To understand how to pass the ASVAB, you must first understand what the ASVAB is and how it became the universal entry exam for the United States Armed Services. All branches of the military use the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test to determine your aptitude in certain subjects.
The military has used entry exams since the early 1900’s. The original entrance exams differed from the ASVAB in couple of different ways. The original tests, the Army Alpha and Army Beta tests were designed to measure the ability of their personnel to be trained. These tests were used until the start of WWI.
At that point, the Army and Navy both decided to create their own entrance exams. The Army created the AGCT or Army General Classification Test and the Marines also adopted this test. It covered an applicant’s general learning ability.
The data was then used to assign recruits to specific military jobs. The Navy started using the NGCT at around the same time, with over 3 million sailors taking the NGCT during WWII. Additional tests were also used to narrow down recruits classifications.
After WWII, each branch of the military decided to create their own entrance exam. This stayed the norm, until 1950 when the services returned to a single test for all branches. This early ASVAB prototype was known as the AFQT. This test differed from its predecessors in many ways.
It was designed to measure an examinee’s ability to be trained and not their strongest career path. This meant an additional test was required to classify recruits.
In 1974, the Department of Defense decided they needed one test that could cover recruit’s training ability, as well as their best classification. It was this need for a new hybrid test that led the Department of Defense to develop the ASVAB. By 1976, all of the militaries were using the new test with great success.
Today, the ASVAB is different, but the results are the same. The Armed Services use this test to gauge your understanding of basic scientific and academic concepts. Then they take this information and use it to classify you with career choices.
There are 2 versions of the ASVAB you will encounter. The traditional version is a pen and paper exam, while the newer version has been computerized. This new version is called the CAT-ASVAB.
Both versions use the same questions to test you. The ASVAB today is a multiple-choice test that covers 9 specific subjects.
Arithmetic Reasoning
Arithmetic Reasoning is a fancy word for basic math. You will be tested in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This section tests your basic mathematical understanding using basic word problems.
This part of the ASVAB is not difficult and can be aced with some studying. There are 16 questions to answer. You have 39 minutes to complete this part of the ASVAB.
General Science
General Science includes chemistry, biology, and physics. You are going to want to study basic scientific principles to pass this section. Recruits have stated this part of the ASVAB requires special attention.
You should put aside extra time to memorize the basics of each of these scientific fields. There are no advanced calculations required and you get 16 minutes to complete 8 questions.
Mathematics Knowledge
Mathematics Knowledge tests you on high school level mathematics. This includes subjects such as algebra and geometry. Many recruits have stated this is one of the most difficult sections in the ASVAB.
By finding a good study guide and utilizing practice tests, you can get great results in this section. There are 16 questions that must be completed in less than 20 minutes.
Mechanical Comprehension
Mechanical Comprehension is used to determine your understanding of mechanics and physics, including Newton’s Laws of Motion. In this section, you will see questions that focus on movement and force, such as levers and hydraulics.
This part of the test is very important and extra study time should be considered. You are allotted 20 minutes to complete 16 questions.
Paragraph Comprehension
Paragraph Comprehension consists of having you read a paragraph and then answering a question regarding its meaning. Even though it sounds simple, many of the questions can be vexing.
Some questions are worded in a peculiar way. This can make this portion of the ASVAB frustrating. You can prepare for this type of wording by utilizing practice tests. You will only have 22 minutes to complete 11 questions.
Auto and Shop Information
Auto and Shop Information can be difficult for you if you are not familiar with automotive systems and tools. The good news is this section does not have as strong a bearing on your classification as many of the other parts, such as paragraph comprehension and mathematical understanding.
You should still study this section and score high. You will have 7 minutes to complete 11 questions.
Vocabulary Knowledge
Vocabulary Knowledge is one of the most important parts of the ASVAB. Your results here can directly affect your classification. This section requires you to pick synonyms of words. Some are used in paragraphs and some appear alone.
Choosing a reliable study guide can make this part of the test much easier. You will have to answer 16 questions within an 8-minute period.
Electronics Information
Electronics Information covers your knowledge of basic circuitry. To pass this section, you should understand basic electronic concepts such as resistance and conductivity.
Reading schematics and judging amperage are also included in this part. By studying, you can ace this section. You have to answer 16 questions in 8 minutes.
Assembling Objects
Assembling Objects is similar to looking at pieces and deciding the best possible assembled version. There is also question giving you assembly directions, then asking you to choose the accurate assemble version. There are 16 questions and the time limit is 16 minutes.
Your test results will be calculated and you will be given a percentage score. This percentage is based on a comparison of all ASVABers.
Your scoring percentage will fall into one of these categories.
Category I
Category I are the top performers. To get to this status you will need to be in the top 93 – 100%. This great score gives you free reign when choosing what branch or career to pursue.
A score this high can also qualify you for Officer’s school. If you are a college graduate and score in this category, it may be possible for you to jump-start your military career by almost 10 ranks.
Category II
Category II is still considered high performance. To be a category II recruit you need to score between 65-92%. You can still qualify for most military jobs with very few exceptions. Ranking above 85% can have a significant positive effect on your job offers. You can join any branch of the military with this score.
Category III A
Category III A is similar to a C+ in high school. You scored 50-64%, which is still higher than average. This means you still can choose from a plethora of military jobs.
You will not qualify for intelligence positions at this level. Many Air Force recruiters require new recruits to hit this goal.
Category III B
Category III B is an average rating. Most candidates will score in this range, between 31-49%. You still have many jobs to choose from.
