Oxford (OAT) Skills Assessment
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Ok some useful information. Despite what has been said above you really don't have to be good to get in to OAT. I am a very average individual with average grades, average achievements and below average English languages skills so I am living proof that you don’t have to be god or even goddess of the universe to become an airline pilot.
To put it another way most people pass or at least get asked back to re-sit one section so it can’t be that bad.
Once you get here, which you will, the work is hard but also a lot more fun than studying at school and college. You wear uniform, which makes you feel more professional, and most of us even take pride in it.
As Mikey_Boy said join facebook groups and stuff and look at the OAT forum. You find some nice people on there who will give you their msn and tell you all you want to know. Join the AP279 facebook group. There are loads of pictures on there and if you ask questions about assessment people will get back to you, just ignore any comments from anyone talking out their behind but most of us talk sense so don’t worry.
Good luck
To put it another way most people pass or at least get asked back to re-sit one section so it can’t be that bad.
Once you get here, which you will, the work is hard but also a lot more fun than studying at school and college. You wear uniform, which makes you feel more professional, and most of us even take pride in it.
As Mikey_Boy said join facebook groups and stuff and look at the OAT forum. You find some nice people on there who will give you their msn and tell you all you want to know. Join the AP279 facebook group. There are loads of pictures on there and if you ask questions about assessment people will get back to you, just ignore any comments from anyone talking out their behind but most of us talk sense so don’t worry.
Good luck
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I think they're all good at pedalling their product. It's a personal choice when it comes down to the FTO and type of course that you choose. Personally I'm still convinced that Cabair AES is the way forward.
It is kind of funny how everyone comes out with the same licence but different people are prepared to pay more or less for the contacts that the FTO has. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the quality of training at OAT is good but form what I've heard from friends outside of pprune, it ain't actually any better than many other FTO's. Just the contact list at the end!
It is kind of funny how everyone comes out with the same licence but different people are prepared to pay more or less for the contacts that the FTO has. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the quality of training at OAT is good but form what I've heard from friends outside of pprune, it ain't actually any better than many other FTO's. Just the contact list at the end!
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and which airline have most of oats graduates ended up at this year????
ryanair.
do you need oxfords help to get into ryanair???
no.
i'm not oxford bashing..I'm actually training at oxford right now, but some of the bollocks that is spouted by the pro's and anti's is just silly.
is oat a good fto... you bet it is.
is it the best value fto... you bet it isn't.
ryanair.
do you need oxfords help to get into ryanair???
no.
i'm not oxford bashing..I'm actually training at oxford right now, but some of the bollocks that is spouted by the pro's and anti's is just silly.
is oat a good fto... you bet it is.
is it the best value fto... you bet it isn't.
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Ok, I too am at OAT. One of the BIG problems that OAT suffers from is that so much Sh1.... is spouted about it, both pros and cons, on an almost constant basis. The best bit of advice here as far as I'm concerned seems to be Bajadjs comments. The school is excellent. If you put the work in, I'm sure you'll reap the rewards, however what people who criticise the organisation [in particular, the excellent marketing materials] forget is that it IS a commercial organisation. It's entire purpose in life is to provide the best return on capital that it can for it's parent organisation. Remember, NO airline operates on the basis of providing YOU a job, or ferrying passengers from A to B...the purpose is to turn a buck.
Anyone, ANYONE, who thinks that OAT, Cabair, FTE, SFC, Bristol, Orlando and all the rest are out primarily to train students is a fool. ALL of these organisations prime goal is to remain in business and turn a profit...training people is the means by which they do this.
Secondly, the whole thing about Katherine's post. I suspect the intention was good, but the wording was terriblly naive. For what it's worth, however, every single organisation will have people who are harder (and find it harder) to get along with than others. Every organisation will have people who are more opinionated than others. Every organisation will have people who don't quite live on the right planet.
OAT suffers from the perception that all who go there are the same as the image put across by a few posters, such as the post by Katherine [which I suspect is just poorly worded]. That is not the case. There is a huge range of personalities, backgrounds, maturities and so on. For anyone who wants to know about the place, go and have a look. For my money, it's incredibly professional and there are some cracking people there.
Finally...on the subject of assessment...WHY, WHY, WHY do people want to know to minutiae levels what it entails. The point of the assessment is to stop you wasting >£60k of YOUR money if you don't have the propensity to do it. I understand not wanting to fail the assessment, but frankly I'd rather fail than pass it because I'd been told exactly what I needed to do and then find myself £60k in debt with no chance of a job. Some of it is fair, but come on guys, it IS actually there for your benefit...
