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

[aells90]

Huge congrats on the score! Just out of curiosity, what was your average percentage tracked on the ASTB prep app with the x52? When I was studying last year I would get around 40% and got an 8 PFAR so I am just curious on what you were getting since I like to still mess around with it here and there. Thanks, and again congrats!

I was averaging 22-28% on the prep app

 

[JTayorinde]

for this question.
Got the drop a bullet and shoot a bullet question.
im seeing people talk about it. is there any post here that specifies what it looks like?

and ive been using the astb prep app on android. i have run through all the pictures for the terrain identification.
any suggestions to what else i can do to practice more?

 

[sawyer_719]

Hey everyone. Is the UAV portion on the Alex Hastings astb prep app different than the actual uav portion in any way? Is it a bit faster than you will see on the actual test? Thanks

 

[ChillBeast69]

Hey everyone. Is the UAV portion on the Alex Hastings astb prep app different than the actual uav portion in any way? Is it a bit faster than you will see on the actual test? Thanks

if you can rip 42 questions all correct in less than 2 seconds per questions you will be good to go. It’s very close to the real thing. Thus section is a gimme in my opinion.

 

[imaginarybird]

Hi all! Im curious if anyone has seen any direct variation problems on the OAR? When I searched, it doesnt seem so but I want to make sure. Im am struggling with understanding it and keep getting it wrong. I dont want to spend hours learning it when its not going to actually be on the test.

 

[Kodiak_AZ]

Just watched a video on YouTube of the “compass trick” and it made no sense to me. How are you guys approaching this?

I’ve been looking at landmarks on the reference map (there’s a big circle next to a highway) to identify what part of the map I’m zoomed in on which usually takes at least 4-5 seconds.

Then I find what way I must be approaching that landmark. I.e. on the northern map, that building is to the north of that road, zoomed in it looks like the building to the southwest of that road so I must be approaching from that direction.

When I select the answer, I’m right about 60% of the time. The other 30% of the time, I’m off by one (for example: chose NNW instead of WNW). Then maybe 10% of the time I’m thinking of it from the opposite side of the compass, like ESE instead of WNW.

Can someone link to how they learned/used compass trick?

For those comparing it to UAV, I get UAV right 99% of the time within 1-2 seconds but that isn’t translating for me to the terrain. Your help/input is much appreciated!!

 

[sawyer_719]

Just watched a video on YouTube of the “compass trick” and it made no sense to me. How are you guys approaching this?

I’ve been looking at landmarks on the reference map (there’s a big circle next to a highway) to identify what part of the map I’m zoomed in on which usually takes at least 4-5 seconds.

Then I find what way I must be approaching that landmark. I.e. on the northern map, that building is to the north of that road, zoomed in it looks like the building to the southwest of that road so I must be approaching from that direction.

When I select the answer, I’m right about 60% of the time. The other 30% of the time, I’m off by one (for example: chose NNW instead of WNW). Then maybe 10% of the time I’m thinking of it from the opposite side of the compass, like ESE instead of WNW.

Can someone link to how they learned/used compass trick?

For those comparing it to UAV, I get UAV right 99% of the time within 1-2 seconds but that isn’t translating for me to the terrain. Your help/input is much appreciated!

I have been practicing that portion a bunch and using the compass trick is super helpful. I will say it did take some getting used to when it came to figuring out which exact one was "pointing north" every time but that will come with repetition. Also another thing I found was make sure you are lining up North on your compass facing the same direction on both pictures. If north is facing towards the mountain on the real photo make sure the line you choose for the zoomed in photo to align your compass with is also facing north towards the mountains or you will have it backwards. Hope this helps.

 

[sawyer_719]

Hi everyone again. I asked about the UAV portion yesterday but am wondering if there is really time on the test to look at the heading and the desired building while also "spinning" your compass around? I find that I really only have time to get below that 2 second threshold if I do it in my head or at least that's how I feel on the Alex Hastings ASTB app.

 

[FlyJ32]

Hi everyone again. I asked about the UAV portion yesterday but am wondering if there is really time on the test to look at the heading and the desired building while also "spinning" your compass around? I find that I really only have time to get below that 2 second threshold if I do it in my head or at least that's how I feel on the Alex Hastings ASTB app.

It is definitely possible if you keep practicing. I average 20/20 in 1.2 seconds with the compass trick. I know some people don’t use it in order to be faster, but with practice you’ll be able to get it under 2 seconds, and the compass makes sure you’re accurate.

 

[watercup]

Hi everyone again. I asked about the UAV portion yesterday but am wondering if there is really time on the test to look at the heading and the desired building while also "spinning" your compass around? I find that I really only have time to get below that 2 second threshold if I do it in my head or at least that's how I feel on the Alex Hastings ASTB app.

Just took the ASTB today, it is possible, just keep on practicing. I would do a two or three 42 question sessions (which is the max) at a time at least twice a day. So four to six times a day I would practice. During the test I got below two seconds on most of the questions and only missed one because I clicked before actually thinking.

 

[sawyer_719]

Ok thanks for the advice. We will see how it goes

 

[ChillBeast69]

Ok thanks for the advice. We will see how it goes

Yea man just run it whenever you pick up your phone throughout the day. Instead of going on social media or something go on the app and practice and i promise you will get very good even without the compass trick.

 

[watercup]

for this question.
Got the drop a bullet and shoot a bullet question.
im seeing people talk about it. is there any post here that specifies what it looks like?

and ive been using the astb prep app on android. i have run through all the pictures for the terrain identification.
any suggestions to what else i can do to practice more?

If you are asking about what it would like like in real life, video by Mythbusters I found was helpful.

 

[rybs]

Hi everyone again. I asked about the UAV portion yesterday but am wondering if there is really time on the test to look at the heading and the desired building while also "spinning" your compass around? I find that I really only have time to get below that 2 second threshold if I do it in my head or at least that's how I feel on the Alex Hastings ASTB app.

I would highly recommend you at least try and learn it without using the compass method. I didn't use it and was scoring 0.80 sec 19/20 or better in practice each time. The test I believe I was able to go even faster because of the mouse setup, it was instant and no misses. Even if you don't get it all the way down, practicing without the compass method will surely help you be faster if you do use the compass method! Best of luck to you!

 

[sawyer_719]

Hi guys, I just took the astb and was wondering about some clarification on what my scores could mean for me.

OAR: 57
All 7's for the PBM
58 on LPSS.

Anything would be appreciated. Thanks.