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

H

hairbair96

Member
Howdy,

Going to be taking the ASTB in the next couple weeks and wanted to get some of your opinions on things to brush up upon for each section of the test.

I have a few study books I've been using including studying ASVAB and ASTB study guides, as well as reading on naval aviation history and nautical/aviation terminology.

Im fortunate enough to have ample amounts of time to study and I've been spending the past week at the library for about 8 hours a day.
Im already feeling confident in being prepared for each section but would like some pointers and specific topics that wouldn't be so obvious

Math: i know that the test is adaptive and tends to get harder as you go along, i would like some examples of some of the harder questions you experiences and what topics they covered.

Reading: All Ive done with this is try to build my vocabulary of the uncommon words as well pre/suffixs.

Mechanical: Ive learned all about simple machines, levers, Mechanical advantage, etc. Anything specific that you saw in terms of how they presented the question?

ANIT: as said above, i read about naval aviation and studying basics of aviation and nautical terminology. I'm pretty sure i got this part down.

Ive also been familiarizing myself with compass navigation and really ingraining it in my mind so i can perform faster on the PBM

Thank you, any advice is appreciated. I have a 2.9 GPA in Psychology/ Criminal justice and not much else going for me so i really need to get good scores the first time.
 
Landcastle_19

Landcastle_19

Member
Rudygoff10 said:
Just took the ASTB yesterday and figured I'd post about it since this thread was the most helpful resource for finding info and study material. Thanks to everyone who went before and spent their time building this thread up! Sorry in advance but this is gonna be super long. Hope this helps:

Score: 73 9/9/9

I've taken the SIFT (army's version) so I knew what to expect for some of it. I also have a flexible work schedule so I took off a little over two weeks to do nothing but study, I'd highly recommend it if possible but realize not everyone can. I was a poli sci major in college and hadn't taken math or physics since high school so I had to relearn everything. I also have my PPL but haven't flown in about 4 years.

I purchased three study guides (from Aegis group, Trivium, and Test prep books) but I didn't find them very helpful in terms of actually explaining concepts. I used them more for their practice problems and showing what the concepts were, then going on YouTube and watching Khan Academy (for math and mechanics) and Pilot Training System (for Aviation). Pilot training systems goes through the entire FAA PHAK, not in as much detail, but most likely enough to get the basics. I'm a really slow reader so this method helped me a lot. I did use the books for nautical information because I knew absolutely nothing about it when I started studying. Other than that practice tests and repetition were what I did most, lots of flash cards are on proprofs, cram, and quizlet for each subject. All the material I used i either mention or found in this thread, but I can put together a full list if anyone wants it.

MATH:
The math questions I had started out simple then quickly got extremely complex, not really in terms of the concepts, but the amount of numbers being used to find the solution. For one I remember multiplying a 7 digit number by a 4 digit number as the final step. Most of the concepts covered in the study guides were used. My test ended after 25 mins with a logarithm problem so I'm guessing that's roughly as hard as it will get. I'd recommend finding the types of problems you will face and youtubing the methods for solving them if you don't understand them, then just make sure you understand the procedure for each. Long division, multiplication, addition and subtraction are the bedrock of everything so make sure you try to get as fast as you can while staying accurate with high digit numbers and decimals.

READING:
This was definitely my worst area, I ran out of time but I think I got around 15-17 before it clocked out. A lot of study guides give you a paragraph, then a specific question, then answers. This format is only the paragraph, then four statements. Sometimes the paragraphs were only a 3 line sentence, some were 10. Additionally the answer statements can be up to 3 lines long for some, so reading the answers before and looking for it in the paragraph doesn't always work. The topics were primarily about navy procedure and some stuff about science, either way it was extremely boring and dry. Don't really have a way to study for this, but knowing what to expect always helps.

MECHANICS:
This one was kinda all over the place for me, at the end the questions got really complex and the last one was a circuit with multiple batteries, a magnetic coil (or whatever that's actually called), and an X-ray thing. There was a decent amount of math and actual calculation using formulas but it was mostly conceptual. I'd go through any books, guides, or flash cards to find the concepts, then look them up if you need further help. I used Khan Academy, but there's plenty of good ones.

