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ASTB Review
Capt Nathan“Puppy” Hoff
1st MCD AAOP
ASTB Overview
• The Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) is used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard as one criterion used in making selection determinations for officer aviation program applicants.
• The most recent complete revision of the ASTB was completed by the Naval Operational Medicine Institute (NOMI) in cooperation with the Educational Testing Services (ETS) in Princeton , New Jersey in 1992.
• In 2004, three new parallel forms of this ASTB version were released by NOMI, and Forms 1 and 2, which had been in circulation from 1992 to 2004, were suspended.
• The current version of the ASTB was designed to predict performance and attrition through the beginning phases of aviation training for Student Naval Aviators (SNAs) and Student Naval Flight Officers (SNFOs).
ASTB Overview (cont)
Score Components
• Weighted subtest score combinations yield three stanine scores (ranging from 1 to 9) :– Academic Qualification Rating (AQR) –
predicts academic performance in API and ground school
– Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating (PFAR) & Flight Officer Flight Aptitude Rating (FOFAR) –both predict flight grades in primary flight training
– AQR, PFAR, and FOFAR also predict attrition from flight training
Minimums
USN Pilot: 4/5/x (AQR/PFAR)
USN FO: 4/x/5 (AQR/FOFAR)
USMC Pilot: 4/6/x (AQR/PFAR)
USMC NFO: 4/x/6 (AQR/FOFAR)
USCG Pilot: 4/5/x (AQR/PFAR)
ASTB Subtest Length Time Limit
Math Skills Test (MST) 30 items 25 min
Reading Skills Test (RST) 27 items 25 min
Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT) 30 items 15 min
Spatial Apperception Test (SAT) 25 items 10 min
Aviation and Nautical Information Test (ANIT)
30 items 15 min
Aviation Supplemental Test (AST) 34 items 25 min
There are six sections to the ASTB:
Mathematics:
• The math skills assessed by the ASTB subtests include arithmetic and algebra, with some geometry. The assessments include both equations and word problems.
• Some items require solving for variables, others are time and distance problems, and some require the estimation of simple probabilities.
• Skills assessed include basic arithmetic operations, 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. How
many quarts of ginger ale would be needed to make 1/3 of the
recipe?
A. 2/3
B. 3/4
C. 1 1/4
D. 1 1/3
Mathematics Sample:
2. If 2 times r exceeds one-half of t by 5, which of the following
represents the relationship between r and t?
A. 4r – t = 10
B. 4r + t = 10
C. 2r – t = 5
D. 2r + t = -5
Reading Comprehension:
• Reading comprehension items require ASTBexaminees to extract meaning from text passages. Each item requires the examinee to determine which of the response options can be inferred from the passage itself.
• This is pretty straight forward, although it is very important that examinees remember that incorrect response options may still appear to be „true‟ – only one answer to each item can be derived solely from the information in the passage.
1.A storm must pass through different stages before becoming a
hurricane. The onset of this process occurs when low pressure air
spins inward cyclonically to form the eye of the building storm. During
the intermediate stages of development, the storm is first referred to as
a tropical depression, later as a tropical storm before increasing in
intensity 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 phenomena
because the eye of the storm is composed of cyclonic air
movement.
(C)Tropical storms do not contain eyes because they develop
from high pressure air systems.
(D)Cyclonic air movement plays a central role in the creation of
hurricane force winds.
Reading Comprehension Sample:
Mechanical Comprehension:
• Items contained within the mechanical comprehension portion of the ASTB include topics that would typically be found in an introductory high school physics course and the application of these topics within a variety of situations.
• The questions in this portion of the test gauge examinees‟ knowledge of principles related to gases and liquids, and their understanding of the ways in which these properties affect pressure, volume, and velocity.
• The subtest also includes questions that relate to the components and performance of engines, principles of electricity, gears, weight distribution, and the operation of simple machines, such as pulleys and fulcrums.
Mechanical Comprehension Samples:
1 2 3 4 5
1.All gears in the system are moving and Gear 1 rotates clockwise. What other gears in the
system also rotate clockwise?
(A)2 and 4
(B)2 and 5
(C)3 and 5
2. 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 of
time 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)RA
(B)RB(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 small
piston 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 with aviation history, nautical terminology and procedures, and aviation related concepts such as aircraft components, aerodynamic principles, and flight rules and regulations.
• Of all the ASTB subtests, ANI scores are the most easily improved by study because it is largely a test of knowledge, rather than aptitude.
• Examinees can prepare for this subtest by reviewing general reference materials, such as encyclopedias, FAA and civilian aviation books, and handbooks and manuals that provide an overview of basic piloting, navigation, and seamanship.
