Failed most of my ATPL exams, what should I do?
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Failed most of my ATPL exams, what should I do?
Hey everyone. I'm a part of an integrated course at a UK flight school (no previous flight experience) and I had my second sitting of 5 exams last week. Sadly, I failed all 5 of these. In my first sitting back in June I only had 3 exams (passed 2, failed 1) so sadly it's likely I will be getting kicked off this course I am currently on, with 6 fails out of 8 exams. I have seen that BA have opened a funded course. Do you think it would be a good idea to apply? Or is the dream of becoming a pilot well and truly finished for me and I should perhaps find something else?
Also is there any thoughts on any other type of training that might suit me more? The thing that scares me about BA is doing ground school in 7 months which is such a short time. My current (soon to be ex) flight school does ground school in 10 months, and I even found the pace of that to be quite high.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post
Also is there any thoughts on any other type of training that might suit me more? The thing that scares me about BA is doing ground school in 7 months which is such a short time. My current (soon to be ex) flight school does ground school in 10 months, and I even found the pace of that to be quite high.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post
What UK flight school are you with? I'm a qualified ATPL TKI and am surprised that your were put forward for the exams when you clearly weren't ready. Everyone learns at a different pace and I've worked privately with students, on a one to one basis, to get them successfully through their exams at the 4th attempt! The 'hot house' environment of integrated training doesn't suit everyone, you should seriously consider modular. Don't give up, ATPL exams are hard work but not impossible to pass. If you're having trouble understanding a particular subject then there are plenty of TKI's who can offer private tuition if needs be.
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I don't think a BA application would be productive right now given that you have just hit an issue, they are sure to find out. My first questions would be (i) how did the rest of your class get on? In other words, are you obviously underperforming your peers? (ii) what sort of marks did you get and (iii) do you have a feeling as to why you failed??
Many years ago, I did my integrated full-time ATPL course at a well known UK flight school, in about 18 months, which obviously included all the flying, (in the UK), as well as the simulator work and all the ground school.
I commuted rather than staying on site, so was up at 0600 every week day, home again at 1800, and after tea, worked until 2200 every week day evening, going over my notes and practicing questions. I also worked a few hours on Saturdays.
I only (just) failed one exam - getting 74% and passing it on the second attempt - and had a very high average pass mark for all the other exams. I might have gone a bit over the top and possibly did a little too much work, but there is a lot of work to get through and I was funding myself through the course, so could not afford to fail.
Did you undertake a similar work load? If so, maybe flying is not for you. If not, maybe do more preparation?
Also, as others have said, why did your school put you forward for exams, as you are clearly not ready.
I commuted rather than staying on site, so was up at 0600 every week day, home again at 1800, and after tea, worked until 2200 every week day evening, going over my notes and practicing questions. I also worked a few hours on Saturdays.
I only (just) failed one exam - getting 74% and passing it on the second attempt - and had a very high average pass mark for all the other exams. I might have gone a bit over the top and possibly did a little too much work, but there is a lot of work to get through and I was funding myself through the course, so could not afford to fail.
Did you undertake a similar work load? If so, maybe flying is not for you. If not, maybe do more preparation?
Also, as others have said, why did your school put you forward for exams, as you are clearly not ready.
Be realistic. You already know what you should do. You won't pass the selection for any kind of sponsored programme. Yes, you could keep trying until you pass, and yes there are people out there less capable than you who are flying jets but you asked the question, which means you have doubts.
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The posters above are very well experienced to be able to assist.
However, having had peers struggle with exams during our course (integrated, from first lesson to final exams 6 months); those that struggled continued relentlessly to push their way through. At an integrated school you would've passed a selection that would've involved showing your competency in some of the base line skills and motivation required to complete the course in a short amount of time.
As Uplinker mentions (although I couldn't imagine doing it whilst commuting!) - it really is really hard work. Every ounce you have must be committed to it. I would look over a couple of bits for 20 mins in the morning whilst getting ready, we would be in class from 8am to 5pm, stay for half an hour or so to go over some bits with TKIs (they were always willing to assist at my ATO and took pride in their students' successes, and any TKI worth their weight will be the same). Go home, work, write flash cards on everything covered that day, throw some rubbish in the oven for 30 mins, work, eat, work until about 10pm. And you do it all over again the next day. Friday nights we would go on a night out in town till late, but then dedicate the whole weekend to studying everything we had covered so far. It really is hard work, and takes a lot of time. I was lucky in the fact I was very young, no dependants, I had nothing else to worry about; those with families struggled more naturally, but made their way through still. You cannot have any preconception that it's easy as you know about flying stuff from your own interest, and certainly no cockiness (this doesn't sound like you at all though) - those that were like that did absolutely crumble and swiftly got shown the door or took themselves there.
