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

[ChrisF11]

1. X52 should be mapped in accordance with the Jantzen sim keyboard setup, you can take a look at the instructions page. Just remember that its a negative transfer for the joystick meaning moving down on the Y axis means you will go up and moving up on the Y axis means you will go down but left is left and right is right.

2. Yes the $10 will pop up when you try to use it
The joystick mapper is pretty intuitive but if you hit a hurdle there are youtube videos that can help you out. The caveat of the Joystick mapper is that the throttle has a HUGE deadzone so you'll really have to push up and down on the throttle to get the target to move and you can't adjust it since the controls are keyboard keys (you'll see what I mean). The jantzen sim will automatically have the fuel and engine knobs calibrated however, they are backwards so keep that in mind while you practice. Also this is pretty annoying but move your dock to the left of your screen so it doesn't interfere while you practice.

I know you said that you're finishing up math and mech but try to fit this in where you can, all you really need is 30 min starting out and when you're really good you'll only need 15 minutes because its second nature. This is something I really focused on during my studying (OAR in the morning, ANIT flashcards ,UAV and terrain at work, PBM at night).

This can get really stressful and overwhelming when you integrate DLT and emergency procedures. So when you're starting out you'll want to do only throttle for 3-5 minutes and then work on your stick, you'll want to work up to the hardest difficulty and consistently hit below 130. Then both at the same time once that gets boring integrate DLT and emergency procedures.

Thank you so much for the breakdown, it doesn't seem as daunting now. I'll definitely start practicing the PBM just to get started.

Really appreciate all of this!

 

[Apin0531]

Hi everyone!

I have a quick question for those who have recently taken the OAR or ASTB. I took the exam a few months ago and am planning to retake it soon. My memory is a little fuzzy, but I could’ve sworn there was a formula sheet or formula bar on the side of the screen during the math section. Am I remembering that right? And if so, do you happen to remember which formulas were included? Just want to make sure I’m not imagining things before I start studying again. Thanks in advance!

 

[elariosa95]

Hi everyone!

I have a quick question for those who have recently taken the OAR or ASTB. I took the exam a few months ago and am planning to retake it soon. My memory is a little fuzzy, but I could’ve sworn there was a formula sheet or formula bar on the side of the screen during the math section. Am I remembering that right? And if so, do you happen to remember which formulas were included? Just want to make sure I’m not imagining things before I start studying again. Thanks in advance!

Yeah there's a formula sheet, but I don't remember what's on it. Probably some trig identities and some others stuff like areas and volumes of shapes

 

[jayhtx]

Yo!! I took the ASTB today for the first time today and qualify for I-SEL.

OAR - 51
AQR - 7
PFAR - 8
FOFAR - 7
LPSS - 66
GPA - 3.1
Major: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Flight Hours: 30

I work full time Monday-Friday so I studied after work. About 2 and a half hours a day. Finished the ASTBE Prep App as my foundation and utilized YouTube and Quizlet to supplement topics I wasn't too familiar with. Last 2 days of studying went to the Gomez Drive primarily.

Honestly the test is a blur but here's what I can come up with so I can pay it forward.

Math- Don't get hung up on studying wordy problems. It's rather straight forward. Understand the concepts and understand how to create math equations to solve the answer. Formulas given to you for any volume questions.

Reading was incredibly boring, I ran out of time. Don't take too much time re-reading, go with your gut.

Mechanical was all conceptual with some calculation involving a weight hanging from a platform mounted on a lever. Asked to balance the platform. Some topics I remember, which balloon has more pressure around it (smaller one), what happens to a balloon that is inflated under water then goes up? I had multiple electrical questions so understand the basics of that. Ohms law and such. Memorize parts of the circuit and what they do. I think I had 2-3 questions just memorization.

ANIT Very foundational questions regarding flight behavior. Some topics I remember are angle of attack, dissymmetry of lift, left turning tendencies, less air pressure higher you go, fuel weight. Some questions about parts of the ships. Aerobatic Planes require min of 3 SM vis for operation.

NATFI made me question myself and my personality. I guess that's why my score isn't so hot? My recruiter says it's fine though. Just answer with whatever is most like you.

PBM was as expected besides the emergency procedures which were different from the ASTB Prep App. Mess with the controls to familiarize yourself with the way the E knob and I knob rotate to fully open or fully closed. If I remember correct fully open was left, closed was right for both E and I knob. This was kind of confusing because the prep app has you going opposite directions for the Fire and Engine, and the exam the knobs go the same direction. Fire - E, then I fully closed, then clutch. Engine - E, then I fully open, clutch. I may be wrong, someone correct me if I am. Other than this small thing, the UAV prep is good, practice with voice and without voice. Terrain was good practice as well, compass trick.

When I was stretching during the math portion I accidentally switched off the computer! I freaked out but luckily the examiner fixed everything. Be mindful of where your feet are!

