Just and FYI, for those that are still working on their ASTB scores. I took form 5 yesterday and thought I would share my opinion of it while it was fresh in my mind. I ended up with 5/6/6 50, which I'm not exactly enthusiastic about, however with only a week between thinking I wasn't qualified for NFO to taking the test I guess it could have been worse.
The math section wasn't really more difficult than the Barron's guide, however I wish I would have reviewed more basic algebra, especially related to powers and exponents. There were a few questions that had to do combining equations ie if A=3x+4y and X=7y^2 and A=Y what does Y equal...or something along those lines...so I would suggest some emphasis on basic algebra including factoring.
The reading section...Not much to say here. I was frustrated with it to say the least. I'm an avid reader of foreign affairs, Harvard business review etc so I consider myself a good reader...didn't seem to help much here. They want you to make logical assumptions based on the facts presented. At times I really felt that the best answer wasn't even necessarily a true statement. I suppose I simply need to practice more of these problems.
The mechanical was not extremely hard. It had fluid constriction, inclined planes, blocks suspended by springs, multiple pulley problems, which direction gears will turn, but no classes of levers or gear mechanical advantage questions. One problem had to do with a water tower and how high the water would flow through a pipe based on its height and the water level, others had to do with balancing levers by moving weights to given positions.
The spacial test was as I suspected. Like many people have mentioned, the angles and banks are more detailed than the study guides. It still was not extremely hard. Make sure that you talk yourself logically through them. More than enough time was provided.
The aviation information test wasn't very hard in my opinion. I'm fairly sure that my previous Naval Aviation experience brought up that score. You should know Bernoulli's principle, effects of air flow over flight surfaces, pitch roll yaw and their related effects etc. Various types of aircraft, weapons like the Aim9 and their purpose. Know chord line, wingspan, landing gear type, and general composition of the aircraft such as empennage etc. The question about the SAC's 1950's go to nuke bomber was on there, as well as tower control lights ie a green flashing light means what? etc.
The supplemental was ENTIRELY aviation knowledge, and more specific than the previous section. It included questions about navaids and their function, FAA regulations regarding weight to lift ratios? (I think?) and classes of airplanes based on weight etc etc etc Hard to pin point this info. It seems that they are trying to highlight those test takers with actual flight experience.
These are generalizations about the test...just trying to help. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Thanks to all those who contributed here...
