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

[Dom0220]

What was your OAR? If that's lower it may indicate the Math/Reading/Mechanical sections were where you did not score as well.

For the Terrain ID, this video was helpful. The strategy I used was to find a straightish line on the terrain and rotate the compass rose I made to align with that. I prioritized accuracy over speed on that section and just worked as quickly as I could without running out of time on each question (usually had about 2/3 of the time left on each question with this strategy).

dfrost,

My OAR was a 43. How does this factor into the 3 scores you receive?

I have been using the strategy from the video you posted and enjoy it. More than anything I just need more reps and comfortably with that section. I was scoring 80% and above on the simulators but never confident in my selections. I think I went to fast and urged to get the test over with.

 

[dfrost]

dfrost,

My OAR was a 43. How does this factor into the 3 scores you receive?

I have been using the strategy from the video you posted and enjoy it. More than anything I just need more reps and comfortably with that section. I was scoring 80% and above on the simulators but never confident in my selections. I think I went to fast and urged to get the test over with.

The OAR is a separate, but the sections that make up the OAR (Math, Reading, Mechanical) also factor into your AQR, PFAR, and FOFAR scores (the Navy does not publish how each section is factored into each score however). With a lower OAR, it could point toward those sections being where you did not do as well.

And got it, the terrain is tough. Probably just some test nerves. You'll get 'em on the retake.

 

[Dom0220]

The OAR is a separate, but the sections that make up the OAR (Math, Reading, Mechanical) also factor into your AQR, PFAR, and FOFAR scores (the Navy does not publish how each section is factored into each score however). With a lower OAR, it could point toward those sections being where you did not do as well.

And got it, the terrain is tough. Probably just some test nerves. You'll get 'em on the retake.

Wonder if a Freedom of Information request will force the navy to show how each score is factored lol.

 

[Ezekiel2517]

Scored a 57 7/7/6 69 two days ago, studied for a week using this site (very helpful). B.S in Physics w/ GPA 2.65, 50 hours without PPL. I'm going for SNA. I'm 30 so I think I'll just get one realistic chance at a board before the age limit. I'll also be getting a couple letters of rec.

Going into the test I had ~5 hours of sleep, mustve been nerves that kept me up.
First question on the MST was very easy multiplication, but my brain forgot how to do shorthand multiplication and cost me 2 minutes before I realized I need to multiply instead of add -.- Complete brainfart.

Going into the UAV, I had another lack of sleep moment and froze on the first question for ~45 seconds before answering. All subsequent UAV questions i answered fast.

I made a conscious effort to make sure my answers were correct while taking time to answer them, perhaps spent a little longer than necessary double-checking the answers, due to the nature of an adaptive test

I didn't finish all the questions on the math, english, or mechanical before time ran out.

For whatever it's worth to anyone here, accuracy seems to have helped to achieve my scores even though i left questions unanswered.

The terrain was unexpected - I honestly didn't look hard enough in this thread to see what it entailed - i have a hunch this contributed to a 6 on the FOFAR.

I'm considering a retake, i can't shake the feeling that i couldve done better, but my recruiter suggested the score was fine.

No questions here, just reporting out my experience. Thanks to everyone on this thread.

 

[mpesposito]

Just curious how y'all think the mouse and keyboard controls transfer over for the jantzen sim? I'm looking at getting a stick on the cheaper side but not sure about dishing out so much for a whole HOTAS set unless it really is that big of a difference. I'm able to get both scores under 100 on mid difficulty right now with 9 out of 11 verbal cues correct currently, playing for a minute at a time

 

[aells90]

Has anyone on here gone through the I-SEL process recently? How far out were your ship dates and how long did it take to hear back? I passed MEPS and my recruiter sent in my package for it yesterday but I'm her first I-SEL candidate so she was not able to answer these questions for me, just trying to ballpark what I can expect.

 

[mpesposito]

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.

Congrats on those scores that's awesome! Are there episodes of the fight pilot podcast you recommend?

 

[dfrost]

Congrats on those scores that's awesome! Are there episodes of the fight pilot podcast you recommend?

Thanks! It's a good listen for sure! I still have a lot of episodes to listen to and I just started from the beginning of the series, but these would be my suggestions on which ones probably are most relevant to the ASTB that I've listened to so far:

• FPP011 - Aircraft Carriers (Part 1)
• FPP012 - Aircraft Carriers (Part 2)
• FPP024 - Helicopters!
• FPP013 - Day Carrier Landings (Part 1)
• FPP014 - Day Carrier Landings (Part 2)
• FPP015 - Night Carrier Landings
• FPP008 - Aircraft Nomenclature

Also definitely note, its no replacement for sitting down and studying on the ASTB App or reading relevant sections of the FAA Pilot Handbook noted in Kyle's Drive in terms of preparing, but definitely a good secondary way to study while doing other things.

 

[mpesposito]

Thanks! It's a good listen for sure! I still have a lot of episodes to listen to and I just started from the beginning of the series, but these would be my suggestions on which ones probably are most relevant to the ASTB that I've listened to so far:

• FPP011 - Aircraft Carriers (Part 1)
• FPP012 - Aircraft Carriers (Part 2)
• FPP024 - Helicopters!
• FPP013 - Day Carrier Landings (Part 1)
• FPP014 - Day Carrier Landings (Part 2)
• FPP015 - Night Carrier Landings
• FPP008 - Aircraft Nomenclature

Also definitely note, its no replacement for sitting down and studying on the ASTB App or reading relevant sections of the FAA Pilot Handbook noted in Kyle's Drive in terms of preparing, but definitely a good secondary way to study while doing other things.

Absolutely! I agree like you said doing it while exercising, or I have about a 45 minute commute where I listen to MST/MCT/ANIT info on YouTube already so this will be a great supplementary tool. Thanks for sharing!

 

[sawyer_719]

Has anyone on here gone through the I-SEL process recently? How far out were your ship dates and how long did it take to hear back? I passed MEPS and my recruiter sent in my package for it yesterday but I'm her first I-SEL candidate so she was not able to answer these questions for me, just trying to ballpark what I can expect.

Hi I submitted my I-SEL on January 31, went to MEPS February 14 and got accepted for SNA on March 10. I ship to OCS August 10. DM me if you have any specific questions.