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OAR · test-day facts

How hard the OAR is, and how it runs

Updated Nov 6, 2026facts checked Nov 6, 2026

Its content is high-school math, reading and physics. What makes it hard is the format: adaptive items, no skipping, no calculator and a limited number of attempts.

OAR practice test OAR guide

Where OAR candidates lose points

  • Pace. Budget time so you reach the last item: an unfinished subtest is penalized, and blind guessing at the end is no cure.
  • Hand arithmetic. There is no calculator; the formulas you need are given and scratch paper is provided, so fractions, roots and percents are done on paper.
  • No review. The OAR is made of three computer-adaptive subtests in APEX (MST, RCT, MCT), with no skipping and no going back. An answer, once given, stays.
  • Length. Plan for 1 to 2 hours, varying with how the adaptive subtests run for you.

OAR test-day facts

FactDetailSourceChecked
FormatThree computer-adaptive subtests in APEX (MST, RCT, MCT), with no skipping and no going backNAMINAMI, Department 53OP Operational Psychology [1][2]
Subtests3 (Math Skills, Reading Comprehension, Mechanical Comprehension)NAMI, Department 53OP Operational Psychology [2]
QuestionsNot published, because the adaptive subtests vary in lengthNAMI [1]
Time at the test1 to 2 hoursNAMI [1]
Answer choices4 choices on MST and RCT; 3 on MCTas of May 13, 2014from NAMI's 2014 sample questionsNAMI [3]
CalculatorNo calculator; the formulas you need are given and scratch paper is providedNAMI [1]
Blanks and guessingThe subtests are adaptive, so you cannot skip or go back; an unfinished subtest is penalized, and random guessing at the end usually does more harmNAMI [1]
ResultsImmediately after the test in APEXNAMI [1]
Where you testOver 250 sites, among them Navy officer recruiting stations, NROTC units, Marine Corps officer selection offices and other military institutions; you schedule with the siteNAMI [1]
What to bringBring a photo ID (driver's license, military ID card or passport) and proof of your Social Security number, such as the card; phones, watches with calculators, cameras and other electronics stay out of the testing roomNAMI [1]
CostFree; English onlyNAMI [1]
RetakesAt most 3 attempts across the OAR and the ASTB-E together, at least 30 full calendar days apart; the latest attempt countsNAMI, Department 53OP Operational PsychologyNAMI [1][2]
Score that countsYour latest attempt counts, even if it is lower, whatever version you tookNAMI [1]
Scores valid forNAMI publishes no expiry; old scores from forms 1–5 stay valid until you take the ASTB-Eas of Nov 6, 2026no expiry rule is published; program offices may set their ownNAMI, Department 53OP Operational Psychology [2]

The OAR attempt limit, drawn out

Short and full-battery sittings share one count.

  1. First sitting

    OAR or full ASTB-E

  2. Wait

    30 full calendar days

  3. Second sitting

    Either test

  4. Wait

    30 days again

  5. Third sitting

    The last; the latest score stands

The OAR versus the ASVAB

The two are for different people. The ASVAB is the enlistment test, taken by enlisted applicants, all branches; minimums by branch are on ASVAB scores by branch. This test is for officer candidates. Both cover math, reading and mechanics, and both are adaptive on the computer, but the score scales and the retake rules differ.

OAR from NAMI, ASVAB from the official ASVAB program pages. Checked Nov 6, 2026; each source number points to the list below.
AttributeOAROfficer Aptitude RatingPractice ASVABArmed Services Vocational Aptitude BatteryPractice
Who takes it [1][2][4][5]Navy officer applicants outside aviation (for example Officer Candidate School designators); whether to take the OAR alone or the whole ASTB-E is settled with your recruiterEveryone who enlists in any branch; Air Force officer applicants take the AFOQT instead
Time at the testThe figure each owner gives for the whole sitting. [1][4]1 to 2 hoursAbout 2 hours on average for the computer test; the paper session takes 3 to 4 hours
Calculator [1][4][6]No calculator; the formulas you need are given and scratch paper is providedNo calculator
Score scale [2][7]One score from 20 to 80 in one-point steps; most people score between 40 and 60Subtest standard scores (mean 50, standard deviation 10); the AFQT is a percentile from 1 to 99
Retakes [1][2][5][8]At most 3 attempts across the OAR and the ASTB-E together, at least 30 full calendar days apart; the latest attempt countsFirst retest after 1 calendar month, second retest 1 month after that, then 6 months between retests

Booking and cost

You sit the OAR wherever the full battery is given and book it with that site. It is free, and the ID rules are in the table above. Start the study guide plan weeks ahead, not the night before.

Other OAR pages

  • OARThe Navy officer test: three ASTB-E subtests, one 20–80 score
  • OAR practice testMath, reading and mechanical questions in OAR style, reasoning for every choice
  • OAR scoresThe 20–80 scale and Navy program minimums with document dates
  • OAR study guideA plan for MST, RCT and MCT, their traps, and what to check before buying a prep book

OAR test day: answers

How long is the sitting?

NAMI gives 1 to 2 hours. The adaptive subtests vary in length, so there is no fixed finishing time.

How many tries do you get?

NAMI allows at most 3 attempts across the OAR and the ASTB-E together, at least 30 full calendar days apart; the latest attempt counts.

Should I guess on items I can't solve?

Work briskly enough to finish, but do not click at random as time runs out: NAMI says that usually hurts more than the penalty for unfinished items.

How many questions are there?

NAMI does not publish one, because the adaptive subtests vary in length. Expect a different count from the next person.

Sources

with the date we checked each

  1. [1]NAMI: ASTB-E frequently asked questions (archived October 2026) web.archive.orgchecked Nov 6, 2026
  2. [2]NAMI, Department 53OP Operational Psychology: the ASTB-E (archived May 2026; the live page blocks automated access) web.archive.orgchecked Nov 6, 2026
  3. [3]NAMI: ASTB sample test questions (May 2014, PDF) med.navy.milchecked Nov 6, 2026
  4. [4]Official ASVAB: What to expect (CAT and paper subtest tables) officialasvab.comchecked Nov 6, 2026
  5. [5]U.S. Air Force: ASVAB (AFQT minimums, MAGE composites, retests) airforce.comchecked Nov 6, 2026
  6. [6]Official ASVAB: myths and facts officialasvab.comchecked Nov 6, 2026
  7. [7]Official ASVAB: understanding ASVAB scores (researchers) officialasvab.comchecked Nov 6, 2026
  8. [8]Official ASVAB: ASVAB retest policy officialasvab.comchecked Nov 6, 2026