ASTB Review - Buffalo Marines

Score Components• Weighted subtest score combinationsyield three stanine scores (ranging from1 to 9) :– Academic Qualification Rating (AQR) –predicts academic performance in APIand ground school– Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating (PFAR) & FlightOfficer Flight Aptitude Rating (FOFAR) –both predict flight grades in primary flighttraining– AQR, PFAR, and FOFAR also predictattrition from flight training

MinimumsUSN Pilot:USN FO:USMC Pilot:USMC NFO:USCG Pilot:4/5/x (AQR/PFAR)4/x/5 (AQR/FOFAR)4/6/x (AQR/PFAR)4/x/6 (AQR/FOFAR)4/5/x (AQR/PFAR)

There are six sections to the ASTB:ASTB Subtest Length Time LimitMath Skills Test (MST)30 items 25 minReading Skills Test (RST)27 items 25 minMechanical Comprehension Test (MCT) 30 items 15 minSpatial Apperception Test (SAT) 25 items 10 minAviation and Nautical Information Test(ANIT)Aviation Supplemental Test (AST)30 items 15 min34 items 25 min

Mathematics:• The math skills assessed by the ASTB subtestsinclude arithmetic and algebra, with somegeometry. The assessments include bothequations and word problems.• Some items require solving for variables, othersare time and distance problems, and somerequire the estimation of simple probabilities.• Skills assessed include basic arithmeticoperations, solving for variables, fractions,roots, exponents, and the calculation of angles,area, and perimeter of geometric shapes.

Mathematics Sample:1. A punch recipe calls for 2 ¼ quarts of ginger ale. Howmany quarts of ginger ale would be needed to make 1/3 of therecipe?A. 2/3B. 3/4C. 1 1/4D. 1 1/3

Mathematics Sample:2. If 2 times r exceeds one-half of t by 5, which of the followingrepresents the relationship between r and t?A. 4r – t = 10B. 4r + t = 10C. 2r – t = 5D. 2r + t = -5

Reading Comprehension:• Reading comprehension items require ASTBexaminees to extract meaning from textpassages. Each item requires the examinee todetermine which of the response options can beinferred from the passage itself.• This is pretty straight forward, although it isvery important that examinees remember thatincorrect response options may still appear to be„true‟ – only one answer to each item can bederived solely from the information in thepassage.

Reading Comprehension Sample:1.A storm must pass through different stages before becoming ahurricane. The onset of this process occurs when low pressure airspins inward cyclonically to form the eye of the building storm. Duringthe intermediate stages of development, the storm is first referred to asa tropical depression, later as a tropical storm before increasing inintensity to become a hurricane.(A)During the tropical depression stage of hurricane development,the eye is formed by winds moving in a clockwise direction.(B)A hurricane is the most violent of all natural phenomenabecause the eye of the storm is composed of cyclonic airmovement.(C)Tropical storms do not contain eyes because they developfrom high pressure air systems.(D)Cyclonic air movement plays a central role in the creation ofhurricane force winds.

Mechanical Comprehension:• Items contained within the mechanicalcomprehension portion of the ASTB include topicsthat would typically be found in an introductory highschool physics course and the application of thesetopics within a variety of situations.• The questions in this portion of the test gaugeexaminees‟ knowledge of principles related to gasesand liquids, and their understanding of the ways inwhich these properties affect pressure, volume, andvelocity.• The subtest also includes questions that relate to thecomponents and performance of engines, principlesof electricity, gears, weight distribution, and theoperation of simple machines, such as pulleys andfulcrums.

Mechanical Comprehension Samples:1 2 3 4 51.All gears in the system are moving and Gear 1 rotates clockwise. What other gears in thesystem also rotate clockwise?(A)2 and 4(B)2 and 5(C)3 and 52. In which case is less force needed to move weight (W) up the ramp?(A)A(B)B(C)The force is the same in each case.

3. If each pendulum is released from the position shown, which pendulum requires the longest amount oftime to complete one swing?(A)A(B)B(C)The times are equal.4. The voltage drop or potential difference is greater across which resistor?(A)R A(B)R B(C)It is the same across either resistor.

5. If the large piston has 3 times the surface area of the small piston, how far must the smallpiston be pushed down to raise the large piston 1 inch?(A) 1/3 inch(B) 1 inch(C) 3 inches

Aviation & Nautical Information:• ASTB subtests also assess an examinee‟s familiarity withaviation history, nautical terminology and procedures, andaviation related concepts such as aircraft components,aerodynamic principles, and flight rules and regulations.• Of all the ASTB subtests, ANI scores are the most easilyimproved by study because it is largely a test ofknowledge, rather than aptitude.• Examinees can prepare for this subtest by reviewinggeneral reference materials, such as encyclopedias, FAAand civilian aviation books, and handbooks and manualsthat provide an overview of basic piloting, navigation, andseamanship.• In addition to these sources, some examinees have usedcommercially available study guides. Even though NOMIdoes not endorse a particular study guide, books that aredesigned to prepare individuals for military aptitude flighttests and officer candidate tests often provide a goodintroduction to aviation and nautical related subjects.

