Tips/Differences in Forms of ASTB

[Vector]

This was originally a reply to a thread, but I thought it was lengthy enough to start a new thread...anyway, hope this helps and if your take on it is different, feel free to chime in...this, after all, to help other people with the test.

I took the ASTB twice and scored an 8/7/7 68 the second time around. It's not a spectactular score, but I knew practically nothing about Aviation or military knowledge about 3 months ago...so I basically went from 0 flight knowledge to a score of 7 on the ASTB in a span of 2 months from my first ASTB exam.

I've taken both the exam 3 written and exam 5 on computer, and the spatial apperception on the computer format was A LOT harder. I had to retake the test since I scored a 5 in piloting the first time because of the Aviation/Nautical information section.

I think form 3 had 35 spacial apperception questions and form 5 had 25. I could take the practice tests, make a perfect 35/35, and still have time to go over it again in 10 minutes, but it took me all 10 minutes to do 25 questions on the new form 5. So the study guides out there right now pretty much reflect form 3 and below for spacial apperception, but the newer forms take the difficulty up a notch or two.

As far as the rest of the test goes, if you have an engineering or mathematically oriented background in college you should do fine on the math, verbal, and mechanics parts of the test. If you don't, then study some of the guides available...I can't really recommend anything since I don't have any hands on experience with these portions of the guides. But don't worry...you just need a 4 on the AQR to qualify (for the Marines anyway), so reviewing the study guides will probably get you there.

The Aviation/Nautical information portion was, for both tests, the hardest part for me. Following my first test, I read through a piloting handbook (about 200+ pages) and was able to get most of the flight questions right. After studying the Arco and Marine Gouge Aviation/Nautical info section and a few other internet sources I was up to about 75% accuracy on that portion of the test. If you have never been on a naval vessel or don't know much about the dynamics of flying, be sure to spend plenty of time studying for this section...it will heavily influence your piloting score.

 

[joboy_2.0]

if you want to take it again, by all means do, but I scored a 63, 8/8/8 and got picked up for SNA, so I think your score is just fine and fairly competetive. I'm not sure how much things have changed in a year, but I'd say that's a good score.

 

[Vector]

I'm not planning on taking it again...in fact, I already have my degree and my package was sent out yesterday with those scores and a recent PFT for the November board...keeping my fingers crossed.

Just sharing my experience with the test in general and the different forms of it...hopefully it'll help someone...maybe not...who knows

 

[joboy_2.0]

I'm not planning on taking it again...in fact, I already have my degree and my package was sent out yesterday with those scores and a recent PFT for the November board...keeping my fingers crossed.

Just sharing my experience with the test in general and the different forms of it...hopefully it'll help someone...maybe not...who knows

my bad, I just inferred that from your saying it was "not a spectacular score". If you look at the statistics...our scores are pretty damn good.

 

[Vector]

It's alright...anyway by "not spectacular" I mean I didn't get all 8's like you (great score by the way) or 9's.

I've seen the statistics too, but Marine Aviation slots seem hard to come by. The soonest I'll get into OCS will be OCC 195, but I've been told to expect OCC 196...and that's with a 281 PFT and a 3.2 GPA in physics.

By the way, great job on getting picked up Joboy...see you in the air!

 

[joboy_2.0]

good luck. see ya in the fleet!

 

[es101js]

I dont know how much more competitive the selection process has gotten in the one year since i applied but on the ASTB i received 6/6/6 and got a flight school slot, and know people who had less scores(meaning 5's because that is the minimum) and got slots and are in API as I type so I think you guys have competitive scores.

 

[badger16]

vector, you said the spatial section was more difficult, how would you study for it if you had to do it all over again...any secrets besides the paractice tests and MSFS X???

 

[Fezz CB]

vector, you said the spatial section was more difficult, how would you study for it if you had to do it all over again...any secrets besides the paractice tests and MSFS X???

I dont know about all of that but Badgers can lick my nuts.

BETTER DEAD THAN RED!!!!!

(Gopher Alum '05 )

 

[badger16]

I dont know about all of that but Badgers can lick my nuts.

BETTER DEAD THAN RED!!!!!

(Gopher Alum '05 )

you mean...minnesota golden goph%ckyourselves??? yeah....better red and holding the axe then being a 13 lined grey squirrel(did you know that is what your mascot is based off of?)

 

[badger16]

and for clarification I did not capitolize the m in minnesota on purpose...because it is not even a state in my opinion just part of canada...a better name would be canasota if you ask me.

 

[BigRed389]

vector, you said the spatial section was more difficult, how would you study for it if you had to do it all over again...any secrets besides the paractice tests and MSFS X???

The Arco is probably the closest you will get to the real thing.

Best way is to MAKE A SYSTEM. This way even if you're having an off day, tired, whatever, you'll get it, and quickly too.

Heading, Pitch, Bank is all you need. Figure out how to make a system based on the Arco practice, and make sure you can nail it down perfectly every time...then you will absolutely rock it.

 

[badger16]

The Arco is probably the closest you will get to the real thing.

Best way is to MAKE A SYSTEM. This way even if you're having an off day, tired, whatever, you'll get it, and quickly too.

Heading, Pitch, Bank is all you need. Figure out how to make a system based on the Arco practice, and make sure you can nail it down perfectly every time...then you will absolutely rock it.

thanks man, can I ask what your system was just to get an idea...i've seen and heard of a lot of guys dividing up the picture to answer each question separately then putting it all together...that seems like it would work best for me...but i'm always open to new suggestions

 

[Hurley]

Show off

I took the ASTB twice and scored an 8/7/7 68 the second time around. It's not a spectactular score, but I knew practically nothing about Aviation or military knowledge about 3 months ago

Stop bragging

 

[Vector]

I'd be bragging if I got all 8's and 9's...but that wasn't in the cards
No biggie though, I think most people with 9's are previous pilots, previous enlisted, ROTC, or Annapolis guys with working knowledge of aviation and nautical information.

badger, I think the Arco study guide is a good start, but it is definitely less complex than the computer spacial apperception tests.

The computer based spacial apperception test forms (4 & 5 I believe) work in a lot more angles with the shoreline...and it sets the planes moving both toward and away from the coast plus all the angles in between. If you're studying from the Arco 6th edition book and can get close to 100% accuracy with plenty of time to spare, you should be alright. Plus, they probably let you miss more on the spacial apperception part and get the same score because it's harder...just a theory.

If you're worried about the difficulty, try getting the older written exams...they're in almost the exact same format as the Arco books and the other study guides out there. Personally, though, I prefer the computer one because it gives you a running timer and flagger so you can keep track of your progress...and you don't have to worry about the dreaded mis-bubbling mistake that'll have you erasing and re-bubbling in stuff for minutes of your precious test-taking time.