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1,001 questions about the ASTB (post your scores & ask your questions here!)

I

II Sevv

Member
Genuine question here: I’m primarily interested in the marine corps route so have only looked at SNA. On the navy side, what makes someone want to go NFO over SNA? The “lower” barriers to entry?
 
T

The2ndworst

Active Member
II Sevv said:
Genuine question here: I’m primarily interested in the marine corps route so have only looked at SNA. On the navy side, what makes someone want to go NFO over SNA? The “lower” barriers to entry?
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I’m going for it primarly out of an interest in being an EWO.
 
O

Owen K 19

New Member
mcwisconsin said:
Biked over to my local University's NROTC building this morning to take the ASTB for my first time. I probably studied for an average of 2 hours a day for the past week. My OR gave me the option to take the test at a later date, but that would've required me to drive ~2 hours away. (kinda wish I waited and had more time to study though)

Applying for SNA
Scores: 59/6/5/6
GPA: 3.71, B.S. Cartography/GIS and Geophysics

Math: I studied for this section pretty well I thought, but most of my studying went towards "solve for x" types of questions (like John and Jill are painting a house at 2 different rates, how long does it take for them to finish painting a house). I mostly focused on these types of questions because I was under the impression that these would be the most prominent, but they weren't. I didn't have any matrices or logs. Had a few probability questions and on sale type questions. This section ended with 19 minutes remaining, so I don't think I did too hot on it.

Reading: Didn't really study for this because I've always been pretty good at reading portions of standardized tests. Some were very easy and others were not. I was not prepared that all of the passages would be Navy/military focused. That type of reading made it extremely boring. The program crashed during this section and my OR was thinking I might have to start the entire thing over again. Thankfully, he was able to bring the exam back up.

Mech: I just took 2 semesters of general physics so I didn't study this section much. I think I did pretty well.

ANIT: I used the cram cards to study for this one. I knew 60 or 70% of the answers, but I probably only had ~12 questions on this section. I was surprised by how quick this section was.

UAV: I think I got 4 wrong and probably averaged about 4 or 5 seconds. I thought that was pretty good until I came here and read other people's averages. I used the compass trick - I probably could've made this section go faster if I did everything in my head.

Stick/Throttle/Listening: I definitely messed up the first section or 2 of the listening part. I was under the impression that the exam was set up like Jantzen's (idk how to spell his name) simulator, but it was slightly different. I read the instructions at least twice over but I guess I just misunderstood them. I figured it out during the second listening portion. I feel like this mistake definitely lowered my scores. The stick/throttle was pretty straightforward. Using the joystick is a much different feeling that using the mouse on Jantzen's simulator. Like the post above mine says, I would consider buying one for if/when I retake.

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I'm pleased with my score on the OAR, but I was hoping my other 3 scores would be higher. I would broaden the type of math to be studied (exponents, functions, converting between radians and degrees, etc) instead of just focusing on the "solve for x" problems. The UAV and stick/throttle/listening portions could also be improved upon easily. Even though I did pretty "average" on this exam, I'm happy I took it because now I know what to expect for next time.
I still have a year before I graduate so I'm thinking I might apply for the August board - If I get rejected then I'll retake the ASTB later on and reapply for SNA.
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What are the cram cards? I see so many sets. Which one in particular did you use?
 
M

Mani3140

New Member
Hi Everyone,

I took the ASTB last year and looking to start studying again soon. However, I am interested in becoming a SWO, but I took the ASTB already. Do I have to look into aviation considering SWO is just the OAR?

Thank you,
 
FormerRecruitingGuru

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
Mani3140 said:
Hi Everyone,

I took the ASTB last year and looking to start studying again soon. However, I am interested in becoming a SWO, but I took the ASTB already. Do I have to look into aviation considering SWO is just the OAR?

Thank you,
Click to expand...

This is a great question to ask your officer recruiter
 
J

jew56

New Member
For the reading comprehension section on the OAR, does anybody have any guides or practice test to use for this section? Understanding that the reading section is all navy related.
 
