Starting to study seriously now.

[Biles]

I plan on taking the ASTB during the last week of October, and I've finally settled down to start studying for it more. I'm fairly confident that the reading/math/mechanics/perception sections will give me no trouble what-so-ever. Should I just dedicate a large amount of time to memorizing as much aeronautic/naval information as possible? I hear it is a very broad range of information. I've got the Arco book, the Marine Gouge, the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, and several practice tests.

My plan right now is basically take a practice test, see if I need to brush up on any of the 4 subjects that I feel confident in, then start learning all of the other info. I've got enough practice tests to take one a week until the last week just to keep me fresh--is this a good idea, or should I bother with learning information I don't know already? I also have 6 tests for school randomly scattered around in there too, so that could affect my studying on some weeks.

 

[Biles]

Something I found out after I took the ASTB is that the grades you receive isn't directly proportional to how many you got right out of all the questions. Instead, the ASTB is graded according to how you rank against others who have taken the ASTB.

You've probably heard this before and I'll say it again just in case. The ASTB is graded on a bell curve (the astboverview.pdf is somewhere on these forums).

So let's say the mode of the scores for the AQR (I believe this is the one that is most heavily influenced by your math score) out of all examinees is 90 percent correct. The examinees who score between 88 and 93 percent correct may fall between the the grades of 5 and 6. Whoever got close to a 90 will get a 5.

So the point of my story is, if you want to get a high grade, you can't just do well on each part, you have to "beat" everyone else, since the scoring is based on rank.

Oh, wow. I didn't know it was actually scored that way. I thought it was just an interesting correlation (like the other standardized tests). Be that as it may, however, I still feel extremely confident in those subjects.

 

[BullGator]

Oh, wow. I didn't know it was actually scored that way. I thought it was just an interesting correlation (like the other standardized tests). Be that as it may, however, I still feel extremely confident in those subjects.

You really sound well rounded, and have more than enough study info: things like the pilot's handbook are great but much more in depth than the ASTB. You are right, it is a broad range of questions, but non that in depth. The best visualization I read on here: a mile wide and an inch deep.

Whatever you do, don't neglect your school's tests. I would set up a regular schedule where you study everyday for an hour or more if not everyday since you have so much time yet have other things to do too. That should be more than enough, and I have a feeling you will get all 9's or 8's.


Now to answer your question: yes, basically. Don't neglect any one area, especially the spatial apperception, but do focus on your weaknesses (aviation info, and some nautical/ship info). You should be alright.

PS, what are your plans:

-Navy or Marines?
-Designator or MOS?



Your profile says Marine option, and I was interested if you talked with an OSO and knew the Marines' ASTB requirements... Good luck.

 

[Biles]

PS, what are your plans:

-Navy or Marines?
-Designator or MOS?



Your profile says Marine option, and I was interested if you talked with an OSO and knew the Marines' ASTB requirements... Good luck.

I'm just your standard Marine-option Midshipman in NROTC. This is my second year as a Computer Engineering major. From reading on here, I believe the minimum requirements are 4/6/6, but I haven't asked my MOI. Basically the only thing that he has told me is that I can submit my package as soon as I take the ASTB and get my selection back in just a couple months.

 

[BoaViking]

Where did you get all those practice tests? Are they ASTB tests or tests for flight school? I could definitely use some more practice tests because the only ones I have are the ones available in the ARCO book. Thanks.

 

[das]

Where did you get all those practice tests? Are they ASTB tests or tests for flight school? I could definitely use some more practice tests because the only ones I have are the ones available in the ARCO book. Thanks.

The main practice tests that exist for the ASTB are:

1. Marine Gouge test.
2. ARCO book.
3. Barron's book.

From the other thread, you know that 1. and 2. are available for free online, and 3 you have to buy.

 

[BoaViking]

The main practice tests that exist for the ASTB are:

1. Marine Gouge test.
2. ARCO book.
3. Barron's book.

From the other thread, you know that 1. and 2. are available for free online, and 3 you have to buy.

Ya I know about those already.. Just the way he mentioned taking one every week made it sound like he had a whole lot more than those.

 

[Biles]

Just took the Arco practice test. I must say, my results were completely opposite of what I expected! My worst section was the math skills test (67%), and my best was the reading skills test (89%). The rest were pretty even (despite me missing obvious things on the aviation and nautical information test). Rest of the scores: mechanical comprehension test (77%), spatial appreciation test (88%--Can't believe I wasn't perfect here! I had 5 minutes left over when I finished too), aviation and nautical information test (77%), and aviation supplemental test (88%).

So can anyone help me figure out how well I actually did? I'm assuming this was pretty bad because it was my first time, but I don't have a whole lot of room for improvement, which makes me think this is way more competitive than I thought (and I'm only trying to get the basic Marine standard)!

