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

[elariosa95]

Hey y'all, my third and final attempt at the ASTB got scheduled for May 13, two weeks from tomorrow. In an attempt to improve on my scores from my last try, I've gone back to the drawing board and tried to remember every piece of advice I've gotten from the last few tries:

• The ASTB sim with the X52 HOTAS is about as close as you can get to the actual test.
  • I've been playing at one level higher than the default difficulty and have been averaging in the 90s for stick and high 70s-low 80s for throttle.
  • Higher difficulties will definitely help you improve quickly, but I've found that the X52 is particularly finicky, especially when dealing with the throttle mapping.
• It seems that the test's instructions for the emergency procedures portion don't include having your knobs in neutral during normal operation. In addition, the procedures are given in the order they are listed in the instructions.
  • Based on this, it would be wise to pre-set your knobs to the necessary position before each procedure for maximum points.
• Drawing the compass rose is absolutely essential for the UAV portion.
  • I've also found that placing your compass rose on the table and using the eraser on a pencil to rotate it is much faster/easier than holding it.
• There are plenty of dichotic listening videos on YouTube that can help you, but leaning to the side you're supposed to be listening to helps you focus better.
  • If there are songs where the instruments are panned to one side or the other, maybe you could try playing the sim while only listening to one side?
• The ANIT flash cards will get you about 70%-80% of the information on the actual test. The FAA pilot's handbook will get you to 90ish%. Having your PPL will get you to 100%. Being Tom Cruise will get you to 110%.
• Kyle's study guide and the Barron's book together are enough to guarantee a 54/55 or higher on the OAR.
  • Math is relatively straightforward, but be prepared for exponents, cube roots, probability, etc.
  • Reading is tough, but process of elimination reigns supreme here.
  • Mechanical is probably the simplest because the laws of physics don't change. As someone who has an engineering degree, the concepts were easy enough to understand and study, but I couldn't help but overthink everything and I believe that slowed me down tremendously.
• Bring water and snacks, it's gonna be a long day and your brain will probably be fried before you even start the PBM section.
• In general, try to meditate for a minute or two before each section. This helps me focus on the task at hand, and, most importantly, calms me down when I'm feeling stressed.

I don't want to spread misinformation on here -- especially when everyone else is depending on it -- so please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong or if you have another piece of info that can help us!

 

[enzy24]

Hey y'all, my third and final attempt at the ASTB got scheduled for May 13, two weeks from tomorrow. In an attempt to improve on my scores from my last try, I've gone back to the drawing board and tried to remember every piece of advice I've gotten from the last few tries:

• The ASTB sim with the X52 HOTAS is about as close as you can get to the actual test.
  • I've been playing at one level higher than the default difficulty and have been averaging in the 90s for stick and high 70s-low 80s for throttle.
  • Higher difficulties will definitely help you improve quickly, but I've found that the X52 is particularly finicky, especially when dealing with the throttle mapping.
• It seems that the test's instructions for the emergency procedures portion don't include having your knobs in neutral during normal operation. In addition, the procedures are given in the order they are listed in the instructions.
  • Based on this, it would be wise to pre-set your knobs to the necessary position before each procedure for maximum points.
• Drawing the compass rose is absolutely essential for the UAV portion.
  • I've also found that placing your compass rose on the table and using the eraser on a pencil to rotate it is much faster/easier than holding it.
• There are plenty of dichotic listening videos on YouTube that can help you, but leaning to the side you're supposed to be listening to helps you focus better.
  • If there are songs where the instruments are panned to one side or the other, maybe you could try playing the sim while only listening to one side?
• The ANIT flash cards will get you about 70%-80% of the information on the actual test. The FAA pilot's handbook will get you to 90ish%. Having your PPL will get you to 100%. Being Tom Cruise will get you to 110%.
• Kyle's study guide and the Barron's book together are enough to guarantee a 54/55 or higher on the OAR.
  • Math is relatively straightforward, but be prepared for exponents, cube roots, probability, etc.
  • Reading is tough, but process of elimination reigns supreme here.
  • Mechanical is probably the simplest because the laws of physics don't change. As someone who has an engineering degree, the concepts were easy enough to understand and study, but I couldn't help but overthink everything and I believe that slowed me down tremendously.
• Bring water and snacks, it's gonna be a long day and your brain will probably be fried before you even start the PBM section.
• In general, try to meditate for a minute or two before each section. This helps me focus on the task at hand, and, most importantly, calms me down when I'm feeling stressed.

I don't want to spread misinformation on here -- especially when everyone else is depending on it -- so please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong or if you have another piece of info that can help us!

My recruiter also recommended bringing your own headphones if you have a good pair, judging by some of the complaints here it seems like that was good advice

 

[elariosa95]

My recruiter also recommended bringing your own headphones if you have a good pair, judging by some of the complaints here it seems like that was good advice

I'm gonna ask my recruiter if that's allowed. If it is, I'm 100% bringing my Grado SR80's bc those are the most detailed headphones I've listened to lol

 

[enzy24]

I'm gonna ask my recruiter if that's allowed. If it is, I'm 100% bringing my Grado SR80's bc those are the most detailed headphones I've listened to lol

Hopefully they allow it, definitely want every advantage possible on the third go. Good luck!

 

[elariosa95]

Hopefully they allow it, definitely want every advantage possible on the third go. Good luck!

My recruiter just emailed me back and said that everyone must use the equipment provided so that everyone tests the same.

