Finding the ATPL exams (due to time - challenging).. How to cope better as a DL?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: London
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Finding the ATPL exams (due to time - challenging).. How to cope better as a DL?
Hi
Not after a pat on the back or a get your act together etc.. but been trying to get into the swing of things with the ATPL Exams and finding working and having to commute to work and trying to do the ATPL's a bit of a struggle/challenge.
I commute 1 hour 25 mins (good day) - one way and back again - and have had the 'books' for just under a year (10 months) or so now. I have been through the content for Module 1 and averaging an absorption rate/progress test rate of around 70% at the moment.
The other problem is I am trying to understand the material rather than cram it.. and I think that is not working.
It is 'sporadic' at the moment and am finding keeping motivation levels up quite difficult really especially with a full days work - I am also putting a lot of pressure on myself because I am hearing people having got through 'in a year' but with DL I think that is impossible if you just get a weekend to study or sporadic evenings. I go to the consolidation sessions and see that 'one student' who is reeling off answers at the top of his head or bunches of notes and feel even more bad!
I then find out they have had the books for more than 3/4 years.. so that makes me feel better.. bit of a internal war with myself at the moment!
Just want to know how I can tackle this demon in my head and tackle motivation and study better...
Sorry for the whinge!
Not after a pat on the back or a get your act together etc.. but been trying to get into the swing of things with the ATPL Exams and finding working and having to commute to work and trying to do the ATPL's a bit of a struggle/challenge.
I commute 1 hour 25 mins (good day) - one way and back again - and have had the 'books' for just under a year (10 months) or so now. I have been through the content for Module 1 and averaging an absorption rate/progress test rate of around 70% at the moment.
The other problem is I am trying to understand the material rather than cram it.. and I think that is not working.
It is 'sporadic' at the moment and am finding keeping motivation levels up quite difficult really especially with a full days work - I am also putting a lot of pressure on myself because I am hearing people having got through 'in a year' but with DL I think that is impossible if you just get a weekend to study or sporadic evenings. I go to the consolidation sessions and see that 'one student' who is reeling off answers at the top of his head or bunches of notes and feel even more bad!
I then find out they have had the books for more than 3/4 years.. so that makes me feel better.. bit of a internal war with myself at the moment!
Just want to know how I can tackle this demon in my head and tackle motivation and study better...
Sorry for the whinge!
Last edited by Scoobster; 5th Feb 2016 at 11:08.
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: FL060
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do a timetable to see how much time you need. I did mine modular which requires 650 online theory, minus ~80 hours classroom = 570 online hours. (I am assuming you are a modular, btw.) You need to do the 570 hours in 18 months = 1.04 hours/day with the needed online timed study. I figured this out after a few months of not really concentrating and only doing it when I felt fresh. This meant I needed to do ~ 450 online hours in less than 12 months = 1 1/2 per day. So, leave out maybe 3 working days and you need to put in 7,5 hours on the weekend to keep pace. If you want to be done in a year, then more hours/day. I found that setting daily goals helps and when I did the 1,5 hours, I felt that I had accomplished something.
During the commute I had an app with questions and just thumbed through them. About 70% of the material you will never need/see again. Just ask a jet driver how to work polar stereo charts...
During the commute I had an app with questions and just thumbed through them. About 70% of the material you will never need/see again. Just ask a jet driver how to work polar stereo charts...
I did more or less all my studying on the train into work.
You will learn a lot in the brush-up phases. Not just facts but tricks to remember information too.
It took me months to feel ready for my first set of exams. It involved learning the theory, hitting the QB and doing the brush-up. Once the exams were booked it was just a case of hitting the QB right up to walking into the exam room. I don't remember seeing any questions I hadn't answered before.
After that my second and third set I did in around 2 months each. It is easier once you know how to play the game.
You will learn a lot in the brush-up phases. Not just facts but tricks to remember information too.
It took me months to feel ready for my first set of exams. It involved learning the theory, hitting the QB and doing the brush-up. Once the exams were booked it was just a case of hitting the QB right up to walking into the exam room. I don't remember seeing any questions I hadn't answered before.
After that my second and third set I did in around 2 months each. It is easier once you know how to play the game.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: BHX
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Heres my 2p. I was in a similar situation to yourself, working full time and struggling to get my head around. I took me around 10 months to sit 6 exams, lots of pressure in work, tiredness, etc and with time starting to run out I panicked! I eventually decided to go part time as things were moving just too slow. Finally after going part time, I could see a major progress, although I sat my last sitting in my 18th month and with all the pressure I was under I managed to pass all 14 exams with 90+% average.
So from my experience, If you're struggling with moving forward and understanding the subjects, take more time off and you will defo see an improvement. Good luck, its all doable..
So from my experience, If you're struggling with moving forward and understanding the subjects, take more time off and you will defo see an improvement. Good luck, its all doable..
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello, I was in same situation few years ago. I'm a system engineer (linux and Unix) working by then for Mercedes Benz on IT dept, been on call 1 week on, one week off, and did distance learning with Oxford, it took my almost 15 months to complete everything, (almost the time limit given) and used 5 of the 6 sittings, Splitted on 4 on first sitting, 3 on the second sitting, 3 and 4, and 1 (need to re-take mass and balance).
I used every single second, I posted some sheets on the toilet, so even when I was sitted there used this time to memorize items, same on the shower! Use every single second for it! there was even a time where misses was annoying me with kitchen dirty and instead of a "yes my love" I said "yes my airplane"
I used every single second, I posted some sheets on the toilet, so even when I was sitted there used this time to memorize items, same on the shower! Use every single second for it! there was even a time where misses was annoying me with kitchen dirty and instead of a "yes my love" I said "yes my airplane"
