Importance of ATPL revision days before taking exams
 

Hello, I'm selecting an ATO to do a fully (or mostly) distance learning ATPL theory course. Some claim that it doesn't matter which school you choose, just pick the cheapest one. Others say it's extremely important that a school in addition to the theory itself teaches you to actually deal with all those tricky exam questions.
My final candidates with approximate prices are: ASG (~3600€), Bristol (~3000€) and Bartolini(~2500€).

AGS and Bristol are 100% distance learning, provide support during the self-study time, split the training in 3 modules and provide revision days after each module.
Bartolini provides no support during self-study and a single 18-day in-class revision session (however, I can still plan my studies in modular way).

AGS and Bartolini are using PadPilot, Bristol has their own system. Couldn't find any fresh reviews comparing the quality (since PadPilot revised their books last year and Bristol also claims to have "state-of-the-art" system, so I take it it was updated recently as well).

I'm working full time, demanding job, family, so I prefer to pass the exams in 3-4 modules spread across a 15 months, rather than attempt to do all 14 exams in a row.

Now the big question is how important are those revision days after each module and support during the studies (given similar quality of training materials). I think that theoretically, I could study 3-4 subjects then do a full revision at Bartolini to get ready for first set of exams and then be completely on my own for the rest of the studies and exams. Also I have a friend who just got his CPL and some professional pilots that I know who I might ask questions time to time + forums, so I'm not left in a complete void in a way. But then again, maybe it's worth paying more and get those revisions before each exam session and also the support from instructors during the studies?

I'd very much appreciate thoughts on revision days and during-self-study support importance and any experience for PadPilot vs Bristol. Thanks!

A very good question. The internet is full of people who will tell you to ignore the course material, ignore the revision weeks, its all about hammering the question banks. Certainly that has been true for many people when the exams were stable but, when they are not so stable, not so much, as entire courses of students at certain ATOs have discovered recently. I'll leave it to others to comment on the value or not of a sound basis in ATPL TK for future career and interviews, doubtless there are many opinions! ASG are good people.

Thanks Alex. TK is very important IMO. However, it's also important to know how to answer certain questions. Even in something as simple as PPL exams I've found quite few questions where one just has to answer what EASA wants to hear rather than what's actually right. So while the TK is undoubtedly a basis for everything, knowing how to master the exams I consider as a vital add-on.
That's why I desperately need some opinions on how important are revision days after each module and instructor's support during the DL.

A simple maxim: If the questions are known, then hammering question banks will get you through, although you may not have as good an understanding of the underlying knowledge. If the questions change from exam to exam then the only way to maximise your chance of passing is to learn the fundamentals - which can be applied to any question on that topic - plus lots of question practice to hone your exam technique.

Studying for the ATPLs will be difficult if you’re working full-time IMO, I studied for the ATPLs full-time and taking one day off per week, I had just about enough time to do a part-time shift on a Sunday (which was at a quiet shop so I could continue with my ATPL homework there). However, if you’re willing to study evenings and weekends and take no days off then you may be able to progress at a fairly good pace.
Whilst I personally studied elsewhere at a full-time ATPL groundschool, I had several friends that went through Bristol Groundschool distance-learning whom recommended it whole-heartedly due to the support, study material, feedback and refresher sessions offered prior to exams.
Good luck :ok:

Thanks Tinstaafl and AirUK !
I think I have a pretty good idea on how to tackle the studies from my side and what to expect. But I'm still confused whether those revision sessions and support from the school are that important. There are good reviews for all 3 schools' ATPL courses and people have succeeded with just one refresher session Bartolini offers and splitting the exams (like I'm planning).
It's rather the question of experience, if you would've done the ATPL's again, would you still go with one refresher session or definitely several ones before each exam sitting.
And then PadPilot vs Bristol (at least Bartolini used to use Bristol, but switched to PadPilot. Their official reasoning is PadPilot is better for the students, but reality could be they got a better deal. Nothing wrong with that, just doesn't help me to decide :D)

The 100% DL means you attend the mandatory classes online with ASG/Bristol?

Yes, all online.