Format, subtests, OAR vs full battery, and composite scores. Everything you need to prepare for Navy and Marine aviation selection.
The ASTB-E is a computer-adaptive test used by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to select aviation officer candidates. It consists of 7 subtests and takes 2–3 hours. You can take just the OAR (3 subtests) for general officer programs, or the full battery for aviation selection.
Choose the right test based on your career path.
OAR (Officer Aptitude Rating): Math Skills + Reading Comprehension + Mechanical Comprehension. Sufficient for non-aviation officer programs (e.g., surface warfare, supply, intelligence).
Full ASTB-E: All 7 subtests, including aviation-specific sections. Required for pilot (SNA), naval flight officer (SNFO), and flight officer programs.
Going for pilot (SNA), NFO (SNFO), or flight officer? Take the full ASTB-E. Applying only for non-aviation officer programs? The OAR alone is enough.
Subtests, question counts, and content at a glance.
| Subtest | Questions / Format | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Math Skills Test (MST) | Variable, adaptive | Arithmetic through college math |
| Reading Comprehension Test (RCT) | Variable, adaptive | Passage analysis |
| Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT) | Variable, adaptive | Physics & mechanics |
| Aviation & Nautical Information Test (ANIT) | ~30 Q, timed | Aerodynamics, naval terminology, flight rules |
| Naval Aviation Trait Facet Inventory (NATFI) | Variable, untimed | Personality and behavioral assessment |
| Performance-Based Measures Battery (PBM) | Multiple tasks, timed | Spatial orientation, multitasking, joystick tracking |
The first 3 subtests (MST, RCT, MCT) are the OAR. All 7 make up the full ASTB-E.
How your performance is reported and what programs look for.
OAR: Officer Aptitude Rating (1–9 stanine), from MST + RCT + MCT. Used for all officer programs.
AQR: Academic Qualifications Rating (1–9 stanine), overall academic aptitude.
PFAR: Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating (1–9 stanine), for Student Naval Aviator (pilot) selection.
FOFAR: Flight Officer Flight Aptitude Rating (1–9 stanine), for NFO (naval flight officer) selection.
Minimum scores vary by program. Typical competitive ranges: OAR 5+, AQR 5+, PFAR 6+ for pilot. Higher scores improve your competitiveness.
Deep dives into each subtest. Study the areas that matter for your composite.
Arithmetic through college math; adaptive. Core of OAR.
Passage analysis; adaptive. OAR subtest.
Physics and mechanics; adaptive. OAR subtest.
Aerodynamics, naval terminology, flight rules. Full battery only.
Personality and behavioral assessment. Full battery only.
PBM parent module with Terrain Identification, Directional Orientation, and Stick and Throttle.
Performance-Based Measures subtest placeholder.
Performance-Based Measures subtest placeholder.
Performance-Based Measures subtest placeholder.
3 lifetime attempts, with a 31-day wait between attempts. Your highest composite scores are kept (best of all attempts). This is different from SIFT and AFOQT, where only the most recent score counts—so a strategic retake can improve your standing without erasing a previous strong subtest.
Math, reading, and mechanical comprehension form the foundation of your score. Strong OAR performance carries through to your composites.
Learn nautical terminology, aircraft carrier operations, Navy aircraft types, and basic aerodynamics for the ANIT.
The adaptive format means questions get harder as you answer correctly. Strong fundamentals are essential.
Practice spatial orientation and multitasking. Flight simulator experience helps.
The personality inventory looks for consistency. Answer honestly rather than trying to game it.
You get 3 attempts and your best scores are kept, but don't waste attempts without proper preparation.
The ASTB-E (Aviation Selection Test Battery - Extended) is a computer-adaptive test used by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to select aviation officer candidates. It consists of 7 subtests and takes 2–3 hours. You can take just the OAR (3 subtests) for general officer programs, or the full battery for aviation selection.
The OAR includes only Math Skills, Reading Comprehension, and Mechanical Comprehension—sufficient for non-aviation officer programs. The full ASTB-E includes all 7 subtests (including Aviation & Nautical Information, NATFI, and Performance-Based Measures) and is required for pilot (SNA), naval flight officer (SNFO), and flight officer programs.
You get 3 lifetime attempts, with a 31-day wait between attempts. Your highest composite scores are kept—the best of all attempts—so retakes can help you improve specific areas.
Minimum scores vary by program. Typically competitive ranges are: OAR 5+, AQR 5+, and PFAR 6+ for pilot (SNA) selection. Higher scores improve your competitiveness for aviation slots.
The full ASTB-E takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. The OAR alone (first 3 subtests) is shorter. The adaptive format means the number of questions can vary.
Take a free practice test and explore our aviation hub for more resources.