ASTB pointers for the new guy

[3rdgenav8tor]

I am looking at taking the ASTB, with that in mind I have downloaded all the gouge possible and started to study it. Now my math skills are mediocre I can do algebra all day long, but word problems trip me up. I had taken the AFOQT for the USAF and didn't fair like I wanted to due to the study material not being accurate to the real thing. Would it be to my benefit to buy a supplemental math book (i.e. GRE/GMAT, SAT/ACT books) to help me with my math? I do know that I am really strong in the Naval Information and Spatial Apperception. Should I also use a MAT book for the verbal sections as well? I have searched the forums high and low and have gotten some good info, but would like some more input on the subject.

 

[ru838434]

Military.com has free sample ASVAB questions, and the math sections are very similar to that on the ASTB. However, you only have 50 seconds per question on the ASTB, so time yourself accordingly.

 

[2ndGen]

I didn't think that math was all that bad, and I'm not to mathmatical. Something that I didn't really find in any of the gouge on the ASTB was the Naval boat knowledge stuff, I wasn't expecting that and ended up hurting my over all score.

 

[tdimarco]

I did not do particularly well on the GRE Quantative, but I found the ASTB math fairly simple. There were lots of work problems on the form I took. I second ru838434 in that the time constraint is noticeable. I did not finish a couple of questions at the end but still ended up with a 66 OAR and a 8/9/8.

Both the Barrons and the ARCO books were helpful. One caveat is that the Barrons book has some errors on both the questions and the answer key, which I found absolutely maddening.

 

[cpwhit1]

I did not do particularly well on the GRE Quantative, but I found the ASTB math fairly simple. There were lots of work problems on the form I took. I second ru838434 in that the time constraint is noticeable. I did not finish a couple of questions at the end but still ended up with a 66 OAR and a 8/9/8.

Both the Barrons and the ARCO books were helpful. One caveat is that the Barrons book has some errors on both the questions and the answer key, which I found absolutely maddening.

I also noticed the errors in the Barrons book but I would have to say that overall, the Barrons book was far superior to the ARCO books. There were a lot more sample questions and tons of info on nautical information, aviation information, and important historical dates. Plus the ARCO book I had was old (i'm not sure if they have an updated ARCO book).

 

[torpedo0126]

i would just go through as many of the books as possible. I personally just went through a few practice exams the night before the test and did great. they are pretty basic word problems so once you get the hang of it they shouldn't be that bad. the analysis is important because your always going to encounter "if you had to divert here how long would it take you? how much gas would you burn?"

 

[sickboy]

What they all said. I wish I had read more before taking them this morning.

 

[echo4nasty]

My OSO encouraged me to take the ASTB with a couple days advanced notice, principle being that if I failed I've got two more attempts. Took the test and FAILED. I ordered the ARCO military flight aptitude test book, xeroxed the answer sheets about a dozen times and went to work. Next month retested and passed. The good thing about the study guide is you practice taking the test over the same time period that you actually will test for the real thing, so your "test endurance" is much better.

 

[RussBow6]

I did not do particularly well on the GRE Quantative, but I found the ASTB math fairly simple. There were lots of work problems on the form I took. I second ru838434 in that the time constraint is noticeable. I did not finish a couple of questions at the end but still ended up with a 66 OAR and a 8/9/8.

Both the Barrons and the ARCO books were helpful. One caveat is that the Barrons book has some errors on both the questions and the answer key, which I found absolutely maddening.

where were these errors guys? page # and question #?

i noticed some too and i didnt know if i was seeing it the wrong way or what... like pg 527 #7 and 10... barrons has the answer as 7c but 7c looks like its going up the coast not out to sea... in #10 they want 10d but the nose clearly isnt going up in the pic or you'd see more sky... thoughts?
517 #24 is the same type of thing maybe i need to just accept that type of picture is going up the coast and not out to sea... cause i'd think the answer is A at first glance not E like barrons says for 517 #24.

thanks guys

 

[3rdgenav8tor]

I have both the Barron's and the ARCO books as well (I forgot to mention that.) From reading most of the forums and talking with my friend who is at primary at Whiting right now. The math is not as overbearing as it is on the AFOQT. I also have the ARCO ASVAB book too, but I will buy a SAT math book this week and start studying. Thanks for all the good advice guys!

 

[torpedo0126]

I have both the Barron's and the ARCO books as well (I forgot to mention that.) From reading most of the forums and talking with my friend who is at primary at Whiting right now. The math is not as overbearing as it is on the AFOQT. I also have the ARCO ASVAB book too, but I will buy a SAT math book this week and start studying. Thanks for all the good advice guys!

i would stick with just the ATSB test books and the practice exams provided on about.com and the NAMI/NOMI website. Thats my opinion though. While you might be sharpening your math overall, you just need to recognize the types on the ATSB.

Again, thats just me. I just went over two of the books the night before and got eights across. You recognize the pattern and can often eliminate answers pretty easily. I personally was more concerned about the aviation specific questions because not having an aviation background those were the hardest to study for.

 

[nzachman]

I have both the Barron's and the ARCO books as well (I forgot to mention that.) From reading most of the forums and talking with my friend who is at primary at Whiting right now. The math is not as overbearing as it is on the AFOQT. I also have the ARCO ASVAB book too, but I will buy a SAT math book this week and start studying. Thanks for all the good advice guys!

If you can multiply and divide free hand you are fine...the math was a joke...



Then again I have taken 2 years of calculus here at OSU

 

[Lobster]

I have both the Barron's and the ARCO books as well (I forgot to mention that.) From reading most of the forums and talking with my friend who is at primary at Whiting right now. The math is not as overbearing as it is on the AFOQT. I also have the ARCO ASVAB book too, but I will buy a SAT math book this week and start studying. Thanks for all the good advice guys!

Just my opinion but if you buy a study guide for another test just to study math you're paying for something you don't need. You can get basic math study guides at the books store along with reading comprehension and mechanical aptitude books. I picked up a math book at barnes & Nobles that covered geometry, algebra, and a little bit of trig and calc. I'd recommend going and getting something like that rather than an SAT study guide, You're not taking the SAT's. Best of luck to you.

 

[BTP1368]

Now my math skills are mediocre I can do algebra all day long, but word problems trip me up.

Heres a site that helped me with my word problems, and it doesn't cost anything.

http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/algebra-word-problems.html

Good luck

 

[m26]

I also noticed the errors in the Barrons book but I would have to say that overall, the Barrons book was far superior to the ARCO books. There were a lot more sample questions and tons of info on nautical information, aviation information, and important historical dates. Plus the ARCO book I had was old (i'm not sure if they have an updated ARCO book).

Is there any place where these are available used? They have them used at amazon, but you only save about $5.