If this doesn't sound like how you are working, then you may want think about it, and find something to motivate you to do so.
I really hope you can push through this, and your ATO can keep you onboard. Always ask for help from your TKIs. Consider going if the pace is what is killing you.
I too am intrigued as to what ATO put you through to your ATPL exams when you weren't ready. We strictly had to pass progress tests to a good standard to be put forward for the exams, otherwise a bit of extra tuition, or be held back on to a later course (was quite common actually).
Don't feel disheartened, make the dream happen!
However, having had peers struggle with exams during our course (integrated, from first lesson to final exams 6 months); those that struggled continued relentlessly to push their way through. At an integrated school you would've passed a selection that would've involved showing your competency in some of the base line skills and motivation required to complete the course in a short amount of time.
As Uplinker mentions (although I couldn't imagine doing it whilst commuting!) - it really is really hard work. Every ounce you have must be committed to it. I would look over a couple of bits for 20 mins in the morning whilst getting ready, we would be in class from 8am to 5pm, stay for half an hour or so to go over some bits with TKIs (they were always willing to assist at my ATO and took pride in their students' successes, and any TKI worth their weight will be the same). Go home, work, write flash cards on everything covered that day, throw some rubbish in the oven for 30 mins, work, eat, work until about 10pm. And you do it all over again the next day. Friday nights we would go on a night out in town till late, but then dedicate the whole weekend to studying everything we had covered so far. It really is hard work, and takes a lot of time. I was lucky in the fact I was very young, no dependants, I had nothing else to worry about; those with families struggled more naturally, but made their way through still. You cannot have any preconception that it's easy as you know about flying stuff from your own interest, and certainly no cockiness (this doesn't sound like you at all though) - those that were like that did absolutely crumble and swiftly got shown the door or took themselves there.
If this doesn't sound like how you are working, then you may want think about it, and find something to motivate you to do so.
I really hope you can push through this, and your ATO can keep you onboard. Always ask for help from your TKIs. Consider going if the pace is what is killing you.
I too am intrigued as to what ATO put you through to your ATPL exams when you weren't ready. We strictly had to pass progress tests to a good standard to be put forward for the exams, otherwise a bit of extra tuition, or be held back on to a later course (was quite common actually).
Don't feel disheartened, make the dream happen!
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Hey everyone. I'm a part of an integrated course at a UK flight school (no previous flight experience) and I had my second sitting of 5 exams last week. Sadly, I failed all 5 of these. In my first sitting back in June I only had 3 exams (passed 2, failed 1) so sadly it's likely I will be getting kicked off this course I am currently on, with 6 fails out of 8 exams. I have seen that BA have opened a funded course. Do you think it would be a good idea to apply? Or is the dream of becoming a pilot well and truly finished for me and I should perhaps find something else?
Also is there any thoughts on any other type of training that might suit me more? The thing that scares me about BA is doing ground school in 7 months which is such a short time. My current (soon to be ex) flight school does ground school in 10 months, and I even found the pace of that to be quite high.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post
Also is there any thoughts on any other type of training that might suit me more? The thing that scares me about BA is doing ground school in 7 months which is such a short time. My current (soon to be ex) flight school does ground school in 10 months, and I even found the pace of that to be quite high.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post
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Hey everyone. I'm a part of an integrated course at a UK flight school (no previous flight experience) and I had my second sitting of 5 exams last week. Sadly, I failed all 5 of these. In my first sitting back in June I only had 3 exams (passed 2, failed 1) so sadly it's likely I will be getting kicked off this course I am currently on, with 6 fails out of 8 exams. I have seen that BA have opened a funded course. Do you think it would be a good idea to apply? Or is the dream of becoming a pilot well and truly finished for me and I should perhaps find something else?
Also is there any thoughts on any other type of training that might suit me more? The thing that scares me about BA is doing ground school in 7 months which is such a short time. My current (soon to be ex) flight school does ground school in 10 months, and I even found the pace of that to be quite high.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post
Also is there any thoughts on any other type of training that might suit me more? The thing that scares me about BA is doing ground school in 7 months which is such a short time. My current (soon to be ex) flight school does ground school in 10 months, and I even found the pace of that to be quite high.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post
I also find it quite weird you were set up for the exams when you clearly weren't ready. However, it is not too late!
If you really want to be a pilot and that's your only dream in life, you should not give up! Do it all over again and do it successfully! Maybe modular would be a good option for you, you can do it all in your own pace, save up money and pay as you go. Modular also tends to be less stressful than integrated.
Perseverance is one of the most important qualities of a pilot! One who keeps fighting and never gives up.
Good luck! Hope it all works out for you at the end!
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Set backs happen, if this is truly your pasion you will find it within you to make it happen. Maybe you just need to find your pace and taylor your study. You got this!
