THE ASVAB
Armed Services Vocational
Aptitude Battery
Major Wes Whitaker
Senior Army Instructor
Stanhope Elmore High School
The ASVAB Class Objectives
Discuss the fact about the ASVAB
Define the 10 different parts of the ASVAB
Define how the ASVAB is used
Provide Testing Tips for the ASVAB
Define the 11 Sub-test Military Job Qualifiers
Explain how to read the ASVAB Summary
Define the 8 Areas of The Military Entrance
Score (AFQT)
The ASVAB Test Defined
The Military
Enlistment Test, the Armed Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
ASVAB scores are used to determine if you
are qualified to enlist in the military and to
assign
you to an appropriate job in the military.
The ASVAB tests are designed to measure
aptitudes in four domains: Verbal, Math,
Science and Technical, and Spatial.
The ASVAB Test Facts
After taking the initial ASVAB you must wait a
calendar month to retest a 2nd time
After the 2nd time you must wait 6 months to retake the
ASVAB
ASVAB scores are good up to 2 years before enlisting
There are 2 types of ASVAB test (Written and
Computer)
Computer version tailors to you need and is shorter 145
questions versus 225 written
The AFQT score= 2VE + AR + MK
Verbal Expression (VE) score= Work Knowledge
(WK) and Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
The ASVAB Test Breakdown
General Science (25 Questions 11 Minutes)
Arithmetic Reasoning (30 Questions 36 Minutes)
Word Knowledge (35 Questions 11 Minutes)
Paragraph Comprehension (15 Questions 13 Minutes)
Mathematics Knowledge ( 25 Questions 24 Minutes)
Electronic Information ( 20 Questions 9 Minutes)
Auto and Shop Information ( 25 Questions 11 Minutes)
Mechanical Comprehension ( 25 Questions 19 Minutes)
Assembling Objects ( 25 Questions 15 Minutes)
Total Questions: 225
Total Time: 2 Hours and 29 Minutes ( 3 Hours is
allowed for Admin)
The ASVAB Subtest Test Defined
The ASVAB subtests for determining the
composites are: General Science (GS),
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Word
Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension
(PC), Numerical Operations (NO), Coding
Speed (CS), Auto and Shop Information (AS),
Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Mechanical
Comprehension (MC), Electronics
Information (EI), and Sum of Word
Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension,
scaled (VE). .
The ASVAB/MOS Correlation
CL -Clerical-VE+AR+MK
CO -Combat-AR+CS+AS+MC
EL -Electronics-GS+AR+MK+EI
FA -Field Artillery-AR+CS+MK+MC
GM- General Maintenance-GS+AS+MK+EI
GT- General Technical-VE+AR
MM- Mechanical MaintenanceNO+AS+MC+EI
OF- Operators and Food-VE+NO+AS+MC
SC - Surveillance and CommunicationsVE+AR+AS+MC
ST- Skilled Technical-GS+VE+MK+MC
The ASVAB General Science
General Science tests the ability to answer questions on
a variety of science topics drawn from courses taught in
most high schools. The life science items cover botany,
zoology, anatomy and physiology and ecology. The
earth and space science items are based on astronomy,
geology, meteorology and oceanography. The physical
science items measure force and motion mechanics,
energy, fluids, atomic structure and chemistry.
Sample test question:
1. An eclipse of the sun throws the shadow of the
A. moon on the sun
B. moon on the earth
C. earth on the sun
D. earth on the moon
The ASVAB Arithmetic Reasoning
Arithmetic Reasoning tests the ability to solve basic arithmetic
problems encountered in everyday life. One-step and multistep
word problems require addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division and choosing the correct order of operations when more
than one step is necessary.
The items include operations with whole numbers, operations with
rational numbers, ratio and proportion, interest, percentage and
measurement. Arithmetic Reasoning is one factor that helps
characterize mathematics comprehension, and it also assesses
logical thinking.
Sample test question:
1. How many 36-passenger buses will it take to carry 144 people?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
The ASVAB Word Knowledge
Word Knowledge tests the ability to understand the
meaning of words through synonyms – words having the
same or nearly the same meaning as other words. The test
is a measure of one component of reading comprehension
since vocabulary is one of many factors that characterize
reading comprehension.
Sample test question:
1. The wind is variable today.
A. mild
B. steady
C. shifting
D. chilling
The ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension
Paragraph Comprehension tests the ability to obtain information from
written material. Students read different types of passages of varying
lengths and respond to questions based on information presented in
each passage.
Concepts include identifying stated and reworded facts, determining a
sequence of events, drawing conclusions, identifying main ideas,
determining the author’s purpose and tone and identifying style and
technique.
