Ace Your OAR test With Accurate Practice Tests and Guides [2024]
The US Navy uses the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) test to assess the core cognitive skills required to become a Navy officer.
The OAR is an adaptive test, which means – the better you do, the harder it gets. It consists of three subtests:
Math Skills Test
Includes algebra and basic math, geometry, and word problems.
Reading Comprehension Test
Includes passages with follow-up questions that evaluate your ability to extract meaning and draw inferences from a text.
Mechanical Comprehension Test
Measures your knowledge in topics such as Wheels, Fluids, Forces, Weight Distribution, Moments, Velocity, Inertia, and Electricity.
This page will help you prepare for the OAR test with:
- OAR practice tests that simulate the actual question types and help improve your skills and knowledge in the three areas listed above.
- Step-by-step explanations to ensure that you learn from your mistakes, know how to approach any question, and make progress throughout your prep time.
- OAR study guides to brush up on fundamental topics that are crucial to your success on the tests, such as math and mechanical comprehension.
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Officer Aptitude Rating Test Preparation
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What to Expect on the OAR Test?
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.
OAR Math Skills Test
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.
OAR Math Practice Question
A $20,000 car depreciates every year until the car’s only value is the metal and parts. If it takes the car 15 years to lose all value besides the metal and parts, and the metal and parts are worth $755, which of the following expressions can correctly be used to determine cars value at T years after the purchase of the car?
If a $20,000 car will only be worth $755 at a minimum, that means there is $20,000 - $755 = $19,245 of value for the car to lose over 15 years.
$19245 ÷ 15 = $1,283 lost each year.
Therefore, the equation is -1,283T + 20,000.
Solving tip - Before marking the correct answer, check your answer; for example, substitute T = 0 to check the car's price when it is new, and T=15 to check that the car's price after 15 years is indeed $755.
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).
OAR Reading Comprehension 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.
OAR Reading Comprehension Practice Question
The dramatic increase in the number of nursing students in tertiary education institutes indicates a definite boost in the number of expected graduates in a couple of years, which is in direct contrast to the shrinking trend that characterized the previous decade. The problematic issue of job placement following graduation is expected to get worse over the following years as job demand exceeds supply. Nurse educators and former students are skeptical regarding the ability of the current system of placements to meet the needs of increasing numbers of trainees. Hospitals, the main employer for nursing graduates, will need to become creative in the way they absorb the new recruits to ensure that the proper experience is gained whilst providing opportunities for most graduates.
Which statement does not follow from the passage?
The correct answer is (A).
To answer this question, it is recommended to go over each statement and decide whether it follows from the passage or not.
Statement (A) is the correct answer because it does not follow from the passage. The passage states that 'hospitals… will need to become creative in the way they absorb the new recruits', yet it does not state that hospitals are currently creative in finding solutions for the high demand. Therefore, statement A does not follow from the passage and is the correct answer.
Statement (B) is incorrect because it does follow from the passage. The passage states that the current boost in the number of expected graduates is in direct contrast to the shrinking trend that characterized the previous decade. Thus, it can be concluded that a decade ago there was a decrease in the number of nursing students and so the statement follows from the passage.
Statement (C) is incorrect because it does follow from the passage. The passage states that over the next few years, the problematic issue of job placement following graduation is expected to worsen. The number of graduates will increase while the number of job openings will not. This means that statement C is correct—job placement will become harder.
Statement (D) is incorrect because it does follow from the passage. The passage states that '…former students are sceptical regarding the ability of the current system of placements to meet increasing numbers of trainees'. It can be concluded that these students believe the current allocating system is inadequate.
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.
OAR Mechanical Comprehension Test
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.
OAR Mechanical Comprehension Practice Question
Which of the following two strings has a greater tension?
The tension is equal on both sides.
The tension along the string (from the box to the hand) is precisely the weight of the box (assuming the string's weight is negligible compared to that of the box). Therefore, the tension is equal on both sides.
OAR Mechanical Comprehension Practice Question
Which of the following two strings has a greater tension?
The tension is equal on both sides.
The tension along the string (from the box to the hand) is precisely the weight of the box (assuming the string's weight is negligible compared to that of the box). Therefore, the tension is equal on both sides.
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.
More ASVAB Practice Tests and Guides:
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How Are OAR Test Scores Calculated?
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.
What Is a Good Score on the OAR?
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.
How Many Times Can You Take the OAR Test?
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.
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OAR Test Taking Tips
- 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.