New Computerized Test

[FlyinDevil]

:icon_mi_1 Arial

I just took the new test online, giving your scores immediately, yesterday...I'll try to post some advice on here in a few days when I have more time...but field any questions you have and I'll try to answer them..

By the way, I got 7/7...

 

[FlyinDevil]

Format

The computerized test is pretty much the same as the old ASTB paper-based test (Form 1 and 2). I took Form 1 a long time ago and took Form 3 for this new test. The only difference is that Reading and Math are now separate and you have the Aviation Supplemental Test at the end. You probably know this by now if you've been reading through the threads.

I was worried about the Math and the Mechanical parts of the test since I haven't had basic math in awhile. However, I found the Math section to be alot easier. You would get questions like: If 2x+4y=6 and y=2x, what is x? Simple enough right?

If I had to pick sections that I found to be the hardest, they would be the Reading Comprehension and the the Aviation Supplemental Test. I have a pretty strong background in English and Reading Comp so I wasn't too worried about this section coming into the test. However, the section consisted of short paragraphs and you had to pick the best one that would best describe what is written. I found this section a little harder than I expected because it is hard NOT to infer from the paragraphs. Many of the choices were all true but you had to pick the one that is closest to the information given WITHOUT making inferences. It was something getting used to.

The Aviation Supplemental Test was probably the hardest of all of the sections. I don't know if the questions were harder (although they seemed to be) or if it was the fact that you change modes of thinking as each question move from Reading to Mechanical to Math to Spatial...all mixed up. You had to adapt to that pretty fast. I just think the questions were harder.

Overall, the format is pretty much the same as you see in the ARCO book, although there is no vocabular part in the Reading section...it's all paragraph readings. Spatial was kind of different too because it was a bit more detailed as far as the land/water features. But if you practice Spatial problems in ARCO and in the other review books, you'll have no problem with this section. I had so much time in Spatial that I went through my answers twice and still had time.

I'll post the books I used...the ones I found to be really helpful...on my next thread on here. I'll also give you some helpful tips that made me speed through Spatial really fast. Then more advice on each of the sections.

Again, if you have any questions, let me know.


-If you gonna fly, fly high!-

 

[Godspeed]

I just figured i'd say something here, since I am a guy who took the new computerized test. I like it better than the old one. I took it several months back. I like the fact that there is a stopwatch in the bottom right corner of your screen that tells you how much time you have left. Also, you can easily click on any question that you want and it will take you right there. No messing around with stupid bubbles on the scantron or any of that bull either. The primary annoying drawback is the lag between going from one question to the next. The test uses the internet to hook up to some central computer at the navy that administers the test. Hence, you are confronted with lag when taking the test. Knowing how cutting edge our government is, I was surprised that computer I used wasn't a Tandy 500 or Commodore. However, my administrator assured me that the time that it takes for the questions to load doesn't come out of the time that you are alloted to take the various portions of the test. I did a hell of a lot better than I did on it the first time. Oar on paper astb: 45. Score on computerized (assisted by Airwarrior's gouge): 60.

 

[theblakeness]

so the old school Gouge is still helpful? Thats always good to know in case I decide to retake in the future. Though i did well on form 1

 

[FlyinDevil]

Yeah definitely

Yeah, the Gouge on this site and on NavyGouge.com are very, very helpful...especially the "Marine Aviation Guide Book Supplement" because that covers concepts that were ALL included in the test...either in the Math or Mechanical sections (i.e. Pulley systems, Ohm's Law, Heat transfer). The ASTB Prep Test helped me with reviewing basic math/algebraic problems that I had when I was in high school.

 

[FlyinDevil]

Review Books

As promised, I am posting the books that really helped me prepare for this test.

- "Military Flight Aptitude Tests". 5th Edition. ARCO. [This is a MUST-HAVE book because it lays out the format and good fundamentals. However, I do not think that this book is enough with the Mechanical, Aviation/Nautical Information, and Aviation Supplemental Test.]

- "Military Flight Aptitude Tests". LT Grayson, USAF (Ret.). CliffsTestPrep. [this is Cliffnotes. This book covers basics in verbal, math, spatial, mechanics, etc. A good reviewer after ARCO. Some Aviation/Nautical questions on here show up on Form 3]

- "How To Become a Pilot: Step-by-Step Guide to Flying". by the FAA. 1987. [this book helped me TREMENDOUSLY in the Aviation/Nautical section. Although it is back in 1987, the basics of flying that were asked in both the paper-based and computer-based ASTB were in here and not in ARCO (i.e. airplane nomenclature, basic forces, weather, flight patterns, nav aids)]

- "The Student Pilot's Flight Manual: From First Flight to Private Certificate". 9th Edition. William Kershner. [more technically detailed but a good refresher after you've read "How to Become.."]

- "An Invitation to Fly: Basics for Private Pilot". 7th Edition (previous editions would suffice). [from pictures to diagrams...this book covers it all. The newest edition is more expensive since it is a textbook used in commercial flight schools, but the check amazon.com and get the older versions for 6 bucks.]

From the ARCO to the How to Become a Pilot book, you will have a pretty good handle of the test. Combining that with the gouge on this site and on NavyGouge.com, you'll do awesome on the test. You just need to rely on focus on studying and not half-a**ing through these study guides.

Next thread I'll post how I studied for the test....

I hope my postings are helping people out..haha...otherwise, I wouldn't waste my time.

