I passed!
 

Just found out I passed my stage 3! Yippeee! I did the stage on the 20th, many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread it has been hugely helpful!
To help those on stage 3, I compiled a list of HR questions from this thread and from other competency based interviews on the internet, I thought of two examples of a situation that helped me describe/answer the question and this helped me massively in the interview as I could think of at least one example per question even if it wasnt exactly the same question asked. Enjoy:

- Areo or Area?
-Tell us about yourself [hobbies/family/life story]
-Any RECENT big decisions- how did you go about making them?
-What are important characteristics for an ATCO to have?
-Why do you want to be an ATCO?
-Why do you want to work for NATS?
-What can you BRING to NATS?
-How do you deal with criticism?
-What are your goals?
-How did the team game go...'TRUTHFULLY'
(Give a good analysis and constructive criticism, remember names and USE them.)
- What sources have you used to gather information?
-Why do you want to work for NATS?
-What skills do you need as a controller?
-Can you work well in a team? examples
-Can you work well under pressure? ex.
-Do you have good communicational skills? ex.
-What do you think you'll be doing in 5 years time?
- Do you mind changing your plans? Both LONG and SHORT term. OR: Do you mind changing your flight PLANS for aircraft from the one you have decided upon should a situation arise?
- Questions about the "ability to focus" and "resisting distraction’ . Consider in a long
term way will you stay at NATS?
- What have you done to prepare for today? (KEY QUESTION) (this career?)
- Examples of good teamwork, organisation, leadership, quick thinking, adaptability, motivated, organised, reliable, efficient, considerate of others, common sense, logical, reasoned, reasonable, constructive critcism.
-Are you any good at concentrating on one task while maintaining awareness of
what is going on around you?
-Do you have any weaknesses?
-Give an example of good decision/bad decision you have made.
-What action would you take if something weren’t going to plan?
-Do you think teamwork is important?
-What do you consider vital for good teamwork.
-Give an example of when someone recently made you change your mind.
-What type of people do you not like?
-Do you get on with most people?
-Do you act the same around different people.
-Give an example of when you had to take action under pressure
-Would you describe yourself as a messy person?
-Are you reliable?
-Give an example of your reliability?
-What would you do if you found you were struggling with the workload at the college?
-Would you have problems going to others for help?
-Do you take interest in other peoples problems?
-Do you always follow rules?
-What do you think about when you are alone?
-Would you change your approach if it wasn’t working?
- Are you organised? Why?
- Do you consider yourself a mature person?
- Do you have good time management?
- Do you consider yourself to have any weaknesses?
-Can you tell me about a time when you were heavily scrutinised?
- Have you ever been under pressure?
-Give me an example of a time when you failed something badly?
-Give me an example of a time when you worked in a team to achieve a common goal? -Has someone ever made you change your mind?"

MH

Sat Stage 1 yesterday... sailed through the motivational paper answering the ones I got wrong last year right this time.

(same paper and out of date...someone should tell them that there is no RIS RAS and FIS anymore)

Felt I done better on the cubes this year but no gold star I don't think, and I always found the diagramming easy anyway.

However to my surprise they have replaced Basic checking with numerical reasoning... it would have been nice of them to let us all know that before we turned up, I had not done much practice on these sorts of questions and only managed about 3/5th of the questions if even that. It is a bit annoying that something I could easily do last year has been replaced and wasn't informed of the change in any of the e-mails explaining what we would be doing on the day and as none of the documentation has changed from last year I assumed it would be the same this year. :rolleyes:

I was quite happy with what I had done up until that point as well but I can see another dissapointing e-mail coming my way in the next 15 working days.

What sort of numerical reasoning questions?

Can you provide examples?

I thought numerical/maths had been scrapped looongg ago - the first posts of the thread here say they had just got rid of it in 2007. :confused:

Mostly speed times distance questions but I am not the most mathematically minded person about.

So not to get into trouble I will make an example up duno if it actually works out but things like:

An aircraft departs A and climbs at 1500ft per minute for 10 minutes, it's speed in the climb is 260mph. Once it reaches it's cruise it travels at 400mph for a further 30 minutes before reaching point B. How far is it from point A to point B.

