OAR Practice Test
Updated November 2026Facts verified Oct 25, 2026 against Naval Medical Operational Training Command
According to Naval Medical Operational Training Command, “examinees seeking admittance to non-aviation officer programs also have the option of taking only the OAR portion of the test, which consists of the Math Skills Test, Reading Comprehension Test, and Mechanical Comprehension Test.”[1]
The OAR has 3 questions and takes about 2 hours[1][2] (Naval Medical Operational Training Command, verified Oct 25, 2026).
- The OAR consists of three computer-adaptive subtests: the Math Skills Test, Reading Comprehension Test, and Mechanical Comprehension Test.[1]
- The OAR takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete in APEX.[2]
- Examinees get no more than three attempts at the current OAR/ASTB-E, and a full ASTB-E retest requires 30 full calendar days between administrations.[1]
- Existing ASTB scores remain valid unless the examinee takes the ASTB-E, and the most recent attempt becomes the score of record.[1]
- The Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) is taken online through the APEX system, in computer-adaptive format.[2]
- The OAR is for applicants to certain non-aviation officer programs, such as Navy OCS, while aviation applicants take the entire ASTB-E.[2]
- OAR scores taken through APEX are generated immediately upon completion of the test.[2]
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
OAR Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 3 subtests: Math Skills, Reading Comprehension, Mechanical Comprehension (adaptive; question count varies)[1] | Naval Medical Operational Training Command · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Time limit | About 1 to 2 hours[2] | Naval Medical Operational Training Command · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Maximum 3 attempts; 30 full calendar days between full ASTB-E attempts; latest score replaces earlier ones[1] | Naval Medical Operational Training Command · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Validity | Older ASTB scores stay valid unless you retest; latest attempt is the score of record[1] | Naval Medical Operational Training Command · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | Computer-adaptive, online via APEX[2] | Naval Medical Operational Training Command · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility | For non-aviation officer programs (e.g., Navy OCS); aviation applicants take the full ASTB-E[2] | Naval Medical Operational Training Command · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Score release | Immediately on completion[2] | Naval Medical Operational Training Command · Oct 25, 2026 |
What changed for OAR in 2026
- Oct 25, 2026: Delivery changed to Computer-adaptive, online via APEX (previously Computer-adaptive, online through APEX at a proctored testing location).[2]
- Oct 25, 2026: Eligibility changed to For non-aviation officer programs (e.g., Navy OCS); aviation applicants take the full ASTB-E (previously For non-aviation officer program applicants (e.g. Navy OCS); aviation applicants take the full ASTB-E).[2]
- Oct 25, 2026: Number of questions changed to 3 subtests: Math Skills, Reading Comprehension, Mechanical Comprehension (adaptive; question count varies) (previously 3 computer-adaptive subtests: Math Skills, Reading Comprehension, Mechanical Comprehension).[1]
- Oct 25, 2026: Retake policy changed to Maximum 3 attempts; 30 full calendar days between full ASTB-E attempts; latest score replaces earlier ones (previously Maximum 3 attempts; your latest score replaces earlier ones; 30 full days between full ASTB-E attempts).[1]
- Oct 25, 2026: Validity changed to Older ASTB scores stay valid unless you retest; latest attempt is the score of record (previously Older ASTB scores stay valid unless you retest; the latest attempt becomes your score of record).[1]
OAR Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the OAR Test exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
OAR Math Skills
OAR Exam Questions covering Math Skills. Master OAR Test concepts for certification prep.
OAR Mechanical Reasoning
Free OAR Practice Test featuring Mechanical Reasoning. Improve your OAR Exam score with mock test prep.
OAR Reading Comprehension
OAR Mock Exam on Reading Comprehension. OAR Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
OAR Math Skills: Algebraic Expressions
Free OAR Quiz on Math Skills: Algebraic Expressions. OAR Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
OAR Math Skills: Geometry
OAR Practice Questions for Math Skills: Geometry. Build confidence for your OAR certification exam.
OAR Math Skills: Word Problems
OAR Test Online for Math Skills: Word Problems. Free practice with instant results and feedback.
