I just took the ASTB today. First want to thank all the people here who have posted study materials here and especially the creator of the ASTB prep app. That app is a must get, not an option.
My score was 59 7/8/7.
For some background, I have an applied math degree but I am 4 years out of college and have an established career as an accountant so I am still somewhat familiar with the mathematical concepts needed. I also have a Private Pilots License so that probably helped me with the aviation portion.
I studied for about 2 weeks, doing the lessons on the ASTB prep app and using the PBM tests on the app multiple times a day.
The math section for me was not too difficult. I happen to get a lot of rates, probability, and system of equations questions. Just study the concepts in the app. There were no questions that were not covered in the app lessons. I took 2 practice tests in the app before the actual test and scored a 75% and then 100%.
Reading section you can’t prepare for but honestly I probably missed more here then I’d like to admit. It was boring reading, no real advice here, just read and answer the best you can.
Mechanical questions were pretty difficult but mostly conceptual. I knew I would struggle here and was counting on my math skills to pick up my score.
Aviation and navy knowledge for me was pretty simple but as stated above I have a slight advantage by already holding a PPL. I think that the ASTB prep app covered things great, if you are still struggling then there is another app called Private Pilot Test Prep by Sportys. Buy the app for $5 and go to the learning mode and select the sections that you think will be on the ASTB. There is a lot of information there that will be for private pilots that you don’t need to know but try to weed that out, such as and legal requirements or NTSB reporting, aircraft maintenance requirements, or things like that. Also no weather related questions in the ASTB.
I missed two on the UAV portion of the actual test i believe due to stress in the moment. It’s exactly like it is in the ASTB prep app. You need to use that app and be scoring 20/20 every time with the compass trick. No excuses there.
For the tracking I did use the Janzen simulator thing a few times. I don’t have a x52 or joystick or anything like that so I just used my mouse. Hardest difficulty scoring under 100 is good I think. If you are decently coordinated then I think just practice with a mouse is fine. There is no getting around the fact that this will be a difficult part of the test. Just stay focused and talk to yourself to not get frustrated.
When it comes to the listening portion, I didn’t realize eventually in the test you would have to do the tracking and listening at the same time so that was new. My tips are to lean to the target ear to adjust your focus to the ear and then talk to yourself if you can as you are tracking. If the target ear says right, tilt your head and say “right ear” then with each callout you should say “even” “odd” or “letter” to help you for the connection. Don’t get frustrated, it’s designed to get harder as you keep going.
Emergency procedures were simple once I got there. Write them down, you’ll be fine.
Terrain ID was something I hated practicing. I’d like to think I got a good majority of them right. You have to use the pencil trick in my opinion. But once again, it was almost identical to the ASTB prep app.
Once again, thank you to the recourses here. And a huge shoutout and thank you to the creator of the ASTB prep app. That app is a must get, no excuses.