I

II Sevv

Member
jew56 said:
For the reading comprehension section on the OAR, does anybody have any guides or practice test to use for this section? Understanding that the reading section is all navy related.
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Honestly, I don’t think there’s any “best” way to study for it. All of the documents I got were random navy documents taken out of context with extremely poorly worded answers. You really can’t study to answer the questions but you could definitely practice reading official documents to improve your comprehension. I had quite a few questions where I struggled to answer them simply because the passage didn’t make any sense to me.
 
bcal

bcal

Well-Known Member
jew56 said:
For the reading comprehension section on the OAR, does anybody have any guides or practice test to use for this section? Understanding that the reading section is all navy related.
Click to expand...
The best way to prepare for the reading section is by reading. Read all kinds of books, articles, etc. I would read aviation articles, read the book “infinitesimal”, just random books. However, the best thing IMO is the reading section on the practice ASTB the recruiter gives you. That’s the closest thing to the real thing that I’ve found
 
elariosa95

elariosa95

SNA (A-Pool)
jew56 said:
For the reading comprehension section on the OAR, does anybody have any guides or practice test to use for this section? Understanding that the reading section is all navy related.
Click to expand...
I've heard that looking up GRE and LSAT reading comprehension sections is a good way to prep for that part.
 
L

ladyxrogue

New Member
Hi.

I was recommended to this forum. I do remember taking the OAR back in 2019 and 2020. I believe the first time I took it I got a 35 and then a 38. I didn't really study at all and I kind of just decided to take it. This time will be the last time I am able to take it. Do you guys have any recommendations for study material? I did a few practice tests. I am fine with Math. Mechanical Comprehension is what is messing me up. I am trying to get into the SWO community. I do have my BS in Computer Information Systems and MS in Cybersecurity. GPA was 3.8 and 3.7 respectively. My age will need a waiver for SWO since I just turned 31. I am worried because this is definitely something I have been wanting to do since before I enlisted. My main concern is that my spouse is also in the Navy, so I am worried about colocation and if our lifestyle would change.
 
J

jew56

New Member
vanitydawnnn said:
Hi.

I was recommended to this forum. I do remember taking the OAR back in 2019 and 2020. I believe the first time I took it I got a 35 and then a 38. I didn't really study at all and I kind of just decided to take it. This time will be the last time I am able to take it. Do you guys have any recommendations for study material? I did a few practice tests. I am fine with Math. Mechanical Comprehension is what is messing me up. I am trying to get into the SWO community. I do have my BS in Computer Information Systems and MS in Cybersecurity. GPA was 3.8 and 3.7 respectively. My age will need a waiver for SWO since I just turned 31. I am worried because this is definitely something I have been wanting to do since before I enlisted. My main concern is that my spouse is also in the Navy, so I am worried about colocation and if our lifestyle would change.
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I keep seeing people talk about age waivers, what exactly is a bad age to join? Thought the cut off was 36 years old? I turn 23 in June.
 
I

II Sevv

Member
vanitydawnnn said:
Hi.

I was recommended to this forum. I do remember taking the OAR back in 2019 and 2020. I believe the first time I took it I got a 35 and then a 38. I didn't really study at all and I kind of just decided to take it. This time will be the last time I am able to take it. Do you guys have any recommendations for study material? I did a few practice tests. I am fine with Math. Mechanical Comprehension is what is messing me up. I am trying to get into the SWO community. I do have my BS in Computer Information Systems and MS in Cybersecurity. GPA was 3.8 and 3.7 respectively. My age will need a waiver for SWO since I just turned 31. I am worried because this is definitely something I have been wanting to do since before I enlisted. My main concern is that my spouse is also in the Navy, so I am worried about colocation and if our lifestyle would change.
Click to expand...
Send me your email and I’ll send you a whole folder of study materials. I can’t speak to the navy side as I am going marines but I know for a fact my OSO has given out age waivers for air contracts. I also know that on the marine side GPA doesn’t seem to be very important as I know student aviators as well as current pilots who had low 3 GPA’s in non-technical degrees.
 
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