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Preparing for the ASVAB
December 28th, 2010
The Armed Force’s Qualification Test (AFQT) is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, better known as the ASVAB, it is the only test used by the United States military to determine one’s eligibility for enlistment. Each service has a minimum AFQT score, or “QT score” required for enlistment; as a matter of fact, enlistment eligibility is the only real function the AFQT, it is not used to determine what rating or job for which you may qualify.
The ASVAB is comprised of nine separate sections. Each section is timed, and they vary in topics from Arithmetic Reasoning to Word Knowledge. Each section’s score is referred to as a “line score.” Each military job uses a combination of those scores, depending on what skills the job requires to determine if you would line score qualify. Similarly, the AFQT standard score is computed with the formula 2VE + AR + MK. VE is a combination of the Paragraph Comprehension (PC) and Word Knowledge (WK) line scores, AR is Arithmetic Reasoning and MK is Mathematics Knowledge, it is only those 4 line scores that make up the QT score. To simplify, the QT score is the “get in” the military score, the composite line score is the “what you can do while you’re in the military” score.
As we discussed, the QT score is the determinate for enlistment, and because there is only 4 sections that determine the QT score, you should concentrate your efforts in them.
I am a fan of the various books and web sites out there that offer sample tests, however, I am not a fan of spending any money on them (keep in mind, most libraries have the books available for check out…for free), I do not think one resource is better than another, and I will not recommend one over an other, but what I will do is provide you with the best process for getting ready to take the ASVAB test.
First off, if at all possible, study in a relatively quiet public place – preferably a library. Public places have unfamiliar surroundings – you will take the ASVAB test in unfamiliar surroundings, it makes sense to prepare for the entire test, not just the academic portion. Another reason to use a library is they usually have multiple computers for public use. If you take the ASVAB test at the MEPS, more than likely it will be on a computer – if possible, use a different computer each time you visit the library because each computer will vary in some way, like the screen resolution or brightness, or the keyboard may be laid out differently – point is you are preparing, training yourself to be versatile.
To best prepare for the PC and the WK sections, READ the daily newspaper, either online or the old fashioned way – after you read each article, write a short paragraph about the content – every word in the article that you don’t have a firm grasp on, look it up in the dictionary and force yourself to use that word at least two times that day in regular conversation. You will be amazed at how good this works.
For the math sections, AR and MK; this is what I find the practice guide’s best attribute. The word problems – work them, understand them. Most applicant’s QT scores suffer because of poor performance on the arithmetic reasoning section of the test. Arithmetic Reasoning are those dreaded word problems – a paragraph that you are supposed to extrapolate a math problem from a real world circumstance. The Mathematics Knowledge section, practice fractions and your most basic algebra. Know how many ounces are in a cup, and how many cups are in a pint, quart and gallon. Know how to convert, compare and calculate fractions. Solve for X in about every way you can think of – remember, “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” or PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponentiation, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) when completing problems, work the part of the problem in the parentheses first and so on. Once you have exhausted all the problems in the study guide, start making up your own problems. Practice!
Whether it is the first time you are taking the ASVAB, retesting or taking the confirmation test, make getting ready for the ASVAB part of your daily routine. Your score matters.
If you are taking the ASVAB as a retest, do not take the test on the first day you are eligible to take it – only take it when you feel you are ready. Do not rush it!
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