OAR Mechanical Comprehension: Electricity
OAR Study Material on Mechanical Comprehension: Electricity. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
OAR Mechanical Comprehension: Fluids
Free OAR Test covering Mechanical Comprehension: Fluids. Practice and track your OAR exam readiness.
OAR Mechanical Comprehension: Forces
OAR Exam Questions covering Mechanical Comprehension: Forces. Master OAR Test concepts for certification prep.
OAR Mechanical Comprehension: Simple Machines
Free OAR Practice Test featuring Mechanical Comprehension: Simple Machines. Improve your OAR Exam score with mock test prep.
OAR Math Skills: Arithmetic and Number Ope...
OAR Mock Test covering OAR Math Skills: Arithmetic and Number Operations. Online OAR Test practice with instant feedback.
OAR Reading Comprehension: Author's Purpos...
OAR Study Material on OAR Reading Comprehension: Author's Purpose and Supporting Details. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
OAR Reading Comprehension: Vocabulary in C...
OAR Test Prep for OAR Reading Comprehension: Vocabulary in Context. Practice OAR Quiz questions and boost your score.
Worked examples: how to reason through OAR questions
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Example 1
Question: Read the sentence: 'The commander issued a **succinct** briefing, covering all key points in under five minutes.' What does 'succinct' most nearly mean?
- Confusing
- Lengthy
- Concise
- Repetitive
Answer: C. Concise
Explanation:
The correct answer is Concise. The sentence says the briefing covered all key points in a short time, so 'succinct' has to mean brief and to the point. Confusing fails because a briefing that covers every key point clearly is not confusing, and nothing in the sentence suggests unclear delivery. Lengthy is the opposite of what the sentence describes, since the time was short. Repetitive adds an idea the sentence never mentions; covering all key points suggests variety, not repeating the same material.
Rule to remember: for vocabulary in context, test each option by putting it back into the sentence and checking it against the clues around the word. Use the surrounding details, not a guess from how the word sounds.
Example 2
Question: A painter leans a 13-foot ladder against a vertical wall. The base of the ladder is 5 feet away from the base of the wall. How high up the wall does the ladder reach?
- 10 feet
- 14 feet
- 12 feet
- 18 feet
Answer: C. 12 feet
Explanation:
The correct answer is 12 feet. The ladder, wall and ground form a right triangle with the ladder as the hypotenuse. Setting 5 squared plus the unknown height squared equal to 13 squared and solving gives a height of 12 feet. The options 14 feet and 18 feet cannot work because a leg of a right triangle is always shorter than the hypotenuse, and the ladder is only 13 feet long. The option 10 feet is a plausible-looking guess, but it does not satisfy the Pythagorean relationship with the other two sides.
Rule to remember: when a ladder, ramp or diagonal is described, draw the right triangle, label the longest side as the hypotenuse, then check that your answer is smaller than it.
Example 3
Question: Three identical containers are filled to the same height with three different liquids: saltwater, fresh water, and oil. Saltwater is denser than fresh water, and fresh water is denser than oil. At the bottom of which container is the pressure the greatest?
- The container with saltwater.
- The container with oil.
- The container with fresh water.
- The pressure is the same in all three containers.
Answer: A. The container with saltwater.
Explanation:
The correct answer is the container with saltwater. Pressure at the bottom of a liquid depends on density, gravity and the height of the liquid. Gravity and height are the same in every container, so the liquid with the greatest density produces the greatest pressure. Saltwater is the densest, so it wins. The oil container is wrong because oil is the least dense and gives the lowest pressure. The fresh water container sits in the middle. The claim that pressure is the same everywhere would only hold if the liquids had the same density, and the question tells us they do not.
Rule to remember: with equal depth, more dense fluid means more pressure.
How to use these practice tests
Start by reading what the Navy publishes about the OAR and the ASTB-E, so you know how the test is delivered and which subtests apply to your program. Then use these sets to find where you are weak.
Begin with one untimed set per subtest: OAR Math Skills, OAR Reading Comprehension and OAR Mechanical Reasoning. Read every explanation, including the ones for questions you got right, and write down the rule behind each miss.
