I recently completed my AFF, and also had a hard time reading the analog altimeter. I realized on jump 6 or so what my brain was doing. When the needle goes around the bottom and starts moving up and not down, my brain didn't adjust. So on the left side, just above 8 is 8.5, but on the right side, just above 4 is 3.5 NOT 4.5. This is so dumb, but I honestly read halfway up and not down.
After I realized my stupid mistake I found it much easier to read. I've ordered a digital and waiting for it at the moment.