So, my girlfriend in D.C. just took the ASTB and said it was more like an engineering exam. She said there were loudspeakers going off, people talking on speaker phones, and loud noise outside the test room door, and she had to re-read questions 3 or 4 times simply because of the noise factor. She didn't do well (40) and she's in a Masters Math program (student). She also said Math questions were difficult to read on the computer. Just wondering what other females have experienced. If you care to share, whether you took the ASTB once or twice, and minus the noisy environments, what were your feelings about the test? Did you take the paper/pencil version or computer version? Level of engineering vs. mechanical? Did any of your male counterparts you know do better on the test? Females only need respond, thanks guys~ Yes, I'm an enquiring mind.
Are you saying males have an advantage in a loud test taking environment or when questions are presented on a computer screen?
ASTB wasn't that bad, but I'm just a Poli Sci guy....aren't females much more smarter than males anyways?
She can't get her head in the game because someone on speaker phone is too distracting and she wants a job where performance is most crucial when there are guns firing, people yelling, sirens, and explosions? I'm not sure which part of this is specific to females, unless you're implying women suck at engineering tests or something.
She should contact NOMI to report the testing facility as not in compliance with the proper testing procedures. The ASTB testing guidance is quite clear on noise levels, setup, breaks, etc. Regardless if she was female, she shouldn't have had to deal with distractions during the testing. -ea6bflyr
I took the ASVAB years ago when I first came in and didn't have near the experience "D.C." went through. It was quiet, everyone was doing the same thing. She said it was like being in a grocery store and announcements going off every other minute, phones ringing and people talking on speaker phones at the loudest possible levels. Not everything in the Navy is great, we move a lot, we change communities, but when it comes to something simple, as taking a test, I think a good testing environment and supportive community can help deliver positive results. At least that's what I'm reading from this site. I appreciate the advice on NOMI. I'll forward that onto her. Thanks EA6Blfyer. Thanks, guys! And I was more curious what females thought about the test vs. males are better test takers than females. Heavy male community, was looking for the femmes to step up to the plate and offer some feedback. Guess they're too busy doing their nailz.
Don't hold your breath. Logic seems a little absent here. ODSCanidate: If she had a problem she should of said something. If they didn't listen she should of reported them. If she can't handle a little noise like a supermarket, while taking a test, she might not know what she is getting into. I hope she gets a second chance if the environment really was worse then what your explaining. However, this has nothing to do with male vs. female. The only part of this that is sexually biased seems to be the way you asked a question. If a guy went through this, the problem is exactly the same. (When i took the ASTB I was in the middle of the office with phones, people, and meps right outside.)
Sorry, still don't see it. At all. What does being a female in a male-dominated career field have to do with test-taking in a bad environment? I don't see what type of female response would be any more relevant than male. I don't really mean to pick on you, ODS, but it really bugs me when folks start parsing the female/male card. For any reason, much less one as lame as this. It's a test. We all have to take it. Nothing to do with anything that could possibly be construed as what could/should be different standard for females vs. males (like the PRT), if that makes any sense. There is simply no reason to solicit input from one sex vice the other except to try to build some sort of argument or theory suggesting females have it worse for whatever stupid reason. ETA: HH-60H, I don't think Afterburner was trying to sympathize with me, not attack me, if that makes a difference. We seem to be saying the same thing.
Sorry I didn't specify who I was talking to in my second paragraph. I fixed it. P3 FO: Your right on.
P3 FO "I was more curious what females thought about the test vs. males are better test takers than females." That seems pretty clear to me. I never said anything should be better or different and didn't mention anything about females having it worse. Not sure where that is coming from. You might be reading a little too much into the thread. " ... solicit input from one sex vice the other except to try to build some sort of argument or theory suggesting females have it worse for whatever stupid reason." I simply asked the female community to step up to the plate and offer input on the test. I'm just seeking feedback, which they seem completely absent with. There's only one person who is trying to build an argument or solicit a sexual argument here, and it's not me. Here's the very simple logic: I wanted female input on their test taking experiences. I was purely interested in measuring their experiences because there is a ton from the male community on it. Thanks for the feedback, ODS
Gee, what a lucky woman your girlfriend is. :eyeroll And, simply by asking what the female perspective vice the male perspective is, you are implying that there are different perspectives and that females will experience the test differently than males. If you don't think one group experiences the test differently, why would you ask for feedback from one group, or want to Measure that groups experience?
Wow, it may just be one of those days, but I'm still confused. What were you hoping to learn from this information?
I think on average there is no difference. However, I believe I once heard that you find more males at the edges of the bell curve, with more women in the middle. ? Women do better in school, and more are enrolled in college.
Gender has no bearing on how you do on tests. Maybe for fifth graders taking a math or english test, because some scientist at some university says girls are better at whatever or boys are better at whatever. But when we get to this level, and you start thinking gender affects test results... negative. No. Intelligence, now that is a factor. Gender, no. When I took the ASTB it was in a quiet testing room/closet with the door propped open and someone typing and occasionally talking on the phone. My guess is that as an NFO there will be slightly more distraction than that when participating in "critical thinking exercises" in the field. Just a guess, jets and helos are kind of loud.
For all you out there who think that this is being sexist... it's not. There have been studies showing that the way tests are worded actually affects the performances. Men and women have different ways of thinking about a problem and the wording does matter. But I'm with your girlfriend: My situation wasn't ideal but you have to be able to deal with it because in the real word the ideal situation never comes around. I had a fairly average score but it was a little on the high side. I'm a mathematical person too and the ASTB wasn't the easiest thing for me either. The wording is not the way that we girls think and it does make a difference. I retook the test and did about the same, even after studying. I don't know how much that will help. Good luck to her though.
I want proof of that claim, until then I'm calling BS. And even if you do find proof, I'm still not sure I'm going to put too much stock in it because the Navy has a special way of wording all their test that make them difficult to understand (API anyone?). They are designed that way to test your complete understanding of the subject matter. It takes a few attempts at these tests before you're able to understand what answer the test is looking for without reading over the question repeatedly.
OK no. It's been more than a few years since I took the ASTB, but USNA-style we (men and women) were told about a day before and we all sat in a big quiet room together and took the test. I dunno, I think there were maybe 5 women in the room. FWIW, I remember only 1 of my female friends had to retake the test to get the required scores and a bunch of guys did. It was easier for engineering majors.
I'm ringing the BS bell on this one too. The wording isn't how you think? When someone asks a question, you answer it. How does the wording of asking someone which gear is going to move faster affect gender? Educate me if I'm out of line here.
