So I just took the ASTB from a captain in the Marines. The test was on some funky computer through APEX.net. I studied all week for this test hoping to get high scores. But i ended up getting 4/5/4 45 I want to kill myself. It was a waste of a week. Also the internet he was using for the computerized version was some verizon chip card and I felt more time constrained because of the lag on the laptop. What can I do to get my scores up?! Should i get barons book? I want to kill myself right now.
Search the forums here such as this one (see below), utilize the gouge, and study more than a week... http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/43-ASTB
#1 -- Settle the fuck down. #2 -- Search for "ASTB" on the site. Lotta good information #3 -- I'm assuming this is hyperbole, BUT if you're gonna freak out like this over everything, do not go into the military (especially not Naval Aviation). #4 -- Take it again. Oh yeah, and don't kill yourself (#5).
First of all, stop being so dramatic and get a grip. And saying you want to "kill yourself" is not a funny thing to say or joke about..... If you want to do better, stop making excuses for the internet or whatever else it was. If it was REALLY THAT BAD, find a way to take the paper version. How did you study beforehand if you didnt get a book? Also if you only put in a week for a test that could possibly determine your future, then that's bad on you, unless you're awesome at memorizing or can pick up on things quickly. Anyways, if you want to do better, search this site for what others have used to study, who have done well. Get any kind of book/study materials you can and study your ass off until you feel like you're better prepared. Go and have a beer or something and calm down. I know you're disappointed or whatever, but saying you want to kill yourself right now, is a bit over the top....especially for your first post/intro onto this site.
To emphasize what everyone else already said... really? You only studied for a week? Unless you're a physics, engineering, mathematics major, why on Earthy would you only study for a week?
But still, not everyone uses math or mechanics in their everyday lives. Especially after learning that stuff in high school and getting into college if you don't have a technical degree. You need to study to brush up on it and get used to the timing on the test. It's easy to forget how to do simple trig/precalculus algebra if you haven't done it in a while. Oh and at least for the ANIT and spatial apperception parts you can definitely study those. That said, you're right, it is an aptitude test. You'll only go so far with studying.
I took the test with absolutely no warning, and I have never taken a calculus course, or a college science course of any kind. The only part I felt unprepared for was nautical terms and questions like which side of a ship has a red light and which side has a green light. Maybe I got lucky. Back to the original post, stop being dramatic. You have other chances. Search this site, find some study gouge and try again.
I think a lot of OSO's recommend putting 1 week into studying, especially if you're a science/math/engineering major. For most people its more than enough time to get the mins. The OP isn't too far off.
There is a difference between getting the mins and getting a score worth looking at. Right now- The mins probably aren't gunna cut it to get picked up. And OP- If you are going to get all spooled up about stuff and go off talking about killing yourself to a bunch of strangers- Don't bother with the test again...The military won't suit you.
Dam right. I took the test with no warning at all. At the same time, smart OSO's gouge up their guys for the test but shit a week should have been enough time. At the OP: STOP BEING A WHINY LITTLE BITCH
OP, I'll continue to beat the horse: 1. Calm the hell down. It's not the end of the world; it's just a test. Get a study guide/gouge and take it again. (The ASTB isn't rocket surgery, and the study guides/gouge out there will help steer you towards the type of test that the ASTB is. The test is a lot of "technique.") 2. Air Warriors has a metric ton of such advice and information - check out the site and see what it has to offer. 3. Do not joke about wanting to kill yourself. Those of us in "The Biz" take such statements very, very seriously. If it's just you being overly dramatic, knock it off. If you're really that despondent, you need to seek help. Now.
What everyone else said. In addition, I am a mech. engineering major, and I still found that 2 weeks of study were crucial to my success on the test. Its very important to brush up on any topics you may have already covered in your prior education, and also to learn the new material (spatial app, aviation/nautical knowledge). Would I have passed without the extensive prep? Probably. Would I have done anywhere near as well as I did without having studied? Hell no. Use the search button, stop whining, get some study books, and remember that you control your own destiny - success or failure.
How do these new scores work... I got a 7 7 5 8 7 in '93 or so, never knew what the hell it meant then either.
Use the search function. There's a lot of information on the board and google. For instance, I found this within .16 seconds after googling "ASTB scoring". (Pumped I got to say that to an established member of the board, hahahaha).
Dead day today. And dont act like everyone here wouldnt have done the same thing. But, yeah... Otto's probably right.
5 years ago, I bet the gouge on the internet wasn't as widely available as it is now (and 20 years ago, there probably was no gouge). I'd venture to say that people now are more prepared than they were 5 or 10 years ago. So for those saying that the test is an aptitude test and they walked in and had no issues, you may be right -- for when you took the test. Since it's scored on a bell curve and you could probably assume people are better prepared for it, an individual's preparation for it is becoming increasingly important. So just because you didn't need to study for it 10 years ago, doesn't mean someone now shouldn't. Also, who knows what impact the state of the economy has on the ASTB. It's possible that a larger proportion of physics, math, and engineering whizzes are attempting to gain entry in the military than in previous years, bumping up the curve (although, it's also possible that more idiots are trying as well).
Three F-ups quoted above. 1. You were pumped for acting like a douche? Your post was equivalent to shitting on a BTDT dude as the FNG in the ready room. I can't wait to see your HW/SA grades. 2. Everyone here DIDN'T do the same thing...bad assumption...root word "ass?" 3. Otto is rarely right. Read...listen...speak when spoken to. You have much to learn young padawan.
