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

[Zacattackz]

UAV: I drew the compass out as big as I could on a piece of paper, and then drew the NE/NW/SW/SE degree values. I guess you could draw in the N/S/E/W values as well, but those should be second nature at this point. Just keep practicing until you can get all of them correct under 5 seconds.

I keep seeing this "draw out the compass" advice for the UAV section and I completely disagree with it. If you're taking the time to rotate and/or look down at a piece of paper during a section of the test where others are answering in a split second, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage.

This is the one section of the test anyone should be able to ace. Spend an hour practicing with the UAV flashcards that have been posted multiple times in this thread. Considering this is the one part of the flight portion that anyone can practice without a flight simulator setup, it's in your own hands. Practice on your own, take the time to routinely get the right answer in your head fast. When it comes to test day the practice portion should just be getting used to the answer format and a small warmup (and it's unlimited practice, hell you could practice here until you get it perfect too). There's plenty on the test you can't fully prepare for, but this is not one of those sections.

Maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe the UAV portion has a very low weight overall and is only looking for the right answer in 5 seconds. That said, I would not be comfortable taking more than twice as long to answer compared to my competitors. Especially with such a relatively simple and easy to prepare for section. I looked at the ASTB as the start of what will hopefully be a whole new life. Are you really ok with letting yourself be twice as slow as your new peers? I don't mean this as a personal attack on aqwest, this advice just got posted twice in a row and I know we can all do better.

 

[TheIronMike]

Hello All,

Just got back from retaking the test. The first score was a 43. It's pretty clear that I underestimated the exam, specifically the Math portion.

So to prepare for the salty runback I read this entire thread for every once of information. This is a must! I also purchased the Barron's Guide, since it was so highly recommended. Barron's strength is its Mechanical Practice Tests, very similar. The math, not so much.

In any case, my second score was a 52, which I know doesn't stack up with others but is very competitive.

Willing to answer any questions.

 

[JohnQ]

I plan to take the ASTB-E in the next month or so.

My main question, as similar to above asked by Rahul Sharma, is do the subtests of the OAR affect the AQR, PFAR, and FOFAR scores?

If I plan to submit to be a Marine aviator, does the OAR matter so much? I was told minimum of 4/6/6 on the AQR, PFAR, and FOFAR, with the OAR not being a consideration for selection.

Basically what it boils down to is: Do i prioritize preparing for the Aviation and Nautical information Test and Performance Based Measures, or do I need to spend an equal or greater amount of time preparing for the the math, reading, and mechanical portions since they play a part in factoring the other scores?

Thank you for the insight and assistance.

 

[jpham89]

I plan to take the ASTB-E in the next month or so.

My main question, as similar to above asked by Rahul Sharma, is do the subtests of the OAR affect the AQR, PFAR, and FOFAR scores?

If I plan to submit to be a Marine aviator, does the OAR matter so much? I was told minimum of 4/6/6 on the AQR, PFAR, and FOFAR, with the OAR not being a consideration for selection.

Basically what it boils down to is: Do i prioritize preparing for the Aviation and Nautical information Test and Performance Based Measures, or do I need to spend an equal or greater amount of time preparing for the the math, reading, and mechanical portions since they play a part in factoring the other scores?

Thank you for the insight and assistance.

From what I have been reading from this website: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/Pages/ASTBOverview.aspx it only seems that your OAR measures your ability to academically perform in OCS. I have no idea how the selection process works but it seems that in order to competitively be selected for OCS, one should have a decent OAR score. Then the next process is your AQR/PFAR/FOFAR. Logically this is the process that makes most sense to me when deciding a candidate but of course who knows how the board does things. But why not learn a bit of Math.... haha.

 

[JohnQ]

From what I have been reading from this website: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/Pages/ASTBOverview.aspx it only seems that your OAR measures your ability to academically perform in OCS. I have no idea how the selection process works but it seems that in order to competitively be selected for OCS, one should have a decent OAR score. Then the next process is your AQR/PFAR/FOFAR. Logically this is the process that makes most sense to me when deciding a candidate but of course who knows how the board does things. But why not learn a bit of Math.... haha.

I've talked to my OSA and he said the OAR score doesn't matter for selection. But in my mind if it is factored in for the AQR/PFAR/FOFAR then it most certainly does matter.

Does anyone have a confident and definitive answer on this?

 

[JohnQ]

That sucks man. I was allowed to move the sticks in any position that felt comfortable to me. What I would say is to absolutely take it again anyway. All your scores will go up. And it will make you more competitive. For me I have harder time on the OAR score than anything. When you take the test next time, practice with the joy stick and throttle a lot before continuing. Say things in your head what they are. And practice envisioning the test. You'll perform a lot better. Overall just study hard and take it again.

I know that you posted this a while ago... but worth a shot.

Do you know if the OAR scores are factored into the other scores? It seems like if you had a low OAR, but your other scores were still good.

 

[Leslie Caoili]

Took the ASTB yesterday, scored a 45 on the OAR (Navy Intel hopeful). Will probably re-take before board dates are released for new fiscal year.

Advice: Thought I was a complete whizz in Mech Comp (was my worst subject that I reviewed extra hard for! I was an international business major). I was scoring very well on Barron's practice tests for MC, but make sure to please check the edition and publish date of your study guides. Huge hand-to-forehead moment when my OR and I discovered that I was studying off of the 2nd Ed., 2012 version of Barron's Officer Candidate School Tests. Maybe one pulley question, handful of leverage/fulcrum questions. Also used ProProfs.

