Air Force Officer Test -Preparation Tips

Mastering the AFOQT: Essential Prep & Test-Taking Strategies

If your dream job is to work in the United States Air Force, it means that you will need to know about the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT). This is a mandatory assessment for anyone wanting to work in this field.

You might feel quite overwhelmed if you have an upcoming Air Force Officer Qualifying Test. After all, it is an assessment that is standing between you and your dream job. Even though this exam might seem daunting and difficult, once you start preparing for it, you will start to feel a bit better.

All it takes is a bit of commitment, and you will be ready to fly through (pun intended) your Air Force Officer Qualifying Test.

If your Air Force Officer Qualifying Test is coming up, or you simply want to know a bit more about this test, continue reading. This article will highlight what you need to know about the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, including a few tips that will help you prepare for your exam.

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About the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test

The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test is a standardized aptitude test that is mandatory for all candidates who are interested in entry-level officer positions and ore in the United States Air Force. This test aims to evaluate whether test takers have the skills and knowledge to complete jobs in the United States Air Force properly.

Candidates cannot apply for any entry-level air force position without passing this test first. Only after the test takers pass the assessment can they start applying for jobs in the United States Air Force. The assessment helps the air force recruiter determine which test-takers will be fit enough to enter the Air Force ROTC and officer training school.

Without passing this assessment, a test taker will not even be able to get entry-level air force positions.

Previously, test takers could only complete the AFOQT test at the base education offices, Air Force ROTC detachments, or the Military Entrance Processing station. However, after COVID-19, the electronic Air Force Officer Qualifying test (eAFQQT) was then introduced.

The online version of the AFOQT gave test takers the option to complete the test online from a location of their choice. To ensure that the AFOQT test remains fair and that test-takers stick to the rules, they will be assigned a test control officer. Test takers can now choose whether they would prefer to take the online version or the traditional version of the test.

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About the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test

How Long Is the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test?

The AFOQT test is quite long. The test has a time limit of five hours; however, this does include breaks. This means test-takers will only have around 3.5 hours to answer the question in the test. There is a total of 550 multiple choice questions which test-takers will need to answer within the time limit.

However, the test is divided into 12 sections, and there will be a certain time limit for each of the sections.

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Air Force Officer Qualifying Test Scoring

The AFOQT test has quite a complex scoring system. The test follows a percentile grading system. This means candidates will see how well they have done in their test based on where they fall in the percentile range, starting from 0 to 99. Unlike most tests, candidates will not see their marks for each of the questions that they have answered.

Each United States Air Force position has its pass mark and scoring standards. This means that test-takers will have to achieve the pass mark required by the role they are applying for to make it into the recruitment process. Individuals applying to become a pilot, air battle manager, or combat systems officer will need to score 50.

The AFOQT test has five scoring categories, which comprise the different sections of the test. The five scoring sections in the AFOQT test that test-takers will receive after completing their exam include:

  • Quantitative – this scoring category comprises two subsets: Math Knowledge and Arithmetic Reasoning. The pass mark for this Quantitative category is a minimum score of 10 for most entry-level Air Force positions.
  • Air battle manager – Six subsets are included in this scoring category this includes. Aviation Information, Verbal Analogies, Table Reading, Math Knowledge, Block Counting, and Instrument Comprehension.
  • Verbal – this scoring category includes three subsets, Verbal Analogies, Word Knowledge, and Reading Comprehension. The minimum passing score to pass the Verbal section is 15 for most entry-level Air Force positions.
  • Pilot– 4 subsets are included in this scoring category. This includes Math knowledge, Table Reading, Aviation Information, and Instrument Comprehension.
  • Combat systems officer – this scoring category consists of four subsets: Block Counting, World Knowledge, Table Reading, and Math Knowledge.

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Types of Questions Asked in the Air Force Officer Test

As mentioned above, the Air Force Officer Qualifying test consists of 55o questions which all follow a multiple-choice format. While this is a large number of questions for an assessment, it is important to remember that the test consists of 12 subsets. This means the 550 questions will be broken down and asked within each of the 12 subsets.

There is a wide variety of the types of questions asked in the AFOQT test. The type of questions asked in one of the subsets that focus on English will not be the same as the type of questions asked in a subtest focusing on Maths.

To gain a better idea of the type of questions that you can expect to see in this assessment, it will be a good idea to go through each of the sections in the assessment, which will be listed below.