Aviation & Nautical Info Samples:1.Who is known as the father of the United States Navy?(A)George Dewey(B)David G. Farragut(C)Stephen Decatur(D)John Paul Jones2.What color is the starboard running light?(A)Green(B)Red(C)White(D)Yellow3.What is the primary reason for dumping fuel from a jet transportaircraft prior to attempting an emergency landing?(A)Eliminate fire hazard(B)Reduce landing weight(C)Move the center of gravity(D)Obtain a steeper glide slope

Spatial Apperception:• These items evaluate an examinee‟sability to match external and internalviews of an aircraft based on visual cuesregarding its direction and orientationrelative to the ground.• Each item consists of a view from insidethe cockpit, which the examinee mustmatch to one of five external views.• These items capture the ability tovisualize the orientation of objects inthree dimensional space.

Spatial ApperceptionRules of Thumb (ROT) #1:• The first rule is used to determine if theplane is making a right bank (R), leftbank ( L), or no bank at all (N).• You simply do this by seeing which sideof the horizon is higher; whichever side ishigher is the direction of the turn you aremaking.• If neither side is higher, the plane is notturning.

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #1:A (left) > B = Left BankABC = D = No BankCDE < F (right) = Right BankEF

Spatial ApperceptionRules of Thumb (ROT) #2:• The second rule is used to determine if theplane is flying up (U), down (D), or level (L).You simply look at both sides of the horizon.• If there is more sky on one side (doesn‟t matterside) than there is land or water on the other,then the plane is going up.• If there is more land/water on one side thenthere is sky on the other side, then the plane isgoing down.• If the amount of sky on one side is equal to theamount of land/water on the other side, thenthe plane is flying level.

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2 (Cont):• Another way you can determine whetherthe plane is (U/D/or L) is to look at thedead center of the picture.• If the center is sky then (U), if land/seathen (D), if on the horizon then (L).• Figure out which of the two methodsworks for you and stick with that one.

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2:AA (sky) > B = Flying UpBC = D = Flying LevelCDE < F (sea) = Flying DownEF

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2:Center in Sky = Flying UpCenter on Horizon = Flying LevelCenter on Sea = Flying Down

Spatial ApperceptionRules of Thumb (ROT) #3:• There are two parts to Rule 3. The first part isto determine if the plane is flying towards land(L), towards sea (S), or up/down the shore (U).• To do this you simply look at the center of thehorizon.• At the horizon if you hit land, you are flyingtowards land. If you hit water at the horizon,you are flying towards sea.• Up/down the beach is like a plane pulling anadvertising banner down the beach. Theshoreline will be perpendicular to the horizon.

Spatial ApperceptionRules of Thumb (ROT) #3 (Cont):• The second part of the rule is to determine ifthe plane is flying straight towards land/sea ortowards land/sea at an angle.• If the plane is straight towards land/sea, theshoreline will be parallel to the horizon.• If the plane is at an angle, the shoreline will beat an angle to the horizon.• If the plane is at an angle or up/down theshore, you will need to determine which side ofthe plane the land is on and which side the seais on.

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #3:• Sea on the horizon and shoreline parallel to thehorizon = Directly out to sea.

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #3:• Shoreline perpendicular to the horizon =Up/Down shoreline.• Shoreline on the left side = Land closest toleft wing of aircraft• Shoreline at an angle to the horizon withsea on the horizon = Angled towards sea.• Shoreline on the right side = Land closestto right wing of aircraft• Shoreline perpendicular to the horizon =Up/Down shoreline.• Shoreline on the left side = Land closest toleft wing of aircraft

All 3 Rules Applied:Rule #1: Right Bank (R), Left Bank ( L), or No Bank (N).Rule #2: Flying Up (U), Flying Level (L), or Flying Down (D).Rule #3: Towards Land (L), Towards Sea (S), Up/Down Shore (U)• Left Side of horizon is higher = Left Bank (L)• Left Sky is Equal to Right Ground = Flying Level (L)• Shoreline is Perpendicular to Horizon = Up/Down Shore (U)• Note the land is on the right = Land closest to right wing(L /L /U)

All 3 Rules Applied:(L / L / U )

Spatial Apperception Samples:

Spatial Apperception Samples:

Spatial Apperception Samples:

Spatial Apperception Samples:

Spatial Apperception Samples:

Aviation Supplemental Material:• The final subtest of the ASTB will typicallycontain a variety of items that are similar informat and content to the items in thepreceding subtests.

Books to Buy(if you really want to spend the money)• Arco Military Flight Aptitude Test 6 thEdition– Study Aviation Selection Test BatterySections• Arco Officer Candidate Tests– Good study guide for math/verbal andmechanical comprehension

Websites for More Gouge (Free)http://www.chicagomarineofficer.com/astbprep.htmhttp://navy-officer.com/astb.htmlhttp://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/nomi/nami/Pages/ASTBInformation.aspx - Official ASTB Web Sitehttp://www.airwarriors.comhttp://www.petersons.com/airforce/books.asp?sponsor=8 -Electronic version of Military Flight Aptitude Testshttp://www.geocities.com/tiffanypbaker/gouge/astb.htm - MarinePilot's personal study guide published on the web

QUESTIONS??Capt Nathan “Puppy” HoffNathan.hoff@marines.usmc.mil