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

[spalclark3]

Thank you to everyone on this forum! I was able to raise my score from a 39 (first attempt) to a 49 (second attempt) on the OAR. Obviously would have liked over a 50 for intel, but that’s okay. I’m looking at either Crypto or SWO but don’t really know which one I’d prefer. Crypto would be nice because I feel like it would be “easier” to laterally transfer to Intel, however, SWO is a lot more hands on which I know I would strive in. My fiancé is already active duty and does think I would enjoy SWO more, but I’m worried if I want to laterally transfer in the future to IO how hard would that be? I suck at math as is so I really do think Crypto would be pretty difficult due to that. How difficult is it to laterally transfer? IO is my main goal, but I was not risking taking that exam again and getting a much lower score. Looking at doing the June board for Crypto and SWO

Don't quote me on this, but I think there are deals in which you could get SWO-intel where you'd have to serve a tour as a SWO and get fully qualified and then you could go to Intel. Might just be ROTC and USNA though. Someone might want to fact check me. My dad had an OIC who did that.

 

[sawyer_719]

Some

Hey guys, took the ASTB a few weeks ago and scored a 6, 7, 7 with my OAR being 53 and having a GPA of 3.3. Kinda bummed out I didn't get another 7 to be first select for SNA but this was my second time taking the test and I am not too sure if taking it again would be beneficial considering they take your latest scores and I am hesitant to know if could improve on that. I do have previous flight experience due to taking formal flight lessons but never finished my PPL. Any kind of advice you guys would have for me in how to move ahead? Waiting to get a date into MEPS in the meantime.

Best of luck to you guys.

someone else probably knows better than me but I would suggest sticking with 6/7/7 those at least for the next board those are pretty good scores and should most likely be fine. You could retake it later if absolutely necessary.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Thank you to everyone on this forum! I was able to raise my score from a 39 (first attempt) to a 49 (second attempt) on the OAR. Obviously would have liked over a 50 for intel, but that’s okay. I’m looking at either Crypto or SWO but don’t really know which one I’d prefer. Crypto would be nice because I feel like it would be “easier” to laterally transfer to Intel, however, SWO is a lot more hands on which I know I would strive in. My fiancé is already active duty and does think I would enjoy SWO more, but I’m worried if I want to laterally transfer in the future to IO how hard would that be? I suck at math as is so I really do think Crypto would be pretty difficult due to that. How difficult is it to laterally transfer? IO is my main goal, but I was not risking taking that exam again and getting a much lower score. Looking at doing the June board for Crypto and SWO

Whatever you go into do so knowing that may end up being what you do for however long you are in the USN, a lateral transfer is possible as long as several things line up just right. The majority of people that get picked up CW (and IP) have STEM degrees, there are people that do get picked up that don't but they are not as common at all.

Don't quote me on this, but I think there are deals in which you could get SWO-intel where you'd have to serve a tour as a SWO and get fully qualified and then you could go to Intel. Might just be ROTC and USNA though. Someone might want to fact check me. My dad had an OIC who did that.

SWO-Intel is not a thing for OCS, several of the SWO options are no longer available via OCS now.

 

[Maddie12]

Whatever you go into do so knowing that may end up being what you do for however long you are in the USN, a lateral transfer is possible as long as several things line up just right. The majority of people that get picked up CW (and IP) have STEM degrees, there are people that do get picked up that don't but they are not as common at all.

SWO-Intel is not a thing for OCS, several of the SWO options are no longer available via OCS now.

Which is another big reason why I’ll probably just stick with SWO and call it a day. I have a PoliScit degree so everything in CW will probably be foreign language. Thankfully my fiancé is in and told me that SWO is more up my alley

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Which is another big reason why I’ll probably just stick with SWO and call it a day. I have a PoliScit degree so everything in CW will probably be foreign language. Thankfully my fiancé is in and told me that SWO is more up my alley

We have enlisted for foreign language needs with the exception of FAO, not one Intel or CW I know has ever needed to know a foreign language.

 

[dfrost]

OAR - 63
AQR - 8
PFAR - 8
FOFAR - 9
Bachelor's in Poli Sci and Env. Sci.
GPA 3.96
Community: SNA

Just took the ASTB this week, and will be applying I-SEL soon. Wanted to share some study tips. Prioritized ANIT and Mechanical while studying.

Math - ASTB Prep App is good. Personally, did not study much for this section because I had already studied most the covered topics for the GRE a couple years ago - but if you have not done algebra/precalculus/geometry in a while, definitely carve out some time. Make sure you know how to simplify complex expressions and standard geometry. Also got a matrix multiplication question which is worth taking fifteen minutes to learn ahead of the test. Good video here.

Reading - Did not study for this section. Questions are reading comprehension of dense informative/legal style writing. Biggest thing is staying focused during this section. I would suggest reading the question and answer options before reading the passage so you know what information to be on the search for.

Mechanical - Having never taken physics, this was my top priority while studying. Gomez Drive and Kyle Drive are good resources to scope what you need to know. Took practice tests to see what I needed to study and then prioritized where I did poorly. Also crammed with the ASTB App syllabus ahead of the test. Organic Chemistry Tutor’s Physics videos are great if you need a concept explained more in depth also, just stick with practice tests/ ASTB prep app syllabus in terms of deciding what to study as the linked video playlist has way more info than you need for the test.

ANIT - ASTB Prep App is great, especially for cramming for this section quickly. Having done some at-home ground school for Private Pilot License was also very helpful. The questions I got mostly focused on Aviation and I had several questions on the plane’s control surfaces and basic instruments. The Fighter Pilot Podcast is a good way to passively study and learn more about Naval Aviation generally and I would listen to episodes while at the gym or running.

PBM - Used the ASTB Prep App for UAV and Terrain Identification practice. I also used the compass rose strategy while taking the test (just make sure you can answer quickly still). Used the updated Jantzen sim, but probably should have practiced this more.