Another way of gaining a more in-depth insight into the types of questions that you can expect to see in these assessments is by researching simple questions or completing practice tests. Which will also give you a better understanding of the style that the AFOQT test questions typically follow.

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Subsets of the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test

The Air Force Officer Qualifying test consists of 12 subtests. Every test taker will be required to answer questions from all of the subsets. Each of the subsets has its amount of questions that will be asked in that section. Test takers will also have a set amount of time per subset to answer these questions. The subtests included in this military flight aptitude test consist of the following:

Aviation Information

The Aviation information subtest consists of 20 questions and has a time limit of 8 minutes. This means candidates will have approximately 2.5 minutes to answer each of the questions in this section.

This subtest focuses on evaluating the test taker’s knowledge of aviation terminology and basic aviation information, including flight mechanics. In the Aviation information subset, test-takers will be required to show their knowledge and understanding of the following:

  • Physics of flight
  • Rotary aircraft
  • Aircraft with fixed wings
  • United States security regulations
  • Rudimentary aviation information

When going over the information covered in this subset, watching YouTube videos or reading online aviation forms is a good idea. This will allow you to gain a deeper insight into these various aviation concepts.

However, it is important to remember these should not be your only source of information to prepare for this subset.

Verbal Analogies

The Verbal analogies subset includes 25 questions and has a time limit of 8 minutes, which gives test-takers just around 19 seconds to answer each of the questions in this section. This subset focuses on evaluating the test taker’s English skills. This is done by testing whether the candidate can identify the relationships between certain words.

These relationships can include the difference or the similarities between the words. The relationships may also include the words being in the same category and more. For test-takers to do well in this section, they should be reading and focusing on expanding their vocabulary.

Self-Description Inventory

The Self-description inventory subtest of the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test is the biggest section of the entire test. This section consists of 220 questions and a time limit of 45 minutes. This gives test-takers about 12 seconds to answer each of the questions in this section.

The self-description inventory section is the personality portion of the test, meaning that each of the questions asked in this section will help the recruiter get a better idea of the type of person you are. However, this test section does not contribute to the final test score.

The section is only used to determine if your personality will be a good fit for the role.

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Situational Judgment

The Situation judgment subtest consists of 50 questions and has a time limit of 35 minutes. This means test-takers will have around 40 seconds to answer each of the questions covered in this section.

The Situational judgment subset focuses on elevating how the test taker responds to scenarios that they might experience in the workplace. This includes how these candidates would handle interpersonal problems and find solutions. This section will also help the recruiter determine whether the candidate has the qualities needed to be a good leader.

Table Reading

The Table reading subset consists of 40 questions and has a time limit of 7 minutes. This means that test-takers will only have around 10 seconds to answer each of the questions asked in this section. This section focuses on the candidate’s ability to understand A and Y axes graphs.

Math Knowledge

The Math knowledge subtest consists of 25 questions and has a time limit of 22 minutes. This means that candidates will have just less than a minute to answer the questions in this section.

The Math knowledge section focuses on the test taker’s mathematical knowledge, especially concepts like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. The candidate will be required to solve mathematical problems in this section and answer algebraic word problems. The test taker will also need to show that they have an understanding of the following:

  • Exponents
  • Inequalities
  • Equation systems
  • Absolute values
  • Algebraic expressions

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Word Knowledge

The Word Knowledge subtest consists of 25 questions that must be answered within the 5-minute limit. This means candidates will have quite a short amount of time to answer these questions completely.

This section focuses on the test taker’s skills and knowledge of defining and understanding written words. This is done by evaluating whether the test taker can find synonyms for each word. To do well in. this section, it is a good idea to start expanding your vocabulary.

Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is one of the longer sections in the assessment. This subset consists of 25 questions and has a time limit of 38 minutes. Candidates will be required to read the text and answer questions related to the text within this time limit.

The test taker’s ability to read and make sense of what they are reading is what is focused on in this section.

Instrument Comprehension

The Instrument comprehension consists of 25 minutes and has an 8-minute time limit. This section focuses on the test taker’s ability to make use of flying instruments to work out the position of an aircraft. The test taker will have to do this by solving aviation calculations using magnetic compasses and attitude indicators.

Arithmetic Reasoning

The Arithmetic Reasoning section of the Air Force Officer Qualifying test consists of 25 questions and a time limit of 29 minutes. This gives the candidates just over a minute to answer all of the questions in the section.

