Thanks a lot JonathanB!
Hope you get through mate! I'm at work at the mo, so maybe not the best environment to be taking that test in with people constantly throwing paper balls around the office!!! :ouch:

Good luck to all of you guinea pigs out there taking the "new" stage 2! Please let us know how it goes!

just received word back that i've passed through to stage 2.:)
I've got the application form to do now. Is it possible with the application form to open it up fill out some areas then go back to it or is it like the OPQ where once its opened once thats it?

Yes, keep saving/editing to your heart's content before submitting! :)

It's also a good idea to write the longer responses in Word first as you can double-check spelling, grammar, etc more easily that way (and you can see everything you've written in one document). Once you're totally happy, copy and paste into the application form online.

Good luck!

Just received the best phonecall of my life. I'm in pending the medical. I would like to thank everyone on here for their help.

Gordon

just wondering...is there a way you can fail after the OPQ but before the stage 2 (ie after the aplication form)? I'm a little nervous that I didn't include everything and I am worried that they may reject me!!!

sv8564: Read p151 - that question has just been discussed!

Gordon: Well done and congratulations - I'm sure you're very chuffed at the moment! Any idea when you might be starting?

paperclip810,

I've elected to do Area so I will begin starting in August thats if all the medical stuff is fine. I'm sure it will be though.

Gordon

congrats Gogz87, passed the NATS medical a few weeks back myself, so will see you on the august area course.

Hi, having failed my Stage 2 assessment only a couple of weeks ago, I've got a couple of questions I hope someone could answer for me.

Firstly, has anybody received any decent feedback from NATS having failed at this stage? I only ask because I messaged HR to request some feedback and was told I had failed the Interview part of the assessment, I then asked if they could tell me anymore and was told by another person to expect something detailed via e-mail in a few days. After waiting over a week I messaged NATS via the application and was told that all they could tell me was that I had failed the interview part of assessment. I seem to be getting told different things depending on who I ask.

I'm also fairly gutted that the interview part of the assessment has been removed, literally days after I failed only that part. It was a strange experience; 60 quick-fire questions in around 20 mins and i don't know how I could have answered any better. I'm desperate to apply again and was wondering whether you had to wait 12 months from when you first applied or from the date you failed? It's a difference of about 6 months in my case!

Thanks in advance!

So its true! They have totally removed the first part of the course now which was for all students area or aerodrome with general ATC knowledge? You have to select whether to take the area or aerdrome without even getting a feel for the course first? uhmm

Congrats on making it through Gogz87!

jfriday, shame, I can imagine you must be gutted. But even though the interview has now been removed from S2, are you sure you would prefer a full day of (FEAST) computerised exercises???... :ugh:

Hope someone can help you with your reapplying question. gluck

djnick: the course format has been like that for a while now - HR ask you when you're successful in passing Stage 3 whether you'd like Area or Aerodrome. No guarantees, but they seem pretty good at trying to please everyone (unlike the later times when we'll probably all be posted places we don't want to be!)... The starts of the courses are also staggered - at the moment Aero is starting about 3 weeks ahead of Area.

jfriday: there was some stuff about this a few pages back - you can reapply 12 months after your last application date (so not that long to wait for you it seems). I also mentioned in one of my earlier posts that people such as yourself might have a case in asking for your application attempts number to be reset to zero, as the tests are no longer the same, but you'd have to talk to HR about that one...

As for the interview itself, it may no longer be in Stage 2 but I can guarantee that there will be some resemblence remaining in Stage 3 - questions asked at 2 have been asked again at 3 before, and I don't know why they'd stop... if anything, they'll probably ask more. As for why you failed, I obviously can't help with that one but I know for some it's been because you're personality isn't right, it doesn't match your OPQ results, or just your examples or responses weren't good/relevant/appropriate enough. That type of HR interview catches lots of people out who haven't had practice or time to think about their life experience in that way, so if you've not been interviewed in the past much, that might be why. Try Nikki at HR - she's definitely the nicest (in my opinion) and if anyone would help with feedback, I think she would.

Shugs/Gordon - I seem to be the only one on Aero at the moment on here for July! Argh!

Can anyone confirm whether the 'new' stage 2's computer tests are the FEAST tests?

They look very gruelling from looking at the blurb about them on wikipedia!!

and is there a motivation test like stage 1 at stage 2? The email just said computer tests!

For everyone getting through stage 3 at the moment and looking to start July/August, get on the nats 220 facebook group, we can suss each other out :ok:

Hi guys, i know the revamping of stage 2 has thrown a few people so with this in mind do you think they'll revamp stage 1... TAKE THE SPATIAL AWARENESS OUT?!?! ;)

With IFACTS coming in maybe? (long shot I know) :O

S2:

-Eurocontrol FEAST tests. Run from the Eurocontrol website. Be careful as the time starts even when you're reading the instructions.. for those who hated the cubes at S1, you're going to have an extra serving :ooh:
-Sorting task
-Relative direction
-Moving objects
-Flight progress strips test


There is NO motivation paper, no extra personality test, no interview. Why did they even tell us to revise from the PDF when there is no motivation paper? :rolleyes:

Pray to <whatever you believe in> that your computer doesn't malfunction or Windows doesn't crash.

Omg im in,cant actually believe it! Went for area so hopefully start in july! For those just starting the process,dont give up,this was my 2nd attempt!

Without a shadow of a doubt, you CANNOT apply for your next attempt after failing stage 1 2 or 3 until 12 months have passed from the date of your stage 1 test.

Abc1(x4): Hmm, I know a few who have done it before then, but perhaps they slipped through the net. I don't doubt your information, just that maybe HR don't check dates!