Sample question:
1. Twenty-five percent of all household burglaries can be
attributed to unlocked windows or doors. Crime is the result of
opportunity plus desire. To prevent crime, it is each individual’s
responsibility to:
A. provide the desire
B. provide the opportunity
C. prevent the desire
D. prevent the opportunity
The ASVAB Math Knowledge
Mathematics Knowledge tests the ability to solve problems
by applying knowledge of mathematical concepts and
applications. The problems focus on concepts and
algorithms, and involve number theory, numeration,
algebraic operations and equations, geometry,
measurement and probability. Mathematics knowledge is
one factor that characterizes mathematics comprehension;
it also assesses logical thinking.
Sample test question:
5. If X + 6 = 7, then X is equal to
A. -1
B. 0
C. 1
D. 7/6
The ASVAB Electronics Information
Electronics Information tests understanding of electrical
current, circuits, devices and systems. Electronics
Information topics include electrical circuits, electrical and
electronic systems, electrical currents, electrical tools,
symbols, devices and materials.
Sample test question:
6. Which of the following has the least resistance?
A. wood
B. iron
C. rubber
D. silver
The ASVAB Auto and Shop Information
Auto and Shop Information tests aptitude for automotive
maintenance and repair, and wood and metal shop
practices. The test covers several areas commonly included
in most high school auto and shop courses, such as
automotive components, automotive systems, automotive
tools, troubleshooting and repair, shop tools, building
materials and building and construction procedures.
Sample test question:
7. A car uses too much oil when which of the following
parts are worn?
A. pistons
B. piston rings
C. main bearings
D. connecting rods
The ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension
Mechanical Comprehension tests understanding of
principles of mechanical devices, structural support and
properties of materials. Mechanical comprehension topics
include simple machines, compound machines, mechanical
motion and fluid dynamics.
Sample test question:
8. Which post holds up a greater part of the load?
A. post a
B. post b
C. both equal
D. not clear
The AQFT Scores By Branch
The Lowest AQFT score to enlist in the Army is a 31
with waivers down to a score of 26 a minimum score of
50 qualifies you for most scholarships and incentive
programs
The lowest AQFT score to enlist in the Air Force is 36
with a High School Diploma and can be lowered to 31
with a critical skill and 65 with a GED
The lowest AQFT score for the Marines is a 32 with a
High School Diploma and a 50 with a GED. A score of
50 makes you eligible for scholarships and choice of
area program
The lowest AQFT for the Navy is a 31 with a High
School Diploma and a 50 with a GED. A 50 qualifies
you for scholarship and other incentives
MILITARY ENTRANCE SCORES ARMED
FORCES QUALIFICATION TEST (AFQT)
The military divides AFQT scores into the following
categories. The lower your category number, the more
attractive candidate you are to the military for
enlistment:
Category I - 93-99
Category II - 65-92
Category IIIA - 50-64
Category IIIB - 31-49
Category IVA - 21-30
Category IVB - 16-20
Category IVC - 10-15
Category V - 0-9
Outstanding
Excellent
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Markedly Below Average
Poor
Not Trainable
The ASVAB Test Useful Links
This link provides ACT preparation which directly assist
on ASVAB Test
www.march2success.com
The link below provides many practice test on the ASVAB
as well as the ACT
http://www.4tests.com/exams/examdetail.asp?eid=67
The link below lets you know what ASVAB Scores are
required for Jobs in all Armed Forces. (Army, Air Force,
Marines, and Navy)
http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab/asvabscores-and-militaryjobs.html?comp=7000023459245&rank=2
The ASVAB Test Useful Links
The links below is information that can assist you in
scoring higher on the ASVAB. Just cut and paste the links
as required.
This link is a free ASVAB Study Test:
http://www.freemathpracticetest.com/free-printable-asvabpractice-test.htm
This link is ASVAB Study Tips:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/1001-asvabpractice-questions-for-dummies-cheat-sh.html
This Link is a ASVAB fact Sheet:
http://official-asvab.com/docs/asvab_fact_sheet.pdf
This link list the AFQT scores and facts by Military Branch
http://www.instantasvab.com/score/army-afqt-scorerequirements.html
The ASVAB Test Useful Links
The links below is information that can assist you in
scoring higher on the ASVAB. Just cut and paste the links
as required.
This link is for free Math Test Grades 1-6 and worksheets
on Addition, Algebra, Geometry, and Multiplication
http://www.freemathpracticetest.com/free-math-practicetests.htm
This link is a Free ASVAB Study Guide:
http://www.studyguidezone.com/pdfs/asvabteststudyguide.pd
f
This Link is an additional link with Free Example ASVAB
Practice Test
http://www.test-guide.com/free-asvab-practice-test.html