AFOQT/TBAS Help

[wcarpenter1990@gmail.com]

You obviously have very good scores, and you should be proud of that! What are some pointers you’d give to people preparing to take their AFOQT? How did you prepare?

[Travis]

Wow, great scores. What did you feel was the most helpful/applicable out of all the prep materials you used? As you were taking the test, did you ever think, “I’m sure glad I used that resource”?

[Jeremy]

Thanks guys! I used really every quality resource I could find. I’ll share the links below. As far as the actual studying goes, I would go through a section and review every single page, even if I already knew the stuff on it, then do a practice test or two for that particular section. I would study any concept I missed a question on, not just the question itself. For example, if I missed a question on systems of equations, I studied systems of equations as a whole until I couldn’t miss any question about it again. After going through each individual section, I started doing full practice tests (all sections in one sitting for the few hours it took) and would follow the same review/remediation process on any questions I missed. It’s really important to not just study the specific questions you miss, but the actual concepts since the real test will have different questions, but on the same topics. Don’t just study until you can get the questions right, study until you can’t get them wrong!

The reason my Quantitative score is so low compared to the others is that I ran out of time on the arithmetic reasoning section. In practice, I was even finishing it faster than the allotted time. You’ll find that on test day, you probably won’t finish quite as fast as you do in practice, even if you simulate it as closely as possible in practice. When you’re doing the practice tests, time yourself with the real times and practice until you can comfortably finish a good bit of time left on each section. For the table reading section, I got to the point where I was finishing with about 30 seconds remaining while practicing, but the day of (both in a practice run of that section before I left the house and in the real test), I was bubbling the last answer as time ran out. If you’re not prepared to comfortably go faster than you need to, you can count on running out of time on game day.

Those are the biggest pieces of advice I have and in the interest of not writing too much of an essay, I’ll stop there 😂. I’m happy to answer any further questions you guys have though!

Here are the books I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QGNTP94?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637981961?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://a.co/d/ea0g6Ic

And here’s the official Air Force AFOQT prep materials: https://access.afpc.af.mil/pcsmdmz/Form%20T.HTML

[Jeremy]

One other thought, for the aviation information section, it’s good to be solid on the stuff the books have, but definitely try to do PPL ground school first, otherwise you’ll probably struggle with that section

[Redd]

Solid info, thanks!

[Riley]

Those who are Test Pilots and have access to the Webinar Videos: The video titled “How to Ace The AFOQT” (should be under Video Library —> Webinar Videos —> How to Ace the AFOQT) with BogiDope coaches SIC and DUK is packed with so much good information!

DUK goes into a lot of depth on ways to optimize your study habits and practice exams to ensure that when you walk into that testing room, you have no doubts.

Those still trying to schedule these exams: DUK also talks about all the different ways to schedule out your exams in the same video!

Your scores are one of the only factors you can control throughout this process. Your scores are also one of the first things hiring boards see when they review your application. Make sure you do well and don’t let your AFOQT scores keep you from getting an interview with your dream squadron!

[Waldrop]

I recently seen a video on YouTube of a person using a program that had flash cards to help with the drone subtest of the TBAS. Does anyone know where to go to get the flash card program? I am looking to retake my TBAS in the near future and struggled on this part the first time.

[Jeremy]

@Waldrop

https://tbastestprep.com/

https://quizlet.com/451378913/tbas-uav-scdunn2439-flash-cards/?i=1v6gms&x=1jqY

tbastestprep.com

Home - TBAS Test Prep Tools

Ditch the flash cards, flight simiulators, and random internet forums. The TBAS Test Prep Tools are by far the best way to prepare yourself for the grueling

[Czarcast]

It could be Anki that you’re referring to? Anki is a flashcard program I’ve been using for a while now and it’s really, really, really good. It works with 3 decks and it continues to cycle wrong answers through the decks so you will intentionally see topics more if you’re struggling to answer questions in that subset right. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

[Colin]

I’ve found Anki as a game changer for FAA ratings/checkrides. I would be curious if someone made a deck for the AFOQT but I could not find any based on that search term.

The only downside is decks are a bit of a pain to make manually.

[Unknown Member]

those are some amazing scores @Jeremy ! I truly admire the morale of your studying habit and was wondering what your routine was like. (how many hours a day? everyday? how long did you study for before you were competent in you test taking abilities?)

TIA.

