What I did to up my verbal scores was sign up for a Kaplan virtual tutoring course! It was pretty expensive (~$600 for I think 3 or 4 sessions) and my tutor mainly focused on tips and tricks to beat the time hacks for the verbal test. It wasn't so much me reading a dictionairy over and over to understand and comprehend more words; it was more me working towards putting myself in the right position to get more answers right and if needed, making the most educated guess possible. I also downloaded EVERY practice test and Quizlet page I could find and put the questions and answers into a excel sheet and studied about 250 questions (Word Knowledge and Analogies) per week.
I grew up in a household where my parents didn't use a highly educated vocabulary so growing up my vocabulary wasn't as strong as other students. I was always a strong math and science student as I knew I was going to be a AE at a very young age! I was also always terrible at standardize testing when it came to the verbal section from grade school all the way to the ACT. Since your first language wasn't English then I assume there should be a policy that you may fall under and I would talk to your Cadre or recruiter about a waiver or some possible option if you fail a second time.
Let me know if this helps and if you have anymore questions don't hesitate to contact me!
Hi there! I was reading about your story and was hoping to get some advice. I am an AS250 at my detachment. I am a psychology major and aerospace minor with a CGPA of 3.6. My PFA is pretty good, but I can always improve with that: 90.5. I am qualified with DODMERBS and everything. Like yourself, I have had an extremely hard time with standardized tests... being an AS250, we were given two weeks to study for the AFOQT when I joined last fall. I took the test and failed both sections. Then, the rules of the AFOQT changed... super scoring was implemented, and you can still receive and EA as long as you at least
attempted the AFOQT. I would have totally waited to take it if those rules were implemented sooner because I definitely needed more time to study and blew my first shot. I ended up taking the test a second time, and I passed the math, but like you, was ONE POINT off of verbal. I am non-tech, non-rated, so the pilot section isn't my priority. I didn't need a passing score to qualify for field training, but I ended up not getting an EA... and I am suspecting HQ probably ruled out who hasn't passed the AFOQT and were really selective this year due to COVID-19. Cadre at my Det were shocked and so were the POC, because I have a solid commander's ranking as well. This test literally dictates so much for me and its heartbreaking because all my hard work is disregarded over a standardized exam. I am currently taking an SAT prep course with Magoosh in hopes to get a waiver since my commander is willing to do that for me to take it a third time. I have been studying so much this past year, so to come up short one point is painful.
My question to you is since I know that the waiver to disregard the test entirely is super rare, if you were me, how would you go about this? I am focusing on the verbal section all summer in hopes to pass this third time around. If I don't though, I know my chances are slim. Col. told me he would assist in wavering the test completely for me, but those waivers are so rare... I have filled out a bunch of paperwork for army ROTC, and they have me on file and are offering me the LINE scholarship. I would start as an MS3 in the fall and graduate on time, but I would have to become an AS500 if I pass the test and make it with AFROTC. I was one point away from scholarships... it was truly devastating. This test does NOT determine anything about my leadership abilities, which is clearly why cadre is fighting for me. Army is not my dream, and I know the lifestyle is entirely different... I would appreciate any guidance you may have with all your experience. If something fell through, and I wanted to fight for that 2nd waiver, is their any specific way to go about it? I know cadre can only do so much, but its worth a shot to ask.
Congrats on everything working out for you though. I am super happy the super-score protocol was implemented- just in time for you, too.
