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What Is the ASVAB AFQT?
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What Weāll Cover in This Chapter
ā¢ ASVAB Basics ā¢ Test-Taking Strategies
ā¢ AFQT Basics
By studying this book, you can achieve a top score on the ASVAB AFQT. The ASVAB assesses knowledge that youāve gained throughout your high school career. Most of the knowledge tested on the ASVAB (Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery) is covered in your high school classes.
ABOUT THE ASVAB
You can take the ASVAB as early as your sophomore year in high school, but if you take the ASVAB as a sophomore your score will not be used for joining the military. If you have to take the ASVAB again, you can retake the test after 30 days, and again 30 days later.
The ASVAB, which is developed and maintained by the U.S. Department of Defense, is given at more than 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide. It is also the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. The ASVAB is required by the Armed Forces for new recruits joining one of the branches of the military following high school. The scores aid in placing recruits into military jobs. The scores are also helpful, but not a requirement, in choosing an academic or vocational plan after you graduate from high school.
The ASVAB was originally designed to predict future academic and occupational success in military occupations. From the time the ASVAB was introduced in 1968, studies have reported that the ASVAB does what it was designed to do.
Once you take the test, you and your guidance counselor or your recruiter will receive a written report that analyzes your test scores and explains in what fields you might excel based not only on the test scores but on the type of interests and lifestyle you wish to pursue.
If you have a question about your scores, you can contact your local military recruiting office or speak to your guidance counselor.
Thereās no pass or fail on the ASVAB. You canāt ābeatā it or āflunkā it, and ASVAB scores are good for 2 years.
ASVAB AND AFQT TEST CONTENT
The ASVAB contains eight, nine, or ten subtests (or sections), depending upon which version of the ASVAB you take, each of which is individually scored. The Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) is not a single test. It is a composite of four core tests that measure knowledge based on typical high school courses. The four core tests give one overall score and that score is used by the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard to assess how qualified new recruits are. Your scores in four critical areasāArithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledgeācount toward your Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score. Keep in mind that the AFQT score determines whether youāre qualified to enlist in the military. Your scores on the other subtests will determine how qualified you are for certain military occupational specialties.
THE FOUR ASVAB SUBTESTS THAT MAKE UP THE AFQT
Here is a more detailed description of each of the subtests that make up the AFQT.
ARITHMETIC REASONING
The Arithmetic Reasoning subtest has 30 word problems that focus on everyday life situations. It tests operations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals, ratios and proportions, interest and percentage, as well as measurement.
WORD KNOWLEDGE
The Word Knowledge subtest has 35 questions that ask you to choose the correct definition of words. There are two types of Word Knowledge questions: words that are presented alone and words that are presented in the context of a short sentence.
PARAGRAPH COMPREHENSION
The Paragraph Comprehension subtest has 15 questions that are based on short passages. The passages come from a variety of sources and are about various topics. The questions will test literal comprehension and inference. The literal comprehension questions test your ability to identify facts, and the inference questions test your ability to draw conclusions, identify main ideas, and determine the purpose of the passage.
MATHEMATICS KNOWLEDGE
The Mathematics Knowledge subtest has 25 questions that test your knowledge of math concepts and basic math principles. Youāll find questions on numbers (factors, multiples, properties, integers), numeration (fractions, decimals, percents, order of operations, rounding, roots and radicals), algebra (solving equations, simplifying algebraic expressions, factoring), geometry (coordinates, slope, angles, perimeter, area, volume), and probability.
VERSIONS OF THE ASVAB
There are three versions of the ASVAB:
MET-Site ASVAB: Paper-and-pencil test administered by military recruiters at a satellite test site.
CAT-ASVAB: Computer-adaptive test administered by military recruiters at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).
Student ASVAB: Paper-and-pencil test administered in high school.
The following chart shows you the subtests we just mentioned and gives a brief description of each, as well as the time allowed and the number of questions.
MET-Site Paper and Pencil Administration
CAT-ASVAB
(Computer-Adaptive Test)
Student ASVAB
(Career Exploration Program)
PAPER-AND-PENCIL ADMINISTRATION
The total time required is 3 to 4 hours, which includes reading the instructions and any other administrative tasks. Each subtest has a fixed number of questions and a time limit. When you complete the questions in a subtest, you may go back to review your answers in that subtest only. When your test is scored, a preliminary Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score is usually calculated by the test administrator and made available to your recruiter or counselor immediately after the test session.
The AFQT is comprised of your test results in Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Math Knowledge (MK), and a Verbal Composite (VE) Ć 2. Your Verbal Com...