[Jeremy]

@yahoo I studied a couple hours a day most days (probably averaged about 6 days a week or slightly more) for just under 3 months. I think I scheduled the AFOQT about 1.5 months into it after gauging where I’d be a little over a month later. I wanted to make sure I was going to knock it out of the park, so I continued studying past the point where I knew I could do well, to the point where I could only get scores close to perfect. I wish I’d have practiced speeding up the arithmetic reasoning section a bit more so I didn’t run out of time on the day of, but in the end, one score below 90 shouldn’t be the end of the world with my others where they’re at. You’re going to be nervous on test day, so the more you can do to give yourself complete confidence that you’re going to nail it, the better.

[WiII]

Does anyone have gouge on the eAFOQT? I’ve been prepping for the paper pencil one but I got an email that my testing center is moving to the electronic version. Was wondering if anyone had any experience or pertinent information on it.

[Diaz]

I actually just took the digital one yesterday. I will say time will be less of a factor as it is a simple click, instead of bubbling in a scantron. A pointer I would recommend is that there are hot keys to go to the next and previous pages, become comfortable with it as it can save time instead of moving the mouse all the way to the bottom of the screen to change pages. Also I a weird one is the table reading is all on the computer (no excel print out).

[Travis]

I took the computer version of the AFOQT this morning at a Pearson Test Center in Nashville.

Apparently they don’t give many AFOQT tests, if any at all, and they were about to give me a calculator!! I had to tell them no calculators were allowed… So speak up if this happens. You don’t want to get your test thrown out because someone doesn’t know their job that well.

They give me a blank booklet with laminated engineering paper and a fine point magic marker, which served in place of scratch paper. This proved to be DISASTROUS when my marker ran out of ink mid way through the arithmetic reasoning sub test…I was pretty pissed about that. Cost me about 7 questions. I requested a new marker which came a minute or so later, but in this test every second counts, and the damage was already done.

The test is self paced. You can finish the whole thing as fast as you want. The computer will prompt you for the scheduled 15 minute break, but you can decline it and keep going if you want. There’s a countdown timer for every section so you know how long you have left.

Before every section, there was anywhere from 3 to 7 minutes of practice and instructional time before the sub test started. The timer was proportional to the actual length of the section. You could use that time to gather yourself mentally, read the instructions, practice, or just skip it and push on.

If your mouse speed is pretty fast (the “next” button is far away from the answer selections), and you have a good computer (there is a slight delay in loading the next problem), then it should take less time to answer then bubbling in a Scantron. Marginal difference, but it’s there.

As for the table readings, this section benefited the most from being on the computer! I was always coming up a few questions short while taking timed practice tests using Baron’s, but I had no issues on the real thing. It’s only -17 to +17 rather than -20 to +20. You also don’t have to worry about flipping pages, re-locating your current question #, or having the book crease right in the middle of the table. The real test also has the row & column numbers around the entire table, as opposed to just the top and left. That’s a big deal! Here’s a free hint for the real test. Find the x value first, and use the mouse to click and drag, highlighting the column. Then just use your eyes to make the intersection! Easy

As for the instrument comprehension, it didn’t use confusing, dark silhouettes. It had a cartoon looking airplane with color, and bombs under the wings. This helps more than you think. If you can do Baron’s, you shouldn’t have any issues here. Just don’t let the easy feeling cause you to relax and come up short on time. Don’t underestimate the time limit on this one.

Last thing I’ll say is, I used Baron’s, Trivium, and AFOQTguide.com. Baron’s is by far the closest to the format of the real thing. Even some of the questions looked oddly familiar (especially block counting). It’s still good to use as many resources as you can get your hands on.

Feel free to DM me if you have any specific questions about my experience.

[Colin]

I also have reasonably high AFOQT/TBAS scores. Im also rather old (Bush admin baby, the first one) and a long time removed from classrooms, school subjects, and bubble sheets. I devised a methodical and rigorous study regimen where I had to relearn (or even learn for the first time) much of the material. I have a system down including a nice excel visualizer/tracker. Let me know if you’re also an older guy/gal who could use some help to put up some 99s! It’ll make me feel useful in between rushing/interviewing. (Scores: 99/99/99/94/94/87)

In exchange, you can help me try to figure out how to improve a near-decade-stale, mediocre GPA 😭(JK)

Jeremy, just figured I’d help you out if you’re getting pinged a lot from this, ha.

[TFite]

Hey Colin! I’m 30 and haven’t done really any of this math in the past 10 years lol. Math was one of my best subjects (when I was actually taking classes) but I need to relearn most of it again! Would you mind sharing?

[TFite]

Disregard lol

[mchaman]

Yeah if you’d be willing to share that would be awesome! Thank you!

