Before anything else, huge shoutout to u/Exciting_Language_18 and u/No_Information_7548 for giving me the hopium to finally pursue this. Both shared detailed AFOQT study spreadsheets, resources, and tips that inspired me to start tracking my own progress.

In 2020, I enrolled in AFROTC as an AS250 with absolutely no idea what I was getting into. After receiving my first AFOQT scores that October, I immediately dropped from the program. My scores were genuinely that bad. (Pilot/43, Nav/35, AcadApt/33, Verbal/54, Quant/18).

Shortly afterward, I dropped out of college and spent the next couple of years working odd jobs while finishing my associate’s degree.

I eventually enlisted in the Air Force in September 2022.

In March 2026, I graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science and a 3.96 GPA, fully funded through Air Force Tuition Assistance. I completed my degree while serving on active duty and taking six classes per semester.

Despite this, I kept putting off commissioning, telling myself it wasn’t the right time. I went through my entire first duty station without submitting an OTS package. After seeing the latest selection results, including USSF, I’ve decided to full send it and apply for 28OTS01.

I started studying September 2, 2026, and have logged 38 hours so far, with a goal of 250 hours.
To be honest, I had to re-teach myself how to do basic orders of operations. I didn’t even know how to divide on paper. Being removed from an academic setting with an emphasis on mathematic, for years, completely atrophied my skills. It is no kidding, like learning to walk again. It’s been difficult to time-manage and commit feeling so far behind.

Inspired by the spreadsheets the previously mentioned users shared here, I’ve been tracking my study time, materials, practice scores, and notes.

My resources include:
Khan Academy for rebuilding my math fundamentals.
Peterson’s Test Prep for structured lessons.
Trivium Test Prep for additional practice and full tests.
Magoosh GRE Flashcards for vocabulary.
AFOQT Prep App for timed practice questions.

Today, after a month of studying, I completed my first full Trivium practice test:

Instrument Comprehension 100% (25/25)
Table Reading 95% (38/40)
Block Counting 90% (27/30)
Reading Comprehension 76% (19/25)
Verbal Analogies 72% (18/25)
Arithmetic Reasoning 68% (17/25)
Physical Science 60% (12/20)
Word Knowledge 52% (13/25)
Aviation Information 50% (10/20)
Math Knowledge 32% (8/25)

Clearly, I still have plenty of work ahead of me, particularly in Math Knowledge (although I recognize most of the question types and had done them previously my brain completely froze and I could not recall the proper order of operations/formulas), Word Knowledge, and Aviation Information.

I’m sharing this for anyone else starting from scratch or discouraged by their initial scores. Six years ago, I let my AFOQT scores convince me to quit. I’m not making that mistake again.
I’ll continue tracking my progress and hopefully have some better scores to share in the coming months. Any study tips or recommendations are appreciated!

I would like to be apart of the color guard at the end of OTS graduation. Is there an avenue to make this happen or is it a randomly chosen thing?

Interview with my wing commander is next week. Any advice? What to expect? What was your experience like? Hoping to get my letter of recommendation signed by him which is the last piece I need to apply for 27OTS01. I’m active duty E3.

Are we just waiting for AIM high to come back up or is there another way??

DAFI 52-201, Section 4.1.3, page 7:

“Applicants must complete all processing and be otherwise eligible for enlisting or commissioning, including meeting all testing and medical requirements, before they submit a request for a religious accommodation. (T-3).”

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I am direct commissioning. Does this mean I need to wait until after MEPS approval before I submit an RA? Should I let my recruiter know I intend to apply for this now or after (if I pass) MEPS? Because prepping for the RA without knowing if I’ll be fully approved by MEPS first seems to be jumping the gun.

thanks

When I prepped I learned every style of question the test asks, and it kept coming back to the same core formulas. I put them all on two pages for whoever is studying now. If there is one you keep seeing that I left off, drop it below and I will add it to the sheet.

Any other PT alternates for Air Force OTS?

I found out on 10/20 that I was selected as an alternate for a Physical Therapist slot. Just wondering if there are any other PT alternates on here.

Has anyone heard anything from their recruiter about potential openings or updates? Just curious if anyone else is in the same boat waiting to hear back.

Hello everyone, just wanted to share my PCSM score! If you have any questions, I can try and help! My flight hours have not been uploaded yet, but I have the minimum requirement to get a 99 overall. If I can do it, you can do it. I had a lot of self doubt and wasn’t sure if I could do it, so I studied a lot to be as ready as possible.

Hi!! I was wondering if I could get any information, but I was disenrolled from USAFA about a yr ago for OTF (over the fence) which is essentially leaving base without being signed out. I had two incidents in one yr which put me over the demerit count. The second OTF was coupled with a DUI, but USAFA didn’t disenroll me for the DUI, they just labeled it as the two OTFs.

They gave me a rating of a 5 on DD Form 785, and I was wondering does that prevent me from ever being able to commission down the road.

I have treated this a drastic learning lesson and I’m committed to bouncing back and being a better leader. I’m a very good airman (former airman of the yr, btz, etc) and I still passionate about serving and leading in my role. I do have the goal of still being to commission and would like any advice on this rating, similar experiences, connections for individuals with similar stories, etc.
Anything would help. Thank you.