ANIT:
The books did a pretty good job of covering basic nautical terms, the pilot training system videos and the FAA PHAK definitely cover the general Aviation concepts well. Make sure to know the shirt colors of the airmen on carriers and the history of aviation and naval aviation and specific aircraft types, the navy airmen guide covered a lot of this. This subtest booted me out after 5 mins at about 15 questions. Most questions are very straight forward and expected, but some are very random. Ones that stuck out were which type of dive bomber the USN purchased before Midway, and something about a commander (not a famous one you'd recognize) testing a nose tow something or other in 1963 and what capability was being developed. I'm sure my previous aviation experience was extremely helpful, but I also studied this subject the most and I'm sure this subject is what can be improved upon the most by studying.

TRAIT INVENTORY:
Don't try to game it, just answer.

PBMB:
UAV: pretty straightforward, click the parking lot as fast as you can. I got one wrong but averaged about 2 seconds. The screen gives you the heading, the headphones give you the target. I used these to practice (https://www.proprofs.com/flashcards/cardshow.php?title=_36014).
I tried the compass method before, but I did better without it.

Dichotic listening: I probably went overboard and practiced this by using the voice memos function on my iPhone, recording a computer saying strings of numbers and letters, then playing different strings through different headphones and responding. I think it helped but it was probably overkill. Just for clarity it's always one target ear at a time only, characters are said at exactly the same time and volume. Throttle is odd, trigger was even the entire time (at least for me).

VTT: pretty straight forward, track the plane up and down.

ATT: also straight forward. I read that study about this test, and from what I recalled it was like aiming in any shooter video game where forward was up and back was down. It's like an actual stick on a plane, forward is down, back is up, left and right are the same.

ATT/VTT: straight forward, but unbelievably difficult. The hardest part for me was pushing forward on the stick and going down, then forward on the throttle and going up. That was difficult to get used to but just do the best you can. I did play a good amount of COD in my study breaks, I figured you're tracking a moving target with a reticle so it may help. No idea if it did.

MTT: I didn't think this was as hard as I anticipated. It was much harder initially getting used to controlling both reticles than it was to incorporate listening. Listening was definitely the easier of the three tasks. Also, 100% overkill again, I played COD while listening to the character strings in different ears and responded (squeezing the non playing fingers). It's unbelievably difficult and I think it may have actually helped at multitasking given this was actually easier than the previous test since I was already starting to get used to the multiple trackers, but maybe that's just me. Still totally overkill.

EST: When you are calibrating the controls write down which direction is 100% and which is 0% for each knob. It gives you time to memorize the procedures, make sure to write them down. For me I did it in terms of full left/right, or full forward/back. Once you write them down, practice them before moving on. I didn't physically move the knobs, but visualized and motioned like going full forward/back and full left/right until I felt comfortable. Also try to have them centered after each scenario, it's important during one of them that the top knob stays centered, so that's one less control to move if it's already there.

Sorry again for how crazy long this post is, hopefully it helps.
Click to expand...

Congratulations! If you can make a full list of your study materials that would be AMAZING! You can email them to me at davidlanc16@gmail.com or post them publicly! Thank you!
 
peppergunner

peppergunner

ɹǝqɯǝW pǝʇɹǝʌuI
hairbair96 said:
Howdy,

Going to be taking the ASTB in the next couple weeks and wanted to get some of your opinions on things to brush up upon for each section of the test.

I have a few study books I've been using including studying ASVAB and ASTB study guides, as well as reading on naval aviation history and nautical/aviation terminology.

Im fortunate enough to have ample amounts of time to study and I've been spending the past week at the library for about 8 hours a day.
Im already feeling confident in being prepared for each section but would like some pointers and specific topics that wouldn't be so obvious

Math: i know that the test is adaptive and tends to get harder as you go along, i would like some examples of some of the harder questions you experiences and what topics they covered.

Reading: All Ive done with this is try to build my vocabulary of the uncommon words as well pre/suffixs.

Mechanical: Ive learned all about simple machines, levers, Mechanical advantage, etc. Anything specific that you saw in terms of how they presented the question?

ANIT: as said above, i read about naval aviation and studying basics of aviation and nautical terminology. I'm pretty sure i got this part down.

Ive also been familiarizing myself with compass navigation and really ingraining it in my mind so i can perform faster on the PBM

Thank you, any advice is appreciated. I have a 2.9 GPA in Psychology/ Criminal justice and not much else going for me so i really need to get good scores the first time.
Click to expand...
Only Lever question I saw was about identifying different classes. For mech advantage, just think about different gears on a bike and how the radius of the spoke make the bike easier or harder to move.