&

An aircraft at 34000ft descend at 1200ft per minute when it reaches 26000ft it goes into cloud and does not reappear again until 11000ft. It's speed is 430mph. How far did it travel in the cloud?

There were a few easier ones as well though.

Stage 3
 

Big well done to Russ, anyone else found out theyve passed stage 3 yet?

Ive found myself checking my phone, my emails and the nats online application every few minutes as im dying to find out and people who took their interview after me seem to be finding out already!

workman01

Thanks for them :)

What was the question number/time limit to them?

I'm assuming that you had 40 of those questions to do in 5 minutes?

tbh it's a bit of a blur i started panicking when that paper got given out, If i remember rightly it was something like 30 in 15 mins or there abouts, I know there was one other candidate there that uses this forum so if he reads this he might jump in and give exact numbers and time.

Anyone postponed their stage 3 in June?
 

Hey guys,

Just trying to find out if anyone has booked their stage 3 interview in June but postponed it to a later date.

I am trying to book my stage 3 but the earliest date available is 6 July and I will be not available from 1st July till October.

Many Thanks:)

Hi, I have a couple of questions.

1) I passed satge 1 and was asked to complete a full application. After doing so I recieved this

"Thank you for your application.
Please be advised that your details have been forwarded to our medical department for assessment."

Is this usual?

2) What are the standard/example working patterns for ATCO's?

Thanks for the advice.

dr_pie

1) while not necessarily common, your details going to the medical department is just to check your potential eligibility to get a Class 1 medical, which is necessary to be an ATCO. You will know what you put on the form which may have caused this, it may be worth taking a look at the Class 1 Medical requirements on the CAA website for more info and/or a better idea of what they are checking.

2) The usual shift pattern (with slight variance) is a 10 day cycle, 6 days on and 4 off. Start with 2 mornings (0700-1430), then 2 afternoons (1430-2200) then 2 nights (2200-0700). Less people needed on nights, so if not rostered on nights, you do two additional mornings or afternoons instead of the nights. Followed by the 4 days off. And so it continues...

Medical assesment
 

Dr_pie

I had the same panic but from getting sent the email to tell me that my details were being sent for medical assesment and getting told I was through was only 3 days so fingers crossed you don't need to wait too long

Stage 2
 

Just finally found out after 18 working days !!! That i passed !!! Not sure what the problem was but i dont care. Roll on Stage 3 - has this always been a whole day ???
Good luck everyone and dont give up !!!!!

workman01
 

Thanks for these!! Are they multiple choice?

Yeah all multiple choice at stage 1.

i'm in!!
 

Just got off the phone, I'm through stage three!
I'm in so much shock, i was convinced it was awful.
Anyone else from the 26th found out?

aliu sc
 

I had a similar problem for my Stage 2. I was unavailable for a month as I was out of the country getting married. Just ring HR and explain. They told me that if you don't book your next stage after a certain time they assume you're no longer interested and withdraw your application but if you ring 'em and explain they'll just put your application 'on hold'. You then ring back when you're available and they update your records accordingly.

Good luck.

well they did lose the results of my online personality questionaire and ive been pushed through to the next stage.

Ive now got to complete the application form.

Is this normal? as the last time I applied I had to complete this at the very begining of the process.

S3 July 6th
 

Hi,

Anyone else got their S3 on July 6th?

Thanks to those who answered my questions. Apparantly the medical department cleared me and I got through to the Stage 2.

Sorry to ask what is probably a very common question, but is the stage 2 just computer tests or computer tests and a structured interview. I have been giving conflicting information from nats.

Dr Pie,

It's just the compter tests now.

Good luck!

Hi all,

First time posting here but I've been lurking for a while........I've found this forum excellent for information so thanks to all for this

I have stage 1 next week and will be flying over from Ireland. Thing is I get into Southampton about 11am and my tests aren't until 2pm (just bad timing on the flights!!!). I was thinking of heading (by taxi) to Swanwick and getting some lunch around there, could anyone recommend a cafe or hotel in the area that does a decent lunch and where I could sit for an hour or two??

