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

[Ace243]

I'm new to all this (forum & military).

I'm keeping this thread going because I'd like somewhat of an update on the 'new' ASTB scoring.
I just scored a 54, 8/8/8. How does that stand with the new version?

Also, how does this translate or imply my standings at flight school? Obviously it's performance based but I should imply something.
Also, I'm a civilian Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor.

I'm gunning hard for Jets. Cliche? Yeah, but it's the truth.

Thanks all.

 

[jlyon18]

For the UAV / Parking lot section of the test, are you allowed to use paper and pencil? I've made some flashcards, but found that I do much better after I draw out a compass.

 

[EeeZy]

For the UAV / Parking lot section of the test, are you allowed to use paper and pencil? I've made some flashcards, but found that I do much better after I draw out a compass.

Yes, but you won't need them. You get unlimited attempts at the practice test before the UAV portion

 

[EMTpilot]

For the UAV / Parking lot section of the test, are you allowed to use paper and pencil? I've made some flashcards, but found that I do much better after I draw out a compass.

You are scored on accuracy and time. You do not need paper. Just do practice problems over and over before going on to the actual test part. If you want a good score you are going to be doing each question in the few seconds or less range. There isn't going to be time to draw a picture. You'll do fine by just doing the practice problems during the test until you see your accuracy become almost 100% and your times dip into the 1-4 second range.

 

[MikeMillerUK]

First, I want to give a sincere thank you to everyone involved with making this site work. The admins do a great job keeping people in line, and the ORs who help out with relevant knowledge keep the page running like a well-oiled machine. I've been a lurker for a while, and I finally feel like I'm able to add a bit of insight to hopefully help out others who want to be an Officer as badly as I do. So, without further ado, just a bit more gouge to add on to the existing 177 pages...

Took the ASTB earlier today. Was told to finish the BI-RV section on my own when I got home, so I currently only know my OAR score (71) and am waiting for an email with a link to check the rest. To start, one solid piece of advice with a test like this: STAY CALM; don't get too worked up if you feel like you're not performing as well as you would like. It will seem hard and that is not a bad thing. It's important to remember that this is an adaptive test, so if you're doing well it's going to keep throwing more and more difficult material at you until it figures out how good you are at a particular subject. The existing gouge on the site is absolutely perfect regarding the math, reading, and mechanical comprehension parts assuming that you take the time to look around and find multiple resources.

What I am predicting to likely be my worst area on the test was the Aviation and Nautical Information Test. I am a non-prior with no flight experience and only elementarily versed in some nautical terminology. I spent a lot of time studying for this as a result, but my study guide did NOT do a good job with regard to what I was actually asked on the test. It helped with info regarding a grand total of MAYBE 3 questions. I used the ASTB-E Study Guide by Accepted Inc. and was well versed in a long list of vocabulary words. I can define aileron, empennage, rudder, etc. What I cannot do (and what I was asked) is tell you "which aircraft was designed to find hard to hear Russian submarines?" While learning aviation and nautical terminology is still essential, it would behoove anyone studying for the test to go beyond and do some research into practical naval history regarding both ships and aircraft.

Don't stress trying to prepare for the NATFI or BI-RV: be honest, and if you really are a good fit for aviation, you'll do just fine. Don't try to tell them what they want to hear (I wasn't able to determine what they wanted to hear anyways). It may help you score better now, but you may then find you aren't as well-suited for aviation as you thought you were once you (hopefully) make it through OCS and into Flight School. Just my $.02 on that matter.

Performance Based Measures will likely give me nightmares. Yes, it really sucks, and no, you really can't do a good job on it. Granted, I have zero flight simulator experience, so take what I say with a grain of salt. UAV direction/parking lot direction identification wasn't bad. Use the practice problems! Dichotic listening on its own was easy. The throttle tracking on its own was pretty easy. The joystick tracking on its own wasn't *easy,* but it wasn't bad. Throw them all together... ouch. Then add in emergency procedures to top it off, and you have a minimum of 3 things to focus your attention on. I would assume that spending time with flight simulators would help in preparation for this portion, at least some.

