OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
Bridge
Although I don't know how the OASC selection system works, the one thing I would say is that even if you only got a "weakly recommend", it means that they think you have displayed the potential to make it through. You should take comfort from the fact that they have chosen not to reject you.
The way forward as I see it is to either get accepted or if they reject you this time, then find out what went wrong, reapply and make sure that in the interim you've addressed the issues raised and go back with a stronger performance.
Although I don't know how the OASC selection system works, the one thing I would say is that even if you only got a "weakly recommend", it means that they think you have displayed the potential to make it through. You should take comfort from the fact that they have chosen not to reject you.
The way forward as I see it is to either get accepted or if they reject you this time, then find out what went wrong, reapply and make sure that in the interim you've addressed the issues raised and go back with a stronger performance.
I was successful a few months ago, so I know how you feel!!!
I wouldn't worry too much about the negatives on your OASC report. mine was full of criticism. If you hadn't met at least the minimum standards required, then they would have already asked you kindly to F&*K off.
I know guys who were on my UAS who were weakly recommended, and they are now on IOT. Even if you don't get in, you could always reapply - and probably nail it next time round.
How did you do on your aptitudes?
Good luck!
I wouldn't worry too much about the negatives on your OASC report. mine was full of criticism. If you hadn't met at least the minimum standards required, then they would have already asked you kindly to F&*K off.
I know guys who were on my UAS who were weakly recommended, and they are now on IOT. Even if you don't get in, you could always reapply - and probably nail it next time round.
How did you do on your aptitudes?
Good luck!
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Unlucky not to get the nod at the first attempt. Weakly recommended means "Branch quotas almost filled, and lets see if someone better comes along in the next couple of boards"
You do still stand a chance but my feeling at this time of year would be think about trying again next year when you will have this experience to build upon and also that the board can see that you are serious about you desire to join. Tip, New financial year starts in April which just happens to be when the RAF decides how many people and in which branches it needs.
EG Decides in April that it needs 100 pilots in the comming year so there will be 100 slots avail from Apr but obviously very few by the end of the year.
You do still stand a chance but my feeling at this time of year would be think about trying again next year when you will have this experience to build upon and also that the board can see that you are serious about you desire to join. Tip, New financial year starts in April which just happens to be when the RAF decides how many people and in which branches it needs.
EG Decides in April that it needs 100 pilots in the comming year so there will be 100 slots avail from Apr but obviously very few by the end of the year.
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Bridge,
Don't get too upset: a weak accept is an accept. It may be that someone better comes along - but maybe not. You have shown that you are suitable to go to OASC. In the meantime, there is little else you can do but wait and hope that you are finally selected to go to part 2. By the way, the OASC reports are often quite critical - they do not often point out your good traits; only the ones that you need to work on: as you might expect!
Good luck.
Duncs
Don't get too upset: a weak accept is an accept. It may be that someone better comes along - but maybe not. You have shown that you are suitable to go to OASC. In the meantime, there is little else you can do but wait and hope that you are finally selected to go to part 2. By the way, the OASC reports are often quite critical - they do not often point out your good traits; only the ones that you need to work on: as you might expect!
Good luck.
Duncs
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Joining the RAF as a pilot - various discussions, merged.
A very simple question:
Does anybody know when in December the OASC board holds it's 'futher discussion' meeting to select (or not select) those of us given a 'weak recommendation'?
I would assume it will come before Christmas.
OASC told us that we may have to wait up to 3 weeks to hear news about their initial decision and my syndicate all heard within a week. Does this suggest that the board meeting will commence within the following 2 weeks?
Does anybody know when in December the OASC board holds it's 'futher discussion' meeting to select (or not select) those of us given a 'weak recommendation'?
I would assume it will come before Christmas.
OASC told us that we may have to wait up to 3 weeks to hear news about their initial decision and my syndicate all heard within a week. Does this suggest that the board meeting will commence within the following 2 weeks?