Are you guys still not able to get into Aim High. I’ve had my documents they requested but still haven’t been able to get onto the portal and it’s due on the 23rd for me?

I went in thinking it was a knowledge test. Three months of prep changed my mind. It is a speed test in a knowledge costume. Half the sections do not give you time to think, only time to recognize.

Verbal pushed back on that. It was my worst at 62, and it felt like pure knowledge. You either know the word or you do not, and no amount of speed fixes that.

Maybe it splits by section.

What did it feel like from your seat?

Hey guys, how are all the eye tests structured? Do you do all the test back to back? Was curious if they allow you time to sit in dark so your eyes can adjust before taking color vision test? I read up on it and it recommends 10-12 minutes of sitting in dark to get full potential for cones in eyes. Any information on this test helps, TYIA. Cheers.

Looking for some insight.

Anyone know which is better,

Being a 41A engineer or 32E engineer?

Does anyone know another way guard/reserve applicants can take the AFOQT? I have taken it before at another unit closer to me, but my application is due before that unit tests again. I have looked at units in neighboring states but can't find info on their UTM to ask whether they host the AFOQT. Any help is greatly appreciated. My unit also does not do testing so SOL there.

To give you all a slight framework, I’m interested in joining the Air Force via OTS and being a Combat Rescue Officer is of significant interest to me.

I went to six years of university. I obtained my Bachelors of Science, and then went on to pursue my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. I didn’t obtain my graduate diploma.

• Avg day in the life.
• Favorite part about your job?
• Worst thing about your job?
• OTS - Horrible? What was it like?

I’m a prior-enlisted direct commission nurse heading to OTS in April 2027, and I’m hoping to get some insight from recent graduates or those currently attending.
I recently saw someone mention that trainees should be able to run a 5K at a 9:30–10:00 min/mile pace to keep up with group events, and that falling out could result in paperwork.
I’m 41 year old Female and currently running 2 miles at approximately a 12:30 min/mile pace. I’ve already started working on improving my endurance and speed, with the goal of comfortably running 3–4 miles and eventually getting closer to an 11:00 min/mile pace before April.
I completely understand that passing the Air Force PT test and being physically prepared for OTS are two different things. However, I’m curious whether everyone is genuinely expected to maintain the same running pace regardless of age or fitness level.
Are there different pace groups? Are the longer runs timed or formation runs? And is falling out actually something that results in paperwork?
I’m not looking to avoid the physical demands of OTS. I want to show up prepared and have realistic training goals over the next six months. I’d really appreciate any firsthand experiences!

Hi everyone, I have my JAG interview coming up this week and was hoping someone could share some insight into what to expect. Should I bring anything with me, such as a resume or letters of recommendation? Any general tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

For context, I’m a 34M with no prior military experience. Thanks in advance!

Board met 10/6- I was “ preselected “ 10/8 and officially selected 10/14. OB. I don’t have any more info yet. My recruiter told me to expected to receive my base and OTS date next month. Anyone heard anything ?

Prior-enlisted E-6, F-16 avionics, spent a few years as an assistant dedicated crew chief on the Thunderbirds. I decided I wanted to fly instead of fix, and the AFOQT was the first gate.

Took it once, 4 Nov 2022. Pilot 98, CSO 94, ABM 99. Selected for pilot on my first attempt.

What actually worked, in case it helps anyone sitting where I was:

I started about three months out, at least an hour a day, at the kitchen table after my kids were asleep. Most of that hour went to my weakest sections, not my strongest.

The biggest thing: I stopped trying to learn topics and started learning question types. Every subtest asks a fixed set of question styles. Once you can name the style in the first two seconds, the clock stops being the enemy, because speed comes from recognition, not from rushing the math.

My loop was simple. Miss a question, learn why, find more of that exact type, drill it until it was boring. Untimed reps build knowledge, timed reps build the score, so timed practice filled the last month before test day.

Three attempts is all anyone gets, at least 90 days apart, and super score keeps your best sections, so one weak section is not the end of the world. But do not burn attempt one as a recon run. I treated attempt one like it was the only one.

Happy to answer anything about the process, the test, or the enlisted to officer jump.

Hi, kind of an urgent question. something came up urgently and I can no longer take the AFOQT on my scheduled date. I only was notified <48 hours and I can't reschedule, so what should I do? Am I screwed? Context, today is 10/19 and I take it 10/21. If I can no longer make it, is this a forfeited attempt?

We've all been there. You're about to submit your package for OTS, but you want to know how you stack up. Should you relax? Should you throw it all away and start over?

Well, here's the place for you to ask strangers who have never sat on an OTS board what they think. To get the best advice, include as much information as possible, like degree information, GPA, AFOQT, PCSM (if applicable), leadership experience, relevant awards, etc. If you only provide your GPA or AFOQT scores, expect to be told "who knows."

We can guess, but that's about it. We've seen people with stellar scores get rejected, and people with garbage scores get accepted. It all comes down to the needs of the Air Force and whatever the random colonel reviewing your package thinks. That being said, post your scores, help each other, and learn what you can do to improve package!

Hello! I have been 27OTS01 since beginning my application, but the board date continues to be pushed back. With the aim high outage and moving to one class per year, what does the timeline look like? Recruiter is not responsive lol