Oregon Armories

ASTB test, applying for SWO. Advice?

I am scheduled to take the ASTB at the end of the month. I am applying for a SWO billet in the navy. I have started studying for it using Arco’s study guides (bought three: Military Flight Aptitude Test, Officer Candidate Test, and Mechanical Aptitude and Spatial Relations Test study guides). I think these offer good examples of problems similar to the ASTB. I’m a little weak on the mechanical and math sections of the test, so I am trying to bone up on those sections (most because I work too slowly on these sections trying to think about the question and end up not being able to finish the section in time). Has anyone else taken the exam, and if so, what are some good tips about taking it?

Will:

You have taken the 1st correct step – getting the guides. Keep working the questions until you become comfortable with taking the tests. The spatial relations test is probably the section of the ASTB that asks for an aircraft’s attitude during different maneuvers e.g. from the view of the cockpit, is the aircraft ascending, descending, turning left, turning right in relation to the horizon.

For this part of the test, use your car windshield as a training guide especially if you have some hills in the area. As you go down, note the horizon line – it rises. As you go up, note the horizon line – it falls. For turns, this is a little harder in a care but not impossible since a point on the horizon moves to the right when turning left and moves to the left when turning right.

Math – practice, practice. Flight is based on geometry. The ASTB used to ask basic geometry and trig questions. Other than that it was fairly simple algebra problems. Mechanics – it has been so long that I don’t recall the type questions. Probably similar to that introduced in my ground school. Best to get different versions of the test since you will have a set of different type of questions.

When you practice, learn to eliminate the standard 1 or 2 answers that make no sense. Concentrate on the other two options (used to be 4 options only). Make your best educated guess if running behind. You can also “check” those questions that you are not sure but note most rational answers left, then go on to next questions. Ensure that you have a few minutes to go back to make your best “guess” – better than leaving a blank which is a miss..

Your Officer Selection Officer only gives valid scoop. If he/she said this fall, it will be this fall. It is up to you to pass the tests and the flight physical so that they can submit your package to BuPers (Navy Personnel) for consideration by the Navy’s Board of Officers who make the final selection as to who goes to OCS, who has to wait (class full), or they consider qualified but not competitive. Note: It doesn’t matter if you are applying for SWO, Engineering Duty Officer, Line Navy, Subs, etc. Everyone gets same shot at OCS and they have the same opportunity to complete OCS (not everyone does).

Lieutenant Colonel, US Marine Corps-Retired (attended flight training with Navy and Coast Guard pilot candidates – got to know the process).

Military Flight Aptitude Tests, 5/e (Arco Military Test Tutor), Arco, Acceptable $38.97

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