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Is the sifting carried out between all applicants who scored a 'weak recommendation'? i.e. is there no 'moderate recommendation', e.g?
I ask because I was speaking to Professor Plum who was straight-out selected for IOT and he achieved a score of 'Recommended'.
As I understand the system:
'Recommended' and 'HIGHLY recommended' applicants (if these exist) are awarded with a straight acceptance to IOT and 'Weakly recommended' applicants have to wait for the further sift.
Is it as straightforward as this?
It is also of interest whether being 23 and therefore having no chance of later pilot application will count for or against me?
I ask because I was speaking to Professor Plum who was straight-out selected for IOT and he achieved a score of 'Recommended'.
As I understand the system:
'Recommended' and 'HIGHLY recommended' applicants (if these exist) are awarded with a straight acceptance to IOT and 'Weakly recommended' applicants have to wait for the further sift.
Is it as straightforward as this?
It is also of interest whether being 23 and therefore having no chance of later pilot application will count for or against me?
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A week as a pprune member, and four threads started, all fretting over the same thing. I suppose we should be glad that people are desperate to get in, whilst everyone else is racing for the exits.
S_H
S_H
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Bridge
Why do you believe this is your last chance to apply? I was of the understanding that you have until the age of 26 to be able to enter IOT as a pilot, so being 23 still gives you plenty of time to have another go if you are unsuccessful this time. Or have you been told otherwise?
On the matter of people leaving, Pontius is right on the money - they are leaving because they have had their fair share of action, and little chance to rest. The enthusiasm wears off after a while, and outlook on life and what's important changes. Some people can keep going, some feel that their time to leave has come. It takes all sorts, and most importantly, it's your sort - the young and enthusiastic type - which is important to maintain the 'balance'. It's not all bad in the service, people have always left, it just looks bad because there are less of us around these days.
So good luck with the application, mine is in to cross to the dark side at the moment and I would jump at the chance to have a 'weak recommendation' because at least it's not a no (of which I've had a couple!!).
Fingers crossed
MB
Why do you believe this is your last chance to apply? I was of the understanding that you have until the age of 26 to be able to enter IOT as a pilot, so being 23 still gives you plenty of time to have another go if you are unsuccessful this time. Or have you been told otherwise?
On the matter of people leaving, Pontius is right on the money - they are leaving because they have had their fair share of action, and little chance to rest. The enthusiasm wears off after a while, and outlook on life and what's important changes. Some people can keep going, some feel that their time to leave has come. It takes all sorts, and most importantly, it's your sort - the young and enthusiastic type - which is important to maintain the 'balance'. It's not all bad in the service, people have always left, it just looks bad because there are less of us around these days.
So good luck with the application, mine is in to cross to the dark side at the moment and I would jump at the chance to have a 'weak recommendation' because at least it's not a no (of which I've had a couple!!).
Fingers crossed
MB
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MB,
It is my belief that the Royal Navy accepts pilots up until the age of 26, but in the RAF you have to have completed your IOT training before you reach 23 years and 11 months.
Doing a masters degree rather than a bachelors applied somewhat more pressure!
It is my belief that the Royal Navy accepts pilots up until the age of 26, but in the RAF you have to have completed your IOT training before you reach 23 years and 11 months.
Doing a masters degree rather than a bachelors applied somewhat more pressure!
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OASC
Hi all,
I haven't long until I apply for the RAF as a pilot. I have been in the ATC for quite a while and am realy looking forward to the next few years
I am under the influence that when you attend OASC you get leaflets and things on the 4 days and what they expect from you as an applicant.
For those who have attended Cranwell recently I am wondering if anybody has any information.
All would much be appreciated
Many Thanks
Pez
I haven't long until I apply for the RAF as a pilot. I have been in the ATC for quite a while and am realy looking forward to the next few years
I am under the influence that when you attend OASC you get leaflets and things on the 4 days and what they expect from you as an applicant.
