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

[Navy Ship]

Hey guys I recently took my first ASTB at the end of September and my scores were 6/6/8 OAR 52. I also just finished my kit for the December board for SNA/SNFO. I've been on this forum a lot and seeing excellent scores all 7+ and 55-60 OARS so I told my OR that I want to retake the test but he said that my scores are very good and I have a very high chance. Can someone clarify if it's true that the recent competitive range have dropped?

Just leaving a few tips for those that are about to embark on their studying journey: Do all the study guides being posted on this forum and especially the one with the F-18 on the cover as it will help a lot on the mechanical comprehension. I mention this because I had form 4 and not much of it involved pulleys and gears (which are the main focus on the study books), that being said dont spend too much time on that section and really study your ANIT as they will ask very specific questions that simply skimming through the study guides will do you no good. Good luck everyone!

The 8 FOFAR + 3.28GPA looks really good for the SNFO application. I suppose the 6 PFAR and GPA are also fairly good for SNA. I think the other guys on here may be able to tell you more. I'm not entirely sure sorry.

You could always try applying with what you have and re-take the ASTB if you want to improve your scores. However, be wary because there is talk about a new version of the ASTB (Forms 6,7) getting implemented soon. It was supposed to be done last September at my NRD but my OR said there are persisting problems with the new version and it probably won't get implemented for a few more months. Although, if the new test does get implemented, I can simply drive over to another NROTC or NRD in another state and see if they have the old test. But since you live in Hawaii, you may be stuck.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

be wary because there is talk about a new version of the ASTB (Forms 6,7) getting implemented soon. It was supposed to be done last September at my NRD but my OR said there are persisting problems with the new version and it probably won't get implemented for a few more months.

It was supposed to be implemented early 2012 that is when the programs and the joysticks were distributed, the problems are not with test itself but with windows.

 

[Navy Ship]

It was supposed to be implemented early 2012 that is when the programs and the joysticks were distributed, the problems are not with test itself but with windows.

Oh I see. That explain why I saw a "HOTAS" joystick and thruster at the NRD office. My first thought was "Do they really play video games in here?" haha.

 

[KnuckleBuster]

Hi all, this is my first time posting here. I took the ASTB (form 4) for the first time 2 weeks ago and got a 51 6/7/6. I am applying for SNA and possibly SNFO. I am almost done with my packet and will be applying for the December boards. A little background on me is that I graduated last May with a GPA was a 3.277 in Natural Resources. I used several books and practice tests to study as well as all the great info on this site to study for 2 weeks full time. I am pretty happy with my scores since my math skills a very poor and I didn't have much experience in the other areas. We'll see how she goes.

 

[DXJake]

First post here but I've been lurking for a while and I have to say this website contributed a lot to my success.

Took the ASTB form 3 this morning scored 8/9/8 64
I studied for 2 weeks, on average 2 hours a day mostly focused on math.

1. Math - Like a lot of people said much easier than in the books but be familiar with all the concepts. I was under prepared for this section and I was constantly scoring 70-80% on the practice time with the time expiring. On the test I guessed on a few. For this section there are a lot of answers you can immediately eliminate saving you some time.

2. Reading - I actually thought this section was easier than the practice tests. Paragraphs a lot shorter, and I only was split between 2 answers around 2 times.

3. Mechanical Comprehension - No in depth stuff here, very similar to the practice tests, was mostly common sense.

4. Spatial - Angles get crazy but it isn't difficult. I always broke the question down into 1. what direction is the plane going in? 2. Any bank? left? right? 3. pitch

5. Aero/naut knowledge - Some oddly worded questions to say the least. I'm a flight instructor with close to 600 hours and I had to read a few of the airplane questions twice so if you don't have an aviation background read up.

6. Supplement - A repeat of the test in 30 questions

I used every study guide there was out there, from this site and others. I also used Peterson's book and Barron's. I would say the Barron's book is a better resource for preparation. I knew math was going to be an issue for me from the get go so I relearned basic arithmetic on paper then started to apply it to the algebra problems that the study guides have. I also downloaded a $10 app for GRE math prep on my ipad https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=YourTeacher.com&hl=en

And since everyone always asks, "I'm getting this on my practice tests, what will I get on the ASTB?" The very night before I scored 21/30 in math (pressed on time), 21/27 reading comprehension (skipped over definition questions) , 28/30 mechanical, 25/25 spatial, and 28/30 on aero/naut info. I didn't take the supplement. However, I don't really think that translates well to your actual scores at all and you really should invest your time studying instead of worrying about scores.

 

[mikeVT]

First post here but I've been lurking for a while and I have to say this website contributed a lot to my success.

Took the ASTB form 3 this morning scored 8/9/8 64
I studied for 2 weeks, on average 2 hours a day mostly focused on math.

Welcome, Jake. Awesome scores! Are you applying for the December boards? What are you putting in for?

 

[Navy Ship]

First post here but I've been lurking for a while and I have to say this website contributed a lot to my success.

Took the ASTB form 3 this morning scored 8/9/8 64
I studied for 2 weeks, on average 2 hours a day mostly focused on math.

1. Math - Like a lot of people said much easier than in the books but be familiar with all the concepts. I was under prepared for this section and I was constantly scoring 70-80% on the practice time with the time expiring. On the test I guessed on a few. For this section there are a lot of answers you can immediately eliminate saving you some time.

2. Reading - I actually thought this section was easier than the practice tests. Paragraphs a lot shorter, and I only was split between 2 answers around 2 times.

