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

Took the ASTB yesterday and got a 56 7/9/8 after about 2 months of studying. Super stoked because I’ve been sitting on a 50 5/8/7 since last December and haven’t been able to get to a board with the cancellations and lasik.

The oar section was a big hurdle for me as I am terrible at math (highest level math was college algebra and I got a c) and I’ve never taken physics. If I can do it you definitely can too.

Some test day tips (1: bring earplugs, people will yap outside test room 2: take time before test to write out as much information and formulas that you remember for each section 3: Use the break time to collect your thoughts and game-plan the next section before starting) if you need any study tips or materials reach out. Shoutout to the recent gouges and TwoScoops for getting the attention control test practice out right before my test lol.

I just got a new recruiter and he says I should be good for I-SEL but I previously disclosed experimental weed use. Does that really auto disqualify me?
 
Sandman said:
If I was in your shoes, I'd suggest retaking a third time, unless you think you're gonna do worse. In terms of the age waiver I wouldn't exhaust too much energy there. Unless you get an absouletly insane 3rd retake score and have flight time already, you basically have to be a 99th percentile applicant or prior enlisted for the age waiver for SNA or NFO to my knowledge.

With your age though I'd shoot for an I-SEL slot, the current pipeline is so backed up you'd be putting yourself in unfavorable conditions to be going in just as a regular street app that's not I-SEL qualified, try and give yourself the most edge you can, because once that package is submitted its not up to you. Its out of your hands so make sure that package is good enough to where they would be silly to not pick you up.

With I-SEL you at least get your kit in the hands of the NRC quicker, you still have to deal with the backlog and needs of the navy but at least you're not just waiting for the next board to happen, especially with the rates of them rolling or canceling boards for street apps. For the first time in 20+ years the navy and both air force are hitting their quotas so fast and producing pilots quickly because of how large the demand has become. The backlog is very real right now, the only thing you can control right now is an I-SEL package.

The cutoff isn't just 32 years of age, its 32 years of age at commission. There's some people who have recently stated its taken them a year and a half from package submission to OCS date and then factor another 3 and a half months on top of that. Don't give up, just don't give them any reason to turn you down.
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The idea of a third and final retake is just scaring me. I’ve historically been terrible at math and never took a physics course in my life, so a 6 on the AQR feels like a pretty big accomplishment already. During the test, for the life of me I couldn’t remember how to solve a couple math questions even though I absolutely knew how to do them. After I got out I was kicking myself because I could have gained a few points on those for sure.

I’d hate to somehow drop my scores and have to run that third attempt at the board. I’m undecided as of right now on what to do. Like the other user mentioned a 6 8 8 is pretty favorable at the upcoming spring board and based on past board schedules, they’re unlikely to cancel this one. I have some things that might DQ me from ISEL anyway so idk if it’s worth it.
 
Jhally said:
Took the ASTB yesterday and got a 56 7/9/8 after about 2 months of studying. Super stoked because I’ve been sitting on a 50 5/8/7 since last December and haven’t been able to get to a board with the cancellations and lasik.

The oar section was a big hurdle for me as I am terrible at math (highest level math was college algebra and I got a c) and I’ve never taken physics. If I can do it you definitely can too.

Some test day tips (1: bring earplugs, people will yap outside test room 2: take time before test to write out as much information and formulas that you remember for each section 3: Use the break time to collect your thoughts and game-plan the next section before starting) if you need any study tips or materials reach out. Shoutout to the recent gouges and TwoScoops for getting the attention control test practice out right before my test lol.

I just got a new recruiter and he says I should be good for I-SEL but I previously disclosed experimental weed use. Does that really auto disqualify me?
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Great job! I second the ear plugs thing. I didn’t bring any on my first attempt but brought some when I took it yesterday and it helped a ton, specifically during the reading portion. I only saw the update to the ASTB Prep app AFTER my test so I didn’t get to practice the attention control section. I don’t think I scored too well on that section but still got 8s on PFAR and FOFAR
 
mbrackmann said:
The idea of a third and final retake is just scaring me. I’ve historically been terrible at math and never took a physics course in my life, so a 6 on the AQR feels like a pretty big accomplishment already. During the test, for the life of me I couldn’t remember how to solve a couple math questions even though I absolutely knew how to do them. After I got out I was kicking myself because I could have gained a few points on those for sure.

I’d hate to somehow drop my scores and have to run that third attempt at the board. I’m undecided as of right now on what to do. Like the other user mentioned a 6 8 8 is pretty favorable at the upcoming spring board and based on past board schedules, they’re unlikely to cancel this one. I have some things that might DQ me from ISEL anyway so idk if it’s worth it.
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Honestly I see where you are coming from. My personal opinion is if you let fear dictate your decisions now, OCS, NIFE and PRIMARY might feel like hell for you. My first time taking the ASTB I had similar scores a 43 5/8/7 and the retake I took this year I got a 71 9/8/9. A psychotic amount studying took place, The biggest thing I can suggest is how important repetitions are. Do so many reps that come test day there is no possibility of forgetting how to do a problem, I also second what other people have suggested about potentially getting a tutor. As boring and senseless as the studying feels for the test you truly have to ask yourself how bad you want it.

The concern around your situation honestly comes down to your age, at this point you have to view yourself as a number in a spreadsheet. The hard reality is if you go into a standard board with your current scores, lining you up with the rest of all the applicants the ROI on you is nearly not the same as a younger applicant with similar scores purely just off your age, not saying its impossible but the truth is that your time in service isn't viewed the same. I'd still suggest shooting for I-SEL just because of what I mentioned but if you think you have a shot at the upcoming board and you don't think you would qualify for I-SEL then who I am to tell you otherwise.
 
Sandman said:
Honestly I see where you are coming from. My personal opinion is if you let fear dictate your decisions now, OCS, NIFE and PRIMARY might feel like hell for you. My first time taking the ASTB I had similar scores a 43 5/8/7 and the retake I took this year I got a 71 9/8/9. A psychotic amount studying took place, The biggest thing I can suggest is how important repetitions are. Do so many reps that come test day there is no possibility of forgetting how to do a problem, I also second what other people have suggested about potentially getting a tutor. As boring and senseless as the studying feels for the test you truly have to ask yourself how bad you want it.

The concern around your situation honestly comes down to your age, at this point you have to view yourself as a number in a spreadsheet. The hard reality is if you go into a standard board with your current scores, lining you up with the rest of all the applicants the ROI on you is nearly not the same as a younger applicant with similar scores purely just off your age, not saying its impossible but the truth is that your time in service isn't viewed the same. I'd still suggest shooting for I-SEL just because of what I mentioned but if you think you have a shot at the upcoming board and you don't think you would qualify for I-SEL then who I am to tell you otherwise.
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Yeah I hear you. Even if I DQ ISEL, having the ISEL scores puts me in a better spot at the board anyway. Might just schedule a retake since I have to wait a month anyway and take a few days to decide. My other option is applying ISEL for NFO and having that as a backup plan
 
mbrackmann said:
Yeah I hear you. Even if I DQ ISEL, having the ISEL scores puts me in a better spot at the board anyway. Might just schedule a retake since I have to wait a month anyway and take a few days to decide. My other option is applying ISEL for NFO and having that as a backup plan
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I say go for it, what makes you think you'll DQ on I-SEL? I will admit though your situation is pretty unique.
 
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