Anyone, ANYONE, who thinks that OAT, Cabair, FTE, SFC, Bristol, Orlando and all the rest are out primarily to train students is a fool. ALL of these organisations prime goal is to remain in business and turn a profit...training people is the means by which they do this.
Secondly, the whole thing about Katherine's post. I suspect the intention was good, but the wording was terriblly naive. For what it's worth, however, every single organisation will have people who are harder (and find it harder) to get along with than others. Every organisation will have people who are more opinionated than others. Every organisation will have people who don't quite live on the right planet.
OAT suffers from the perception that all who go there are the same as the image put across by a few posters, such as the post by Katherine [which I suspect is just poorly worded]. That is not the case. There is a huge range of personalities, backgrounds, maturities and so on. For anyone who wants to know about the place, go and have a look. For my money, it's incredibly professional and there are some cracking people there.
Finally...on the subject of assessment...WHY, WHY, WHY do people want to know to minutiae levels what it entails. The point of the assessment is to stop you wasting >£60k of YOUR money if you don't have the propensity to do it. I understand not wanting to fail the assessment, but frankly I'd rather fail than pass it because I'd been told exactly what I needed to do and then find myself £60k in debt with no chance of a job. Some of it is fair, but come on guys, it IS actually there for your benefit...
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Clanger 32 - Best post I've read in ages!
There are far too many people on here trying to find out exactly what the assessments and medicals are all about and I agree with you 50% in that I had to find out the hard way by just revising what I could and praying that my natural aptitude was enough to get my through the rest not really knowing what to expect or how well I would do.
But the other 50% thinks.....the horrible feeling when your sat there waiting for PILAPT to start knowing that this could be the test that decided the next few years (or more) of your life isn't great. So on that basis I would like to at least try to help people know what to expect. Anyone can sit here and sprawl out a load of detailed info about the assessments but biggest part of the assessment is the one part that no-one can help you with!
When all's said and done these assessments are in place for a reason and I do support them whatever their critics may say. More people are needlessly in debt than ever and if these test help to ease that a bit then good on HSBC for enforcing it!
There are far too many people on here trying to find out exactly what the assessments and medicals are all about and I agree with you 50% in that I had to find out the hard way by just revising what I could and praying that my natural aptitude was enough to get my through the rest not really knowing what to expect or how well I would do.
But the other 50% thinks.....the horrible feeling when your sat there waiting for PILAPT to start knowing that this could be the test that decided the next few years (or more) of your life isn't great. So on that basis I would like to at least try to help people know what to expect. Anyone can sit here and sprawl out a load of detailed info about the assessments but biggest part of the assessment is the one part that no-one can help you with!
When all's said and done these assessments are in place for a reason and I do support them whatever their critics may say. More people are needlessly in debt than ever and if these test help to ease that a bit then good on HSBC for enforcing it!
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Wake Up!
I completely agree with clanger and chris, very sensible posts. Half of everything is luck, the other half is what YOU put in to it. The sooner people wake up to the real world and realise this the better.That dream job is not going to float its way over to you, you are going to have to chase it and work very hard to get into that cockpit.
Last edited by captainjohno; 15th Dec 2007 at 13:50.
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I think that anyone prepared to put in the work deserves success but there seem to be far too many people around who just expect it on a plate. I've found this particuarly true with Uni grads. And before anyone shoots me down I AM speaking from experience here. The number of people that I've interviewed with a degree in Accountancy that expect a to start tomorrow on £30k plus benefits etc is unbelievable.
Im expecting nothing less than a long, uphill struggle to my first RHS. But f**k me will it be worth it!!!
Im expecting nothing less than a long, uphill struggle to my first RHS. But f**k me will it be worth it!!!
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I was reading through the forum and started getting a little annoyed with all the crap which seems to come out about OAT, was a relief to see the comments made by the likes of Clanger32 and chris-squire.
They actually brought the assessment in soon after September 11 2001, anyone who knows anything will know that was a major downer. OAT have admitted that before 11/09/01 if you had a credit card available then they'd take you without question. The assessment was introduced to ensure that airlines can minimise their risk when recruiting low hour pilots and it works! Can you think of a single integrated course where you can get on it without taking an assessment!?!?! When there is a downturn in the industry those who will suffer AT FIRST are the low-hour pilots who haven't taken an assessment because of the increased risk to airlines from recruiting these pilots.
