The Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) Test: A Complete Guide
Nov 15, 2024Applying for a role in any branch of the military involves sitting tests – some of which are designed to ensure that you have the right skills, aptitudes, and knowledge.
Other tests will also be used to help decide which occupation within the military you will be most suited for.
The OAR test is both. In this OAR study guide, you will learn more about the test itself, who needs to take it and why, and what you can expect if you are to sit the test as part of your application process.
As part of this OAR exam study guide, you will also delve into different techniques you can use to prepare so that you can perform at your best, as well as OAR practice exam questions to aid you in your OAR test prep.
What Is the OAR Test?
The Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) test is used by some branches of the US Military to recruit candidates to their aviation officer programs. The test is used as part of the wider evaluation process to assess the cognitive skills of the applicant, ensuring that they meet the criteria for the role and have the thinking skills that are critical for success.
The OAR is a subsection of the Aviation Standard Test Battery (ASTB-E). Some candidates are required to take the full ASTB-E as part of their application, while others might only be asked to complete the OAR section.
If you are applying for an aviation officer role in the Coast Guard, the US Navy, or the Marine Corps, you can expect to sit at least the OAR in your assessment.
The ASTB-E consists of seven subtests, and the OAR contains three of them:
- Math Skills Test
- Reading Comprehension Test
- Mechanical Comprehension Test
The three subtests take 85 minutes to complete, while the full (ASTB-E) test can take up to 195.
Passing the OAR is only part of the evaluation, however. Your answers will determine what occupations you are most suited for in the military; if you want the most competitive positions, you need to be prepared to not only pass the test, but perform better than the other candidates.
OAR Test Structure and Format
As previously mentioned, the OAR consists of three subtests. You will need to demonstrate your mathematical knowledge, your ability to read and understand written information, and your understanding of physics and mechanics. The questions are presented in a multiple choice format.
The OAR is an adaptive assessment. This means that the questions you are presented with will change in difficulty depending on your performance as you go through the test. If you answer a question incorrectly, the next question will be easier. If you answer the question correctly, then the next one will be more challenging.
The test is usually delivered at a military testing center. The recruiter will let you know what you need to do before the assessment and what you are expected to bring with you for the test. Most people take the OAR on a computer in the test center.
Key Sections of the OAR Test
Math Skills Test (MST)
This is the part of the test that differs most from other military tests – it looks at college-level mathematical principles, rather than the high school knowledge you might expect.
This assessment asks 30 questions, and you need to complete it within just 40 minutes.
The skills you will want to be confident on include:
- Basic arithmetic operations
- Fractions and decimals
- Geometry, angles, perimeter and volume
- Equations and solving for variables
- Roots
Some of the questions will be presented as numerical equations, where others will be word problems. One of the main difficulties with this section of the assessment is the short time limit – you’ll only have a little over a minute to answer each question.
You are not permitted to use a calculator in this assessment.
Reading Comprehension Test (RCT)
In this part of the assessment, you will have 30 minutes to answer 20 questions. Each question will consist of a passage of text, followed by a question with multiple choice answers.
The RCT section is similar to a verbal reasoning test that you might have taken in the past, and, to be successful here, you need to be confident in your ability to quickly read and understand written English.
You will need to read some unfamiliar information, extract meaning from it, and use it to answer the questions that follow – so you have to be able to reach logical conclusions based on what you have read.
Remember, the time limit for this is also tight – so you need to be able to take in written information fast to answer the questions.
Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT)
In this section of the assessment, you are being evaluated on your level of knowledge of high school physics.
Basic scientific principles are covered here, including:
- Gears, pulleys, and levers
- Laws of motion
- Acceleration
- Pressure
- Volume
- Electrical circuits
Most of the questions in this section will be based around an image or a drawing, and you will need to apply your mechanical reasoning to be able to answer the question.
This is the shortest section of the OAR, lasting just 15 minutes – but you have 30 questions to complete, so you have to work fast.
OAR Test Example Questions
Math Skills
Example Question 1: Basic Arithmetic
A sailor receives a monthly salary of $3,600. If 25% of the salary is deducted for taxes and savings, how much does the sailor have left?
a) $900
b) $1,200
c) $2,400
d) $2,700
The correct answer is: d) $2,700
Calculate 25% of $3,600:
Subtract $900 from $3,600:
Example Question 2: Algebra
Solve for in the equation:
a) 5
b) 7
c) 10
d) 15
The correct answer is: a) 5
Subtract 5 from both sides:
Divide both sides by 3:
Reading Comprehension
Example Question 1: Main Idea
Passage:
"Effective leadership requires clear communication, strategic planning, and the ability to inspire a team. Leaders who focus on these principles often achieve success even in challenging circumstances."
