mind you, but I can only hope and assume that they do not.

I think that the main reason youngsters (like myself) get turned away is completely down to lack of experience for both the interviews and "life experience".

From my 18th birthday to my 21st birthday, my life has absorbed so much from varying jobs and new and lost relationships.

If I was subjected to a Stage 2 at 18, I can't think of how I could answer half the questions with any sort of substance. Hell, I even failed an interview for cabin crew with MyTravel first time round from lack of experience. The interviewer would love to pass you, but they need to get out of you (at S2 at least) *proof* that you can cope with certain situations. They cannot pass you unless you prove to them you possess certain qualities, and I am not sure "Well, one time in English class..." would cover it.

Also, chances are at 18, NATS is your first big interview. It will come as a shock to you how tough it is...Second time round you will be a lot more prepared for the types of questions that will be thrown your way. You should have already thought out the answers you need to have rolling off the tip of your tounge to impress the interviewer.

On the same note, any 18 year old who can present themselves well will get through. Just prepare, prepare, prepare. Not only from PPRUNE, but search Google for "Common Job Interview Questions" etc. These will be similar to HR "interrigation" and even if they are not related it won't do you any harm preparing the answer anyway.

Also, try and vary your answers from question to question. If one answer is suitable for multiple questions (eg. Give example of time you were in charge/Give example of time you adapted to changing circumstances) then link them, and assess different qualities you possesesd for both situations. Then find another seperate answer so that you can use both answers and tell the examiner "I have another example if you would like it..."

You can do it, other people have. But it isn't an easy ride, not for anyone.. It just seems that once you've had a couple of interviews you begin to understand how to prepare better.

Good luck!
Andy

what type of wuestions would they ask for example????????

Got my stage 2 on Friday morning. Any last minute tips?

ajfaccini
don't give up on the computer tests, no matter how crap you think you're doing, and in the interview don't be afraid to wait a few seconds to think of a decent answer rather than blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
good luck

I got through all the stages first time at the age of 19. If you're good enough to get through or make them believe you are good enough they will pass you. There is nothing to any rumour about purposefully failing younger candidates.

Hi all

A friend of mine is just studying for the Stage 1 selection tests.

Originally downloaded the studying material, the material was well out of date (and dated March 2003). However I have checked the usual download place for the reading material and it appears the file has been updated to more recent file. There is no date on the reading material but it does have the new NATS logo unlike the previous. Has anyone else noticed this that the reading material has changed?

Many Thanks

It hasn't really 'changed', to be honest if you've been studying the March 2003 materials you would be able to distinguish that there is only a little bit extra regarding airspace/recent developments! :hmm:

Not long back from the Glasgow stage 1 and feel a bit downhearted. Don't think i did enough to pass. Found the cubes really hard. Oh well, always next year!

Thanks for the reply T250, I'm well passed that part of studying.

I think it is very sneaky of NATS to make changes without atleast emailing applicants. My friend has found out only 3 days before their selection tests and although you are correct about the changes it would appear that there is alot of technical data for someone without a previous understanding of airspace stuctures etc to learn at such short notice let alone understanding what its all about.

Thanks for mentioning the updated documents - I have my S1 on Monday so that will be useful!

NATS must have to take into account that if you are only 18 then you're not going to have done as much as an older person who would have had a chance to get a good job and work their way up to a senior level.

I've tried to do as much as I can in a short space of time - I started my PPL when I was 16 and obtained my PPL when I was 17 and have a share in a C150 but I only go to college and work in a shop (to pay for flying). I hope that will help get me through the interview, that is assuming I pass S1.

I think that clearly shows your passion for aviation, determination to acheive your goals, maturirty (how many sub 20 year olds can fly, never mind be responsible for their own aircraft) and the ability to study, learn and pass testing and examination (ppl isnt that easy).

Assuming you do ok in the basic aptitude testing, I think you probably have a lot to talk about - probably more that is directly relevant than a lot of candidates (myself included).

I wish you luck, but your passion will show through I am sure.

Wow! i feel like i have nothing to talk about when it comes to the interview! I want this career soooooo much! I have my stage 1 papers in front of me now, i am trying to decide on a place to do the testing as after Monday, i have to go down to Swanwick, which is one hell of a journey and a very costly one indeed!
Is there anyone else that is going to Manchester on the 30th? and is a suit without tie a good idea?

Thanks

I will also be in Manchester on Monday....I am becoming very nervous but just trying to keep my head!!
I'll be in the PM sessions, looking nervous and stressed hehe

Does anyone have any good last minute pratice papers/websites??...anything would be greatly appreciated..

have a look on page 131! there are a lot of documents to train yourself.. :ok:

Good luck

I had mine on 13rd @ London Hilton.. no reply till now :ugh:

Well i only applied last wednesday, ive already read parts of MATS from the CAA website, have you looked at that? When reading the documents they sent me, it was basically a shorter and simplified version of that. I know alot about aviation so the airline stuff at the end isnt too difficult.
How have you found the cubes?
I think diagramming is the most difficult.
I sent a thread on gtios asking if they had any dates in manchester, luckily they have monday, im trying to get PM as i can go up with my mum as she works in Stretford which is only down the road from the hotel but i thought i was going to have to travel down to Swanwick, and my god! that is a journey and a half! it would cost me £150+!

Callum91.