 

[das]

Just took the Arco practice test. I must say, my results were completely opposite of what I expected! My worst section was the math skills test (67%), and my best was the reading skills test (89%). The rest were pretty even (despite me missing obvious things on the aviation and nautical information test). Rest of the scores: mechanical comprehension test (77%), spatial appreciation test (88%--Can't believe I wasn't perfect here! I had 5 minutes left over when I finished too), aviation and nautical information test (77%), and aviation supplemental test (88%).

So can anyone help me figure out how well I actually did? I'm assuming this was pretty bad because it was my first time, but I don't have a whole lot of room for improvement, which makes me think this is way more competitive than I thought (and I'm only trying to get the basic Marine standard)!

Actually, that's pretty darn good...there was a spreadsheet that helped approximate your scores, but it is for the older version of the ASTB with the BI section, and with the math/verbal sections combined. You can translate your scores to this worksheet by using similar "percentages" of questions wrong.

What you do is fill in the number of questions you got correct in each of the MVT, MCT, A/N, and SAT sections up at the top:

MVT (combination of math and verbal/reading): Max 61 questions (this is the one where you may have to effectively combine your results from separate math/verbal sections, depending on what practice test you're using)
MCT (mechanical comprehension test): Max 30 questions
A/N (aviation/nautical knowledge): Max 30 questions
SAT (spatial apperception): Max 35 questions
BI sections: Ignore

Then, look at the "CONVERTD" score at the bottom to see a guesstimate as to your scores.

It is NOT representative of the current scoring model, and current ASTBs are also apparently graded on a curve among other groups of people taking the ASTB around the same time. It's a fairly complex scoring process.

That said, and all disclaimers apply, you can try to use it to get an idea of what your scores may be like. I used it, and it said I was around 8/8/8/60 and I ended up with 8/8/7/68 on the actual test.

 

[Biles]

Actually, that's pretty darn good...there was a spreadsheet that helped approximate your scores, but it is for the older version of the ASTB with the BI section, and with the math/verbal sections combined. You can translate your scores to this worksheet by using similar "percentages" of questions wrong.

What you do is fill in the number of questions you got correct in each of the MVT, MCT, A/N, and SAT sections up at the top:

MVT (combination of math and verbal/reading): Max 61 questions (this is the one where you may have to effectively combine your results from separate math/verbal sections, depending on what practice test you're using)
MCT (mechanical comprehension test): Max 30 questions
A/N (aviation/nautical knowledge): Max 30 questions
SAT (spatial apperception): Max 35 questions
BI sections: Ignore

Then, look at the "CONVERTD" score at the bottom to see a guesstimate as to your scores.

It is NOT representative of the current scoring model, and current ASTBs are also apparently graded on a curve among other groups of people taking the ASTB around the same time. It's a fairly complex scoring process.

That said, and all disclaimers apply, you can try to use it to get an idea of what your scores may be like. I used it, and it said I was around 8/8/8/60 and I ended up with 8/8/7/68 on the actual test.

Holy hell, that gave me a 9/9/9/80. That's a confidence booster, and it didn't even count the AST, which I only missed 4 on.

 

[das]

Holy hell, that gave me a 9/9/9/80. That's a confidence booster, and it didn't even count the AST, which I only missed 4 on.

You can get a surprising amount wrong and still score fairly high.

That said, this spreadsheet does NOT reflect the current scoring process; it just provided an estimate based on the formula at one time.

But with the percentages you listed above, you may not come out all 9's, but you should absolutely get a solid score.

 

[ebolamonkey]

Holy hell, that gave me a 9/9/9/80. That's a confidence booster, and it didn't even count the AST, which I only missed 4 on.

good job! yay! another yellow jacket! Just make sure you don't get shafted by Gatech when you are reviewing for the ASTB. :icon_smil

DSP is one mean class. I did like ECE2030 though.

 

[Biles]

good job! yay! another yellow jacket! Just make sure you don't get shafted by Gatech when you are reviewing for the ASTB. :icon_smil

DSP is one mean class. I did like ECE2030 though.

Yeah, DSP is an insane workload! I took 2030 last semester, and it was a total breeze. Next semester is going to be the killer with Digital Design Lab and Circuit Analysis. Ouch.

 

[ChunksJR]

You can get a surprising amount wrong and still score fairly high.

Yep. That sounds like the HTs.

 

[ChunksJR]

Yeah, DSP is an insane workload! I took 2030 last semester, and it was a total breeze. Next semester is going to be the killer with Digital Design Lab and Circuit Analysis. Ouch.

threadjack

GTNROTC unite...but seriously? Call each other!!! Jeez.

threadjack

IE '01 here. Will be watching the game big time this weekend!!! GO JACKETS!

/threadjack /threadjack