For Math, most have used and enjoyed the GRE Math books. None of the questions are really hard, just hard due to the lack of a calculator. Hardest questions I got to where log transformations and exponential stuff.

For Nav, I really likes the paper compass method. Search 'ASTB compass method' on YouTube and you'll find it.

I'd then suggest playing a shooter with an inverted Y axis in your setting for the pilot stuff.
 
Last edited:
Moriarty617

Moriarty617

Member
hairbair96 said:
Howdy,

Going to be taking the ASTB in the next couple weeks and wanted to get some of your opinions on things to brush up upon for each section of the test.

I have a few study books I've been using including studying ASVAB and ASTB study guides, as well as reading on naval aviation history and nautical/aviation terminology.

Im fortunate enough to have ample amounts of time to study and I've been spending the past week at the library for about 8 hours a day.
Im already feeling confident in being prepared for each section but would like some pointers and specific topics that wouldn't be so obvious

Math: i know that the test is adaptive and tends to get harder as you go along, i would like some examples of some of the harder questions you experiences and what topics they covered.

Reading: All Ive done with this is try to build my vocabulary of the uncommon words as well pre/suffixs.

Mechanical: Ive learned all about simple machines, levers, Mechanical advantage, etc. Anything specific that you saw in terms of how they presented the question?

ANIT: as said above, i read about naval aviation and studying basics of aviation and nautical terminology. I'm pretty sure i got this part down.

Ive also been familiarizing myself with compass navigation and really ingraining it in my mind so i can perform faster on the PBM

Thank you, any advice is appreciated. I have a 2.9 GPA in Psychology/ Criminal justice and not much else going for me so i really need to get good scores the first time.
Click to expand...
My advice is constantly check the time. I finished on time for all sections. Whats your biggest worry? For math just know your basic algebra. "Pgunner" has a great study guide that I didn't realize was available untill after the test. For reading, my strategy was to first read the answers and then read the passage. Do this twice untill you come up with an answer hou are confident in. Let me know if you have any questions about any other part of the test. I was worrying a lot and then I found this website. If you have been studying as much as you say you are I wouldn't worry at all. Just take time and make sure to ask me any questions you have. I am on my phone right now so I cannot go too much into detail. I can explain the rest of the test just ask me. This site is amazing.
 
T

Tjvogel14

Member
Can anyone confirm whether or not the servers are down for the ASTB? I was slated for a 5/24 exam date, which was then pushed back until today, due to server issues. I confirmed with my OR this morning that everything was working properly before driving 2 hours to be told once again that the system wasn't operating correctly. I noticed the member above was able to test on 6/1 and am wondering why I am being told that there are persisting server malfunctions nationwide. I am quite displeased with how this is playing out, as I had planned on giving myself enough time to retest if I so needed to before August boards.
 
mewoods3

mewoods3

Member
Tjvogel14 said:
Can anyone confirm whether or not the servers are down for the ASTB? I was slated for a 5/24 exam date, which was then pushed back until today, due to server issues. I confirmed with my OR this morning that everything was working properly before driving 2 hours to be told once again that the system wasn't operating correctly. I noticed the member above was able to test on 6/1 and am wondering why I am being told that there are persisting server malfunctions nationwide. I am quite displeased with how this is playing out, as I had planned on giving myself enough time to retest if I so needed to before August boards.
Click to expand...

Yes the system is down. My OR told me they are switching over to Windows 10 which currently does not recognize the ASTB program. He was told the system should "hopefully" be back up by tonight. I'm rescheduled to take the ASTB Friday morning now.
 
C

codyselec

Member
Tjvogel14 said:
Can anyone confirm whether or not the servers are down for the ASTB? I was slated for a 5/24 exam date, which was then pushed back until today, due to server issues. I confirmed with my OR this morning that everything was working properly before driving 2 hours to be told once again that the system wasn't operating correctly. I noticed the member above was able to test on 6/1 and am wondering why I am being told that there are persisting server malfunctions nationwide. I am quite displeased with how this is playing out, as I had planned on giving myself enough time to retest if I so needed to before August boards.
Click to expand...

As annoying as it might be this is for the better. You don't want your test crashing every 15 minutes like mine did. Keep focused, keep studying, and hurry up and wait.
 
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