Be very careful about telling them your whole life is about flying. If i were interviewing you, I would be thinking that if you got through and started to get ATCO pay... you would be straight down the route of CPL and adios nats to a flying job.
This happens plenty of times in the selection process. I remember one or 2 at my stage 1 many moons ago bringing their PPL's to the selection test..... never saw them again.
If you get grumpy ATCO man and he catches wind of this.... you will be screwed.
A background in aviation is always helpful for technical exams and some of the face to face ATCO staff, but it is always a double edged sword.
We dont want to have to bust a gut to get you vaild for you to then bugger off. May sound harsh but its what you will get in the interview so be prepared for that.

Best of luck.

What is the dress code for S1?

And on the diagramming test on the handout for S1, has anyone found Q4 to be really hard?! i think i understnad why but just thought i would double check with anyone that has there stuff nearby. You swap the circle with the box then u swap the triangle with the box which pushes the box down then you push the box back up which replaces the triangle and then do you swap the square again with the circle?

Sorry if thats confusing!

Remember that as with most recruitment examples, you are only shown the easiest examples. Each paper has significantly more difficult questions in it. I would say you need to be able to do everything in the example questions very quickly.

rossbrereton18, the dress code for S1 is smart casual, shirt no tie will be fine.

diagramming-if im looking at the same examples, command 1 - swap circle with box, command two - swap the circle and the triange, command three - move the circle up one and replace the triangle, done.

this gives E as the answer. like GP says, you need to be able to kinda master these ones because the ones at stage one have a lot more 'commands' than the examples provided beforehand.

Thanks for letting me know on the dress code btw.

Ye i see now! how many questions do they give you for each of the tests in the real thing roughly? and are the papers different each time?

Checking is 40 questions on each of numbers and letters (with 5 mins time allowed for each).
Cubes ("Spatial Reasoning") is also 40 questions (20 mins).
Diagramming is 50 questions (20 mins).

Sounds quite alot to complete, is their a pass rate, e.g. you have to get 25/40 etc?

When should i feel ready? what should i know inside out for S1 apart from the tests?

there has been much debate on pass marks, im not sure if someone has provided a definitive answer on whether it is marked out of how many you did or in total, and what level you have to achieve. in my case i probably did 75-80% of the questions and got most of them right. just work as quickly as you can, don't panic or rush too much at the end.

not sure when you should feel ready, for S1 all you need is to know how the tests work and are confident with the examples and know the motivation paper stuff. there is nothing else to the day really other than a talk from and an ATC.

Hello,

never posted before in the forum although I have been reading for weeks now!!!

I cannot stop thinking about this and I would much appreciate it if someone can reply just a quick question... :)
I sat my stage 1 yesterday and I only completed 21 out of the 40 cube questions, the rest of the test (motivation, diagrammatic and letters-numbers) were good -I think- but the percentage of answers for the cubes is quite low... is there any chance that I can past this stage?...any word of comfort...

Thank you

C

I don't think the pass mark is published, but they don't negatively mark wrong or missing answers.

Best thing for you to do is to read through this whole thread (yes more than 100 pages) as there is lots and lots of information here already!

there are many numbers banded around as pass rates, try not to focus on them too much, just do as many as you can in the time allowed.

make sure you can do all the practice questions, and as mentioned be prepared for some harder diagramming questions, but dont be worried by them. thinking clearly and focussing 100% on the question and not pass marks will give you the best chance :ok:

tetelos

dont worry too much about it, the results are the results and you'll only drive yourself mad if you do. as mentioned in previous posts there isnt a published pass mark either.

sorry cant be much more help than that

Hi AJ7!

thank you for the tip... we will see what happens in 15 days!... will keep you informed!

C

Glasgow 27th March?
 

I've got my stage 1 this friday 27th March at Glasgow but it seems as though people have already been this week to Glasgow. Anybody else going this friday or know if there is definitely a stage 1 selection test at Glasgow?

Newcomer
 

Hi all, I have my stage 1 tests/interview on 14th April (pm), and I was just wondering if anyone knew how far the train station is away from the centre in Fareham? Google maps seems to be proving rather useless in this case and station is showing up nowhere near the track!:confused: just need a rough idea of the distance in a taxi. Many thanks

Jhodd

I have my stage 1's in glasgow friday too. Im in the morning, so will be staying in the hilton hotel the night before. Is yours in the afternoon?

Jhodd,

Is your Stage 1 at the CTC? If so, you're better to get a train to Swanwick and then a taxi (probably takes about 10-15 minutes max as long as it's not rush hour).

Might be worth calling HR or CTC Reception and enquiring about the bus that runs from Southampton Airport Parkway to Swanwick and CTC...

But as paperclip said, Swanwick railway station is closest: Map

Jhodd

Having lived in fareham for some years, JonathanB and Paperclip are correct that Swanwick is closer, however it is not as popular station as Fareham Central (depending on where you are coming from) If it requires a further change i would suggest going to Fareham and taxiing from there, up to you if its a morning one, if its afternoon session then you may have the time. good taxi company to call when you get here is Fareham on 01329 235 235, or 01329 282282.

Hope this helps


Jimmy780

I'm in the 13.30 session Tim91. I'm travelling up by train on the morning for the afternoon session what about you?

Glasgow Friday Afternoon sesh
 

Hi Geordieboy.

I'm on the 7.20 train from Durham for the test at Glasgow 13.30.:ok:

Getting quite excited now :eek:

Steamy