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

[twobecrazy]

Also, I'm kind of worried about taking the ASTB again, I got an 8/7/7 the first time, but I took it late and I'm fast running out of time to take it again. I didn't really study the first time, since the XO said I should just try it once to get a feel for it and then take it again. I know it's an alright score, and I'd like to study and take it again, but if I screw up somehow, I won't really have time to take it again before the summer. Any advice on that?

So you are seriously considering a retake with a 8/7/7...? Hmmmm.... I don't know what to tell you. Yes, you could do better but you could also do worst. The Navy isn't going to take the better of the two. They take the most recent score only. Good Luck.

 

[cdemarco]

So you are seriously considering a retake with a 8/7/7...? Hmmmm.... I don't know what to tell you. Yes, you could do better but you could also do worst. The Navy isn't going to take the better of the two. They take the most recent score only. Good Luck.

Yeah, that's what worries me. XO is saying that I should do what I want. It's frustrating because I know I should have done better on the PFAR score, but it's just been a long time since I studied any aviation type stuff. So I missed a few questions that would have gone into that. I know one of the guys who just commissioned through the STA-21 program got picked up for pilot with 8/8/8. Other than that, we haven't had a lot of guys pick up pilot out of this unit, so I have no idea what's competitive.

I know in the end, the whole individual is what matters, but I'm doing pretty good everywhere else, just thought I could maximize my chances by picking up a better ASTB score.

Edit: Oh yeah, do you know anything about this supposed Order of Merit?

 

[twobecrazy]

Yeah, that's what worries me. XO is saying that I should do what I want. It's frustrating because I know I should have done better on the PFAR score, but it's just been a long time since I studied any aviation type stuff. So I missed a few questions that would have gone into that. I know one of the guys who just commissioned through the STA-21 program got picked up for pilot with 8/8/8. Other than that, we haven't had a lot of guys pick up pilot out of this unit, so I have no idea what's competitive.

I know in the end, the whole individual is what matters, but I'm doing pretty good everywhere else, just thought I could maximize my chances by picking up a better ASTB score.

Edit: Oh yeah, do you know anything about this supposed Order of Merit?

I don't know anything about the Order of Merit. But your scores are fine. To be honest they are actually better than alright. They are pretty good.

 

[cdemarco]

Oh, do you know of the OAR score matters for anything for someone from ROTC? What I've seen is that it only matters if you're going to STA-21 or OCS.

 

[Sonog]

Really you have never heard this on here or seen it anywhere in this or the ASTB stats thread? HMMM... Alright... Basically you have 30 days you must wait before you can retake the ASTB after the first try and 6 months you must wait after the second try. Yes, it is feasible that you can send you package off, study, and retake the ASTB so you have a short turn around. This has been discussed numerous times as I alluded to above. But you may have heard it more in the form of, “ why not submit your application first then retake the ASTB if you get rejected.” Does something to that nature ring a bell? It is the same concept as the OR on the blog said. Obviously it is within reason. If you barely pass the minimum requirements then retaking is probably in your favor. People have been accepted with scores of 39 and 4's. I have seen people get very good ASTB scores of 60+ and 9's get rejected. Remember WHOLE PERSON! Good Luck!

I am well aware of the retake policies and I have been reading and keeping up with threads on airwarriors for quite a while now and not too many people talk about doing a retake before they hear back from the boards, so I was hoping to hear some experience from any who might have done so and their thoughts. Thanks for your expert advice and opinion though! I didn't know they look at whole person concept!

 

[GreenLantern330]

Just took the ASTB. Pretty sure I had Form 5: 5/5/4 50. Not happy with my scores, but my OR said my OAR was good. He said I don't qualify for NFO, but TBH, since the semester began, I've been doing more research into Supply and I feel like it would be a better fit for me anyway, so I'm aiming for Supply instead of aviation. He said my scores were competitive for supply. Not sure if I agree with him, but he is the recruiter, so I should just trust him and I guess if I get non select, then retest.

Studied hard for a month and used all the gouge found. Thanks to everyone for posting your gouge. For now, I'm not retesting. Considering I had Form 5 (which I've heard is most likely the hardest) I'm not too too upset about my score. Still wish I had broken 60 but whatever.

 

[twobecrazy]

I am well aware of the retake policies and I have been reading and keeping up with threads on airwarriors for quite a while now and not too many people talk about doing a retake before they hear back from the boards, so I was hoping to hear some experience from any who might have done so and their thoughts. Thanks for your expert advice and opinion though! I didn't know they look at whole person concept!