Here are some Quizlets that helped me.
ASTB ANIT
ASTB Mechanical
ASTB Aviation
Boating Terminology

I'm always open for discussion or questions.

Best of luck guys and gals! Go Navy!

 

[CaiqueB]

Congrats! Keep up the hard work and you’ll be soaring in no time!

 

[latetotheparty]

ASTB Attempt 1 vs 2

Any further tips to reach a 7/7/7 are appreciated! PM me if you’re looking for a study buddy in the Atlanta area. I studied only from the Trivium book for my first attempt and didn’t adequately research or prepare (stupid move, 100% my fault). The idea was to just measure my baseline and get a feel for the test. I stumbled around for my 2nd attempt prep and had trouble locking in a good tutor, plus I got the Barron’s book, ASTB prep app ($35 but worth it imo), and the ASTB prep game from steam with a Logitech throttle & yoke controller set from a pawn shop. I was honestly questioning myself a lot and waffled around too much, but this gave me a confidence boost that I can crush it on my 3rd attempt with the right prep.

 

[FloridaExport]

ASTB Attempt 1 vs 2

Any further tips to reach a 7/7/7 are appreciated! PM me if you’re looking for a study buddy in the Atlanta area. I studied only from the Trivium book for my first attempt and didn’t adequately research or prepare (stupid move, 100% my fault). The idea was to just measure my baseline and get a feel for the test. I stumbled around for my 2nd attempt prep and had trouble locking in a good tutor, plus I got the Barron’s book, ASTB prep app ($35 but worth it imo), and the ASTB prep game from steam with a Logitech throttle & yoke controller set from a pawn shop. I was honestly questioning myself a lot and waffled around too much, but this gave me a confidence boost that I can crush it on my 3rd attempt with the right prep.

Study the Worksheets from Gomez/Kyles drive those textbooks don’t prepare you adequately for the test. They’re a good source for getting familiar with how the test works but not the actual content you’ll see. Your issue is not your OAR it’s your ASTB (second half). If you want to hit that jackpot score you will have to make this test your life. Practice PBM religiously every second you have available. Get an X52 and hop on the Jantzen sim and practice that for 30 min every night. If you can’t afford an X52 sell what you don’t need, pick up some extra shifts or get an odd job. Try to hit sub 2 sec on the UAV and use the pencil trick and the two points trick for terrain association.

 

[elariosa95]

Any further tips to reach a 7/7/7 are appreciated!

If you want to hit that jackpot score you will have to make this test your life.

1) I’ve heard this before but idk who said it: “OAR gets you to the board, PFAR/FOFAR get you to OCS”

2) If you really want to see noticeable improvements, take a few minutes per day to hone in on what you need to get better at and really focus and attack it. I’d rather take 10 minutes of solid practice over 100 minutes of just going through the motions. The minutes will start to add up and you’ll see change over just a few days. It’s really easy to burn yourself out when all you do is grind knowledge for several hours per day, so just take it easy and make your practice count. If you’re a data nerd like me, you can keep track of your scores to help you visualize your improvement so it doesn’t feel like you’re just doing problems for the sake of doing them

 

[exNavyOffRec]

1) I’ve heard this before but idk who said it: “OAR gets you to the board, PFAR/FOFAR get you to OCS”

2) If you really want to see noticeable improvements, take a few minutes per day to hone in on what you need to get better at and really focus and attack it. I’d rather take 10 minutes of solid practice over 100 minutes of just going through the motions. The minutes will start to add up and you’ll see change over just a few days. It’s really easy to burn yourself out when all you do is grind knowledge for several hours per day, so just take it easy and make your practice count. If you’re a data nerd like me, you can keep track of your scores to help you visualize your improvement so it doesn’t feel like you’re just doing problems for the sake of doing them

That was probably me, specifically for non aviation OAR gets you to the board with GPA getting you selected, for aviation PFAR/FOFAR gets you selected as aviation really doesn't care about OAR.

There are some specific other things depending on designators too.

 

[JDillon]

So how much more valuable is the PFAR/FOFAR compared to the AQR for your desired role(SNA,NFO)? I understand that AQR is for Ground School and PFAR/FOFAR is for Flight School.

I’m asking as a SNA applicant with a 5/9/7 and was wondering how the AQR fits in to it if that makes sense. (Especially if the FOFAR doesn’t hold any weight no matter the score because I’m not going for NFO.)

 

[exNavyOffRec]

So how much more valuable is the PFAR/FOFAR compared to the AQR for your desired role(SNA,NFO)? I understand that AQR is for Ground School and PFAR/FOFAR is for Flight School.

I’m asking as a SNA applicant with a 5/9/7 and was wondering how the AQR fits in to it if that makes sense. (Especially if the FOFAR doesn’t hold any weight no matter the score because I’m not going for NFO.)

Well I never had a person with a 9 get turned down, there have been a few here but those I talked to had waivers the board just didn't like.