This subset focuses on whether a candidate has the mathematical skills and knowledge needed to be able to solve word problems. Certain mathematic concepts that candidates need to be knowledgeable about in order to answer these question includes:

  • Proportions
  • Distance and tune
  • Ratios
  • Basic geometry
  • Integers
  • Percentages

Physical Science

The Physical science portion of the Air Force Officer Qualifying test consists of 20 questions and has a time limit of 10 minutes. Meaning candidates will have 30 seconds to spend time answering each of the questions in this section.

This section evaluates whether the candidate has at least a high school standard of knowledge in physical science. The questions in this section focus on concepts like physical law, force relationships, and more.

Block Counting

The Block counting section of the AFOQT test consists of 30 questions that need to be completed within the 4.5-minute time limit. This section focuses on the candidate’s knowledge of spatial awareness. The candidate’s spatial ability is tested by solving the number of 3D blocks in a specific area.

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Tips to Prepare for the Air Force Officer Test

You might feel a bit more prepared if you know what you can expect in the AFOQT test. Whether you are still feeling a bit overloaded or ready to take off and get your AFOQT test done, read over the following tips, which will help you achieve a higher score on your upcoming test.

1. Go Over and Keep Track of All the Studying Material

The AFOQT test covers quite a few topics within the 12 subtest sections. It is important to ensure that you go over all the topics in these sections. When you begin your studying process and start preparing for your upcoming AFQOT test, make sure to go over all 12 sections in detail.

A good idea would be to create a list of the different topics that you need to cover before your test and once you have gone through a topic, tick it off your list. By doing this, you will keep track of the topics you have covered and what you still need to go over. The last thing you want to happen is to forget to study a whole section which negatively impacts your scores.

2. Complete Practice Tests

When preparing for any test, you should always complete a few practice tests before you complete the formal assessment. There are so many benefits to completing practice tests, and it is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for an upcoming assessment.

Practice tests give you a better idea of what you can expect to see in the final assessment, such as the types of questions you will be asked and the test format. This means that when you complete the final assessment, you will not feel overwhelmed because the test content will not be something you have not seen before.

Another benefit that comes with completing practice tests when preparing for an assessment is that you will be able to identify which topics need more attention. The questions you answer incorrectly in the practice test are topics you will know need more attention.

The best way to complete a practice test is to treat it as if you are in formal test venus completing the official test. This will help you feel more comfortable about what the environment of the official AFOQT test will feel like.

3. Research Sample Questions

It would be best if you started researching a few sample questions to understand better the types of questions you will be asked in the various subtests in the AFOQT test. Reading over sample questions will help you gain a better idea of what will be the best way for you to approach the different questions asked in the official assessment.

Especially because of the wide range of topics that will be covered in this assessment, it is a good idea to find as many sample questions so you can fully prepare yourself.

4. Join a Study Group

If you are someone who thrives when they study with other people, a good idea will be to find an AFOQT test study group. Study groups are great because you are around other people with the same goal, which means you can help each other achieve that goal.

Being in a study group may also make it easier to cover the topics that you are unsure about. Learning in a study group may make the content covered in the assessment feel less overwhelming.

5. Answer All Questions

When completing your official AFOQT test, you need to answer all of the questions in the assessment, including questions you are unsure about. The best way to tackle questions that you do not know the answer to is to leave it until you have completed answering all the questions in that subtest.

Then you can go back to this question and apply logic to it. This does not always mean that your answer is correct, but you have a chance of choosing the correct answer. This will increase your chances of achieving a higher score which would not happen if you simply just left out the question.

6. Practice Time Management Skills

Practicing your time management skills before your AFOQT test is probably one of the most important things to do before your official test. The AFOQT test has a large number of questions that need to be answered in a very limited amount of time.

This is why you must practice answering these questions correctly to increase your chances of answering as many questions as possible in the final assessment.

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Final Thoughts

The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test is required for anyone who wants to work for the United States Air Force. This test helps recruiters ensure that candidates have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the positions that they are applying for.

The test includes 12 subtests that cover a wide range of topics, including physics, maths, English, situational judgment, and even a personality test.

Now you have all the information you need to know about the Air Force Officer Qualifying tet, including a few tips that will help you prepare for the upcoming assessment. Do not wait any longer and start preparing for your test so you can be one step closer to landing your dream job as an air force officer.

 

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