ASVAB
ASVAB ? Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
Everyone who enlists in the military must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This eight (or sometimes 9) part exam helps recruiting personnel determine the type of military job you may do well in.
Although there are minimum scores necessary for enlistment, there is no "failing grade" on the ASVAB. First you must achieve a minimum AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score (that minimum depends on the individual service) and then you may have to score minimums on the ASVAB sub tests to qualify for certain jobs.
If you’ve taken the ASVAB in high school those scores (if not over two years old) should be acceptable for enlistment. If you’d like a shot at increasing your scores you may want the recruiter to arrange for you to take the "production ASVAB" which is given to people who did not take the high school version.
If you did well on the SAT or ACT, or if you get good grades in school, you should have no problem with the ASVAB math and verbal subtests, having a mechanical background will help you in the other ASVAB subtests.
Tips for high scores on the ASVAB:
Take the test seriously: The training and job you receive is based almost entirely on your ASVAB scores. Treat the ASVAB the same as you would the SAT, knowing that colleges put emphasis on SAT scores.
Study –: There is no substitute for studying. Go to the library, or the bookstore, and get an ASVAB study guide (there are several available). Once you get a study guide use it! A study guide will only help you hone your skills, if you have problems with math the study guide is not designed to teach you in a few hundred pages what you couldn’t learn in four years of high school. Study guides will also familiarize you with the structure of the ASVAB.
Arrive Rested : get plenty of sleep the night before the test, eat a light breakfast, and then arrive in time to get yourself comfortable before the test.
Retest : If you are not happy with the test results insist on taking it over. Although there may be restrictions on the amount of time between tests, you should be prepared to wait for a retest if you feel you may be able to do better. Do not feel pressured into using scores you are not happy with.
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The ASVAB is divided into eight parts (for the high school version) or nine parts (for the production version). The high school version is structured as follows:
| Order | Subtest | Number of Questions | Time Allowed |
| Test 1 | General Science (GS) | 25 | 11 mins. |
| Test 2 | Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) | 30 | 36 mins. |
| Test 3 | Word Knowledge (WK) | 35 | 11 mins. |
| Test 4 | Paragraph Comprehension (PC) | 15 | 13 mins. |
| Test 5 | Mathematics Knowledge (MK) | 25 | 24 mins. |
| Test 6 | Electronics Information (EI) | 20 | 9 mins. |
| Test 7 | Auto & Shop Information (AS) | 25 | 11 mins. |
| Test 8 | Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 25 | 19 mins. |
The production version now includes a subtest called "Assembling Objects." This 20- question (20 minute) subtest tests your ability to choose how an object (shown flat) will look once assembled. Imagine a cardboard box unfolded and then put together.
Where is the ASVAB Administered?
The ASVAB is offered at many high schools across the nation; if it is not offered at your school ask your guidance counselor for alternatives.
Military recruiters also offer the ASVAB. Your recruiter will set you up to take the ASVAB at either the local Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or at a satellite test site known as a MET Site.
The ASVAB given at the MET Site is in the paper version (as is the high school version). The version at the MEPS, however, is a computer version. This version has a disadvantage because the tester cannot skip questions and return later to answer them.