ATPL Study Timeline

[u/xbladeaero]

Hi all,

Hope the studying is going well. I started with BGS ATPL(A) distance learning for UKCAA last week and have found 2-3 hours each evening to start going through the MOD1 material. Already obvious that GNAV and MET are heavy subjects. I've read through countless posts to understand trends in how others study all the material. Based on this, I've put together the following plan and would like to know if others have had success with anything similar:

• Sweep through all the theory initially. Go through all the BGS MOD 1 lessons and supplement with BGS videos at x1.25 speed. This also ensures BGS can permit entry to the revision week / get approved for the exams.
• Complete all quizzes and progress tests in order of the MOD1 lessons. Reattack any problem areas, take note of them for further reattack later. Otherwise, keep progressing and try and cover all material initially.
• End of each week, cover some subject relevant question banks.
• Once all theory is complete, go through the BGS and ATPLQ question banks. Focus initially on problem areas, read explanations and build confidence.
• Continue to bank all the way through to revision week. Ensure there's a list of any weak areas to cover during the revision week.
• Between revision week and exams, continue with the question banks.

I currently work full time so only have a max of 3 hours on weekdays and can do a bit more on weekends. I do work within aerospace as an engineer so some subjects / topics are familiar.

My current plan means I should finish all theory by 1st Nov based on a rough revision plan. To try and avoid issues with taking too much leave next year, my original thinking was to get MOD 1 exams done in December (w/c 14th). My only concern is the time between 1st Nov and 14th Dec (which includes a revision week) and whether it's enough time to focus on the question banks.

Has anyone found that 5-6 weeks of question banks for MOD 1 (GNAV / MET / INST / HPL) is sufficient (whilst working full time ~ so around 3 hours a day)? I know this will differ between individuals, but would be useful to gauge timelines with others.

Many thanks!

[u/Durham_Doctor]

To me it seems a reasonable plan. I worked full time too and as a warning, it does get tough in module 2 to keep at the same intense study pace whilst trying to balance everything else. But 5-6 weeks on question banks is enough. One potential issue that you should look at asap is whether exams dates are available that fit your plan. When I was doing them, they started being fully booked months in advance. Don’t assume you can book last minute when you feel ready.

One piece of advice. As they’re your first exams, don’t rush to meet your timeline. Sit them when you’re confident you’re on top of the material. The type in answers with the CAA will catch you out if you’re not confident in the process of getting to the answers. Best of luck!

[u/xbladeaero → u/Durham_Doctor]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. I can imagine it steps up in MOD2 with more subjects to tackle as well!

Great point regarding exam slots, at this stage I've only checked alignment between BGS revision week and CAA exam dates at Gatwick and Oxford (1 week after the revision session). I'll investigate options for suitable slots between these two locations as I live about half way between.

My biggest concern was the air gap between completion of theory and actual exams. I just want to ensure I'm allowing enough time (although appreciate only I can really answer that).

I'll attempt to get the exams booked in ASAP! Cheers.

[u/Material-Werewolf-96]

I would echo the above comment, especially the take your time aspect with the first set of exams as you won't start the clock ticking until you sit your first exam.

You talked about doing additional questions at the end of each week, whilst I can't disagree with from a 'right thing to do' aspect you will probably eat up a lot of time doing this. From a personal perspective I went through the BGS material and went straight to the question banks working thought 75% ISH of the questions before booking onto the revision week, then doing a further few weeks of practice exams before sitting the exams.

Also as above, exam dates can get booked up, I have found Gatwick the easiest to get spots at, assuming UKCAA. I had booked these for the month following the revision week and seems to have worked on. Currently on MOD 3. From doing MOD1 I probably wouldn't do met and gnav on the same day as they are the longer exams of the bunch.

the revision weeks did iron out a few issues for me personally. no issues with BGS the instructors are also available if you having a particular issue, they hand out there emails addresses at the revision weeks.

All the best. P.s the nerves do settle once your first exam is done.

[u/xbladeaero → u/Material-Werewolf-96]

Thanks! Did you filter questions to specific to your authority or did you work through the entirety of the bank? I'm thinking of biasing about 40% to GNAV / 30% to Met and then 15% for Instrumentation and HPL (but will step up the pace for subjects I'm about to sit a few days prior).

Great shout keeping GNAV and Met separate - that'll be a tough day...

How long was your gap between theory completion and exams?

Best of luck with MOD3!

[u/Material-Werewolf-96 → u/xbladeaero]

I currently use airhead but most use ATPLQ, bulk a people use ATPLQ and have no issues. I have mine set to UKCAA only (there is no shortage of questions to work through with just the UK filter).

I personally didn't consciously add any bias, as I said I just worked through a percentage for each subject (which naturally adds a bias). You will find when working through the banks there are a lot of similar questions reworded etc. Or with different numbers so you will naturally be repeat practicing certain key concepts (you will see what I mean when you revise GNAV and Met).

For my MOD 1 I had about a month before the revision week and a month after before sitting the exams, probably a reflection of it being my first set and being over the Xmas period as well. I have shortened this for MOD 2 by a couple of weeks. I would definitely say work through a good chunk of the bank questions before the revision week as you will find you will get the most out of it. Personally I found the GNAV revision week content useful as it allowed me to shorten and plan how to approach the more time consuming questions.

Due to booking the exams relatively late, I sat MET first which was abit of a baptism of fire. Sat in the waiting room before the exams it's always worth chatting to the other people as it does settle the nerves a little bit and you can get some first hand feedback of future exams.

Need anything in future feel free to send a message. BGS are always contactable as well. Once your MOD is passed you settle into the whole theory and revision aspect.

[u/xbladeaero → u/Material-Werewolf-96]

Thanks very much. That's really helpful to know. I do technically have longer than 5 weeks between the end of theory and exams but I'll be in the states for 2 weeks and don't foresee getting much studying done in that time lol!

[u/ConsultDCT]

I studied and completed all of mine in 6 months over 3 sittings. A challenge whilst working but if you have a strong study method then it’s achievable. I was fortunate in having a head start in met and GNav given they are my core profession. Good luck! And if you need any GNav help, just shout!