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

Couple of things:
1. I think the 24 JUN 22 deadline is for the August board which - according to ppl on this site (not the official word) - has been canceled. Thus the next SNA/SNFO board will be 31 OCT 22 though I do not know the application deadline

2. Are you applying ISPP? If so you need to hit the minimums for that and you should get an automatic Pro-Rec-Y from what I've read on AW.

3. If you are not applying ISPP your highest ASTB scores are not good enough to get picked up for SNA (need at least a 5 PFAR). You will need to retake the ASTB and shoot for 7s to have a decent shot at SNA.

Edit: looks like you just deleted your post...
My recruiter told me that aug board was canceled and that I would have to put in for the October one. She didn't tell me the dates the application is due but expects early September.
 
The intent of the test is to test your ability to selectively listen and "fly" at the same time. If you have mono audio in your headphones you will fail the dichotic listening. Notify the proctor immediately and don't accept that test as good.

To clarify, you are supposed to hear 2 different sets of numbers, a unique set in each ear. This is the correct way. You are not supposed to hear both sets of numbers in both ears and you are not supposed to only hear 1 set of numbers.
When I took the test a few months ago it was the same way, I thought that is how it was supposed to be but didn't look into the notes you mentioned! I take my test again next Friday and need to make sure of that! Hearing two audio sounds at the same time made the test so much more difficult lol
 

JpQuist

Active Member
That sounds like an issue with the headphones, they're definitely supposed to play different audio tracks. Did you let the person administering your test know?
I notified the proctor, but they were not able to fix it. I shouldn't have continued with this portion of the test, but he made it seem like it wasn't a big deal. I know better now.
The intent of the test is to test your ability to selectively listen and "fly" at the same time. If you have mono audio in your headphones you will fail the dichotic listening. Notify the proctor immediately and don't accept that test as good.

To clarify, you are supposed to hear 2 different sets of numbers, a unique set in each ear. This is the correct way. You are not supposed to hear both sets of numbers in both ears and you are not supposed to only hear 1 set of numbers.
I knew I should've not resumed until this issue was fixed. When I took it I basically just guessed which ear the audio intended for the target ear was and it definitely effected my scores. I got 6/6/7 on this attempt and I know it could've been better especially given how bad I probably did on even just the dichotic listening part. Honesty, it was pretty frustrating to be so close to having decent scores, but that one was on me. I take the test again next Friday. I took my last attempt on a Saturday due to my work schedule and the "help desk" for the test was closed so there was no one to call to fix the issue. It also doesn't help that my testing location was a little over 3 hours away and the idea of having to make that trip again for a potential third time encouraged me to listen to the proctor and just go for it.

This time around I've got a plan. I'm taking the day off of work on Friday and staying the night before in a hotel in the city where I'm taking the test, so I can be sure to be there on a day where the help desk is operating if the issue remains. My main concern now is that if the issue is still there and it's something with either the headphones or the way they have the computer set up that even with the help desk open there might not be much they can do about it. I guess we shall see.
 

Torchic

New Member
Hi.

I was recommended to this forum. I do remember taking the OAR back in 2019 and 2020. I believe the first time I took it I got a 35 and then a 38. I didn't really study at all and I kind of just decided to take it. This time will be the last time I am able to take it. Do you guys have any recommendations for study material? I did a few practice tests. I am fine with Math. Mechanical Comprehension is what is messing me up. I am trying to get into the SWO community. I do have my BS in Computer Information Systems and MS in Cybersecurity. GPA was 3.8 and 3.7 respectively. My age will need a waiver for SWO since I just turned 31. I am worried because this is definitely something I have been wanting to do since before I enlisted. My main concern is that my spouse is also in the Navy, so I am worried about colocation and if our lifestyle would change.
Hey there! Seems like we are both in the same boat (first try made a 28, second try made a 40). The mechanical part is messing me up as well. But I found an app on the app store that has an emblem of the ensign rank. It's really good for the math part and mechanic part (doesn't have a lot of challenging problems but it does have explanations). I found a portion of Kyle's drive helpful. But I have not been able to find a good study guide for the mechanical part. The reading is a hit or miss.
 