Next, drill the topic sets that match your misses. For math, try Algebraic Expressions, Geometry and Word Problems. For mechanical topics, use Forces, Fluids, Electricity and Simple Machines.
Because the real test is adaptive, do not expect a fixed set of questions. Work on accuracy first, then practise at a steady pace for a sitting that may run 1 to 2 hours. Keep the retake limits in mind: you have a maximum of 3 attempts, so go in prepared.
Pro Tip: Focus your OAR study time on the areas where you score lowest in practice tests. Most exam questions test application of knowledge, not memorization.
- ✓Review the official OAR exam content outline
- ✓Take a diagnostic practice test to identify weak areas
- ✓Create a study schedule (4-8 weeks recommended)
- ✓Focus on your weakest domains first
- ✓Complete at least 3 full-length practice exams
- ✓Review all incorrect answers with explanations
- ✓Take a final practice test 1 week before exam day
OAR: Pros and Cons
- +OAR exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains
- +Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients
- +Study materials and practice tests are widely available
- +Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers
- +Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively
- −Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it
- −Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date
- −Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods
- −Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials
- −Testing center availability may require advance scheduling
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| OAR exam preparation strengthens your knowledge across all domains | Exam anxiety can affect performance — practice tests help reduce it |
| Passing the exam proves competency to employers and clients | Registration fees are non-refundable if you miss your test date |
| Study materials and practice tests are widely available | Limited retake opportunities may apply with waiting periods |
| Exam-based credentials are portable across states and employers | Exam content updates periodically — use current study materials |
| Clear exam objectives help focus your study plan effectively | Testing center availability may require advance scheduling |
Free OAR Test Study Tools
Interactive OAR Test resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- OAR Test flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- OAR Test study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- OAR Test cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
Sample OAR Test Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free OAR Test practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
An editorial states: 'Despite receiving the largest budget allocation in the department's history, test scores remained unchanged for the third consecutive year.' What is the author most likely implying?
- A. The budget should be increased even further
- B. Increased funding alone has not improved educational outcomes
- C. Test scores are an unreliable measure of success
- D. The department managed its budget efficiently
Answer: B. Increased funding alone has not improved educational outcomes
By juxtaposing record funding with stagnant results, the author implies that more money alone is not solving the problem.
An article explains that the Officer Aptitude Rating test measures verbal and quantitative reasoning because these skills predict success in officer training programs. What is the main idea?
- A. The OAR is the most difficult military aptitude test
- B. Verbal skills are more important than quantitative skills for officers
- C. The OAR assesses reasoning abilities that correlate with officer training performance
- D. All military branches require the OAR for commissioning
Answer: C. The OAR assesses reasoning abilities that correlate with officer training performance
The article's central point is that the OAR tests reasoning skills because they are predictive of success in officer training.
Read the passage: 'Dr. Patel reviewed the test results twice before calling the patient. She then asked her colleague to look them over as well.' What does this suggest about the results?
- A. The results were routine and required standard follow-up.
- B. Dr. Patel was new to interpreting this type of test.
- C. The results were concerning or unexpected.
- D. Hospital policy required two doctors to review every test.
Answer: C. The results were concerning or unexpected.
Reviewing results twice and seeking a colleague's opinion implies the findings were unusual or serious enough to warrant extra scrutiny.
A circuit contains a 12V battery and a 4-ohm resistor. What is the current flowing through the circuit?
- A. 3 A
- B. 4 A
- C. 8 A
- D. 48 A
Answer: A. 3 A
Using Ohm's law (I = V/R), 12V divided by 4 ohms equals 3 amperes.
Take the full OAR Test practice test
OAR Questions and Answers
Sources & last verified
- Naval Medical Operational Training Command — number of questions, retake policy, validity (official source). “examinees seeking admittance to non-aviation officer programs also have the option of taking only the OAR portion of the test, which consists of the Math…” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
- Naval Medical Operational Training Command — time limit, delivery, eligibility, score release (official source). “The OAR can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to complete the OAR in APEX.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 19, 2026.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- med.navy.mil — Exam format, retake policy, score validity, test delivery, eligibility, score release, time limit · verified Oct 2026