How is the ASTB Test Scored?
The ASTB-E reports four scores. The Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) runs from 20 to 80, and most test takers score between 40 and 60. The Academic Qualifications Rating (AQR), Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating (PFAR), and Flight Officer Flight Aptitude Rating (FOFAR) are stanines from 1 to 9, where 5 is the middle band, roughly the 40th to 60th percentile. Minimum scores depend on the program and the branch.
The ASTB-E (Aviation Selection Test Battery) is the test the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard use to select officers and aviation candidates. You get your scores right after you finish. This guide explains each score, which programs use which score, what counts as a good score, and how retakes work.
The four ASTB-E scores
| Score | Scale | What it measures | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAR (Officer Aptitude Rating) | 20 to 80 | Math, reading comprehension and mechanical comprehension | Officer programs such as Navy OCS |
| AQR (Academic Qualifications Rating) | Stanine 1-9 | Predicted academic performance in aviation training | Pilot and flight officer programs |
| PFAR (Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating) | Stanine 1-9 | Predicted performance in primary pilot training | Pilot programs (with AQR) |
| FOFAR (Flight Officer Flight Aptitude Rating) | Stanine 1-9 | Predicted performance in flight officer training | Naval Flight Officer programs (with AQR) |
ASTB-E subtests
The Naval Aerospace Medical Institute lists these subtests:
- Math Skills Test (MST)
- Reading Comprehension Test (RCT)
- Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT)
- Aviation and Nautical Information Test (ANIT)
- Naval Aviation Trait Facet Inventory (NATFI)
- Performance Based Measures (PBM) battery
The OAR is built from the first three (math, reading and mechanical comprehension). The exact scoring formulas are not published.
What is a good ASTB score?
A stanine splits test takers into nine bands. The standard stanine bands are:
| Stanine | Share of test takers | Approximate percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | top 4% | 96th and above |
| 8 | 7% | 89th to 96th |
| 7 | 12% | 77th to 89th |
| 6 | 17% | 60th to 77th |
| 5 (average) | 20% | 40th to 60th |
| 4 | 17% | 23rd to 40th |
| 3 | 12% | 11th to 23rd |
| 2 | 7% | 4th to 11th |
| 1 | bottom 4% | below 4th |
So a 5 is average and a 7 or higher is roughly the top quarter. Because selection boards compare you with other applicants, a score comfortably above the program minimum matters more than just meeting it.
ASTB minimum scores
Minimum scores differ by program and service and can change. The official cutoffs are set in Navy Personnel Command Program Authorizations 106 and 107 and Marine Corps Order 1542.1I; your recruiter or officer selection officer can confirm the current numbers for your program. Remember which scores each path uses:
- Pilot (Navy SNA, Marine Corps pilot): AQR and PFAR
- Naval Flight Officer (SNFO, Marine NFO): AQR and FOFAR
- Officer Candidate School: OAR
Retakes: which score counts?
Your most recent attempt becomes your score of record and replaces all earlier scores, even if an earlier score was higher. Retest waiting periods and attempt limits are set by the Navy; check them with your recruiter before you schedule a retake, and only retest when you are confident you will improve.
How to raise your ASTB math score
The Math Skills Test feeds the OAR and the AQR, so math is one of the most efficient things to study. Review arithmetic, algebra, geometry and word problems without relying on a calculator, then practice timed sets.
Need more ASTB Math practice?
Use the free ASTB Math Worksheet Creator to make a fresh one-skill worksheet with answers and step-by-step explanations. It is a good next step after a lesson, a formula review, or a missed practice-test question.
Open the worksheet creatorOpen full page
For a complete study path: pair this printable practice with ASTB Math for Beginners and ASTB Math Practice Workbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good ASTB score?
On the stanine scores (AQR, PFAR, FOFAR), 5 is average and 7 or higher puts you in roughly the top quarter of test takers. Selection is competitive, so scores well above the program minimum make an application stronger.
What is the ASTB OAR score range?
The Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) is reported on a 20 to 80 scale. It comes from the math, reading comprehension and mechanical comprehension subtests and is used for officer programs such as Navy OCS.
Which ASTB scores do pilots and flight officers need?
Pilot programs use the AQR and PFAR. Naval Flight Officer programs use the AQR and FOFAR. Minimums differ by program and service; the official cutoffs are in Navy Personnel Command Program Authorizations 106 and 107 and Marine Corps Order 1542.1I.
If I retake the ASTB, which score counts?
Your most recent attempt. The Naval Aerospace Medical Institute states that your latest scores become your scores of record and replace earlier scores, even if the earlier ones were higher.
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