Evening everybody, took the ASTB today proud to say I got I-SEL
OAR: 56
AQR: 7
PFAR: 8
FOFAR: 8
LPSS: 80
GPA: 3.3
Major: International Relations
Preface:
I studied for 6 months which in my opinion is way too much. I had to get LASIK and I had to reschedule my exam due to the test crashing on me during the reading comprehension. Which worked in my favor because the nerves got the best of me and I messed up on some very easy math problems. I have been out of school for 4 years and had always believed I was bad at math so I had a lot of work ahead of me. I would suggest 3 months of hard studying MAX if you fall into the aforementioned buckets. That being said I studied EVERY second I could in and out of work flashcards, UAV, Terrain association, practice tests, Jantzem sim etc. EVERYTHING you need can be found on this forum.
DISCLAIMER:
Get what you need from this forum and then log out. You will get overwhelmed with all the info on here. Everybody has a different experience with some similarities but yours will be your own. Get the gouge, get out and focus, do not lurk do not linger unless you have a question that has an objective answer. If you do, it has probably already been asked and answered. Nobody knows what you will see on your test not even your recruiter.
Math:
Lots of algebraic equations, lots of exponents, fractions, 1 work together problem, roots cubed and squared, geometry "what is the radius of a sphere if its volume is X, perimeters and areas of basic shapes, lots and lots of probability (dice, cards, marbles) get comfortable with these concepts you'll be ok. No logs, mixture, DRT or matrices problems for me. I got kicked out early and I got the last question correct. I did not study effectively for math imo very scattered and unorganized, as mentioned earlier I was bad at math so I had a lot to work on. Custom math tests on ASTB prep app is good to practice problem areas but Gomez gouge covers the material you really need as well as the 114 question gouge. If you're stuck on a concept organic chem tutor has a video on it, i'll link his channel below. Kicked out early.
Reading:
Boring as hell. I read a lot and my major was mainly research and argument based so I was fine. Hit full time.
Mech:
Never took a physics class in my life (did not have to take in high school due to administrative error and it bit me in the ass). This part of the test surprised me the most. I did a lot of the ASTB prep exams but there are very minimal calculations. It just asks you questions on basic physics principles such as simple machines, atmospheric pressure, Bernoulli's principle, lots of electrical for me, formulas for basic physics concepts, etc. Learn how to calculate voltage, resistance and current. Don't be like me, I did not read any gouge. I learned by making mistakes and watching youtube videos very time consuming. Gouge has all the meat and potatoes. ASTB curriculum helped put concepts to use. If you can try and experiment with the concepts that are being taught. Hit full time.
ANIT:
ANIT flashcards definitely helped with understanding a lot of concepts, but I learned a lot by just being interested in Aviation. I even took the practice written exam on sporty's flight school. Kinda blacked out on this section though. I know that none of my questions were history based mostly aviation concepts like advanced aerodynamics, which control surfaces effect plane action etc. and some naval questions. I still suggest hitting flashcards hard and if you have time, watch the MIT flight school playlist on YT ( you can skip the introductory video). Hit full time.
Break:
Do pushups to relieve stress, eat a snack, drink water, go to the bathroom. Take advantage its your day they want you to succeed.
NATFI:
People say this is the part of the test that destroys your ego. If you know who you are (at least who you are now) you'll be fine just answer honestly. A lot of statements will and won't apply to you. Use this time as an extended break.
DLT:
My headphones were ok, could've been better, but it was manageable. Missed a few but I did alright, make sure to lean your head and do your callouts, you will be doing this as a Pilot or NFO anyway so get used to it. Ex: When the ear would switch I would say "Switching to right ear" lean my head to the right and call out whatever I heard in my right ear and the same for my left when it switched.
Also make sure that the ear muff is on the corrrect ear and then check again.
UAV:
I missed two, I was really trying to hit sub 2 sec time. I ignored my mistakes, moved forward, keep a short memory for this portion of the exam. Do not use the compass it will slow you down, the test tracks your reaction time. After each answer move your mouse back to the center of the 4 points reduces time needed to go from one point to another.
Tracking:
Get used to the sensitivity during the practice portion before each test they're long enough. Its like playing MW2 with your sensitivity at 10. If you've practiced on the Jantzen sim on hard the test will be easy. If you haven't invest in a X52 HOTAS and have fun with it. The only tip I can give here is to relax, dont white knuckle the stick and throttle, and unclench your ass. This might be TMI but the suction cups of the stick and throttle were dusty causing it to slide everywhere so I wiped it away with saliva (I did not lick the suction cups) and the stick and throttle were able to stabilize so I could be as comfortable as possible.
DLT + Tracking:
LISTENING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. LISTENING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. LISTENING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
Read that again. I will say that with enough practice tracking you'll be so focused on the listening you will perform better at tracking and you'll hit
the ever coveted zone.
Emergency Procedures:
Read the instructions carefully and write down the emergency procedures. I messed up one emergency procedure which I think knocked my AQR down. Anticipate the next procedure so you could do small adjustments so it does not effect your tracking. Read the instructions adjust your knobs. Again short memory keep moving forward dont linger on mistakes.
Terrain Association:
I dont care how good you think you are at this, use the pencil trick.
This video gives a nice walkthrough on tricks to pass. I will not lie i do not know how well I did I was running on fumes at this point but its much easier on the test than it is on the ASTB app.
Summary:
Study hard but dont study for six months you'll do more harm than good 3 is more than enough. Use every trick in the book to get every advantage you can get. Most of the users here want to be a pilot and we're all competing for a seat. That tv show can wait, your friends are going out next weekend and if you're not feeling go through the motions you'll learn/retain something. On test day bring your own pencils and eraser, bring a big water bottle, bring trail mix and do pushups on your break to relieve stress. Eat well, rest correctly, stay motivated and don't be nervous you can take this test three times.
Resources:
Gomez Drive
OAR Math Gouge
ASTB Prep App - if you have a mac and wondering how to set it up PM me
Kuta Software - Free Worksheets
ANIT Flashcards
My Gouge- just some extra worksheets I found but a lot are from Kuta/Gomez
MIT Flight School playlist
Updated Jantzen Sim
Organic Chem Tutor
Sportys Flight School written exam