3. Mechanical Comprehension - No in depth stuff here, very similar to the practice tests, was mostly common sense.

4. Spatial - Angles get crazy but it isn't difficult. I always broke the question down into 1. what direction is the plane going in? 2. Any bank? left? right? 3. pitch

5. Aero/naut knowledge - Some oddly worded questions to say the least. I'm a flight instructor with close to 600 hours and I had to read a few of the airplane questions twice so if you don't have an aviation background read up.

6. Supplement - A repeat of the test in 30 questions

I used every study guide there was out there, from this site and others. I also used Peterson's book and Barron's. I would say the Barron's book is a better resource for preparation. I knew math was going to be an issue for me from the get go so I relearned basic arithmetic on paper then started to apply it to the algebra problems that the study guides have. I also downloaded a $10 app for GRE math prep on my ipad https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=YourTeacher.com&hl=en

And since everyone always asks, "I'm getting this on my practice tests, what will I get on the ASTB?" The very night before I scored 21/30 in math (pressed on time), 21/27 reading comprehension (skipped over definition questions) , 28/30 mechanical, 25/25 spatial, and 28/30 on aero/naut info. I didn't take the supplement. However, I don't really think that translates well to your actual scores at all and you really should invest your time studying instead of worrying about scores.

Out of curiosity, do you have any prior flying experience?

 

[BusyBee604]

Out of curiosity, do you have any prior flying experience?

DXJake's Profile lists Flight Instructor, and his post says almost 600 hours.
BzB

 

[Navy Ship]

DXJake's Profile lists Flight Instructor, and his post says almost 600 hours.
BzB

Ah, thanks for letting me know.

I was just wondering cause it seems like people with prior flight experience tend to do better on the ASTB.

 

[BusyBee604]

First post here but I've been lurking for a while and I have to say this website contributed a lot to my success.

Took the ASTB form 3 this morning scored 8/9/8 64.

Great numbers... if the GPA, and the rest of your package is up to standard, you'll be pooping in sweet clover!
BzB

 

[DXJake]

Welcome, Jake. Awesome scores! Are you applying for the December boards? What are you putting in for?

Yeah I was planning on applying for the December ones but I've since been told that it is a rolling board.

Great numbers... if the GPA, and the rest of your package is up to standard, you'll be pooping in sweet clover!
BzB

Right now I have a 3.83 from my university but my community college gpa is bringing my cumulative down to a 3.45 in a management degree. I don't know how that will compare to similar gpa's from engineering fields.

DXJake's Profile lists Flight Instructor, and his post says almost 600 hours.
BzB

^^ This, 4 years flying. In all honesty if I didn't have a flying background I would have not done as well on this test. Then again, I'm not too confident that I would have been able to answer those questions as a private pilot out of a 61 school either. Study the study guide on this website as well as the stuff in the barron's book and you should be good.

Use all available resources and start studying a month + in advance.

 

[BusyBee604]

.
Right now I have a 3.83 from my university but my community college gpa is bringing my cumulative down to a 3.45 in a management degree. I don't know how that will compare to similar gpa's from engineering fields.

Your GPA in the 3.45+ range will compare just fine.

Study the study guide on this website as well as the stuff in the barron's book and you should be good.

^^^This, and it would be wise to seek out and pay special attention to the gouge provided by members such as DXJake, and 4-5 others active on this thread, who have scored 8/8/8s+ & 50s+ on their tests. AW P-mail can be used to contact these top scoring members, for 'personalized' advice, or answers to specific questions. To be a winner... do what the winners do!
BzB

 

[explainyouface]

Figured I would leave my estimation here as well. This is my first post on AW but have used the gouge on this website extensively to prepare for the ASTB. I took the test this past Friday and scored an 8/8/9 63. Zero previous flight experience. I studied for about a week and a half and was consistently scoring around 85-90% on the practice tests (Barron's, Peterson's, etc).

I am applying for Marine PLC in December. I know that the ASTB for Marines is more of a "check in the box", but my OSO let me know that this score would most likely help me a bit. I neglected to ask which form I took; I walked in to the office, sat down at the computer and began to take the test without really thinking about it.

Regarding the various sections-
Math: Easier than practice test I thought.
Reading: About same level of difficulty (I don't find this material too hard to begin with)
Mech: Less about gears on this section than some of the practice tests... overall I think all the gouge here prepares you well
Spatial: Not bad... Its just a bit of a twist on what you're used to seeing. More extreme angles, etc
ANIT: There will be some questions here that will likely make no sense regarding aircraft or navigation... Guess well.
Supplement: Not bad, some repeated questions, some harder ones as well

Misc about me: Economics major at highly regarded school, 3.3 GPA, 295 PFT (should be 300 by board), extensive community service experience, often in leadership roles. Hoping this test score pushes me over the proverbial edge in regards to the selection board.

 

[jack.morris]

Took the ASTB on Tuesday. Got a 6/7/6 49 and I have a 2.80 GPA in Criminal Justice. I'm putting in for SNA and SNFO for the December board. My OR and the guy who administered my test told me I have a stong chance at getting picked up. I was also told that the Navy is in need of Pilots and NFOs. I'm just wondering if anyone on here is in the same boat I'm in score wise or if anyone has heard anything different?

 

[etreddies31]

Took the ASTB on Tuesday. Got a 6/7/6 49 and I have a 2.80 GPA in Criminal Justice. I'm putting in for SNA and SNFO for the December board. My OR and the guy who administered my test told me I have a stong chance at getting picked up. I was also told that the Navy is in need of Pilots and NFOs. I'm just wondering if anyone on here is in the same boat I'm score wise or if anyone has heard anything different?

I'm in about the same range as you. I scored a 6/7/7 55