Took the test yesterday for the first time. Got 65 8/7/8
Here's my experience from preparing for the test to putting my headphone down after completing it.
I started preparing for this test about a week before. I found out about the new test half way through my preparation but it did not matter too much though since the OAR portion and the Aviation and Nautical Information Test were pretty much the same. I put together some gouges from this website and resources I found online and practiced them. I also studied the FAA Pilot Handbook, watched documentaries, wiki-ed, and googled anything I did not completely understand. I came across the research paper I have attached below which describes the performance based section. This is a really good paper to read to understand exactly what you will be doing and calm your nerves down. The instructions during the test are very clear and thorough so there is nothing to worry about if you don't read it.
THE TEST
Math
Expect the concepts to be similar to what you practice using the gouges. Averages, probability, word problems and so on. I saw someone mentioned log and matrix multiplication problems in this website but I did not get those problems on the test. The test does seem to get tougher as you get more questions right. I felt like this section ended before the 40 minutes allotted but I am not sure because I was not keeping track of time. Be quick with basic arithmetic and really understand the problems you practice. You should be fine.
Reading Comprehension
I know this is the part I did not do too well on because I would get a difficult question, then, I would probably get it wrong, and a easy question would follow. I was reading over myself and did not understand what the passages were saying most of the time. It was like one of those times when your eyes are reading the text but the brain just goes blank. I got myself to calm down and concentrate which probably made me improve in the last 10 minutes. After this section, I had my hopes down and was already thinking about how to prepare for my second ASTB.
Mechanical Comprehension
The gouges were very helpful. Make sure you know everything about pressure, kinetic and potential energy, work, momentum, levers, mechanical advantage and pretty much every other basic physics concepts.
Aviation and Nautical Information Test
Questions were mostly about parts of airplanes and basics of flight. I had no naval aviation history or airport signs and such. It also felt like this section went by really quickly.
Naval Aviation Trait Facet Inventory
Most of the questions were difficult...as in you look bad no matter what you choose from the two options given. Just make sure you give honest answers and do not try to game it to make it look like you are Mother Theresa because I think it knows when you are honest. I noticed a few questions were repeated and a few questions were worded differently with similar choices. I am guessing that's how they find out if you are honest.
Questions were like:
A. I get nervous when I am under pressure.
B. I don't drive when it's raining because I am not confident with my driving ability.
Performance Based Measures Battery
Reading the attached document would help but it's not necessary. The instructions during the test are very thorough and clear. Each section is also preceded by a practice session. Make the most out of the practice and take some time to understand what to do....especially in the part where they ask you to determine the cardinal direction because this is the only practice session that does not have a time limit. I also took some time to get comfortable with the joystick and the throttle.
Overall, I would say the test was pretty challenging. I never got to take the old ASTB but I think the new one is more challenging because of all the uncertainty. The level of difficulty of the questions change, you can't go back to finish answering questions, you can only answer once i.e. once you click a button, the computer automatically moves on to the next question, and there are portions you can't prepare for at home.
Despite all this, it is definitely doable.
Woah, that was long. Let me know if I didn't make myself clear somewhere or if guys have any questions. More than happy to share my experience.