-If you gonna fly, fly high!-

 

[wannabef18pilot]

You can take the ASTB online and the scores count?!

That doesn't seem right to me, but if you have the website or how you register please post it on the thread.

My NS advisor never told us about a computerized online version.

Thanks

 

[sirenia]

I just took the paper-based test about a week ago and a website that I found helpful, especially since many nautical terms were new to me, was http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/boating/6_2_b.htm

It has some basic info from the US Coast Guard navigation rules and other terminology.

A question about the computerized test: In the GRE and such, once you answer a question you can't go back and change the response. You can't skip problems either to come back and do them at a later stage in the test. Is this true for the computerized version of the ASTB?

 

[Godspeed]

You can take the ASTB online and the scores count?!

That doesn't seem right to me, but if you have the website or how you register please post it on the thread.

Perhaps I wasn't clear on my previous post. You can't just go online and take this computerized test. The test has to be taken at a Naval Recruiting District, or base, on THEIR computers, which administer the test via the internet.

Sorry if I confused any of you.

 

[FlyinDevil]

Going Back

Yeah, GodSpeed didn't mean to confuse you. I was confused too when my advisor told me that I was taking an "online" version. What they meant by that is that you will go to your test-taking station and they have a designated computer(s) that is set up for you. You sit in front of it and you type in your information. The computer is directly connected (hence, online) to Pensacola who administers the test in real time. Because this is all in realtime and it is directly connected, you get your scores IMMEDIATELY after you finish your last section. From what I was told, the test-taking station do not need to send in any paperwork like they used to back to Pensacola because your grade is automatically entered into the system.

As far as the question about going back to previous questions on the test, you can certainly do that. There is even a button to mark a question so that the question becomes highlighted and easy to find after you are done and have enough time to go back. For example,

Let's say there are 20 questions on the Reading Comprehension section. There will be 20 buttons at the bottom of the screen. One button represents a question. As you answer each question, each number is highlighted green (meaning you've answered the question). However, the button doesn't disappear at the bottom. It stays there. Therefore, when you want to go back to that question, you can just click on the respective button at the bottom and you'll get the question to pop up. Let's say you are unsure about a question. Answer the question and then there is a check mark button next to the answer key on the left-hand side. You click that and you will see the respective button (at the bottom) turn yellow. That is just a reminder for you to go back to that question if you have time. Believe me, it is very helpful. Note: if you put in an answer on a question and marked it for yellow, your answer does not get removed. If you run out of time and there are five yellow buttons at the bottom, you do not need to worry because the answers you gave for those questions are the ones counted. If you didn't leave an answer, then that is also counted. So if I were you, I would leave answers to ALL of the questions even though I may highlight them for later review.

It might sound complicated but it is actually simple and easy to get used to once you get in there. Also, there is a practice/sample part at the very beginning so you can get the hang of it then.

 

[FlyinDevil]

Math Section

This is the first section that the computerized test administers to you. I found this section to be alot easier compared to the old paper-based test (Form 1). For this section, you just need to know your basic math and know how to solve equations with two variables: If 2x+4y=6 and y=1, what is x? I think that's simple enough. Just make sure you brush up on rules of negative numbers and how they are multiplied or divided. Second set would be fractions. There were alot of these. Sometimes the question would give you decimals when you come out with a fraction. So know how to convert fractions into decimals and vice versa. Speaking of fractions, don't be too fast in giving your answers. Make sure that you have simplified the fraction to its very basic form before you give an answer. There were some questions where the answer was very simplified. It took me awhile to figure it out.

The third set of questions would consist of geometry. Know your cubes, triangles, rectangles, and squares. Know the equations for perimeter, area, and so on for each. You need to have these down pat because they can bog you down just trying to figure out sides of a triangle or how much area is left in a playground with a certain perimeter. I haven't had geometry since sophomore year high school so I needed to brush on these before the test.

Finally, I would study ratios and proportionalities. I know it's pretty broad but I can't think of the questions that involved these so I can't give you anymore.

Overall, I think I did extremely well in the math section. Things just come back to you even though you haven't had basic algebra/geometry in awhile. The grade sheet doesn't give you a break down of how well you did in each section so I wouldn't know the exact number of wrongs I got, but I sped through this section pretty fast with pen and paper. Remember, no calculators.

I hope this helps. I'll be posting other tips for the other sections. The ARCO and the CliffsTestPrepNotes books that are posted above give you a good review, especially the Cliffs book.

-If you gonna fly, fly high!-

 

[stealthspy1]

FlyinDevil,

I just wanted to say thanks alot for all the useful info about the ASTB....I'll be taking it soon! Please keep it coming!

 

[Chenson1s]

Where can i get an online test study guide for the ASTB? Thanks so much Chuck

 

[snizo]

ROTC units are now getting access to giving the ASTB test too. It is a little more laid back than taking it at the recruiting office. We just got ours set up (GaTech) a few days ago. This should help all you ROTC guys set something up to take the test.

uh ... nice avatar, wannabe....

 

[FlyinDevil]

Online Test Guides

If you search through the threads on here, there are couple of postings about where you can get some online study guides for the ASTB. This website alone has EXCELLENT gouge for the ASTB. You can also check NavyGouge.com.

I wouldn't suggest on relying solely on these online gouges although they are extremely helpful. I would definitely use the books like ARCO to study for the ASTB as well.

If you have anymore questions, just post them.