[Colin]

Sorry for the late reply; if you’ve taken the test you’ve likely made a tracker already. If not, feel free to use mine! In the notes row is a reference to some of the resources I used. PDF refers to the online resource. I basically used the “Cadillac option” from the Bogidope article.

PracticeTracking.xlsx 23 KB Excel Spreadsheet - Click to view

• Copy Download Link

[mchaman]

Thank you!

[Matthew]

Hi. Awesome scores! Would you mind sharing your excel sheet please? Thank you!

[Colin]

Sorry for the late reply; if you’ve taken the test you’ve likely made a tracker already. If not, feel free to hijack mine! In the notes row is a reference to some of the resources I used. PDF refers to the online resource. I basically used the “Cadillac option” from the Bogidope article.

PracticeTracking-1.xlsx 23 KB Excel Spreadsheet - Click to view

• Copy Download Link

[wcarpenter1990@gmail.com]

What was your test taking strategy? Did you skim through all the questions and answer the easy ones first, then the tougher ones, the. Best guesses? Although with your scores there probably wasn’t much guessing.

[Jake]

Does anyone have any strategies for the block counting section? 4.5 minutes for 30 questions is roughly 9 seconds per question. Open to any recommendations. Appreciate it!

[Cameron_Robertson]

It’s all about practice man. Mindless repetition more than anything. I found a good strategy when I was fiddling with it for the paper. I’d use a finger from one hand and put it on the X coordinate the question gave, the one from the other hand on the Y coordinate, and converge them both onto the number. Takes a bit of practice to not jump or skip on the paper, but it only takes roughly 3 seconds per question and gives me a near perfect accuracy rate.

[Jake]

For the block counting? Or the table reading?

[Cameron_Robertson]

Oh, sorry my bad, yeah mine was for table reading. Apologies I misread. I barely remembered the blocks being there as it wasn’t very hard for me. I think I just visualized the collection as a 3D models and counted out each block on my finger to be sure in a similar fashion. Sorry again.

[Jake]

No worries, thanks for the insight! Much appreciated.

[Jaybird]

Tutor Gunboss did a video on here that I found really helpful for working through the block counting section. Knowing that each block is the same size and that only block faces touching another block face count (edges don’t count) helped me to improve my score in this area on the practice tests.

[Servant]

Hey guys I got a question regarding the multi-target tracking section of the TBAS. I read somewhere that for that section they use stick and rudder pedals. Does anyone know if that is true and if so any good recommendations for stick controls to practice?

[Colin]

The cheapest rudder pedals and stick will do. There’s a cheap logitech stick I use and thrustmaster pedals on amazon. Budget 100-200.

[dustin-rogers]

Are there any specific programs to practice with the controls? Or multitasking programs? I took the TBAS yesterday which gave me a rough 66 on my PCSM with a 99 Pilot and zero flight hours. I definitely want to optimize my TBAS score before I start adding flight hours. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

[Travis]

Does anyone whos taken the TBAS recall if the Y-axis on the joystick is inverted? For instance you push the stick forward and the reticle goes down the screen instead of up the screen. The TBAS practice software has a setting to toggle the inversion off. Its kind of a big deal, I would like to practice on the right setting.

• This reply was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by  Travis.

[Cameron_Robertson]

As far as I can recall it was made to mimic actual aircraft control. So push forward (up on the stick) to go down and pull back (down) to climb upwards.

[kunetan]

Had the same thought. I’ve taken the TBAS once but now I’m deep in practice and I’m wondering if I even remember correctly. It IS inverted, right?

[Travis]

I just took it not too long ago. It is inverted, like flying an aircraft.

[kunetan]

Thanks. How did it go? You’re exactly the person whose brain I want to pick since I think you were in a similar situation. Did you think the software helped you out? Did you track your results of each event and see progress? I’ve been using the program daily for two months now (1 month to go) but I’m not sure if I’m where I need to be. It won’t be hard to improve on my first go, thankfully!

[Travis]

Despite the power going out in the building as I was about 85% done with the test, it still turned out really good. 99 PCSM. I’ll say the software you use at home is worth every penny…It’s a cheat code. So if you have been doing it that often, you’ll have no issues. Time is best spent getting better on the multitasking part and UAVs. If not for the software, I wouldn’t have gotten a single UAV correct. On the real test, I got 100% correct and average less than half a second on every response. On the multitasking, try to score at least 100 in every box. One trick that others have mentioned which helps is try to make a word out of the letters in the top left. Memorizing random letters is tough. The stick and rudders at my testing location were so clapped out, the training I did on my equipment seemed like a waste almost. I think I was scoring about 13,000 with around 30% accuracy on default settings at home if that helps.