When there is a slight slowdown in the amount of people prepared to shell out shed loads of cash for a fATPL OAT will soon ditch the assesment in favour of relieving absolutley anyone who is able to find £70,000.
At the moment they can afforfd to be slightly picky, however, in the early 90s' it was only the Algerian airforce students that kept the place afloat.
Katherine, whilst you no doubt mean well, i suggest you tone it down a touch when it comes to airline interviews - don't be fooled by the Oxford bull****, they tell you any old pony to get your cash.
At the moment they can afforfd to be slightly picky, however, in the early 90s' it was only the Algerian airforce students that kept the place afloat.
Katherine, whilst you no doubt mean well, i suggest you tone it down a touch when it comes to airline interviews - don't be fooled by the Oxford bull****, they tell you any old pony to get your cash.
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Yeah it will be the low hour pilots that get hit first. And unfortunately that will include me should anything bad happen in the next 3 years or so! 
Its not just integrated courses that now require assessments for funding. To get any funding through HSBC you now have to do a recognised assessment and train at one of their two recognised schools (Cabair or OAT). After passing my asessment etc I had the choice of which way to go and ended up going for structured Mod (Airline Entry Scheme, formerly Pathfinder) through Cabair in the end, but thats bye the bye.
As said earlier, I can't comment on OAT as I don't know too much about them and whilst I'm sure they have their flaws, so does every other FTO. That's where the personal choice bit comes in weighing up what suits YOU best.
As a bit of news..... HSBC have just agreed to fully support Cabair Modular Training via HSBC Bournemouth. I don't know the in's and out's but it's a positive sign. I've got a funny feeling that they may now recognise Compass as an acceptable form of assessment as opposed to only PILAPT etc at present.
CS
Its not just integrated courses that now require assessments for funding. To get any funding through HSBC you now have to do a recognised assessment and train at one of their two recognised schools (Cabair or OAT). After passing my asessment etc I had the choice of which way to go and ended up going for structured Mod (Airline Entry Scheme, formerly Pathfinder) through Cabair in the end, but thats bye the bye.
As said earlier, I can't comment on OAT as I don't know too much about them and whilst I'm sure they have their flaws, so does every other FTO. That's where the personal choice bit comes in weighing up what suits YOU best.
As a bit of news..... HSBC have just agreed to fully support Cabair Modular Training via HSBC Bournemouth. I don't know the in's and out's but it's a positive sign. I've got a funny feeling that they may now recognise Compass as an acceptable form of assessment as opposed to only PILAPT etc at present.
CS
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Eek...slightly concerned about whether I should reappear again here!
All I was trying to get across was that the be-all and end-all is not maths and physics etc., you don't need to be amazing at anything to get in to OAT (or anywhere else for that matter). I know well enough that there's no guarantee of getting a job anywhere regardless of where you train in reality. Enough of my friends have CPL/IRs and are doing things that are anything but related to aviation. Saying that, one's just got a job after 18 months or so in the CTC holding pool, so there's hope yet
In hindsight, it was a somewhat badly worded comment and all I can attempt to do is blame JAA revision!
(On the note of the one personal comment that's since been deleted, it was a little harsh but, on a lighter note, maybe it's just me but I didn't know that long hair was such a bad thing!?)
All I was trying to get across was that the be-all and end-all is not maths and physics etc., you don't need to be amazing at anything to get in to OAT (or anywhere else for that matter). I know well enough that there's no guarantee of getting a job anywhere regardless of where you train in reality. Enough of my friends have CPL/IRs and are doing things that are anything but related to aviation. Saying that, one's just got a job after 18 months or so in the CTC holding pool, so there's hope yet
In hindsight, it was a somewhat badly worded comment and all I can attempt to do is blame JAA revision!
(On the note of the one personal comment that's since been deleted, it was a little harsh but, on a lighter note, maybe it's just me but I didn't know that long hair was such a bad thing!?)
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Thank You
wow my original question has turned into quite a little page turner, controvesy, bitching and in also lots of very useful information in there, i have but a month to go until i take my assesment and find out if I am good enough or am relegated to selling cars for the rest of my life, sorry i who am i kidding I couldnt sells cars forever, one way or another i will fly for a living.
