Mechanical Gouge

[E6286]

Is this really all that is needed for the mechanical section? The suppliment packet given to me by my OSO is pretty simple and I got all of the questions correct without a hitch. Is there anything else I should familiarize myself with?

 

[nugget81]

Mechanical is fairly straightforward. Either you know the concepts or you don't. Good luck!

 

[E6286]

Well, if mechanical is straight forward and spacial aperception is cut and dry I guess that means I can't really prepare other than review additional aviation and nautical knowledge. Maybe review a lil more math............

Is there any need to review the verbal stuff? I have a BA in English and from what it seems that is not weighted very heavily towards your score. Any comments?

 

[nugget81]

I guess that it all really depends on what community you're going for and how high a score you're looking for. If you're trying for SNA or NFO you'll want some awesome scores in the aviation/nautical areas. Verbal only counts towards your OAR (Officer Aptitude Rating) and I'm sure you're good on that part with the degree and all (given you didn't get the degree with the bare minimums). Math really gets to people. The math itself is easy enough and each problem is solvable, but people seem to run out of time. Being able to efficiently and accurately answer each question is key.

 

[asise]

My advice for mechanical comprehension is to study a middle school level physics text. You don't need to know physics formulas, just the conceptual stuff - and it's an easy read. I was teaching 8th grade science when I took it, and I did well enough to be a pilot. The only practice you need for spatial apperception is looking at really crummy drawings of a pilot's view. On the real test they were actually worse than in the ARCO book - and those were pretty low quality. The key is not to pretend you are a pilot in that plane, but rather to mark where the horizon is in relation to the picture box. If it's below center, you're pulling up, etc... I know ... duh, but sometimes you'll miss it at first glance because it's only a little below center. The tricky ones are when you are banking and pulling up/down, but if you think of it geometrically, it's foolproof. I got 100% and I'm a fool.

 

[E6286]

Yeah, I hear you on the tricky ones being banking/climbing or descending. It really is a bit difficult to tell sometimes. Hopefully all goes well.

The mechanical suppliment that my OSO gave me was also very simple so again I am sure the exam will be more difficult. Guess I just gotta hope .

Nugget: I am applying to the Marine Corps so the minimum is all that is needed (4/6/6). Obviously I would like to score higher but that is "passing."