ATSB and the Marine Corps

That is a relief. Thank you both for the explanations, it makes much more sense now. I was looking at the diagram differently, assuming the anchor was attached and that the string was non-sliding at the top. The picture just left me wondering exactly what was even going on.

I was wondering about that one myself. Once looking closer, the question says "the string" which implies one string...then it made sense.

Yeah, then I wondered why they gave you a specific point on the string. That is useless when it is a single string, because the tension will be the same at any point. Oh well, as long as the exam itself isn't that vague.

For the ASTB, in general, the questions are not about memorizing all the questions. It's all about understanding them. (Ask why, when you don't get something.) This is not saying every question in math and mechanical are tricks, but several can be (with it being multiple choice, it really isn't that tricky. One or two will trick you up, but the others you will notice).

I can't give away too much, just for that problem understand it as if the rope is going through a pulley with a MA of 1: the tension is the "same" amount on either side, for each respective box location. I know the pulley equivalent is a strech, but it helped my mind think about it "logically." Because before that I was thinking, "is this answer wrong or my intuition?"

Did that all make any sense at all?

Yeah it makes sense. The bad picture is really all that threw me off, because as mentioned above there are many ways to look at it and each way will lead to a different answer.

For the Marines, assuming the ASTB is still pass/fail at 4,6,6: does it help if you scored higher? (I got a 7,7,8.) Or do they just look at the rest of your package ("whole person") and as far as the ASTB goes only see that that you "passed?

I am applying for the Navy only as a pilot. I ask because both the Navy and the Marine corps are the branches I am considering, but overall my package isn't as strong as it could be (2.9 GPA, not the greatest work experience). I understand if you guys want nothing to do with me, as I know that only the "few" can make it as Marine officers and pilots (2 uncles were in the Marines, and they instilled the respect that is "demanded"), but your input would be well recieved. Thank you.

6's and 7's my friends, if you want to be competitive. Don't even concider the minimums - they're the same as failing. Recruiters have told me that the board laughs at threshhold scores. Fuel is up and planes are down so slots are limited (so I hear). At the same time I'm just a regular dude doing research just like everybody else. Also, I've been told that there are no pilot slots left for NAVY/USMC. I'm not sayin give up but definitely be an Einstein.

Just to chime in, I did have a few questions similar to this one - but don't worry, they know that they're asking a lot of questions in a short amount of time. So when you read the question, just try to think of what the simplest solution would be, and from what I've seen, that's probably right. GL on the test.

HAHAHA. I'd say thats a bit harsh, but nonetheless, if you study it is not difficult to achieve a solid score.

Thanks Crowbar. I was waiting until someone with real experience would answer. No offense, Gabriel.

Yeah, I know there is always a need for pilots. And that the Marines often allow more selections to cover the higher attrition rates in Marine-OCS and TBS.

First, for me, I'm not a quiter and I would be 100% loyal to either the Navy or Marines. They are both steeped in tradition/history and are the "tip of the spear" (with the Marines probably edging out for the very "tip"). Also, I would not at all be opposed to flying helos.

If any one who has been selected can chim in, my origional question: "As far as selection, does it help to have higher ASTB scores for your packet, or do they only see if you passed? I have a 7,7,8, and an OAR 58, but the rest of my packet could be much stronger (GPA, work experience and extracurriculars in college could all be better- I had a lot of extracurriculars in high school though, and I've done community service "sparringly" over the last 9 years) and I was wondering if the ASTB score could "level the playing field" for me.

For Marines its pass/fail. OSOs hand out 1 point waivers all the time and, believe it or not, I have met many potential Candidates who couldnt pass it.

You really should be talking to an OSO about your chances rather then this forum. Nobody here can tell you definitively if you will get selected or not. So call your local OSO and show him you have the fortitude to be a Marine Officer. His positive evaluation of you will help your chances a lot.

Jeez, I'm a nuke and I didn't think that hard about the question.

I would've picked B.

Yeah, I just looked at it and imagined holding the string at point X.

B is farther away from the fulcrum, hence it has more leverage, exerting more force on X.

...but what do I know? I majored in Business.

Recently took Form 5 of the ASTB, and nothing similar to that.

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The first question with the ramp and spring, is way to easy for the ASTB mechanical section, without friction it would fly 2.85 feet into the air above the ramp, and progressively go higher up until it reached the Exosphere, the wind shifts it, or it hits an airplane. Give us a challenge man. :icon_tong

The second question of find the hypotenuse really is easy. It's 25, right?

I don't get the third one -So I'd mark choice C.) Describes body decomposition down to the skeleton, then to oil where mass stays constant (eg. Mass cannot be completely "destroyed" since matter can not).

The last one with the cat color is black; thankfully they cut back the genetics problems but I happened to get that one on my verbal section. Haha. Lucky me, of course it's a black female cat (I'm a feline-vagina checker myself). Haha, just having some fun.

Reply to Pass or Fail

Hey, this is my first post and I know its been a few years since this question was indoctrinated but when I took it its "pass or fail" in a sense. If you want to be a pilot you need a certain score with a 6/5/5. I took it a month ago and in the first category I was 1 point below. This was for the Marines and I am going to have to take it again. That was just my experience, if anyone has anything different please let me know.

I got the mark of the devil score: 6/6/6

My OSO has said 4/6/6.

Hi, I just recently took the ASTB and passed with 6/6/7 60. I'm not sure exactly what the cutoffs were, but I believe a 5 was in there somewhere. I'm going down to Pensacola some time this week before shipping out to Marine OCS.

I hope I pass the physical. I'd like to fly the F35B's when they hit.

Enjoy the journey. OCS is a good time

Haha, I like what you did with the "steps." Hilarious.

I'm leaving for OCS this week and secured an Air contract with a 5/6/5. I think that actually is the minimum.

I think that is the min for NFO, I believe Pilot is lower.