However i would like to thank you all for your comments and advice and do take it all in however i agree with likes of chris, im not about to waste all that money so it is with many long days at work and long nights with all the software i could possibly buy to help me revise and prepare, that i pray to what ever god there is that i get in, So thank you all for advice and if there is anything left to add please feel free to comment because all information is useful, although as has been said it all comes down to me. a quick note on the facebook group, how do i join this group, i am already on facebook but cant seem to find this group.
Thank You all and Merry Christmas
Kind regards
Tom
However i would like to thank you all for your comments and advice and do take it all in however i agree with likes of chris, im not about to waste all that money so it is with many long days at work and long nights with all the software i could possibly buy to help me revise and prepare, that i pray to what ever god there is that i get in, So thank you all for advice and if there is anything left to add please feel free to comment because all information is useful, although as has been said it all comes down to me. a quick note on the facebook group, how do i join this group, i am already on facebook but cant seem to find this group.
Thank You all and Merry Christmas
Kind regards
Tom
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Getting through the OAT is one thing. Getting through the immense work load, dedication and commitment one has, flying is so glamorized these days, what happened to just wanting to sit behind at 747-400, just before the flare and twitching to put those spoilers up?
OAT Skills Assessment should be prepared for like anything, but its one step on the ladder of many. So many people get in, get out OK and in debt and still have trouble finding employment, suppose the airline wants to do a credit check?
And OAT never mentions Type Rating / Line Training.
Nonetheless, there are many good talented Pilots out there, OAT is one route. Patience and hard work IMO is a different route. Trust me, I have just about managed to cover my student loan, at 21, just about to get out of debt I feel incredibly grateful. But to then step back in the deep end with 80k
Peace everyone
OAT Skills Assessment should be prepared for like anything, but its one step on the ladder of many. So many people get in, get out OK and in debt and still have trouble finding employment, suppose the airline wants to do a credit check?
And OAT never mentions Type Rating / Line Training.
Nonetheless, there are many good talented Pilots out there, OAT is one route. Patience and hard work IMO is a different route. Trust me, I have just about managed to cover my student loan, at 21, just about to get out of debt I feel incredibly grateful. But to then step back in the deep end with 80k
Peace everyone
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Well once again thanks for the advice, it less than a week to go for know and i think im as prepare as can be, it comes down to the day now. thanks all
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Oxford (OAT) Skills Assessment
hi
i did my skills assessment in may last year and i failed my compass test (by 2 marks) and my group exercises and now i've booked to re-take the two test in a couple of weeks time
i just have a couple questions
first can you tell me if the physics exam is part of the compass test or if its a different test
because this is what i found on the compass test website:
Control A compensation task looking at basic hand / foot / eye co-ordination. Slalom A tracking task looking at hand / eye co-ordination. Mathematics A test of basic applied mathematical understanding and speed. Memory Accuracy of short-term memory recall and ability to 'chunk’ information. Task Manager A test of the candidate’s ability to scan the screen and manage two concurrent tasks accurately and quickly. Orientation Instrument interpretation, comprehension and spatial orientation
and as you can see there is no mention of the physics exam so that led me to believe that i wont have to do the physics test in my re-take
is there topics i should revise for the maths (physics?) test
currently im going through the OAT maths and physics CD's but i remember those cd's not being as useful, so thats why i'm looking at the GCSE bitesize website as well
also some people i have talked to have actually had the exact same maths questions as me has anybody here noticed that?
in the group exercises if i dont know much about the topic they want me to talk about what exactly should i do?
ie. should i ask them to explain the subject or ask them to change the subject?
(i'm reading aviation news on the internet and watching the news everyday is this enough?)
can people who have done their test give examples of topics they have been asked to discuss?
also will there be any major differences when i do my group exercises for the second time ie. different topics (most people i've spoken to have done the walking through the desert exercise and build a bridge to support a cup of water)
what other exercises can i expect?