What is the main idea of this passage?
a) Leaders must always inspire their team.
b) Leadership success depends on clear communication and planning.
c) Strategic planning is the most important aspect of leadership.
d) Leadership is challenging in all circumstances.
The correct answer is: b) Leadership success depends on clear communication and planning.
The passage highlights three principles of leadership: clear communication, strategic planning, and inspiration. Option b captures this main idea.
Example Question 2: Inference
Passage:
"A ship captain must remain calm under pressure and make decisions swiftly. The safety of the crew often depends on the captain’s ability to prioritize and act decisively."
What can be inferred about the role of a ship captain?
a) Ship captains are responsible for all mechanical maintenance.
b) Quick decision-making is vital for a ship captain.
c) The safety of the crew is rarely a concern for captains.
d) Captains must delegate all tasks to the crew.
The correct answer is: b) Quick decision-making is vital for a ship captain.
The passage emphasizes the need for calmness and swift decision-making, implying these are crucial traits for a captain.
Mechanical Comprehension
Example Question 1: Simple Machines
Which of the following levers requires the least effort to lift a heavy load?
a) First-class lever with the fulcrum near the load
b) Second-class lever with the fulcrum in the middle
c) Third-class lever with the effort applied near the load
d) Third-class lever with the fulcrum near the load
The correct answer is: a) First-class lever with the fulcrum near the load
In a first-class lever, placing the fulcrum close to the load reduces the effort needed to lift it by increasing the mechanical advantage.
Example Question 2: Fluid Dynamics
Water flows through a pipe that narrows at one end. What happens to the speed and pressure of the water as it moves through the narrower section?
a) Speed increases, pressure decreases
b) Speed decreases, pressure increases
c) Both speed and pressure decrease
d) Both speed and pressure increase
The correct answer is: a) Speed increases, pressure decreases
According to Bernoulli's principle, as the pipe narrows, the velocity of the fluid increases, and the pressure decreases.
How to Prepare for the OAR Test
Below you’ll find some tips to help aid your OAR exam prep.
Revision
While the OAR is testing your aptitude, you can improve your score (and the chances of landing that dream job) by revising.
Whether you have just achieved your bachelor degree or you left school a while ago, brushing up on the basics is a must for anyone taking a career-defining test like the OAR.
You can find books designed for the test in major bookshops, and there are plenty of resources online, like OAR study guides, designed to help.
Focus on the areas you know you need to work on the most, whether that is mathematics, reading comprehension, or the basics of physics from high school.
OAR Practice Tests
For many test takers, it is the time pressure that makes assessments like this a challenge – and one of the best things that you can do to help yourself is take some timed OAR practice exams.
You might find it useful to take a free OAR practice test before you start revising – this will give you a useful insight into the areas where you need to work a bit harder. You can also take OAR practice tests at regular intervals to see how you are progressing.
Remember to use a timer as part of this OAR exam prep, so that you can get used to working quickly and efficiently without rushing.
Preparation
As test day draws nearer, you will want to give yourself the best chance of success by looking after yourself both mentally and physically.
Try to get a full night's sleep the night before, and on the day focus on consuming a healthy balanced meal and staying hydrated.
Arrive at the test center early, and ensure that you have everything you need to get registered (usually some form of ID as well as other documents as required – your recruiter will tell you what they are looking for).
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is the OAR test compared to other military aptitude tests?
As the OAR test is designed to evaluate candidates for officer roles, the assessment is considered to be more challenging than other military aptitude tests. It has often been described as being more difficult than the ASVAB, for example.
How often can I retake the OAR test if needed?
You are only allowed to take the OAR test a maximum of three times in your lifetime, and you must leave at least 31 days between tests.
Do I need to take the entire ASTB-E if I’m only required to complete the OAR test?
In some cases, candidates are not required to take the whole ASTB-E test. Usually, if you’re applying for an aviation officer role, you will have to complete the ASTB-E, while non-aviation roles may only have to take the OAR. Your recruiter will tell you which one you need to complete.
How long are my OAR test scores valid for?
Once you have completed the OAR, your test scores remain valid for life, or until you retake the assessment. They will be used to decide if you have the competency to join the military as well as defining the roles you would be most suited for.
What score should I aim for if I want a competitive officer position?
The scores are graded on a scale between 20 and 80, with the average score being between 40 and 60. Fewer than 10% of test takers score more than 60. Try to score as high as possible to get the most competitive positions – so at least 50 in most cases.
Final Thoughts
The OAR is an aptitude test, which means it is assessing your natural competencies based around what an officer role requires.
If you want to have the choice of occupations within the US Navy, the Coast Guard, or the Marine Corps., then scoring highly on this three-part test is necessary.
The best way to improve your score and get that career started is to carry out a lot of OAR test prep and practice, practice, practice, honing your math, English, and physics knowledge.
