Final Questions on ASTB

[aerospec]

Well I've studied the gouges, ARCO, Cliff, and other aids for the ASTB. I just wanted to know, for those of you that have taken it recently, how does the actual test compare to the study guides and what would you do different, if anything, if you were to take it again now that you have seen the actual test and had a chance to compare.

Math/Verbal: I assume is pretty much similar to study guides

Mechanical: Cliff study guides have very technical mech questions, while ARCO mech questions seem more conceptual. How are the mech questions on the actual test?

Spacial: I've heard that the spacial is different on the actual test.. how is it diff from the ARCO or Cliff spacial? ARCO seems easiest of the two because the picture of the aircraft is clear, and its easier to determine direction of bank etc., while Cliff aircraft are shadows and can be a little more tricky

Aviation/Nautical: I'm assuming there aren't too many surprises here... im not too concerned about the aviation part due to my background, but im unfamiliar with the nautical part other than what i have studied through the guides and basics.. were there any surprises?

Thanks guys for your input.. im trying to get my package in asap to make the board before selection, so i want to try and do my best 1st try.

 

[nugget81]

The guides are fairly good in terms of preparing a person for the ASTB. In terms of what I would have done differently....I was happy with my scores, although my OAR was a little lower than I expected. Verbal has always been my weakest area, so I would have gotten an SAT prep book and studied the hell out of verbal.

The study guides have Math/Verbal as one section when they are now separate sections. Mechanical can be a combination of technical or conceptual. I saw questions that required more than basic math and some that asked which way gear A would turn if gear B was turned...

I have not seen the Cliff version of spatial. The actual test seemed more difficult than ARCO because the aircraft were darker. I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone else about this section - develop a system that works for you and stick to it. This section is the easiest of all the sections when you have a system down.

I assume that you hold at least a PPL. This gives you a distinct advantage, however that does not mean that you should not study. Do you know the light gun signals down cold? I know a lot of pilots who don't. For nautical, it would seem that anything is fair game, but the guides and basics should be enough since there are very few questions about nautical.

Good Luck!

 

[mmanijeh]

Well, I have taken the test back in August, and I was one of those people who underestimated the test, as I worked too closely with the study books.

The only thing I can tell you is, if you are strong in Algebra, and a bit of Geometry, then math should not be an issue for you. As far as the verbal goes, it is very similar to the study books, acro, cliff's, whatever it is, study the verbal examples to get a feel, that's the most important thing, as it all relates on how quick you can wizz through, cause time is the one thing you don't have on this test.

As far as the spatial apperception goes. having some flight hours myself, I can assure you that really does not help that much. Now of course if you have had tons, you would think you're better off. Well, in my opinion, the test only becomes easy when you in fact, like nugget81 has said, develop your own system.

There is a link on this site to a new ASTB overview, read that, very informative and the books and guides recommended really develop a better understanding.

As far as the aviation knowledge, well, the Pilot's Handbook is the best for that. I myself read "Understanding Flight" and it helped me a lot. But when it comes to the specific questions, I still find the "Blue Jacket's Manual" the best.

As far as nautical knowledge, read a lot of stuff on vessels, their lights, how they turn, their parts, stuff like that. Again, the ASTB overview link refers to a boat site, check it out.
And once again "Blue Jacket's Manual"......very helpful.....

I hope this helped! Cause that's what I did and I am re-taking the test in 3 weeks.....

Good luck!!!!!

 

[Tara]

I took the ASTB in July after doing most of my prep with the ARCO book and the FAA handbook. Overall I was quite happy with my score but the questions I had the most trouble with dealt with aviation and naval history (choose the person responsible for some notable accomplishment) and military equipment (eg. they name a missle and ask for the acronym for the missle type).

For Mechanical, the majority of the questions dealt with mechanical advantage (pulleys, ramps, gears, hydraulics, etc.) so if you understand that concept and how to apply it you should get most of that section. Torque was probably the second most common concept. Most of the questions had diagrams and asked about proportions (ie. you have to pull the rope [half/2x/4x] as far to lift the block in Figure A than in Figure B).

Best of luck!

 

[Tom]

Nautical

I recently took my test and the nautical section wasn't too bad. I think there was 2 or 3 questions about an actual boat.

 

[aerospec]

thanks!

yeah im taking it here in a couple weeks so im trying to prepare myself as best as possible. Thanks for all the replies.

The math and mechanical section are what I am concentrating on the most. I good at math but its been awhile since I have taken a math class, let alone not used a calculator, so its just a matter of refreshing the info. The spacial part in the actual test must be similar to the Cliff guides then because the aircraft are very dark in Cliff guide and sometimes hard to tell whether the aircraft is banking in a particular direction etc. I think I have a good system down for that at the moment so we'll see. Yeah light gun signals are something i def need to committ to memory, but the rest shouldnt be a problem. I just psyching myself out about the test.. i think my package is pretty good but this is the one area I know I could shoot myself in the foot if I don't do well on. Anyways, thanks for all the advice and i have another couple weeks so I'll def be cramming! good luck to all of you and congrats to those that have made it! :icon_smil