You qualify for enrollment but your positions are going to be limited. Many people choose to retake the ASVAB, so they can get a better job.
Category IV A
Category IV A is below average, with a score 21-30%. You will need to retake the test to join the military. This score can be avoided by preparing.
Category IV B
Category IV B scores are too low to qualify for the military. This is a scoring in the 16 – 20%. You will need to study harder and take the ASVAB again.
Category IV C
Category IV C scores are rated at 10 – 15%. You simply did not prepare, if you score this low. Use study guides to help you avoid failing the ASVAB. You will need to retake the ASVAB.
Category V
Category V is the lowest possible score you can get. This score means you are not ready for the military. You need to study, study, and study more.
Every branch of the military has its own unique requirements. Scoring the minimum enrollment score does not mean the military will automatically accept you. Many recruiters will suggest you retake the exam until you score high.
There are a number of reasons for this, ranging from recruiters commissions to getting you a better job. This is also common when the military is looking for people to fill a particular position.
The Coast Guard requires you to have a high school diploma and score at least 40% on your ASVAB. This is the highest requirements of any branch of the military.
The Air Force requires a high school diploma and a minimum ASVAB of 36%. Air Force recruiters like to keep their enrollment to people who can score at least 50% on the ASVAB. Many branches have unofficial preferences they use to decide who they accept first.
The Navy requires ann ASVAB score of 35%. You will also need a high school diploma to be considered for enrollment.
The Marines require an ASVAB score of 32% or Category III B. You need a high school diploma to join the marines. Rare exceptions have been made, to allow some GED applicants.
The Army and National Guard share requirements. You need to score in Category III B to be considered. The lowest score accepted is 31%. A GED is sufficient to qualify with the Army or National Guard.
The Secret to passing the ASVAB isn’t really a secret at all. For decades, people have offered study guides to help you raise your ASVAB score. Books like ASVAB for Dummies were very popular in the early 90’s.
Recently, there has been an explosion in the number of online ASVAB study guides. Not all study guides are created equal. Many have outdated information. If you want to ace the ASVAB, you need the best possible information.
The best study guides will include a practice ASVAB. This practice test can help prepare you to face the real ASVAB. Many ASVABers miss questions because they run out of time.
By taking practice tests, you can familiarize yourself with the types of questions and the time in which they must be answered. You can take a practice test as many times as you want until you are confident in your abilities to ace the ASVAB.
To make sure you don’t waste your time studying outdated material, you should only use a top-rated study guide, such as Asvaber. Asvaber.com has been continuously recognized as one of the best study guides available.
This study guide includes a number of helpful sections to increase your ASVAB results. There are over 2000 test questions to review and separate study guides for each of the nine sections.
Study guides like asvaber.com have another huge advantage over older methods. You are able to communicate with a nationwide network of other ASVABers. There is even a live chat feature.
There are 40+ videos covering the mathematics sections. These videos break down the math equations and help you to understand how to score higher. There are also videos covering the mechanical and scientific principals you will encounter.
Asvaber.com leads the market in ASVAB study guides, with most members scoring over 50%. You can take the practice test as many times as you want. It is recommended, you continue to take the practice test until you are able to ace it.
You can’t overstudy for the ASVAB. When studying for the ASVAB you should be somewhere quiet. It should be comfortable and well lit.
It shouldn’t be so comfortable that you feel lethargic. For example, your bedroom is a good study location but not if you can’t resist the distractions.
Before you begin studying, make sure you have all the info and tools you will need. Your goal is to study, uninterrupted, for at least an hour per session. This means you should have paper, pencils, water, and any other study essential you might need.
This is all done to avoid distractions. Your ability to focus will be crucial here. The best way to ruin your study session is to have to stop to gather additional supplies.
Research has shown interrupted study sessions are less effective. If you study with music, instrumentals should be used.
Songs that have lyrics can become distracting, as your mind starts to recite them in your subconscious. The number two reason people fail while studying is television. Television puts your brain in a less active state. You should avoid having a TV on while studying.
The number one distraction and the main reason so many of us have a problem focusing is our cell phone. You are not going to learn the ASVAB material while updating your Facebook profile or tweeting.
I know this may be the hardest part for some of you, but you need to turn your phone off. If the thought of having your phone off makes you cringe and go into convulsions, you can place it on silent and put it out of your line of site.
Repetition is the mother of learning. The best study guides give you the equivalent of digital flash cards. Try to break your studying into subjects.
By doing this you can get the most from your study time. After each study session, you should retake the practice exam at Asvaber.
This testing software is very accurate. You will receive your score and be able to see what subjects you need help in. Your individual results are also compared to other ASVABers, so you see where you rank in the crowd.
You also get to review your wrong answers and see what the right answer was. This is one of the best features about asvaber.com.
The most valuable parts of the ASVAB are the math, science, and comprehension sections. If you ace these sections you will have your choice of any career you desire.
Don’t leave your career to chance. Joining the Armed Forces is a commitment. Prove to your recruiter that you take your responsibilities seriously.
Consider the ASVAB your first mission. Do the proper research and gather all the intel required to be successful. The ASVAB will set the pace for your military career, so it is important to start ahead of the pack.
Thankfully, we have access to study guides like asvaber.com, to ensure we don’t waste time studying unnecessary material. Learning how to pass the ASVAB begins with you learning how to manage your time. Make sure you have put aside a significant amount of time you have dedicated to studying.
Now that you know how to pass the ASVAB, you are ready to begin your preparations. Follow these easy steps and you will guarantee yourself a promising career in the military. The ASVAB is difficult but with the right study schedule, you can tackle it with no problems.