Ace Your OAR test With Accurate Practice Tests and Guides [2024]

The OAR includes three subtests – Math Skills, Reading Comprehension, and Mechanical Comprehension.

The three subtests are a smaller part of the Aviation Standard Test Battery (ASTB-E). The ASTB-E is used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to select applicants for aviation officer training programs.

If you are applying for aviation programs, you should take the entire ASTB-E test (which includes the OAR test). If you want to apply for separate programs, including the Navy Officer Candidate School, it may only be necessary to take the OAR portion. Talk to your Officer Recruiter for more information. 

This subtest includes college-level mathematical principles, which is more advanced than the math required on the ASVAB, for example. That means basic arithmetic operations, equations, geometry, and word problems.

The math skills portion includes 30 questions with a 40-minute time limit. Calculators are not permitted on the OAR exam.

It’s important that you brush up on every possible type of question – not only to get the competitive score you need, but to become more confident and relaxed on the actual OAR test.

As you can see, though it is not a complicated question, answering within one minute can be challenging.

In the full PrepPack, you’ll have everything you need to improve your math skills. With 19 math practice drills, thorough study guides, and golden tips, you can significantly shorten the time it takes to answer math problems question (and save precious seconds during the test).

This subtest will examine your ability to extract meaning from passages. You will be given a passage of text, in which you will need to gather information and draw conclusions to answer the questions that follow.

The Reading Comprehension section includes 20 questions with a 30-minute time limit.

Though this section is considered the easiest one, it is very important to practice your reading comprehension skills and make it one less thing to worry about. Acing this section could compensate for a weaker performance on other parts of the test and improve your total OAR score.

On the full PrepPack you’ll find solving tips and tricks that will help you cut your solving time (without having to read the whole passage).

Our timed practices and tests will give you the real feel for the actual test, thus reducing anxiety and improving your performance under pressure. 

You can also learn about our EDPT Test Practice Pack.

This subtest includes typical high school physics knowledge. That means volume, pressure, various laws of motion (including Newton’s Law), gear functions etc.

The Mechanical Aptitude test includes 30 questions with a 15-minute time limit.

While some test takers feel fairly confident with their physics skills, others might need more than a tune up on these topics. Make sure you don’t lack the basic knowledge on each topic of the mechanical comprehension test (gouge won’t help you here). Then, practice every possible type of question until you get confident.

As you can see, this type of question includes concepts that are covered in high school physics curriculum. But unlike high school physics tests – most of the questions require fewer calculations, as they are more about understanding concepts, which confuses a lot of the applicants.

But even if you are not the best test taker, you can easily improve this section by learning and memorizing the core concepts that will likely be on the test.

In the PrepPack you’ll get a full study guide with all you need to know about the mechanical and electrical comprehension questions.  That means accurate practice for every type of mechanical question with thorough explanations, so you will never be caught off guard.

The Navy OAR test is graded on a score from 20 to 80 using one-point increments. Most people that complete the OAR test score from 40-60 on average, while only 10% score higher than 60. The minimum score to pass the OAR tests is 35.

For more scoring methods, you can observe our ASVAB Scores guide.

Though the minimum score required is below the average score, most successful candidates score much higher numbers. Some candidates even need to retake the test with a score of 50+ to get the competitive OAR score they need.

Keep in mind that passing the board means you need to outscore your competition, whatever it may be. Application package requirements vary by community and board-to-board.

Golden tip - check forums like Airwarriors to check the most recent scores. That will give you an idea of what you should aim for.

You can take the OAR test up to three times in your lifetime. There’s a waiting period between the tests of 31 days (you cannot request to shorten that time). So, if you need to improve your score it is possible, but don’t count on it.

The most recent score you’ll get on the OAR test is the one that will be used and NOT the highest. So – though it is comforting that there’s another chance if needed – practice before the test to make sure it’s the last OAR exam you’ll need.

• First and foremost – PRACTICE. Though the material needed for the OAR test is not complicated, the time limits could be an obstacle, and mistakes can be easily made.
• Take a full-timed OAR practice test to know your weaknesses and to get the feeling of the actual test.
• While practicing – work with a time constraint to get the feeling of the actual test. It will make you more confident and relaxed during the real thing.
• Be cautious with studying only from study guides found online – I know it’s tempting, but most don’t cover the material needed for the OAR exam and could mislead you.
• If you see a question that looks unfamiliar, it still might be related to something you know. Don’t give up and try to answer it with the knowledge you have.
• Remember – the better you are the harder the questions get, so if the questions are difficult – you’re doing something right.
• You can’t skip questions. The test is adaptive, and every question relies on your answer to the previous one. But with accurate practice, you will know when to insist on solving the question, and when it is best to guess and leave time for the ones that follow.
• Be mindful of time but don’t rush. It is very important to get the first questions correct on an adaptive test.