Or does anyone have other suggestions, would I be better off going into Southampton or an airport hotel for lunch and then getting a taxi over to NATS HQ? According to google maps its only about a 15min trip from airport to Whiteley, would that be about right in peoples experience?

Not familar with the area at all so any help would be much appreciated!!

There's a starbucks or something in CTC- I burned an hour or so in there for my s2...

Adamfearman and sf09
 

There is a shopping centre within walking distance. Get the taxi driver to drive to it before they drop you off at CTC. You will find shops, coffee shops etc should do for a few hours. There is a pub that does good food a bit further walk called the parsons collar. If you google both I'm sure you will find it.
Good luck with it.
Just booked stage 3 for 7th July. Just got back from visit to swanwick centre, brilliant time

Hatemyjob,

That's certainly the experience I had - OPQ completed, then the application form. Sounds normal to me!

Found out last week that I passed stage 3,couldn't be happier. I'm hoping to start on the area course in October providing I get through the medicals. I need to start looking into living in Bournemouth now, anyone got any advice on finding a place and what areas are worth looking at?

Jimmy780 - thanks for the info. Best of luck with Stage 3

Adamfearman - thanks also, my test is tomorrow so just doing the last bit of revision now!! Good luck with yours on Wednesday!!

Anyone else at Swanwick on Friday for S3?

ATC Hopeful,

Give the Strand on Westby Road a call. Best B&B IMHO.

ATC Hopeful,

Give the Strand on Westby Road a call. Best B&B IMHO.

same, i really wasn't expecting that, thought because id messed up a whole section I had no chance, when is your stage 3?

Found out today i passed stage 3. I had the interview on the 8th may and only just found out! Not really sure why, other than the person who let me know explained she'd be off work for the past few weeks and so i can imagine things had been getting back lodged.

Anyway, i'm through and will be booking the medical soon. How long do the medicals last roughly?

The NATS medical takes just over an hour usually. Hope that helps, and well done for passing Stage 3! Are you hoping to get onto the autumn course?

Parking?
 

Hi

I have my S2 on Thursday, could anyone advise if there is parking at the test centre or anywhere close to it?

Thanks

Yes, visitor parking at CTC is right outside the main entrance (don't worry about all the cars on the road, as there should be spaces).

paperclip - hopefully i will be starting on the oct course, thats the impression i was given at stage 3 as they said that'd prob be our course if we passed.

Thanks
 

Thanks Jonathan, much appreciated.

STAGE 2- O dear !!!
 

Just got back from my stage two, and now waiting for my unfortunately you have not made it email. For those who are yet to have it there isnt really anything you can do before. Its pretty fast pace, if anyone has any questions about whats on it give me a shout ! x :sad:

Yeah I got in too, congratulations, I said you'd be fine, have you been out to celebrate yet?

Pete

Stage 1 at Fareham
 

Hi all,

I have just applied online to NATS and have booked my stage 1 for 24th July at 12.30. First question would be does anyone know how long stage 1 lasts as i hope to get a flight up(to Scotland) in the evening but don't know what the best time would be! Also, i see there is a Travelodge in near Southampton centre for £35 for the night. Just wondering roughly how long it would take from there to the CTC? Can anyone help?

Also, it seems there have been recent changes to the selection process - could someone who has done stage 1 recently tell me what exactly is involved? (i know there's aptitude tests and an ATC paper, but what are they like and is that it or is there anything else you have to do during the day?) I have a good seven weeks yet but want to be well prepared so any help/advice is most appreciated!:)

Stage 1 at Fareham
 

Hi All,

Just applied online to NATS, got my stage 1 at Fareham on 24 July at 12.30. So question one is does anyone know how long the day lasts as i hope to catch a flight back up(to Scotland) in the evening, but don't know what time is best! Also, i see there is a travelodge near the centre of Southampton for £35, how long would it take to go from there to the CTC?

Also, it seems that recently the selection process was altered slightly, so just wondering if anyone who has done stage 1 recently could tell me exactly what is involved(i know there are aptitude tests and an ATC paper, but what are they like and is that it or is there anything else during the day?) I have seven weeks yet but want to be well prepared so any help/advice is most appreciated!:)