Questions About The ASTB Test.

[csales70]

I'm sure you guys on here get these questions I'm about to ask A LOT (sorry) but I would like it if any of you out there could answer them for me.
I have been studying for the ASTB for about month now with the ARCO book front to back and also have been reading up on the study guide that has the picture of the F-18 on the front of it. So here are my questions...



1) What is the minimum scores for the NAVY and the Marines for the test and what branch holds higher standards on the test?

2) What should I know about tests forms 3, 4, and 5 (which ones are harder than the others)?

3) What other study material should I use?

4) Should I start taking flying lessons to help myself?


Thanks

 

[nzachman]

1) Dunno, but the mins will not get you in unless you are a stud in all other areas
2) You will not have a choice in the form you get so don't worry about that
3) Check the stickies in the ASTB forum
4) No, unless you just want to fly for fun. It will not help you much on the ASTB.

 

[nikiterp86]

Just to add on to that, I didn't even know which form I took until after I was done. I don't know if that's the case for everyone, but it seems to be sort of spontaneously chosen.

The man administering the test told me afterward that I took form 5 and that 5 is the most difficult one... but I don't know how true that is.

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the ASTB is pass/fail for the Marine Corps. Of course, that's hardly a free pass to slack off! Just study all the material on here (there's TONS) and you should be fine.

 

[Big Biff]

By strictly studying the gouge on this site for about two weeks, its easy to from mid forties to low sixties.

And Marine Corps is pass/fail for the SNA/NFO portion, not sure about the OAR part.

 

[Sonog]

How does the scoring system work? For example, how many can you get wrong and get a 9, 8, 7 etc. for each score?

 

[Swanee]

1) Dunno, but the mins will not get you in unless you are a stud in all other areas
2) You will not have a choice in the form you get so don't worry about that
3) Check the stickies in the ASTB forum
4) No, unless you just want to fly for fun. It will not help you much on the ASTB.

Bad gouge, Marines view the ASTB as pass/fail. If you meet the minimums you are just as good as if you ace the thing.

 

[Markg]

Bad gouge, Marines view the ASTB as pass/fail. If you meet the minimums you are just as good as if you ace the thing.

On that note, with the current competitiveness of Marine OCS, does a candidate's score (passing scores) on the ASTB have any bearing on whether or not they get an air contract? Basically, I'm asking if the Marine Corps will weigh whether or not to give air contracts based on scores verses the pass/fail?

 

[Swanee]

On that note, with the current competitiveness of Marine OCS, does a candidate's score (passing scores) on the ASTB have any bearing on whether or not they get an air contract? Basically, I'm asking if the Marine Corps will weigh whether or not to give air contracts based on scores verses the pass/fail?

No, the ASTB is a check in the box for the Marine Corps, nothing more.

 

[Markg]

No, the ASTB is a check in the box for the Marine Corps, nothing more.

Thanks for the reply sir.

 

[KW83]

Not so sure about this. On the package that goes before the selection board (post contracting) the applicants' scores are entered in the format x/x/x, not a "check" in a box. The OAR score is not present, however, so don't worry about that at all. The board (USMC) does see how well you do on the ASTB and I suppose it could influence their selection process. Or, trust whatever everyone else says about it being only pass fail and get the minimums.

 

[cclement]

1) What is the minimum scores for the NAVY and the Marines for the test and what branch holds higher standards on the test?

The minimum for Navy is 5/5/5 and for Marines is 4/4/4 I believe. With the Navy, I was told that if I received all 6s I was basically a shoe-in. (I got 7/6/7 and didn't have any problems.)

 

[KW83]

The minimum for Navy is 5/5/5 and for Marines is 4/4/4 I believe. With the Navy, I was told that if I received all 6s I was basically a shoe-in. (I got 7/6/7 and didn't have any problems.)

Whoa, wrong. Minimum score for the Marine Corps is 4/6 (Pilot) which is higher than Navy, a 4/5.

http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO 1542.1H.pdf

This topic has been beaten with a stick over and over again. Do a search with the nifty search tool provided by the wonderful forum people and you will find that your questions have been answered before by very knowledgeable people.

Why did I waste my time?

 

[Ken_gone_flying]

Whoa, wrong. Minimum score for the Marine Corps is 4/6 (Pilot) which is higher than Navy, a 4/5.

http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO 1542.1H.pdf

This topic has been beaten with a stick over and over again. Do a search with the nifty search tool provided by the wonderful forum people and you will find that your questions have been answered before by very knowledgeable people.

Why did I waste my time?

Wow. Your 8th post was directing someone to use the search function. I see a bright future for you.

 

[Markg]

Not so sure about this. On the package that goes before the selection board (post contracting) the applicants' scores are entered in the format x/x/x, not a "check" in a box. The OAR score is not present, however, so don't worry about that at all. The board (USMC) does see how well you do on the ASTB and I suppose it could influence their selection process. Or, trust whatever everyone else says about it being only pass fail and get the minimums.

It was a simple question, I'm not looking to get the minimums on anything...

 

[KW83]

It was a simple question, I'm not looking to get the minimums on anything...

Awesome. My response was more a rebuke to folks making others feel comfortable with getting the minimums. Go get some 9's. It is very possible.