ASTB Review

Capt NathanPuppy 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.

ASTB Overview (cont)

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).

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: 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
Math Skills Test (MST) Reading Skills Test (RST) Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT) Spatial Apperception Test (SAT) Aviation and Nautical Information Test (ANIT) Aviation Supplemental Test (AST)

Length
30 items 27 items 30 items 25 items 30 items 34 items

Time Limit
25 min 25 min 15 min 10 min 15 min 25 min

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 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 ASTB
examinees 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.

Reading Comprehension Sample:

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.

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.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 examinees 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.

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 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

Spatial Apperception:
These items evaluate an examinees
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.

Spatial Apperception Rules of Thumb (ROT) #1:

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.

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #1:

A (left) > B = Left Bank
A B

C = D = No Bank

E < F (right) = Right Bank

F E

Spatial Apperception Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2:

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 (doesnt 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.

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

A (sky) > B = Flying Up

B

C = D = Flying Level
D

E < F (sea) = Flying Down

F

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #2:

Center in Sky = Flying Up

Center on Horizon = Flying Level

Center on Sea = Flying Down

Spatial Apperception Rules of Thumb (ROT) #3:

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 (Cont):

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.

Rules of Thumb (ROT) #3:

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 on the left side = Land closest to left wing of aircraft

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

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 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

QUESTIONS??
Capt Nathan Puppy Hoff Nathan.hoff@marines.usmc.mil