[kunetan]

Congratulations! That’s an incredible result, and with the power outage… wow. Thanks for the tips and motivation. Do you know what you were averaging for the UAV at home? I think there’s a bit of a delay on the actual thing so the reaction time is quicker on the test than on the software. I’ll shoot for 100 on each for multitasking on the software, despite the radio calls being infrequent as heck. And no aural memorization on the tracking section or by itself (besides multitasking)? I didn’t think so.

Thanks again and best of luck on your applications!

• This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by  kunetan.

[Travis]

As for the stick and rudder, you can get a cheap set on Amazon. If you are a prime member, 2 day shipping, and free 30 day returns. So if you don’t want to keep them long term, just return them before the 30 days is up, and train hard during that time. Make sure to keep the box in perfect condition and treat the equipment nice of course.

Here are links to what I used:
Joystick: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U1OOH4?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Joystick #2: https://www.amazon.com/ThrustMaster-2960623-Thrustmaster-USB-Joystick/dp/B0002EAA36/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2CEPVB3YSLT03&keywords=usb+joystick+for+pc&qid=1704404770&s=videogames&sprefix=usb+joystc%2Cvideogames%2C110&sr=1-8

Rudder Pedals: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015PII6YI?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

[WiII]

Has anybody had experience with scores taking longer than expected to be returned? I’m going on day 15 now and still have nothing coming up.

[Jake]

Did you take the computerized version?

[Jake]

Has anyone taken the AFOQT at any of the PearsonVUE testing sites? I am wondering about the differences between taking it at a military installation…

[Servant]

I took one there at the beginning of the month. There is typically a lot of other people there taking different types of tests. My test was on the computer and they have their own rules for the testing center as well.

[Jake]

Got it. Everything went smoothly? Nothing out of the ordinary?

[Servant]

No everything was surprisingly simple. They offered my a pair of ear muffs to cancel out background noise since you are in a room with a bunch of other test takers. I would recommend you take them to help stay locked in during your test.

[Jake]

Good to know. Where did you receive your code to schedule online?

[Servant]

I contacted the nearest college and asked if I could take the test there and they provided me the sponsor code and a code to send the test results to them. From there they didn’t care where I took it and then emailed me my scores the following week.

[Adam_W]

Hey @Colin , I shot a DM over. Are you able to share the excel tracker?

[Jake]

I just took the eAFOQT and got my results back. I took it on a Wednesday and got my results back by Friday evening. I have a Dropbox file with a multitude of practice tests and answer keys for every section that I can share. I used Wyzant for tutoring specifically on the math portions of the AFOQT which I think really helped. Here for any questions!

[Slot]

Hey Jake,

Would you be able to share the practice tests you used to prepare for the AFOQT? I have done a good amount of studying to review AFOQT material, I am now looking for practice test resources to prepare for the exam. Thanks!

[PCarroll46]

I’m wondering if anyone has insight on whether or not it’s worth retaking the AFOQT to improve my quantitive score. I have 99 Pilot, 95 CSO, 99 ABM, 63 Acad aptitude, 80 Verbal, 46 Quantitive. I will also have a 99 PCSM once my flight hours get updated.

Obviously I’m very pleased with most of my scores, I’m just not sure how much that quantitive score will matter when applying. I haven’t started applying yet but I’d be looking for heavies if that makes any difference.

[Pancake]

Hey guys, I am new here and looking into the transition from active USMC pilot to ANG. I am still about two years out, but trying to make sure I am prepared.

Does anyone know if a winged naval aviator still needs to take the AFOQT and TBAS tests? I saw one application for a squadron that said they did not, however, I am having trouble finding the rule in USAF/ANG documentation.

[TAM]

Hey man, I’m a USMC WSO turned ANG UPT hire, no you won’t need to take those exams since you’ve already got wings. The ANG/AFR hiring process for you is slightly different than “UPT candidates”

[Pancake]

TAM,

Thanks for the reply. Good to hear from a fellow devil dog!

[TAM]

No problem. Let me know if you’ve got any other questions about making the jump from USMC to ANG

[Allen]

Here’s a question for everybody: Are the AFOQT and TBAS exams taken in the same sitting, or at different times? I’m currently prepping for the AFOQT and wasn’t sure if I should even have the TBAS on my mind before I take the AFOQT. It’d be nice to focus on one at a time.

[kunetan]

Different times, different scenarios. You’ll take the AFOQT in a “normal” standardized test setting, more or less. It’s just like any other test and there will be other people there too.

You’ll take the TBAS alone in a quiet room.

Worry about one at a time. AFOQT first and TBAS second is the typical order of things.