In other words, no bringing your own headphones. I figured that would be the case but I just wanted to check anyway

 

[enzy24]

My recruiter just emailed me back and said that everyone must use the equipment provided so that everyone tests the same.

In other words, no bringing your own headphones. I figured that would be the case but I just wanted to check anyway

Was worth a shot at least, apologies for the bad info. Apparently I got lucky

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Hi All - new to this forum today. I see a post with links to prior SNA/ NFO boards -link below. does anyone have similar postings from the NROTC boards with data on who from that commission path was selected with various scores / GPA major like the other ones, which are great?

Two added questions:
1. How much does prior flight experience play so to speak in getting a slot as a SNA or NFO? If a person is a commercial pilot, CFI flight instructor, and finishing up NROTC next year, would that help them get selected to go to flight school after commissioning? 21.5 y.o. if that matters - will be 22 at commissioning.
2. Does an ASTB score of 777 or 877 or 887 make the cut for SNA or NFO currently? If you had those scores and were a pilot, would you re-take the exam?

Thanks for your guidance in advance and thanks for hosting this forum - looks great!

Post with prior board results: https://www.airwarriors.com/communi...r-sna-or-snfo-i-am-putting-in-for-both.48352/

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Hi All - new to this forum today. I see a post with links to prior SNA/ NFO boards -link below. does anyone have similar postings from the NROTC boards with data on who from that commission path was selected with various scores / GPA major like the other ones, which are great?

Two added questions:
1. How much does prior flight experience play so to speak in getting a slot as a SNA or NFO? If a person is a commercial pilot, CFI flight instructor, and finishing up NROTC next year, would that help them get selected to go to flight school after commissioning? 21.5 y.o. if that matters - will be 22 at commissioning.
2. Does an ASTB score of 777 or 877 or 887 make the cut for SNA or NFO currently? If you had those scores and were a pilot, would you re-take the exam?

Thanks for your guidance in advance and thanks for hosting this forum - looks great!

Post with prior board results: https://www.airwarriors.com/communi...r-sna-or-snfo-i-am-putting-in-for-both.48352/

This forum has mostly those trying to get in via OCS, NROTC is a different animal even though they both take the ASTB. What could get a person selected for aviation in NROTC may not in OCS and to make it interesting the reverse could be true depending on the needs of OCS.

Those scores are all decent you listed but the person you are referring to would be better served talking to their advisor who has maybe seen a few rounds of NROTC mids get picked for aviation.

 

[zacharyd07]

Hey all,

I just took my ASTB and received,

OAR 56
AQR 6
PFAR 5
FOFAR 6

The guy who proctored my test said these scores were good enough and that I shouldn't retake the test. Is this enough to make it into pilot training?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Hey all,

I just took my ASTB and received,

OAR 56
AQR 6
PFAR 5
FOFAR 6

The guy who proctored my test said these scores were good enough and that I shouldn't retake the test. Is this enough to make it into pilot training?

nope, your PFAR is the minimum, you should be at 7 to have a realistic chance.

 

[Teairax]

Anymore suggestions for the reading comprehension portion of the OAR? Anything would help me right now!!

 

[The2ndworst]

Best tip for that is just treat each question as an “if.. then..” statement. Most of the questions I had you could eliminate two of the answer choices right away. Then chose the better of the remaining two. If I had a toss up I just put the more generalized or simplest answer choice.

 

[ADP]

I just took my OAR today and scored 58 6/5/6. I didn't have any flight experience and didn't study for the test at all. Being an NFO is very interesting to me, but I don't know if I could improve my score enough to be a competitive candidate (recruiter told me 7/7/7 would make me competitive, 8/8/8 would make me a relatively safe pick). Is there a way to improve your score on the ASTB section? The part of it that involves using actual flight controls doesn't really seem trainable, but could I do enough outside of that to safely get to 8/8/8?

 

[carviator]

I just took my OAR today and scored 58 6/5/6. I didn't have any flight experience and didn't study for the test at all. Being an NFO is very interesting to me, but I don't know if I could improve my score enough to be a competitive candidate (recruiter told me 7/7/7 would make me competitive, 8/8/8 would make me a relatively safe pick). Is there a way to improve your score on the ASTB section? The part of it that involves using actual flight controls doesn't really seem trainable, but could I do enough outside of that to safely get to 8/8/8?

I'll make this short. The joystick portion is somewhat trainable. The UAV and aviation knowledge portion are definitely trainable. Search the forums for Jantzen simulator. Buy a hotas and get some stick time. For UAV there is an apple only app called astb prep that had a very good UAV simulator. For aeronautical knowledge, search this thread for gouge or read the pilots handbook of aeronautical knowledge. Actual flight experience couldn't hurt either if you have the time and resources (will hurt your wallet).

In short, you can get selected with a 6 FOFAR but you'll want at minimum a 7 to really improve your chances. Shouldn't be hard to improve from where you're at.

 

[ADP]

I'll make this short. The joystick portion is somewhat trainable. The UAV and aviation knowledge portion are definitely trainable. Search the forums for Jantzen simulator. Buy a hotas and get some stick time. For UAV there is an apple only app called astb prep that had a very good UAV simulator. For aeronautical knowledge, search this thread for gouge or read the pilots handbook of aeronautical knowledge. Actual flight experience couldn't hurt either if you have the time and resources (will hurt your wallet).

In short, you can get selected with a 6 FOFAR but you'll want at minimum a 7 to really improve your chances. Shouldn't be hard to improve from where you're at.

How far do you think I could get without a flight stick? I'm unsure about putting down money for something I considered for the first time today.