layan

New Member
Hey there! Seems like we are both in the same boat (first try made a 28, second try made a 40). The mechanical part is messing me up as well. But I found an app on the app store that has an emblem of the ensign rank. It's really good for the math part and mechanic part (doesn't have a lot of challenging problems but it does have explanations). I found a portion of Kyle's drive helpful. But I have not been able to find a good study guide for the mechanical part. The reading is a hit or miss.
I thought that the Kyle's drive was excellent for the mechanical section. It pretty much explains every physics concept that may be in the mechanical section. If you don't understand one of the concepts from that 2 part study guide, then I would look up youtube videos that go into more depth. When I started studying, I knew nothing about physics (I had never taken a physics class in high school or college) and I was able to feel prepared by reading that guide and watching youtube videos. If you actually had to do long calculations and memorize formulas I would be screwed but it is more concept based. When you go through that study guide do you feel like you are familiar with all of the concepts and can explain each one without looking at the notes and know the more important equations like Ohm's Law? Because if you can do that, then I'm not really sure how you would be struggling.
 

elariosa95

SNA (Primary - VT-6)
I thought that the Kyle's drive was excellent for the mechanical section. It pretty much explains every physics concept that may be in the mechanical section. If you don't understand one of the concepts from that 2 part study guide, then I would look up youtube videos that go into more depth. When I started studying, I knew nothing about physics (I had never taken a physics class in high school or college) and I was able to feel prepared by reading that guide and watching youtube videos. If you actually had to do long calculations and memorize formulas I would be screwed but it is more concept based. When you go through that study guide do you feel like you are familiar with all of the concepts and can explain each one without looking at the notes and know the more important equations like Ohm's Law? Because if you can do that, then I'm not really sure how you would be struggling.
To go off this, I second the focusing on the concepts. I had mostly conceptual problems when I last took it. The few kinematics problems I had were fairly easy to solve tho
 

wonderb0iwl

Active Member
So I've been kind of passively studying for around 2 months for the ASTB. I would say I have the actual ASTB portion down (Anit, UAV, joystick) and the physics part seems alright. However math is rough, and now I'm scheduled to take it next week. Did I mess up deciding to take it so early? I'm planning on really grinding it out this next week, I've been so busy with summer classes but they're over now.
 

elariosa95

SNA (Primary - VT-6)
So I've been kind of passively studying for around 2 months for the ASTB. I would say I have the actual ASTB portion down (Anit, UAV, joystick) and the physics part seems alright. However math is rough, and now I'm scheduled to take it next week. Did I mess up deciding to take it so early? I'm planning on really grinding it out this next week, I've been so busy with summer classes but they're over now.
If you're really feeling unsure about it, you can always reschedule. You only get 3 attempts at it, so if you really don't feel confident, you should probably move it back
 

wonderb0iwl

Active Member
Can anyone give me a breakdown of how much time you have for each section? For some reason I can't actually find the breakdown online. I hear that its adaptive and might end early and others say they spent 30-40 minutes on just one section. So would a good strategy be to take my time on each question, or to rush through it to get through all the questions?

Also for people who have taken the test, are these UAV cards similar to the ones you saw on the test?
Or does the test have the ones with the satellite imagery.

And do you get breaks between sections or is it all in one sitting.
 
Just walked out from my second attempt at the ASTB! Board I will be applying for is the 31OCT22. What else can do I do to boost my chances of getting picked up?
Or the way the stats sit do I have a decent chance? Going for Pilot, haven’t decided if I’m going to put NFO as back up or not. Prefer pilot for sure.

ASTB: OAR 54 6/6/6
BA: Organization Leadership, Arizona State
GPA: 3.92
Mil: Current active Air National Guard (USAF) Flight Avionics mechanic on F-16s since 2013, E-6/ TSgt
Age: 27 (will be 28 in September)
Flying: 34.5 flight hours with a solo, working toward PPL

No medical waivers and can get all my letters of rec from F16 instructor pilots O-6+, a PhD from ASU, retired Navy 0-6 fighter pilot

Don’t be shy tell me how it is!
Thank you
 
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