US Army ASVAB Aptitude Test: 20 Important Facts and Practice Questions

By | July 16, 2023
US Army ASVAB Aptitude Test
US Army ASVAB aptitude test is used to determine among other things if an applicant will be effective and successful in military service.

This post presents important facts about the US Army ASVAB aptitude test, as well as some valuable practice questions to improve your chances of passing the test.

The Department of Defense Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a well-researched and well-respected aptitude test.

It assesses a young adult’s abilities and likelihood of success in military training.

20 Important Facts about US Army ASVAB Aptitude Test

Here are some of the important facts you need to know about the ASVAB test:

  1. ASVAB is for the military

The military (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force) is in charge of the development, scoring, and administration of the ASVAB.

It is not designed to measure intelligence. The military uses it to gauge how well new recruits can do in a variety of jobs in different branches of the military.

2. The ASVAB is a good predictor of military job performance

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP), which is available to high school students who are juniors or seniors, provides valuable information about career exploration that can help students decide which jobs they will enjoy most.

The CEP has four components: an Interest Inventory, an Early Adopter Component, a Self-Assessment Component, and an Occupational Preference Component.

3. What is on the ASVAB?

The ASVAB contains four subtests that measure English language skills, mathematics, paragraph comprehension, and mechanical reasoning.

It also includes a fifth subtest that measures verbal expression.

The first three subtests measure skills important to recruits’ ability to succeed in military training.

The fourth subtest measures the ability to communicate effectively using spoken and written English.

The fifth subtest assesses basic sentence completion and reading comprehension in addition to communication skills.

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4. How does the ASVAB help to predict job performance?

The Department of Defense believes that the ASVAB is also a good predictor of job performance in civilian life.

This means that people who have high scores on the ASVAB will probably do better in many occupations than those with lower scores. The two major reasons are:

  • When they enter their jobs, they will be able to learn new skills quickly and effectively.
  • In the workplace, they will fit in more easily.

5. How does the ASVAB help with job selection?

For those who are interested in applying for a military career, the ASVAB is useful to see where they rank among other people who have taken the test.

Military recruiters and employers base their hiring decisions on a variety of forms of information, including the results from this test.

6. What is the ASVAB’s history?

ASVAB has been in use since 1951. For many years, it was called the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT), and it was developed as a check on how well recruits and new Army recruits could do in training.

The test had little direct relation to future job performance or whether an individual would be suited for certain jobs.

7. How long does the ASVAB take to complete?

An ASVAB score is not given immediately after the test. The raw ASVAB scores are released to the student at the conclusion of testing.

Once scores are released, students may see their scores on the Internet or a computer printout of test results.

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8. What is a percentile score?

A percentile score indicates how well the test-taker did in comparison to other people who took the same test.

For example, if a person scored a 55 percent on an English test, that would mean that person scored better than 55 percent of the others who took that same test.

9. What is the score used for?

After the test is given, the raw scores are released to students. The raw scores can be seen on Internet sites, or on printouts.

Different colleges of education may view ASVAB scores differently. Some colleges may only view the percentile or rank of a person’s score.

Others may only review a person’s raw score and ignore their percentile rank because they feel that other factors such as performance in military training should be used to predict job performance.

10. How many times can a person take the test?

A person is allowed to take the ASVAB only twice within a 365-day period. This is called “tacking.”

You may take the ASVAB only once in a 12-month period if you receive a high school diploma or GED.

11. Can someone help you during the test?

Yes, but only during breaks and these breaks don’t count as test time. You cannot have anyone help you while the actual test is underway.

12. Can you retake the test?

Yes, but you have to wait until four weeks after your exam is done to retake it.

13. Can you retake the test when your scores are released?

No, the ASVAB scores are not released until after testing is completed.

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14. Are there ID requirements or an age limit to take the ASVAB?

There are no required documents for taking this test and no minimum age requirement for taking this test at all.

15. What should I bring with me?

Proof of identification, a major credit card and a printed copy of the registration form are needed to register for the exam.

16. Will I have to provide my social security number?

A social security number is not required if you are between the ages of 14 and 18 or if you are taking the test at a high school or junior military academy that has not been designated as an official testing site by the Department of Defense (DOD).

17. What is the ASVAB test format?

ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The test is administered in four separate sections which include questions about responsibilities for military service, skills required in military service and technical requirements for military services.

In order to complete a particular section, applicants must answer each of the questions within that section. Each section is different from the other.

18. How is the ASVAB score used?

A person’s ASVAB scores may help determine whether he or she qualifies for enlistment in a branch of the military, or they may help determine which jobs are available.

You will not be denied enlistment solely because you have a low ASVAB score.

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19. How is the test scored?

Test-takers receive points for each correct answer of the 36 questions in each subtest.

The total possible points range from a minimum of 200 to a maximum of 900 points, depending on how all of the subtests are scored.

Subtests with more answers generally have more point opportunities, but point quantities may vary on subtest difficulties and between different versions of this test.

The highest possible number of points on the entire ASVAB is 36 points.

20. What is the time limit of the test?

This test will take 45 minutes to complete. That time may not include any breaks or military leave; it may include only time you spend answering individual questions.

ASVAB Test Practice Questions

Taking a test may be a stressful situation. Knowing what to expect might help you relax before the test. Here are some ASVAB test questions that you can practice with:

  1. 100° C is equal to A. 100° F B. 105° C C. 109° C D. 110° C E. 122° C.
  2. A pellet of aluminum has a density of 40 grams per cubic centimeter and a mass of 3 grams. If a small hole is drilled into it, how much force will be required to drill the hole? A. 50 grams B. 1 gram C. 512 grams D. 55 grams 2 gram.) [1 gram = 1/8 ounce]
  3. All samples of a certain mineral have the same formula, but different compounds. Which of the following is false about this mineral? A. It has impurities B. It is naturally occurring C. It has crystal lattice structure. [Natural = occurring in nature = not created artificially.]
  4. Tomatoes are fruit, potatoes are vegetables, but pumpkins are neither fruit nor vegetables because they are _________________ A. Legumes [peas and beans] B Oligomenorrhea [irregular periods] C Heterozygous [genes are different in your parents.]
  5. Which of these is not a trait of a successful leader? A. Inspires followers by providing goals and objectives B. Sets clear expectations of what is expected C. Inspires followers by making them work harder than they ever have before D. Inspires followers only when necessary and then he or she returns to leadership when the job is done. E. These are all correct options.
  6. Antagonize most nearly means A. Adulate B. Agitate C. Antagonize.

More ASVAB Test Practice Questions

7. The characteristics of lines that form the sides of a triangle include all but which of the following? A. Length B. Intersect C. Angle D. None of these.

8. What is the term for a cloud that forms as a result of condensation near highly elevated terrain? A: Lenticular B: Cumulonimbus C: Trochus D: Cirrus.

9. A survey shows that 4 out of every 10 people prefer soda to water, while 2 out 10 people prefer water to soda. Of the remaining 6, how many want both soda and water? A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6.

10. Which of the following procedures necessitates the greatest amount of energy? A: Growing wool commercially (with sheep) B: A new car produced in your factory today C: Your child’s growth spurt D: Producing wool commercially (with sheep).

Conclusion

The ASVAB is a computer-based test designed by the U.S. military for use by any U.S. military services or its allies.

The test is given to every service member in each branch of the U.S. military as a way of determining their eligibility for enlistment and advancement, determining which service jobs they are qualified for, and granting them access to special training and education benefits that can be offered by each branch of the military through access to Test Scores.

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