What is the ASVAB?
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is one of the most important exams for military personal. The ASVAB measures aptitude and intelligence for various branches of the military. Most people will take the test while they are in high school as teenagers. The military uses the ASVAB to determine how to place new recruits in the proper branch and job best suited to their skills.
Education
In order to enter the military one, must at a minimum possess a high school diploma or GED. The Coast Guard requires 15 college credits alongside a GED to be eligible for enrollment. You do not have to have a degree to take the test but without the minimum qualifications to enter the military, your scores will be useless.
What is the format of the ASVAB?
The ASVAB is a multiple-choice exam that is made up of nine different sections that in total take approximately 3 hours to complete. The sections of the test are as follows:
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Word Knowledge
- Verbal Expression
- General Science
- Paragraph Comprehension
- Mathematics Knowledge
- Electronics information
- Automotive and Shop Information
- Mechanical Comprehension
- Assembling Objects
The test taker will usually have more time with the reading-intensive questions that are often found in the Paragraph Comprehension portion fo the exam. These will take around 2 minutes per question to complete when compared to the 30 seconds per question of some of the other sections.
Three versions of the test
The MET-site ASVAB
This exam is given at a Mobile Examination Test site. This test is used solely for enlistment into one of the military services. Test sites are located in different cities. You will need to be referred by a recruiter to take the MET-site ASVAB.
The MET is a multiple-choice test where you write your answer on a separate answer sheet. Since it is a pen and paper test, answers can be changed. You are given a set amount of time, so you must do your best to answer all the questions in the time given. Unlike the CAT-ASVAB, you may not leave the testing room if you finish before the other testers. You should plan on spending several hours at the MET-site when taking this version of the ASVAB.
Scoring the MET-site ASVAB
The test administrator sends test results back to the MEPS. The test administrator will give you a sealed envelope, which contains your unverified test scores to take back to your recruiter. You will get your verified scores later oncer your answer sheet has been officially scanned in the system.
| Subtest | Questions | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Science (GS) | 25 | 11 | General principles of biological and physical sciences |
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | 30 | 36 | Simple word problems that require simple calculations |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | 35 | 11 | The correct meaning of a word; occasionally antonyms (words with opposite meanings) |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | 15 | 13 | Questions based on several paragraphs (usually a few hundred words) that you read |
| Mathematics Knowledge (MK) | 25 | 24 | High-school math, including algebra and geometry |
| Electronics Information (EI) | 20 | 9 | Electrical principles, basic electronic circuitry, and electronic terminology |
| Auto & Shop Information (AS) | 25 | 11 | Knowledge of automobiles, shop terminology, and tool use |
| Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 25 | 19 | Basic mechanical and physical principles |
| Assembling Objects (AO) | 25 | 15 | Spatial orientation |
The CAT-ASVAB
The CAT-ASVAB is very popular. This version of the exam is done on the computer which allows for flexible start times and self-paced responses.
The CAT takes about an hour and a half. The exam covers the same materials as the MET-site ASVAB. It does divide Auto Shop into 2 subtests which consist of Auto Information and Shop Information.
Computerized Adaptive Testing means that if the correct answer is chosen, the next question will be harder. If the answer given is incorrect, the next question will be easier. This also means that once an answer is selected on the CAT it cannot be changed.
Although you can speed through the CAT at your own pace, the test does have a time limit. If you finish a subtest before the time limit is reached, you automatically go on to the next test. Unlike the MET-site ASVAB you may leave the test room as soon as you are finished.
Scoring the CAT-ASVAB
Your CAT-ASVAB subtest scores are computed using formulas that take into account the difficulty of the test question and correctness of the answer. Test scores are good for two years.
| Subtest | Questions | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Science (GS) | 16 | 8 | General principles of biological and physical sciences |
| Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | 16 | 39 | Simple word problems that require simple calculations |
| Word Knowledge (WK) | 16 | 8 | The correct meaning of a word; occasionally antonyms (words with opposite meanings) |
| Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | 11 | 22 | Questions based on several paragraphs (usually a few hundred words) that you read |
| Mathematics Knowledge (MK) | 16 | 20 | High-school math, including algebra and geometry |
| Electronics Information (EI) | 16 | 8 | Electrical principles, basic electronic circuitry, and electronic terminology |
| Auto Information (AI) | 11 | 7 | Knowledge of automobiles, and tool use |
| Shop Information (SI) | 11 | 6 | Knowledge of shop procedures |
| Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 16 | 20 | Basic mechanical and physical principles |
| Assembling Objects (AO) | 16 | 16 | Spatial orientation |
The Student ASVAB Explained
The Student ASVAB is used for career exploration for high school and college students. This version is given in high schools, colleges, and vocational schools. This exam is done on pen and paper and is usually around 3 hours long.
The result is then sent to your school so you can explore career options with your counselor (post-test interpretation). You will be given an inventory of interest in which you can use your exam results to identify a college major and explore different occupations that are available in the military.
Scoring
The Armed Forces Qualification Test Score (AFQT) is the percentile score given after the test is graded. This may seem confusing since you take the ASVAB, but the ASVAB gives you an AFQT score. The score of 31 is the lowest score allowed by any brach of the military. In contrast, the Air Force and Navy require a score of at least 50 for those holding a High School Diploma (the Air Force requires a minimum score of 65 for those who only have their GED).
Here is a table of scores needed on the ASVAB for the different branches. These scores can change without notice.
| Service Branch | Required AFQT Score* |
|---|---|
| Army | 31 |
| Navy | 35 |
| Marines | 31 |
| Air Force | 36 |
| Coast Guard | 45 |
Conclusion
Taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a fantastic way to understand what branch of the military best suits your needs. It also allows you to understand what jobs will allow you the greatest success. The exam also allows students to explore what options they have available to them if they choose a military career. Our article should help you decide what format will best suit your test-taking needs and skills.