ASTB classes in NROTC?

[DSL1990]

Do any NROTC programs offer ASTB classes and practice exams?

When is the earliest you can start taking the ASTB? (Since I think it can only be repeated every 6 months?) Can a freshman take it? Could a person take it twice a year until their junior year (6 or more times)?

 

[squorch2]

My ROTC unit ran unofficial ASTB classes - one or two sessions before the first time that you take the test. Nothing sanctioned or organized by the permanent staff, though.

 

[armada1651]

You can only take it 3 times tops. After your first take you have to wait 3 months until you can take it again. After your second you have to wait 6. Also keep in mind that they DO NOT take your highest score, they take your last. Could you take it as a freshman? Probably, but I'm guessing your staff would seriously discourage or flat-out prohibit it.

I don't know of any NROTC classes for the ASTB but there are plenty of good prep books out there. I recommend the Barron's. I used it and pulled a 9/8/9 first try. It seemed to me the prep book was harder than the test, so it worked pretty well.

 

[BlackBearHockey]

^^^pretty accurate on the freshman aspect.

As for the classes, our unit didn't have any sanctioned ones, but based on the gouge here and that from the Aviation-related NROTC staff, we had a pretty good idea of what to study.

If you're a 4/C, wait until you take at least one math and physics class. I'm in a different boat, having not taken physics since 1999, but it never hurts to have it under your belt. Get together with some other Mids a few weeks before and study, and you should do alright.

 

[ea6bflyr]

Armada was close on the specifics but here's the ground truth:

You are only allowed to take the test THREE times.
First Test: Whenever you are ready
Second Test: 31 days after 1st test
Third Test: 91 days after 1st test

This information was derived from the NOMI website: http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/nami/astb/astbwebsitewriteup.htm

Like the others recommended: Wait until you take some Math and Physics then take the test. Of all the freshmen I ever tested I only had one score very well....the rest did okay.

The NROTC at which I taught had an Aviation Club and they studied/taught for the test. The NROTC/OSO test administrators are prohibited from teaching to the test.

-ea6bflyr

You can only take it 3 times tops. After your first take you have to wait 3 months until you can take it again. After your second you have to wait 6. Also keep in mind that they DO NOT take your highest score, they take your last. Could you take it as a freshman? Probably, but I'm guessing your staff would seriously discourage or flat-out prohibit it.

I don't know of any NROTC classes for the ASTB but there are plenty of good prep books out there. I recommend the Barron's. I used it and pulled a 9/8/9 first try. It seemed to me the prep book was harder than the test, so it worked pretty well.

 

[armada1651]

^ Yeah, I screwed up the waiting periods required between testings. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[BENDER]

I know that ARCO makes a good prep book for AFOQT, what about the ASTB? How does it compare to Barron? or does it even matter?

 

[armada1651]

I know that ARCO makes a good prep book for AFOQT, what about the ASTB? How does it compare to Barron? or does it even matter?

Most of the prep books I've seen are for all military flight tests - Air Force, Army, and Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard. I know the Barron book is like that, pretty sure ARCO is too. I used the Barron and it worked out well for me, but I've heard good things about the ARCO too.

 

[DSL1990]

Armada was close on the specifics but here's the ground truth:

You are only allowed to take the test THREE times.
First Test: Whenever you are ready
Second Test: 31 days after 1st test
Third Test: 91 days after 1st test

This information was derived from the NOMI website: http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/nami/astb/astbwebsitewriteup.htm

Like the others recommended: Wait until you take some Math and Physics then take the test. Of all the freshmen I ever tested I only had one score very well....the rest did okay.

The NROTC at which I taught had an Aviation Club and they studied/taught for the test. The NROTC/OSO test administrators are prohibited from teaching to the test.

-ea6bflyr

I looked at the link. It talks about forms 3, 4, and 5. Does this mean that the ASTB is the same every year? For example, form 3 never changes, etc. Then are all three forms about the same level of difficulty?

 

[ea6bflyr]

Yes, there are only THREE forms and they haven't changed since about 2003/4. They are all the same level of difficulty. They may have made some minor changes to the test, but the overall test has not changed. Forms 1 & 2 are the old test that are no longer used.

-ea6bflyr