Study guide
About the OAR
OAR Officer Aptitude Rating
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1 Introduction to the OAR
About the OAR Who Takes the OAR and Why Study Plan and Test-Day Strategy
2 Math Skills Test (MST)
Arithmetic Fundamentals Fractions, Ratios, and Proportions Percentages and Real-World Applications Algebra Essentials Geometry Foundations Word Problems, Statistics, and Data Interpretation
3 Reading Comprehension Test (RCT)
RCT Overview and Core Strategies Main Idea and Purpose Questions Detail, Fact, and Inference Questions Vocabulary in Context and Author Tone Advanced Reading Strategies and Passage Types RCT Practice Passages and Questions
4 Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT)
Forces and Newton's Laws of Motion Energy, Work, and Power Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage Gears, Belts, and Rotational Motion Fluids, Pressure, and Hydraulics Electricity, Circuits, and Magnetism Motion, Heat, and Thermodynamics MCT Practice Problems and Review
5 Full Practice Tests and Final Review
Practice Test: Math Skills Practice Test: Reading Comprehension Practice Test: Mechanical Comprehension Final Review and Test-Day Preparation
About the OAR
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
The OAR (Officer Aptitude Rating) is a subset of the ASTB-E used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to evaluate officer candidates.
The OAR consists of three subtests: Math Skills Test (MST), Reading Comprehension Test (RCT), and Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT).
Scores range from 20 to 80, with 35 as the minimum passing score and 50+ considered competitive for most programs.
The test is computer-adaptive, meaning question difficulty adjusts based on your performance.
No calculator is allowed, but some math formulas are provided during the Math Skills Test.
You may retake the OAR up to three times in a lifetime, and only your most recent score counts.
Last updated: March 2026
Quick Answer: The OAR (Officer Aptitude Rating) is a computer-adaptive test within the ASTB-E (Aviation Selection Test Battery) used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to evaluate candidates for officer commissioning programs. It covers 3 subtests — Math Skills, Reading Comprehension, and Mechanical Comprehension — scored on a 20-80 scale with a minimum passing score of 35 . The test takes approximately 1 to 2.5 hours and does not allow a calculator.
The OAR is the gateway to becoming a commissioned officer in the United States naval services. Whether you are applying for Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS), Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), or other officer accession programs, your OAR score plays a significant role in your selection package. Unlike the full ASTB-E, which includes additional aviation-specific subtests, the OAR focuses exclusively on academic aptitude and mechanical reasoning.
Exam Snapshot
- Detail Current Information
- Full name Officer Aptitude Rating
- Part of Aviation Selection Test Battery — Edition E (ASTB-E)
- Administered by Navy Personnel Command / authorized testing centers
- Format Computer-adaptive, multiple-choice
- Subtests 3 (MST, RCT, MCT)
- Score range 20-80
- Minimum passing score 35
- Competitive score 50+ (top 10% score above 60)
- Total time Approximately 1 to 2.5 hours
- Calculator Not allowed
- Cost Free (administered at military testing sites)
- Retakes Up to 3 lifetime attempts; most recent score counts
- The Three OAR Subtests
- Subtest Questions Time Focus
- Math Skills Test (MST) 30 40 min Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, word problems
- Reading Comprehension Test (RCT) 20 30 min Passage analysis, inference, main idea
- Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT) 30 15 min Physics, simple machines, fluids, electricity
Total timed testing: approximately 85 minutes. Additional time is needed for instructions, transitions, and test administration, bringing the real appointment to roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
OAR vs. Full ASTB-E
The full ASTB-E includes additional subtests beyond the OAR:
Component Included in OAR? Included in Full ASTB-E?
- Math Skills Test (MST) Yes Yes
- Reading Comprehension Test (RCT) Yes Yes
- Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT) Yes Yes
- Aviation and Nautical Information Test (ANIT) No Yes
- Naval Aviation Trait Facet Inventory (NATFI) No Yes
- Performance Based Measures Battery (PBM) No Yes
- Biographical Inventory with Response Validation (BI-RV) No Yes
If you are applying for aviation programs (pilot or flight officer), you will need to take the full ASTB-E . If you are applying for non-aviation officer programs , the OAR portion alone is usually sufficient.
Computer-Adaptive Testing Explained
The OAR uses a computer-adaptive testing (CAT) format. This means the test adjusts the difficulty of each question based on your previous answers:
- Answer correctly and the next question gets harder
- Answer incorrectly and the next question gets easier
- The algorithm zeroes in on your true ability level efficiently
- What This Means for You
Harder questions are a good sign. If the test feels increasingly difficult, you are likely performing well.
You cannot skip or go back. Once you answer a question, it is final.
Every question matters. Early questions carry more weight because the algorithm is still calibrating your ability level.
Not everyone sees the same test. Your version will differ from other test-takers based on your response patterns.
What Has Not Changed
As of March 31, 2026 , the OAR format described above remains current based on publicly available Navy testing guidance. The three-subtest structure, 20-80 scoring scale, and computer-adaptive format have been stable for several years. If you encounter claims of a major redesign, verify them through your recruiter or the Navy Personnel Command before adjusting your study plan.