I know I haven't said many things that haven't already been said, but at least this way some fresh gouge is on a recent page. My main points are to take deep breaths and stay calm during the test, and to do more than study aviation and nautical vocab words for the ANIT portion of the test. If anything I've said warrants more explanation, please PM me and I will be happy to explain.

Hope this post can help out some others, best of luck to everyone.

 

[bgrams429]

Hey guys,

I have a question of my own

I'm in college right now (graduating in May) and I'm trying to get an idea of the timeline of the application submission process. I'm currently working on my medical prescreen/motivational statement. I got all my references in. When is the next board date? I tried searching AW but couldn't find anything too helpful...plus I've gotten contradictory statements from different people I've asked. I ask this because I'm wondering if I should be trying to get this in ASAP to meet a certain date or if its rolling and there are no time constraints so to say. Also, after sending in the completed application, how long does it usually take to hear back with a Pro Rec?

If anyone has any insight, I'd gladly appreciate it.

From talking to my recruiters, I am under the impression that the next USMC board date is set at the end of July and the Navy accepts rolling applications with the board convening when enough packets (a subjective number, I assume) are submitted. Please don't hold me to this as both recruiters have consistently been providing me with confusing information...best of luck to you.

 

[pornstar]

Been lurking for about a month to get the gist of this thread. First and foremost I would like to thank those who provided much help with study materials and guidance (2m2m).
I only took the OAR portion just to test the waters, since it's been a few years since I graduated college. Took me by surprise to score well so I might just apply for SWO and see if that lands me to OCS.

I was planning to go back for an MBA degree and evidently GMAT study guides were beneficial. GMAT discloses the proper way to pace a person in timed tests, such as the ASTB--since most of the reading comprehension are about assumptions based on the reading material or inferences based on evidences what was said. Also, back-solving might be a great method for some who prefer to back track with long algebraic problems. The marine gauge is spot-on with the mechanics section. Best luck to future test takers!

 

[BusyBee604]

I only took the OAR portion just to test the waters, since it's been a few years since I graduated college. Took me by surprise to score well so I might just apply for SWO and see if that lands me to OCS.

Since your Profile states you aspire to become a SNFO, does this mean you are not going to take the ASTB, and settle for getting OCS instead, for whatever? Doesn't seem as though you are sure of what you want???

Oh, I have to ask... do you moonlight as a dude porn star... or is it just a 'cool' AW handle? I've traveled the world several times over the years, but never have met a real porn star. That would be unique, and awesome!
BzB

 

[pornstar]

Since your Profile states you aspire to become a SNFO, does this mean you are not going to take the ASTB, and settle for getting OCS instead, for whatever? Doesn't seem as though you are sure of what you want???

Oh, I have to ask... do you moonlight as a dude porn star... or is it just a 'cool' AW handle? I've traveled the world several times over the years, but never have met a real porn star. That would be unique, and awesome!
BzB

Just a cool handle and, surprisingly, an acceptable ID lol Coincidentally, we both have wings in our display pic.

My eyesight is terrible but a guy can hope! Any position honestly will suffice; I hope to make a significant contribution in the USN someday.

 

[BusyBee604]

Just a cool handle and, surprisingly, an acceptable ID lol Coincidentally, we both have wings in our display pic.

Well played pornstar, you can now bee my 'wing'man. I wish you the best of luck!
BzB

 

[Nyaos]

Well, just finished all my testing and everything. 57 5/5/6.

It wasn't an ideal situation, I only got to study for about 3 days but I think I'll have a shot with my scores, even if they aren't perfect like many of you folks seem to manage. My college GPA was 3.85 so I have that going for me at least.

Surprisngly, I thought the math and mechanical stuff was easier than anything I had studied, while the reading was a bit more difficult (I did my medical that same morning, so by the afternoon when I took the test, my brain was exhausted). Most surprisingly of all I did the worst on the aptitude stuff. The drone and parking lot thing was way harder than anything I had practiced. I probably only got half of them right, because I was trying to jump to an answer as quickly as possible. This is a bummer because this is EASILY something you could practice, so I'd recommend this. After the first 20 or so questions with that, I was getting most of them right. The throttle and joystick stuff was stressful but I never felt lost with it, even when it gets really complicated with three tasks at once. Video game or flight sim experience helps tremendously with that, I think.

