If you need help studying for the Aviation Standard Test Battery-E (ASTB-E) or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free ASTB-E practice test!
What’s on the ASTB-E?
The ASTB-E is used by the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard as part of the selection process for pilots and flight officers.
The ASTB-E is split into six subtests. If you’re interesting in a role that doesn’t involve aviation, you can just take the first three subtests, collectively called the OAR test.
Let’s take a closer look at each subtest:
MATH SKILLS TEST (MST)
~30 questions
- Equations and inequalities
- Algebraic expressions
- Operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages
- Properties of numbers
- Sequences
- Basic geometry
READING COMPREHENSION TEST (RCT)
~20 questions
- Main idea
- Supporting details
- Making inferences
- Determining the definition of words in context
- Tone
- Author’s purpose
MECHANICAL COMPREHENSION TEST (MCT)
~30 questions
- Force
- Energy
- Work
- Power
- Simple machines
- Electrical circuits
- Voltage and current
- Properties of fluids
- Properties and uses of mechanical tools
AVIATION AND NAUTICAL INFORMATION (ANIT)
~30 questions
- Basic aerodynamics
- Aircraft components and functions
- Flight rules and regulations
- Naval aviation history and notable aircraft
- Nautical terminology and concepts
NAVAL AVIATION TRAIT FACET INVENTORY (NATFI)
50-100 questions
- Adaptability
- Stress tolerance
- Leadership potential
- Teamwork skills
- General behavioral tendencies
PERFORMANCE BASED MEASURES BATTERY (PBM)
Various tasks
- Multitasking
- Psychomotor skills
- Spatial orientation
Computer-Adaptive Testing (CAT)
The ASTB-E is a computer-adaptive test. Basically, this means that the questions will become harder or easier as you go through the exam, based on how well you’re answering the questions.
For example, say you answered the first question correctly. The first question is of medium difficulty, so the next question will be slightly harder. Then, let’s say you answered the second question incorrectly. The next question would then be a medium question.
How to Register
To get started with the registration process, you’ll need to contact a recruiter for the specific branch of the military you plan on joining. They’ll likely put you through a screening and application process before you can fully register.
Once you’re approved, you can schedule a testing appointment.
ASTB-E Test Scores
Once you’ve taken the test, the hard part is over! You should receive your test scores as soon as you finish the test.
Different programs and services have specific score requirements:
Here’s what these abbreviations mean:
- OAR: Officer Aptitude Rating
- AQR: Academic Qualifications Rating
- PFAR: Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating
- FOFAR: Flight Officer Aptitude Rating
The composite scores are measured on a stanine scale, which ranges from 1 to 9. Your percentile rank compares your performance to other test-takers. For example, a score of 5 suggests you performed better than about 40%-59% of participants.
Once you complete all six subtests, you’ll immediately receive a report of your scores.
Retaking the Test
If you didn’t get the score(s) you wanted on your first try, that’s okay! You can take the OAR test a total of three times, so you can try again for a better score.
Here’s the catch: your most recent score is the only score that will be accepted. This means that if you take the test a second time, that’s the score that will be accepted, even if the score from your first attempt was higher.
FAQs
How many questions are on the ASTB-E?
The number of questions varies, but the test generally contains between 150 and 200 questions.
How long is the ASTB-E?
The test usually takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete.
What’s the difference between the ASTB-E and the OAR?
The OAR test is the collective name for the first three subtests of the ASTB-E.