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

[Nutnado]

Yes the one by Alex Hastings. Definitely worth the money.

Awesome, I'm buying it now. Thank you so much.

 

[georgethegreat]

Thanks! I got all of the UAV right, averaging about 1.5-1.6 seconds, using the compass trick. I averaged consistently 20/20 right on the prep app at about 1.1-1.2 seconds, so keep in mind that it will be a little slower on the actual test when you have to use a mouse. For Terrain ID, it doesn’t actually tell you if you got it right or not, but after practicing a lot on the app, you kind of know to yourself if you got it right. I used the pencil trick, and am pretty positive I got all 18 right, averaging about 10 seconds. On the app I would always get 18/20-20/20 in about 10-12 seconds, but the test was actually easier than the app for this.

Again there are different factors that play into PFAR that the Navy don’t tell us, but I’m sure these aspects of the PBM are weighted heavily. Let me know if you have anymore questions, and feel free to dm me.

Hey man. Wondering how you figured out terrain ID. I watched youtube videos but still get some wrong.

 

[FlyJ32]

Hey man. Wondering how you figured out terrain ID. I watched youtube videos but still get some wrong.

So I watched the YouTube video that you're probably referring to using the compass rose method, but it wouldn't always click for me and I would only get like 12-13/20 consistently. My friend recommended I try the "pencil" method, which you'll also see referenced here a little on this thread if you go back far enough. Basically, on the right image of the screen (northward facing), find a straight north-south line, which could be a road, river, etc... (or as straight as you can). Then look on the left-hand image, and find that line. Make sure the tip of your pencil is facing the same direction as it was on the north facing picture on the right side, and that should give you your bearing. This will take quite a bit of practice, but if you invest enough time in it, it should eventually click. It's obviously harder to understand without actually seeing it, but hopefully this helps you conceptually understand it.

 

[georgethegreat]

So I watched the YouTube video that you're probably referring to using the compass rose method, but it wouldn't always click for me and I would only get like 12-13/20 consistently. My friend recommended I try the "pencil" method, which you'll also see referenced here a little on this thread if you go back far enough. Basically, on the right image of the screen (northward facing), find a straight north-south line, which could be a road, river, etc... (or as straight as you can). Then look on the left-hand image, and find that line. Make sure the tip of your pencil is facing the same direction as it was on the north facing picture on the right side, and that should give you your bearing. This will take quite a bit of practice, but if you invest enough time in it, it should eventually click. It's obviously harder to understand without actually seeing it, but hopefully this helps you conceptually understand it.

This is pretty much what I was doing but just in my head without a penicl, but I'll try this! Do you mind sharing your other scores? Ive taken the test twice now and didn't do great either time. I have the two scoops app, practiced with the kyle & gomez drives, and bought the x52s.

 

[FlyJ32]

This is pretty much what I was doing but just in my head without a penicl, but I'll try this! Do you mind sharing your other scores? Ive taken the test twice now and didn't do great either time. I have the two scoops app, practiced with the kyle & gomez drives, and bought the x52s.

5/8/7 1st attempt, retaking to raise my AQR and hopefully scores all around. Good luck!

 

[georgethegreat]

5/8/7 1st attempt, retaking to raise my AQR and hopefully scores all around. Good luck!

Dang not bad! Are you using the same study materials?

 

[spalclark3]

Thanks! I got all of the UAV right, averaging about 1.5-1.6 seconds, using the compass trick. I averaged consistently 20/20 right on the prep app at about 1.1-1.2 seconds, so keep in mind that it will be a little slower on the actual test when you have to use a mouse. For Terrain ID, it doesn’t actually tell you if you got it right or not, but after practicing a lot on the app, you kind of know to yourself if you got it right. I used the pencil trick, and am pretty positive I got all 18 right, averaging about 10 seconds. On the app I would always get 18/20-20/20 in about 10-12 seconds, but the test was actually easier than the app for this.

Again there are different factors that play into PFAR that the Navy don’t tell us, but I’m sure these aspects of the PBM are weighted heavily. Let me know if you have anymore questions, and feel free to dm me.

I'm still struggling on the Terrain ID portion on the app. Do you have any tips or can you give me a guide to the pencil trick? Guess my main problem is the figuring out the orientation, for example I can find a straight line on the right map and then find it again on the reference map, but what I struggle with is getting the direction correct.

 

[elariosa95]

5/8/7 1st attempt, retaking to raise my AQR and hopefully scores all around. Good luck!

8 PFAR is solid, idk if I would recommend retaking, but that's just my $0.02

 

[mmandziak]

I'm still struggling on the Terrain ID portion on the app. Do you have any tips or can you give me a guide to the pencil trick? Guess my main problem is the figuring out the orientation, for example I can find a straight line on the right map and then find it again on the reference map, but what I struggle with is getting the direction correct.

its a bit tough to explain over a message versus hands on but let me try.

Since you can find both straight lines, you then need to determine in which direction the line moved between the reference and rotated map. What I mean is did the map rotate clockwise or counterclockwise? Once you determine that you just line your compass up, rotate it in the proper direction, and select the northernmost point on your compass. That should be the correct answer.

 

[FlyJ32]

8 PFAR is solid, idk if I would recommend retaking, but that's just my $0.02

Thank you I appreciate it! I would probably submit if I was going OCS, but I’m in NROTC and can’t really take a chance for service selection with the 5 AQR, and definitely feel like coming out of the test I can improve. I do appreciate your advice though.

 

[elariosa95]

Thank you I appreciate it! I would probably submit if I was going OCS, but I’m in NROTC and can’t really take a chance for service selection with the 5 AQR, and definitely feel like coming out of the test I can improve. I do appreciate your advice though.

For sure, I have no idea how NROTC selection works so I'll take your word for it. Historically, an 8 PFAR would've been just fine but I get what you mean