Well I seen you have visited here for longer than I have. I just assumed you periodically visited here. Thus, you may not have run across that information. Next time I will read your mind so that way I will know what information you currently possess.

Now you want my expert opinion. Leave the attitude at the door. The only thing I assumed about you was that you may have lurked here sporadically and thus may not have come across that information. I didn't give you shit. I answered your question. I may not be an expert at retaking the ASTB because I was selected on my first try. But may be I have experience CHANGING MY APPLICATION while it is supposed to be at the boards! That is essentially what you are referring too! Your application is set when it reaches the program managers desk. To make a change you have to submit in writing the change you wish to incorporate by signing and dating the letter. So if you retake the ASTB while your package is at the boards then the same concept that I described earlier applies!

 

[twobecrazy]

Just took the ASTB. Pretty sure I had Form 5: 5/5/4 50. Not happy with my scores, but my OR said my OAR was good. He said I don't qualify for NFO, but TBH, since the semester began, I've been doing more research into Supply and I feel like it would be a better fit for me anyway, so I'm aiming for Supply instead of aviation. He said my scores were competitive for supply. Not sure if I agree with him, but he is the recruiter, so I should just trust him and I guess if I get non select, then retest.

Studied hard for a month and used all the gouge found. Thanks to everyone for posting your gouge. For now, I'm not retesting. Considering I had Form 5 (which I've heard is most likely the hardest) I'm not too too upset about my score. Still wish I had broken 60 but whatever.

Your scores are fine. Why didn't you qualify for NFO? If you want it you should go for it.

 

[GreenLantern330]

He said I needed at least a 5 in FOFAR I think it's called and I got a 4.

 

[twobecrazy]

He said I needed at least a 5 in FOFAR I think it's called and I got a 4.

That's right I thought you only needed a 4. Well, you could always retake it in the mean time and try for it down the road.

 

[Sonog]

Well I seen you have visited here for longer than I have. I just assumed you periodically visited here. Thus, you may not have run across that information. Next time I will read your mind so that way I will know what information you currently possess.

Now you want my expert opinion. Leave the attitude at the door. The only thing I assumed about you was that you may have lurked here sporadically and thus may not have come across that information. I didn't give you shit. I answered your question. I may not be an expert at retaking the ASTB because I was selected on my first try. But may be I have experience CHANGING MY APPLICATION while it is supposed to be at the boards! That is essentially what you are referring too! Your application is set when it reaches the program managers desk. To make a change you have to submit in writing the change you wish to incorporate by signing and dating the letter. So if you retake the ASTB while your package is at the boards then the same concept that I described earlier applies!

I was trying to be jovial in my sarcasm, didn't come off as I intended. I know you're trying to help.

If I retake and score higher before board meets, then its possible to submit the score change? And if it goes lower, then the board still has the original in the complete package?

 

[twobecrazy]

I was trying to be jovial in my sarcasm, didn't come off as I intended. I know you're trying to help.

Gotcha.

If I retake and score higher before board meets, then its possible to submit the score change? And if it goes lower, then the board still has the original in the complete package?

Correct. But realize that if you want to update your package before the board meets then you risk going to the back of the line. I found that out the hard way. I was then forced into the following months board. Depending on your situation you may or may not care about that.

 

[Sonog]

Gotcha.



Correct. But realize that if you want to update your package before the board meets then you risk going to the back of the line. I found that out the hard way. I was then forced into the following months board. Depending on your situation you may or may not care about that.

Alright thanks, this is valuable information.

Funny though how updating 4 numbers on a paper literally moves you to the bottom of the pile.

 

[airhorn]

He said I needed at least a 5 in FOFAR I think it's called and I got a 4.

are you applying for a Navy NFO spot or Marine NFO? I scored a 5 6 5 49 and my OSO said the FOFAR needs to be a 6 for the Marine NFO slot I was applying for. Wondering if I should take my talents over to the Navy

 

[airhorn]

I'm gonna be taking form 5 as well, thanks for the heads up. Do you remember any points I should focus on for mechanical? That was always my weakest area.

(Is this technically cheating? As long as he doesn't give me the questions I don't think it is....)

make sure you know everything there is to know about pulleys/levers/mechanical advantage. Seriously this is where I struggled as well. If you knock out the math/mechanical section you'll be gold