Navy ASTB Mechanical and Spatial Reasoning

[Dougemd]

Hi Guys & Gals,

I'm scheduled to take my ASTB on Nov. 10 in the Boston Navy Recruitement office. I had a few questions that I'm having trouble tracking down answers too.

1.) I am taking the computer version and I was wondering is it like the GRE where you must answer questions in order and can not jump around? Any other suggestions from anyone who's taken the online version would be most welcome.

2.) The mechanical aptitude portion only covers gears, levers, pulleys, inclide slopes, and basic mechanical advantage?

3.) The spatial apperception portion is only views from the cockpit and comparing that to 3rd person views of planes or is there sections on those 3d cubes I see in the ARCO book?

4.) Is studying basic Navy history, navy ranks, current navy ships and planes, an FAA flight book, and a basic boating book enough?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Fezz CB]

I'd study the ARCO books at Barnes 'n Noble. They have some ASTB prep bks there. Use the search function on AW. Someone posted a link for ASTB gouge.

1. Dont know, never took the GRE. Taking it later this month. Woot.

2. Basically. Covers some basic physics too.

3. Hmm...I remember both 1st person (as if you were in the cockpit) and 3rd person views. This should be the easiest for you. Plus, you only get like 5 mins for 40-50 questions. So think fast and practice.

4. Understand basic info on planes, i.e. canards, color of light when landing, how runway is numbered, etc.

Good luck!

(You should feel so lucky to be taking the computer version. I sat on my a$$ for 4 hrs. And I held my farts

 

[nugget81]

First off, good luck on the test! You will find lots of helpful information here at airwarriors. Answers to your questions:
1. The computer version will allow you to skip questions, flag/mark questions, review questions, and jump around as you see fit. I took the computer version and I found it to be very user-friendly.
2. What you listed looks good. Include cable tensions, hydraulic mechanical advantage, and screws (number of threads & size, etc)
3. What you see in the ARCO is essentially what is on the test. The actual test will seem more difficult because the aircraft silhouettes are darker and it is more difficult to differentiate aircraft parts. Develop a good system that works for you and you will do fine on this section. It is by far the easiest once you have a system.
4. Generally speaking, there is a ton of information that can be covered in this area. Do you know the answer to this question: What flows through purple pipes on a ship? If you can easily answer that question then you are in good shape for the nautical section. However, there are far fewer questions about nautical than there are about aviation. I highly recommend reading the Airplane Flying Handbook and Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical knowledge.

 

[asise]

I didn't find the aviation and nautical information section all that imortant - as in I don't know much but still did well. So, my thought is don't sacrifice study time on another section for that one.
The spatial aperception is all about looking at how the horizon matches up with a horizontal line in the middle of the box. It's the easiest way to tell in the plane is climbing or diving (especially when it's banking at the same time). And I concur with that previous post - it's a short time frame so work quickly.

 

[Dougemd]

Thanks guys!

I'm not worried about the math or verbal sections too much (though definitely still studying). I'm getting my masters in Computer Systems engineering right now. However, most of the mechanical/physics stuff I haven't done since my freshman year of undergrad.

I'm going to the Boston Public Library tomorrow and picking up a copy of the Arco's Mechanical specific book. The actual name escapes me now. Has anyone used this before? Did you find it helpful is probably more important question to ask.

I have no idea what runs through the purple lines on a ship. I used to sail 420s when I was in high school and took a coast guard boater safety course. Guess I have a lot to study there.

Thanks for all the info. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[zippy]

If you have some knowledge of sailing you will probably be alright. One thing i remember having no clue on the old test was airport lighting. Looking at basic flight training book should help with that, along with the airplane GK stuff.

 

[Fly Navy]

Microsoft Flight Simulator can work wonders for general aviation knowledge and spacial D

 

[Dougemd]

So is the purple pipes for by the way?

So is the purple pipes for by the way?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[nugget81]

Don't quote me on this, but I was told that ship sewage is run through the purple ones. I had a friend who had this question pop up on his ASTB, but this was after I had taken mine so I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to what he said the answer was....

 

[UMichfly]

Purple Pipes carry fuel.

 

[nugget81]

Sewage, fuel...I was close!

 

[Tom]

Yeah, one is pooped out and the other is burned...

In my opinion, the physics section wasn't exactly that in depth. I would say the most important part to remember is the effects of pressure and velocity in a pipe section that reduces in size.

As for the spatial orientation, I figured out a method that worked well for me. For bank, roll your head left or right to make the horizon level with your eyes. Then, as mentioned before, if the horizon bisects the middle of the picture, the nose is level. If you see more sky than sea or ground, the plane is nose up. If you see more sea or ground than sky, the plane is nose down. Sometimes, there are two pictures of aircraft that could work for the situation. It involves a shallow bank and a steep bank. I feel that this is pretty easy to determine a steep bank. For determining the environment in relationship to the plane, always make a note. Where is the water and ground? Is there an angle? Is the water on the left side? Is the ground coming in at an angle to the right or out to the right?Make sure to note the cockpit from the tail in the pictures because sometimes it is hard to tell.