For those who have attended Cranwell recently I am wondering if anybody has any information.
All would much be appreciated
Many Thanks
Pez
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You might like to try www.thestudentroom.co.uk where you will find a lot of useful information about OASC. Its under careers, Armed Forces then Forces FAQ. Good luck.
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Yes, 'under the influence' is about right.
You need to go to OASC fully prepared, or expect to walk away after day 1.
Shouldn't be too hard to get yourself equipped being in the cadets, now should it? Or try the careers office. Or the web. There's a lot of useful stuff out there that just requires a little searching.
Put it this way, if you want to be doing this job for the next 18 years of your life, a few hours research isn't really too hard.
You need to go to OASC fully prepared, or expect to walk away after day 1.
Shouldn't be too hard to get yourself equipped being in the cadets, now should it? Or try the careers office. Or the web. There's a lot of useful stuff out there that just requires a little searching.
Put it this way, if you want to be doing this job for the next 18 years of your life, a few hours research isn't really too hard.
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I am under the influence that when you attend OASC you get leaflets and things on the 4 days and what they expect from you as an applicant.
S_H
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Preaparing for RAF tests
I'm applying to the RAF soon as Pilot/Air Traffic Control/Weapons Systems Operator, and although I'm confident on the fitness tests, I'm not overly confident on the theory side. Are there any books or software I can buy to test myself on the types of tests that I am likely to get in RAF selection tests?
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I only have a few minutes ,so I performed a quick search, try this link for some good advice, particularly post number 5:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...=aptitude+test
IMHO though, you either 'have it or not' regarding the aptitude tests although a quick brush up on IQ tests, speed/distance/time calculations and the like can do no harm.
Good luck.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...=aptitude+test
IMHO though, you either 'have it or not' regarding the aptitude tests although a quick brush up on IQ tests, speed/distance/time calculations and the like can do no harm.
Good luck.
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Hi,
Good luck with your application.
I bought a couple of books from WHSmith called Improve your IQ or Test your IQ. These help with the tests you will do at Cranwell.
As well as this, polish up your mental maths, especially speed / distance / time calculations as these come up very frequently.
Have a read about the history of current conflicts. You can buy books, but the BBC website is worth a few hours of perusal. Also keep an eye on the news and try to learn as much as you can about what is happening now in those conflicts.
And try to get hold of a history of the RAF book. They are available from WHSmith or AMazon, or if you know anyone in the RAF they were issued a year or two ago to everybody. AP3003 is the book you would need - it is an excellent history book. You may even find a copy on eBay. Haven't looked myself but it is the sort of thing which may come up now and again.
The careers people may even be able to lend you a copy if you are near to a CIO.
But the main thing is to be yourself in the interviews. I didn't know that much when I went in, and look at me now - I DRIVE the school bus!!
Good luck with your application.
I bought a couple of books from WHSmith called Improve your IQ or Test your IQ. These help with the tests you will do at Cranwell.
As well as this, polish up your mental maths, especially speed / distance / time calculations as these come up very frequently.
Have a read about the history of current conflicts. You can buy books, but the BBC website is worth a few hours of perusal. Also keep an eye on the news and try to learn as much as you can about what is happening now in those conflicts.
And try to get hold of a history of the RAF book. They are available from WHSmith or AMazon, or if you know anyone in the RAF they were issued a year or two ago to everybody. AP3003 is the book you would need - it is an excellent history book. You may even find a copy on eBay. Haven't looked myself but it is the sort of thing which may come up now and again.
The careers people may even be able to lend you a copy if you are near to a CIO.
But the main thing is to be yourself in the interviews. I didn't know that much when I went in, and look at me now - I DRIVE the school bus!!
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Speak to your Careers Office,they should have a booklet with examples of what is in the theory test for you to test yourself on.
I believe a lot of it is multiple choice based on IQ test type questions.
I believe a lot of it is multiple choice based on IQ test type questions.