hope you can help
advice will be appreciated
thanks
i did my skills assessment in may last year and i failed my compass test (by 2 marks) and my group exercises and now i've booked to re-take the two test in a couple of weeks time
i just have a couple questions
first can you tell me if the physics exam is part of the compass test or if its a different test
because this is what i found on the compass test website:
Control A compensation task looking at basic hand / foot / eye co-ordination. Slalom A tracking task looking at hand / eye co-ordination. Mathematics A test of basic applied mathematical understanding and speed. Memory Accuracy of short-term memory recall and ability to 'chunk’ information. Task Manager A test of the candidate’s ability to scan the screen and manage two concurrent tasks accurately and quickly. Orientation Instrument interpretation, comprehension and spatial orientation
and as you can see there is no mention of the physics exam so that led me to believe that i wont have to do the physics test in my re-take
is there topics i should revise for the maths (physics?) test
currently im going through the OAT maths and physics CD's but i remember those cd's not being as useful, so thats why i'm looking at the GCSE bitesize website as well
also some people i have talked to have actually had the exact same maths questions as me has anybody here noticed that?
in the group exercises if i dont know much about the topic they want me to talk about what exactly should i do?
ie. should i ask them to explain the subject or ask them to change the subject?
(i'm reading aviation news on the internet and watching the news everyday is this enough?)
can people who have done their test give examples of topics they have been asked to discuss?
also will there be any major differences when i do my group exercises for the second time ie. different topics (most people i've spoken to have done the walking through the desert exercise and build a bridge to support a cup of water)
what other exercises can i expect?
hope you can help
advice will be appreciated
thanks
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i know the tests wont have changed but i just want to know the subjects of the topics that people have discussed recently (group discussion (general news and aviation news))
i'd still like to know what people do during the group exercise when the observer wants you to discuss a topic you dont know much about
also i cant remember if the physics test is actually part of the compass test, thats why i am looking for confirmation
(im not sure but i think only the mental maths questions are in the compass test and the physics question are not part of compass)
then i dont really need to revise for the physics test and can just focus on the maths
i'd still like to know what people do during the group exercise when the observer wants you to discuss a topic you dont know much about
also i cant remember if the physics test is actually part of the compass test, thats why i am looking for confirmation
(im not sure but i think only the mental maths questions are in the compass test and the physics question are not part of compass)
then i dont really need to revise for the physics test and can just focus on the maths
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They will more than likely look for you to have an opinion on something which is currently in the news and topical. Therefore, something along the lines of global warming and the impacts of airlines etc or whether it is morally right for a business executive to fly a private jet over scheduled flights.
As the subject is topical you really should know a little bit about it, otherwise it may come across that you are not particularly interested in the wider aviation world. Just keep up to date with aviation news and debates on forums and news websites and I'm sure you will be fine. If you do however become unstuck listen to what some of the others are saying and just show you can reason with what they are saying and come to your own conclusion from the information they may be telling you!
Just don't sit there like a plum in silence and show you have the ability to offer opinions whilst being able to accept the views of the others whilst drawing your own conclusions. Basically just show you can be a team player whilst being able to work independently!
As the subject is topical you really should know a little bit about it, otherwise it may come across that you are not particularly interested in the wider aviation world. Just keep up to date with aviation news and debates on forums and news websites and I'm sure you will be fine. If you do however become unstuck listen to what some of the others are saying and just show you can reason with what they are saying and come to your own conclusion from the information they may be telling you!
Just don't sit there like a plum in silence and show you have the ability to offer opinions whilst being able to accept the views of the others whilst drawing your own conclusions. Basically just show you can be a team player whilst being able to work independently!
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thanks
basically i searched for aviation news on google and im reading those sites
can you recommend some aviation news related sites as well?
thanks for the advice nick
but i still cant find anything on there being a physics test on the compass
all i have done so far is go through the maths and physics bits on the bitesize website
the maths test is basically multiply, divide, add, subtract, percentages and speed distance calculations (i cant rememeber if there were fractions) so if thats what all the questions will be about then i'll be fine
the only thing i'm still concerned about is the physics exam (i dont even know if it will be included in the compass test)
can someone give me topics to revise incase i have to do the physics test?
and i went on the OAT website but i seems to be down (at the moment of writing this post)
basically i searched for aviation news on google and im reading those sites
can you recommend some aviation news related sites as well?
thanks for the advice nick
but i still cant find anything on there being a physics test on the compass
all i have done so far is go through the maths and physics bits on the bitesize website
the maths test is basically multiply, divide, add, subtract, percentages and speed distance calculations (i cant rememeber if there were fractions) so if thats what all the questions will be about then i'll be fine
the only thing i'm still concerned about is the physics exam (i dont even know if it will be included in the compass test)
can someone give me topics to revise incase i have to do the physics test?
and i went on the OAT website but i seems to be down (at the moment of writing this post)