Used ACRO GRE/GMAT and scores of practice tests from gouge to brush up on Math, did well. I had 18 minutes left on my timer and the test pushed me along to the next section.

The pages in these forums and gouge from members is a treasure chest of outstanding information and I highly encourage you to go through each page, study guide, and link provided.

Good luck to everyone applying for the coming boards

 

[ichneumonidae]

I know that you posted this a while ago... but worth a shot.

Do you know if the OAR scores are factored into the other scores? It seems like if you had a low OAR, but your other scores were still good.

Yes, components of the OAR are factored into the other scores. Here's something that I posted a few weeks back: I didn't take the whole ASTB-E but I am getting all of this from Barron's Military Flight Aptitude Tests, which I highly recommend you get. The AQR is affected by all of the ASTB subtests, with particular contribution from the Math. PFAR: Affected by all ASTB subtests, with the greatest contribution being from the ANIT and Spacial subtests. FOFAR: Affected by all ASTB subtests, with the greatest contribution from Math.

In other words, I do not think it is possible to do well on the Pilot-specific subtests without having done well on the OAR portions. Certainly is possible the other way around, though.

 

[TheIronMike]

Yes, components of the OAR are factored into the other scores. Here's something that I posted a few weeks back: I didn't take the whole ASTB-E but I am getting all of this from Barron's Military Flight Aptitude Tests, which I highly recommend you get. The AQR is affected by all of the ASTB subtests, with particular contribution from the Math. PFAR: Affected by all ASTB subtests, with the greatest contribution being from the ANIT and Spacial subtests. FOFAR: Affected by all ASTB subtests, with the greatest contribution from Math.

In other words, I do not think it is possible to do well on the Pilot-specific subtests without having done well on the OAR portions. Certainly is possible the other way around, though.

Hey, how long after you submitted your medical records to your recruiter did they have a MEPS date for you?

 

[ichneumonidae]

Hey, how long after you submitted your medical records to your recruiter did they have a MEPS date for you?

Not sure what that has to do with what my original post but I'll reply anyway.

Submitted my records in the beginning of June, waiver was received beginning of July, and I just went to MEPS this morning. So, a total of about 40days between submitting my medical records for a waiver I needed and receiving an appointment & the green light at MEPS.

I had just a minor injury (10-15 years ago, hasn't affected sport activity since), an otherwise clean record, and my OR has been on top of it so take that for what it's worth!

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Not sure what that has to do with what my original post but I'll reply anyway.

Submitted my records in the beginning of June, waiver was received beginning of July, and I just went to MEPS this morning. So, a total of about 40days between submitting my medical records for a waiver I needed and receiving an appointment & the green light at MEPS.

I had just a minor injury (10-15 years ago, hasn't affected sport activity since), an otherwise clean record, and my OR has been on top of it so take that for what it's worth!

so what you rec'd would not be a waiver, it would be either MEPS agreeing to see you, or N3M telling MEPS to give you physical so they could see your entire physical, once that is done then N3M will look at everything and depending on what they see may have you see a specialist for an evaluation.

 

[TheIronMike]

Not sure what that has to do with what my original post but I'll reply anyway.

Submitted my records in the beginning of June, waiver was received beginning of July, and I just went to MEPS this morning. So, a total of about 40days between submitting my medical records for a waiver I needed and receiving an appointment & the green light at MEPS.

I had just a minor injury (10-15 years ago, hasn't affected sport activity since), an otherwise clean record, and my OR has been on top of it so take that for what it's worth!

Thank you for the details, I asked because I saw your MEPS date in your sig, and we had similar initial contact dates, sorry if it was out of left field

 

[ichneumonidae]

so what you rec'd would not be a waiver, it would be either MEPS agreeing to see you, or N3M telling MEPS to give you physical so they could see your entire physical, once that is done then N3M will look at everything and depending on what they see may have you see a specialist for an evaluation.

Thank you very much for the clarification.

Thank you for the details, I asked because I saw your MEPS date in your sig, and we had similar initial contact dates, sorry if it was out of left field

No worries. Good luck with your kit and hope you get a MEPS date soon!

 

[Aaron Gutterman]

Getting ready to take my OAR on August 2nd. In practice test I am scoring high on mechanics and reading around 90% but around 60 % for math. I am going to be studying hard but if i get a lower score in math will the other 2 categories bring up the overall a lot or not to much.

thanks also this forum has been a ton of help in the whole officer program!!!

 

[menloe]

I took the test a few weeks ago and scored a 64/8/8/8.
The single best piece of advice I can give (other than take practice tests and study the things you don't know, and read everything you can in this section of the forum) relates to the UAV section. Others have suggested drawing a compass and rotating it to correspond to each question. I took this idea and expounded on it a bit. You get a large amount of time (maybe unlimited, can't remember) between the previous portion and the UAV portion. So, I took the time to draw out 8 individual compasses; one for each possible heading. There are 4 headings that are along an exact cardinal direction (N, S, E, and W) and 4 that are between (NE, SE, SW, NW). So I draw out compasses for each direction and labeled each compass with an additional arrow. I have uploaded an example below.
This may too "busy" for some; however, it worked great for me. I was able to answer each question in 1-3 seconds each. I suggest giving this a try on a couple practice tests and see how it works.
Also, dude and dudetts, thanks a million for all the great info on this form and all others!