Physics for the ASTB

[Tomsonx]

Hey guys, I was searching the forums and the navygouge.com and it looks like there isn't a lot of physics on the ASTB besides very basic concepts.

I'm a freshman in college who is going to apply for SNA after graduation (double major in Finance and Accounting with a CPA) and I was wondering if I should take a physics 101 class, the only reason I was thinking about doing this was because I didn't take any physics in high school (you only had to do 3 years of science and my 3rd year I chose chemistry instead of physics).

But now looking at how basic your understanding of physics needs to be I'm considering not even taking a physics class in college. I did have 2 years of basic introductory engineering classes in high school that covered all the mechanical stuff.

I just want your opinions/experiences with physics on the ASTB. I personally think I should be OK so long as I pick up a basic review book or something but I want to see what you guys think before I make any assumptions about something I have little experience with.

 

[zianac]

Personally, I don't think taking a physics class would be very beneficial for the ASTB. Most of the stuff on the ASTB is very basic and you'll be able to find all of the info you'll need in a guide. If you plan on applying for a job that requires 1 year physics and 1 year calculus though, that's a different story.

 

[Tomsonx]

Oops! Forgot to add I'm going to apply for SNA after graduating, added that in original post.

I already finished Calculus this semester (I needed it for business anyway) but yeah, I really don't want to take another science class if I don't have to so I think I'm going to skip out on physics in college as well.

 

[BusyBee604]

Oops! Forgot to add I'm going to apply for SNA after graduating, added that in original post.

If you become a Naval Aviator, and sometime in the future desire to apply for Test Pilot training (TPS), or a development type duty (VX, etc.), a physics course in your background would be a big plus.
BzB

 

[Renegade One]

...I was wondering if I should take a physics 101 class, the only reason I was thinking about doing this was because I didn't take any physics in high school (you only had to do 3 years of science and my 3rd year I chose chemistry instead of physics).

I say take it. "Knowledge Is Good." ~Emil Faber

Most of the stuff on the ASTB is very basic and you'll be able to find all of the info you'll need in a guide.

Yeah...no reason to really understand anything if you can just puke out the answer found in "a guide". Hint: Knowledge may be good, but UNDERSTANDING why things do what they do... and why ...is better...especially when you're flying the goddam "thing" on a dark and stormy night.

If you become a Naval Aviator, and sometime in the future desire to apply for Test Pilot training (TPS), or a development type duty (VX, etc.), a physics course in your background would be a big plus.
BzB

Yeah, well, there's that...but I think that really relates to my comment above.

Look, here's the deal. If you have a goal (like SNA, just for the sake of discussion), do everything you can to best prepare yourself for that. I think taking a college-level Physics course is a good step. There may be others.

 

[zianac]

Yeah...no reason to really understand anything if you can just puke out the answer found in "a guide". Hint: Knowledge may be good, but UNDERSTANDING why things do what they do... and why ...is better...especially when you're flying the goddam "thing" on a dark and stormy night.

I understand what you're saying, sir. I just figured that he wanted to know if taking the class would be necessary to scoring well on the ASTB. I didn't mean to imply that taking the class would be a bad idea.

 

[Tomsonx]

Hmmm I didn't consider later down the road it might help me (I'm just so focused on getting in the cockpit ), thanks BzB.

Thanks for the wisdom Renegade One, I guess it can't possibly hurt me if I do take the class.