• In addition to these sources, some examinees have used commercially available study guides. Even though NOMI does not endorse a particular study guide, books that are designed to prepare individuals for military aptitude flight tests and officer candidate tests often provide a good introduction to aviation and nautical related subjects.
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 Jones
2.What color is the starboard running light?
(A)Green
(B)Red
(C)White
(D)Yellow
3.What is the primary reason for dumping fuel from a jet transport
aircraft 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
Aviation & Nautical Info Samples:
Spatial Apperception:
• These items evaluate an examinee‟s ability to match external and internal views of an aircraft based on visual cues regarding its direction and orientation relative to the ground.
• Each item consists of a view from inside the cockpit, which the examinee must match to one of five external views.
• These items capture the ability to visualize the orientation of objects in three dimensional space.
• The first rule is used to determine if the plane is making a right bank (R), left bank ( L), or no bank at all (N).
• You simply do this by seeing which side of the horizon is higher; whichever side is higher is the direction of the turn you are making.
• If neither side is higher, the plane is not turning.
Spatial Apperception Rules of Thumb (ROT) #1:
Rules of Thumb (ROT) #1:
A
DC
B
EF
A (left) > B = Left Bank
C = D = No Bank
E < F (right) = Right Bank
• The second rule is used to determine if the plane 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 matter side) than there is land or water on the other, then the plane is going up.
• If there is more land/water on one side then there is sky on the other side, then the plane is going down.
• If the amount of sky on one side is equal to the amount of land/water on the other side, then the plane is flying level.
Spatial Apperception Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2:
Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2 (Cont):
• Another way you can determine whether the plane is (U/D/or L) is to look at the dead center of the picture.
• If the center is sky then (U), if land/sea then (D), if on the horizon then (L).
• Figure out which of the two methods works for you and stick with that one.
Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2:
A
D
C
B
E
F
A (sky) > B = Flying Up
C = D = Flying Level
E < F (sea) = Flying Down
Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2:
Center in Sky = Flying Up
Center on Horizon = Flying Level
Center on Sea = Flying Down
• There are two parts to Rule 3. The first part is to 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 the horizon.
• At the horizon if you hit land, you are flying towards land. If you hit water at the horizon, you are flying towards sea.
• Up/down the beach is like a plane pulling an advertising banner down the beach. The shoreline will be perpendicular to the horizon.
Spatial Apperception Rules of Thumb (ROT) #3:
• The second part of the rule is to determine if the plane is flying straight towards land/sea or towards land/sea at an angle.
• If the plane is straight towards land/sea, the shoreline will be parallel to the horizon.
• If the plane is at an angle, the shoreline will be at an angle to the horizon.
• If the plane is at an angle or up/down the shore, you will need to determine which side of the plane the land is on and which side the sea is on.
Spatial Apperception Rules of Thumb (ROT) #3 (Cont):
• Sea on the horizon and shoreline parallel to the horizon = Directly out to sea.
Rules of Thumb (ROT) #3:
• Shoreline perpendicular to the horizon = Up/Down shoreline.
• Shoreline at an angle to the horizon with sea on the horizon = Angled towards sea.
• Shoreline on the right side = Land closest to right wing of aircraft
• Shoreline perpendicular to the horizon = Up/Down shoreline.
• Shoreline on the left side = Land closest to left wing of aircraft
• Shoreline on the left side = Land closest to left wing of aircraft
Rules of Thumb (ROT) #3:
All 3 Rules Applied:Rule #1: Right Bank (R), Left Bank ( L), or No Bank (N).
• Left Side of horizon is higher = Left Bank (L)
(L /
Rule #2: Flying Up (U), Flying Level (L), or Flying Down (D).
• Left Sky is Equal to Right Ground = Flying Level (L)
L /
Rule #3: Towards Land (L), Towards Sea (S), Up/Down Shore (U)
• Shoreline is Perpendicular to Horizon = Up/Down Shore (U)
• Note the land is on the right = Land closest to right wing
U)
(L / L / U )
All 3 Rules Applied:
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 typically contain a variety of items that are similar in format and content to the items in the preceding subtests.
Books to Buy (if you really want to spend the money)
• Arco Military Flight Aptitude Test 6th
Edition
– Study Aviation Selection Test Battery Sections
• Arco Officer Candidate Tests
– Good study guide for math/verbal and mechanical comprehension
Websites for More Gouge (Free)
http://www.chicagomarineofficer.com/astbprep.htm
http://navy-officer.com/astb.html
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/nomi/nami/Pages/AS
TBInformation.aspx - Official ASTB Web Site
http://www.airwarriors.com
http://www.petersons.com/airforce/books.asp?sponsor=8 -
Electronic version of Military Flight Aptitude Tests
http://www.geocities.com/tiffanypbaker/gouge/astb.htm - Marine
Pilot's personal study guide published on the web
