Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test is a critical exam for those who are interested in joining the military. Your score on the test determines whether or not you can enlist in the military. It assesses your mental strengths and weaknesses, as well as your knowledge of critical areas to determine which military occupations best suit you. In addition, a high score on the ASVAB test will determine your eligibility for potential enlistment bonuses. The test is also helpful should you later decide to enroll in college or vocational school.

The ASVAB test is created by the Department of Defense. It is a timed test that is administered at 14,000 schools throughout the United States. It tests students’ knowledge of four key areas: arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and word knowledge. Your scores in these areas compose your final Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score. The required AFQT score varies depending on the branch of service. The Coast Guard requires a score of 45, the Air Force requires a score of 36, the Navy requires a score of 35, and the Army and Marines both require a minimum AFQT score of 31. The better you score on the ASVAB test, the more opportunities, such as bonuses and occupational choice, will you have at your disposal.

The ASVAB test is available in three formats: CAT-ASVAB, MET-site ASVAB, and Student ASVAB. Each one has a different purpose, as well as different benefits.

• The CAT-ASVAB is the most common format used. This is a computer-based test that is flexible and self-paced, but has a time limit of 90 minutes. It covers nine sub-tests: general science, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mathematics knowledge, electronics information, auto information, shop information, and mechanical comprehension. This format of the ASVAB test is also adaptive, meaning the questions are selected based on your previous answers. It ensures that if you answer a question correctly, the next question will be harder. If you answer incorrectly, you will be given an easier question. Because of this format, you must answer each question as it is given. You cannot go back and change your answers.
• The MET-site ASVAB test is only taken at mobile examination test sites. It is a pencil-and-paper test, and answers can be changed after at any time during the test period. However, this version takes much longer – up to three hours—to take. The sub-tests are the same as the CAT-ASVAB except that the auto and shop information sub-tests are combined into one sub-test. It’s important to guess at answers you do not know because your score is based on how many questions you answer correctly. It’s better to guess than to leave an answer blank.
• The Student ASVAB test is administered to high school and college students who would like guidance regarding possible careers and goals. It is a pencil-and-paper test that consists of eight sub-tests and takes about three hours to complete. During the test, you will also be asked about your interests and personality so you can better determine a suitable college major. Once you complete the test, your school counselor will review the results with you. You will also be given an AFQT military score that will be helpful to you should you decide to enlist in the military.
  

Eliminate answers first and then make your best guess if you are still unsure of an answer. Once you complete the Accuplacer test, it will be scored, and the college will notify you of the results.