Hey everyone,
I'm sorry I can't post my own success story on here, but I feel like it still may be helpful to some. I took the ASTB for the second (and last) time yesterday. I'll do my best to tell my whole experience.
My first score was a 45 4/5/4
My second attempt yesterday gave me a 51 5/5/5
Personal: I am an NROTC student graduating in December with a B.A. in Political Science. My avg. GPA right now is a 3.1. I'm not the best academically, but I still try my best. I picked up a college program commissioning track last August, but I haven't received much instruction on how to actually go about pursuing different commissioning tracks, such as aviation or subs etc. I asked about this, and was told that I "Don't need to worry about it until later". The result was that I didn't learn about taking the ASTB until much later and probably should have started earlier, much much earlier. The learning lesson here is that you must be your own advocate in order to achieve your goal.
Nevertheless, My first attempt at the test was this past March. I went into the test blind, but with the knowledge that the test was apparently easy, and I should not have a problem. This is what I was told at least.
Test 1: Unfortunately, the test was a train wreck. I zipped past the math, reading and mechanical sections, focusing on time rather than the actual questions. I got really stressed taking the test and think this played a factor. I did not know anything about the UAV parking lot section, and had to figure it out as I went along. I got like 4-6 questions wrong averaging 4 sections to get an answer right. For the listening and joystick/throttle portion, I read the instructions multiple times, but didn't actually understand what was going on. before it knew it, the test was over and I got my score. I was disappointed, but now optimistic that I now know what I need to do in order to do better, and after an Aviation Cruise this past summer, I was determined to get a better score to qualify for SNFO
I exhausted every resource to prepare for my second test. I sought out my other classmates that did well on the test. They pointed me to this forum and downloaded every available resource. I bought the Barron's book from the local Barns & Noble and started to study relentlessly; for about 2-3 hours a day (avg anyway) for a month. I went through math question types, and memorized methods on how to solve them, such as averages, probability, DRT, percentages, and more. I read through reading passages, and read more books to get better at reading, and I studied basic physics for the mechanical portion. For the aviation/nautical knowledge, I studied a great deal from the comprehensive flashcards I found here (not sure where I got them from). For the spatial portion, I didn't do too much, as I knew there wasn't really much I can to other than "git gud". For UAV, I used the proprofs flash cards, which helped a lot. The night before test day, I was pumped because I thought I was ready. There wasn't a math question I couldn't solve, and there wasn't a parking lot I couldn't identify.
Test 2: I promised myself I wouldn't stress out on the test. I needed to be focused and alert. However, there was no controlling myself when I started to panic on the math portion.
AQR: Almost every single question on the math section was a question that I never in my life seen before. I cant remember what they were exactly, but a few had something with sequences and proportions of different 3D shapes. I really started to lose it when I got an easy average question, but none of the methods I normally used to solve it, could wield one of the answer choices. I ended up getting kicked out due to the time expiring for the portion. The same thing happened with the mechanical portion, but at least this portion was consistent with what I studied.
After the AQR I had a break. I tried to calm myself down. My heart rate was really high, it felt the same as if I was on a training run. I took deep breaths, and drank water, but nothing helped. After 8-10 minutes I got back into the test.
The
NAFTI Portion, I tried something different, instead of choosing what most described me, I chose based on which one was definitely not like me, and chose the one that was not that. All the answer choices try to make you look bad, so it was better to not choose the answer that was absolutely never like you.
For the
ANIT portion, like math, I mostly got questions that I've never seen before. The flash cards I've been using were completely worthless. There were even questions that if i never went on an aviation cruise, I would have never been able to answer. I started to stress out even more at this section. But I was able to answer every question.
For the
UAV I knew exactly what to do. I drew a compass and was prepared, but there was a problem: My hands were literally shaking. I got most questions correct, but miss clicked 4 of them due to not being able to hold the mouse properly. This may seem like a really stupid excuse, but its what ended up happening.
For the
Simulation portion, I just did my best, even in my current state. My only complaint was that for emergency procedures, I wrote down what they were, and followed them to the tee, but wouldn't register in the actual test. It confused me, In order to get "systems acting normally" I had to adjust the knobs to positions that weren't even on the list. for example. For one procedure, you'd turn them all to "0" and press a button, another you'd turn everything to "100" while the last one, one knob is at "50 the other is at "100".
Well, in order to get a procedure correct, I had to turn one to 100 and one to 0. It was weird.
I was devastated that I only did incrementally better than my first attempt, going in blind with no knowledge of the test whatsoever, and logistically, I do not have enough time for a third attempt, as I will have to submit my commissioning paperwork before that time. At the end of the exam, my adviser didn't seem too happy with me, but tried to reassure me that he'd send in the score anyway because "anything can happen". However, realistically, I'm fully expecting not to get picked up for SNFO with these scores. To be completely honest, I am more upset that I didn't do well on the test itself, rather than not being able to get selected. I know I did the best I could studying, and that's all I can ask for I guess.
I will refuse to be upset over this, because I still have the privilege of commissioning in the Navy as an officer. I've seen too many people have really sour attitudes because they didn't get what they wanted. I will look forward, and see what its store for me in the future, and maybe I'm not barred from aviation completely, we'll just have to wait and see.
Studying and taking the ASTB was interestingly enough a wild journey that I did learn a lot from. Here are some of my key takeaways:
- Be your own advocate: I waited too long for someone to give me instruction. If you want something, you have to go out of your way to get it done. Do research, bother who you have to, get it done.
- Get things done early: in conjunction with the first, do not wait to get tasks done. The more you wait, the harder it will be
- Always be prepared for curveballs: While studying, I made the poor assumption that I've seen everything that there is for the ASTB. I unfortunately learned this the hard way.
- KEEP CALM WHILE TAKING THE TEST: Self explanatory , but please don't have a hyperventilating episode while taking the test, its just a test. You're not defusing a bomb.
Although its not a success story I still hope I can repay the favor and help someone out. This forum was incredibly helpful.
I also kind of threw this post together, so if anyone has any questions about my test, or wants a clarifications, let me know.
Thanks everyone, hope to see you in the fleet!