My advice to anyone who's unsure: call up HR before you do anything - at the moment, lots of things seem to be changing, and better to double-check the situation at your relevant time just in case! They're very helpful, but from what abc1 says, things will stick at 12 months for a while now I think...

Fifer: Well done - join the NATS 220 Facebook group and meet the rest of us summer starters :)

Can anyone else confirm that the 'new' stage 2 computer tests are now the FEAST Eurocontrol tests?

I've just sent off a message off to HR to confirm from those in the know, it seems a bit much to repeat the cubes spatial tests when most of us going to stage 2 now have obviously done well at stage 1 with that test already!

Without trying to go ahead of myself and getting to excited, what on earth is stage 3 going to be like? A barrage of interviews on top of each other? Can't see the structured interview from leaving if the OPQ is still in the process.

t250- yes, it's the feast things.
sat them yesterday, spent about 7 hours more or less at a computer.
was really annoying that no one was formally told there was no motivation paper, seeing as we were told to spend 8-10 hours preparing for it...

I asked HR the same question T250, thanks to HP20 for the response.
Is there anyway of practising these tests online ??? Or are the Games on NATS website the best you can assume ???

Thanks

Also in my email asking me to attend stage 2 there is no mention of revising for a motivation paper, nor any further info to read, anyone else had this ???

A couple of people mentioned about a website but i don't remember what it was, sorry! There's an explanation on wikipedia about the tests.
But really i wouldn't say you can prepare, just do brain training on a ds or something to get as quick as you can at reacting.

I think it's people who booked their 2nd stage before a certain date cos one guy there hadnt had the extra info either.

i booked my stage two today and in hr's email back to me all it mentioned was computer tests. Ive checked all emails but theres no mention of any documents to read or a motivation paper. Started to worry incase they forgot to tell me lol. but at least im not the only one!
looked up the FEAST tests on wikipedia and they seem pretty tough so if anyone finds any practice ones that would be such a help!!

All,

Having done the FEAST tests with Eurocontrol, I just want to say that there is nothing you can do to prepare. Everything is explained clearly beforehand and you are given time to practice...

The only thing I would suggest is to get a good night's sleep. I understand it is nerve-wracking and you want to do everything you can to prepare.....but I promise you that you can't. If you do want to practice, then maybe a few cubes would be your best bet.

But just get a good night's sleep and relax :ok:

Hope this has put some minds at ease :-)

Bartkobe,

Thanks for the response, much appreciated. Not sure it puts my mind at rest though !!!

Is it me or does this seems very technical for a selection process when we have little or no knowledge of how ATC actually works ??? Or am i just panicking too much !!!

no problem mate.

The tests are not too technical, they basically are there to test your cognitive abilities. Just think of it as a computer game :ok:

I've got mine on Monday so fingers crossed I get through

the online application form
 

just been looking at the application form's 'Referees' section and it asks me to cover "every employer/academic tutor during the last 3 years". however, it only allows me to add 4! one academic, one employer, one personal/professional and one other. am i right in thinking we simply choose one for each, even though that doesn't cover my last 3 year's worth of referees?

Damn. That's a bit harsh doing all the tests in one go. I remember when we were testing them they were hard, even with the knowledge that we were already in. Good luck to you all.

Bartkobe,

Good luck for Monday, let us know how you get on !!!

Dimbo - I actually only put 1 reference as the other 2 companies i have worked for dont exist anymore, so getting a reference is impossible. And i had the email asking me to apply for stage 2 the other day, so i wouldnt worry too much over it. They wont contact the referees until later if you ask them not to.

had my stage 1 test today and very worried about my performance

heres how i think ive done:

shapes: 90% ish
instructions 60% ish
maths 100% ish

the kick in the teeth however is:

motivational paper 40-50%

just wondering if you require a pass mark of xx% on each test or is it an overall score averaged across all tests?

the main reason i did so bad on the motivational paper is that i applied the day before i went on holiday for 2 weeks then had the tests the morning after i got back (this was the only day i could do it) and i hadnt seen the motivational info in my email until the evening that i got back so had little time to learn it all.

if anyone could advise me as to my likely outcome it would be appriciated

thanks all

Hi cereal

this has been discussed time and again and no-one knows what the pass marks are but do know they are done individually, ie a certain level in each test not overall. don't get too down, you don't know how you have done until they actually tell you. imo, the pass mark for the motivational paper is likely to be higher than the puzzle test things because they give you 90% of the answers before you go into the room. if you're not successful at least you'll know for next time.
shugs

cereal, I take it that isn't your real age then? otherwise you would be retiring before even getting through the ATC college?????

Passed my 1. Stage :} cant quite believe it hehe but from what I read about stage 2... im not looking forward to it... :bored:
anywayssss I found an exercise to practise relative direction:
Lotsentest
The relative direction test is called left and right.
Hope this helps.

Hi people, just wondering if anyone knows what sort of chance someone applying with NATS has without a uni degree? I remember when I was doing my radio practical for my PPL the examiner was saying that although a degree wasn't necessary to apply, without one you haven't got a chance of being accepted. Is this true?

Thanks

Unofficial degree requirement???
 

Nah, absolute tosh I'm glad to say!

Go for it.

My Missus just got in without A'levels or a degree. Another friend has been controlling for years without a degree, so I can assume it has never been the case. If you have the basic requirements, pass the stages and jump through all the hoops, you're in!

Good luck.

NATS don't care whether you have a degree or not. There are many controllers and trainees in NATS without degrees.

Whats the average time between taking stage 1 tests and starting at College?