Took the ASTB today and scored 48 5 6 4, I am disappointed to say the least. Having experience in aviation both as a mechanic and pilot I was expecting to do better. I have my retest date already scheduled.
Here are the questions I have:
How is the NATFI score calculated. This is the one I got the highest out of three, but I don't know what they want to "hear". These has got to be a method to this? So for all of you who got high in this portion, share the experience.
And the PBM, it was a disaster, got a 4. The joystick and throttle is really portly set up. With inverted Y axis on the joystick, I really see no purpose to it. Anyone know why is that?
Sorry to hear you're disappointed. I was also fairly discouraged when I got my scores. 55/6/8/6 but I was accepted in the July '14 boards and I am meeting with my recruiter today to get the rest of my documentation together.
I have a Bachelor's in English, haven't had a math class in about 6 years (prior to taking the ASTB). I used Barron's and an ASTB study guide I picked up from a bookstore nearby. The test definitely had some things I hadn't found anywhere except in Barron's, so I would suggest looking through that. Know your probabilities, geometry, arithmetic, and I think it's also beneficial to know proportions (questions like A paints 1/10th a house in 20 minutes, B paints 2/5th house in 30 minutes, how long for 3 houses, etc.) I should mention, I felt like I did terribly in the reading section, despite my background. Read those til your eyes bleed and know how to answer.
As for the PBM, I think it's more about responding calmly, not letting the situation drive you, but you driving the situation if that makes sense. Don't really know how to train for it or anything. I'm guessing video games helped me out a bit with that.