Armed Services Voactional Aptitude Battery - ASVAB*

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The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a timed multiple-choice test administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command and developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. It is used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States armed forces as well as qualification for certain military occupational specialties and Enlistment Bonuses. It is often optionally administered to American high school students when they are in the 11th grade, though anyone eligible to and interested in enlisting can take it.

There are three versions of the ASVAB: the CAT-ASVAB, a computer adaptive test given at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS); the MET-ASVAB, a pen and paper test given at mobile examination test sites when the examinee is referred by a recruiter; and the Student ASVAB, a pen and paper test given in high schools, colleges or vocational schools that includes an interest inventory to explore different occupations.

There is no charge to take the ASVAB; however, registration for the test must be made through your local recruiter or high school.

Structure

The ASVAB contains eight to ten sections depending upon which version of the test you take:

• General Science (GS)
• Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
• Word Knowledge (WK)
• Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
• Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
• Electronics Information (EI)
• Auto & Shop (AS)
• Auto Information (AI)
• Shop Information (SI)
• Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
• Assembling Objects (AO)

CAT - ASVAB

MET - ASVAB

Student ASVAB

Scoring

An Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score is obtained from the results of certain sections, (AR+MK+(2*VE). VE (verbal) is determined by adding the raw scores from the PC and WK sections and finding the assigned score from a pre-determined table. The AFQT is used to determine basic qualification for enlistment. AFQT scores are not raw scores, but rather percentile scores indicating how each examinee performed compared with all other examinees. Thus, someone who receives an AFQT of 55 scored better than 55 percent of all other examinees. The AFQT Scores are divided into the following categories:

• Category I - 93-99
• Category II- 65-92
• Category IIIA - 50-64
• Category IIIB - 31-49
• Category IVA - 21-30
• Category IVB - 16-20
• Category IVC - 10-15
• Category V - 0-9

In addition to the VE, various combinations of scaled scores from the nine tests are used to determine qualification for particular specialties. These combinations are called "aptitude area scores," "composite scores," or "line scores". Each of the five armed services has its own aptitude area scores and sets its own minimum qualifying composite scores for each of its occupational specialties or ratings.

Army Line Scores

• CL -Clerical: VE, AR, MK
• CO - Combat: VE, AS, MC, CS dummy score (used because CS has been removed)
• EL - Electronics: GS, AR, MK, EI
• FA - Field Artillery: AR, MK, MC, CS dummy score (used because CS has been removed)
• GM - General Maintenance: GS, AS, MK, EI
• GT - General Technical: VE, AR
• MM - Mechanical Maintenance: AS, MC, EI, NO dummy score (used because NO has been removed)
• OF - Operators and Food: VE, AS, MC, NO dummy score (used because NO has been removed)
• SC - Surveillance and Communications: VE, AR, AS, MC
• ST - Skilled Technical: GS, VE, MC, MK

Air Force Line Scores

• M - Mechanical: AR, WK, PC, MC
• A - Administrative: WK, PC, MK
• G - General: VE, AR
• E - Electrical: AR, MK, EI, GS

Marine Line Scores

• MM - Mechanical Maintenance, Construction, Utility and Chemical Maintenance (hazmat): AR, EI, MC, AI, SI
• GT - General Technical, Special and Officer Programs: WK, PC, AR, MC
• EL - Electronics Repair, Missile Repair, Electronics and Communications: GS, AR, MK, EI

Navy Line Scores

• GT - General Technical: AR, VE
• EL - Electronics: AR+EI+GS+MK
• BEE - Basic Electricity and Electronics: AR+GS+2*MK
• ENG - Engineering: AI+SI+MK
• MEC - Mechanical Maintenance: AR+AI+SI+MC
• MEC2 - Mechanical Maintenance 2: AO+AR+MC
• NUC - Nuclear Field: AR+MC+MK+VE
• OPS - Operations Specialist: WK, PC, AR, MK, AO
• HM - Hospitalman: GS+MK+VE
• ADM - Administrative: MK+VE

The information collected through the ASVAB is used by the United States Department of Defense for recruiting and research purposes. Scores and personal information obtained during the test are also released to the United States armed forces and the student's local school.

Preparing

There are numerous options for preparing for the ASVAB. Below are our recommendations:

Books

The following books will help you improve in all aspects of the ASVAB:

• Master the ASVAB by Scott A. Ostrow
• McGraw-Hill's ASVAB with CD-ROM by Janet E. Wall
• ASVAB For Dummies by Rod Powers

Military.com

Military.com offers both short and long ASVAB practice tests online as well as a wealth of information on joining the military.

Please note: We are members of the affiliate programs for Barnes and Noble and Military.com. All links to their products include our affiliate id.

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