Thanks for all the advice on here everyone! If I don't get selected, I'll simply retake the test in a few months with much more knowledge on what to prepare for, and most importantly, TIME. Haha.

 

[Buergeee]

Hey guys,

Took the ASTB 3 weeks ago and scored 70 9/9/9. I'm applying for SNA and NFO. I believe that these are pretty good scores, so I'm excited about that. If anybodys got questions about test message me and I'll do my best to answer them.

I have a question of my own

I'm in college right now (graduating in May) and I'm trying to get an idea of the timeline of the application submission process. I'm currently working on my medical prescreen/motivational statement. I got all my references in. When is the next board date? I tried searching AW but couldn't find anything too helpful...plus I've gotten contradictory statements from different people I've asked. I ask this because I'm wondering if I should be trying to get this in ASAP to meet a certain date or if its rolling and there are no time constraints so to say. Also, after sending in the completed application, how long does it usually take to hear back with a Pro Rec?

If anyone has any insight, I'd gladly appreciate it.

I just took the ASTB yesterday and received surprisingly low scores. I studied for a good few months and felt that the material I focused on was not necessarily what was covered on the test. I'm scheduling a re-take as soon as I can (90 days) but just wanted to know if you wouldn't mind sharing some of your study tips or study guides. My weakest sections are Mechanical Comp and Math. I appreciate any help you can provide!!

 

[kennyshat]

Hello all,
Took my ASTB last Friday. 55/6/8/6. Most of what I experienced is already on this site, so I won't bore anyone too much. I was hoping for more time to study, but I graduated in '12 with a BA in English, so-so GPA. Anyway, for the most part, the exam is what I had studied for, used Accepted, Inc.'s ASTB study guide along with Barron's. I found Barron's more relevant while Accepted's was more of a catch-all. I think together the books were helpful, but with Accepted, you just get a snapshot, not a real in-depth look at the info. Barron's gets as in-depth as a book that small covering 5 tests can be. Accepted didn't seem very specific, and some of Accepted's math problems were straight off of algebra.com... Not sure which came first, but that was unnerving to say the least... Also heard there were issues with the first print, and the second still had some major errors (one question I noticed had the a mismatch with a,b,c,d and the explanation, another had an explanation, but there was no answer choice.

Despite the English degree, the reading comprehension was the most difficult. I didn't spend as much time on it, but in my practice tests and since I didn't finish that section on the OAR portion, I think it's just reading like I've never had to do. Very, very technical.

The only thing I have to add is that the parking lot questions, as everyone has said, does allow plenty of practice time. I did this quite a bit before getting into the actual test. Many asked about using pencil and paper. I was able to, and I found it very helpful. I drew a compass and put a smaller paper on top of that which I spin to match the question. Averaged 1-2 seconds per question, except two that my brain stunted on (4-6 seconds), and one that I got wrong, impatience hurts.

Not the most competitive application, but I'm hoping that my GPA and grad school courses (haven't finished my Master's) field of study with my LOR's will give me a boost. Hoping to have everything completed and turned in by the end of the month!

Thanks all for the help, I would not have scored near this without your input.

 

[kennyshat]

I just took the ASTB yesterday and received surprisingly low scores. I studied for a good few months and felt that the material I focused on was not necessarily what was covered on the test. I'm scheduling a re-take as soon as I can (90 days) but just wanted to know if you wouldn't mind sharing some of your study tips or study guides. My weakest sections are Mechanical Comp and Math. I appreciate any help you can provide!!

I know the feeling. The mechanical was nothing I had studied for. I felt the math was right on what I had studied. I think a major aspect of these sections is that questions focused on understanding the concepts (properties of exponents versus calculating exponents, for example) rather than calculating. Were you using books/materials?

 

[maysoe]

Hi there.. I am graduated chemical engineer with 3.4 GPA. i will go take OAR potion next week.. i bough OAR potion book from ACCEPTED.INC and some of practice tests i found online. i was plan to buy another book and anyone suggest for best study guide book? since English is my second language so i am very weak on Reading Comprehension. please guide me to study the right material.