The ASVAB Test Online

The ASVAB test stands for Armed Services Verbal Aptitude Battery Test. This test is taken by thousands of students that are interested in having a career in the military and in particular, helps them to select which Military Occupational Specialties will suit them the best. Apart from the use in the army, it is also used in some schools as a part of their career planning program.

The test consists of nine subjects whose individual marks are added up for the total score on the exam. Among these nine subjects, the four most important for the military are Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Mathematical Knowledge. These four subjects make up what is called the AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) sections.

The other five sections include General Science, Electronics Information, Auto and Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension, and Assembling Objects.

The ASVAB test helps to match available jobs and job openings to potential recruits.

Brief History.

The ASVAB test originated in the US during the 1950s when the military adopted the AFQT as a screening exam for measuring the full potential of a recruit in absorbing military training and the future potential. The test was further supplemented by a service-specific battery test for the MOS (Military Occupational Specialties) classification.

In 1972 the Department of Defense decided that one exam should be taken for both the beforementioned purpose, that is to screen and assign a recruit to a MOS. Following this decision, the AFQT test was replaced by the ASVAB test over two years.

The different types of ASVAB tests.

CAT-ASVAB – The CAT-ASVAB test stands for Computerized Adaptive Test. This test takes place at military processing stations for enlisted soldiers.

S-ASVAB – This test is the pen and paper test that takes place in high schools and colleges and is taken by students who may or may not enlist.

MET-ASVAB – MET-ASVAB stands for Mobile Examination Test, and is only for enlisted soldiers at mobile testing centers.

Scores Needed to pass the Test.

There is no such thing as “fail” in the ASVAB test just like any other competitive examination. But one needs to score above 31 to be considered for enlistment in the Armed Forces. The result is given out in what is called the ASVAB Student Result Sheets.

How can you prepare for the ASVAB test?

While generally there is no strict syllabus as such for this exam, it doesn’t harm to be a bit prepared and confident about yourself if you are going to take this exam seriously.

That being said, one should focus more on the fundamental things and concepts in the relevant subjects. For example in general science, knowing about how to convert Fahrenheit into Celsius, Statement of Newton’s laws, etc.

Learning about these concepts and then taking ASVAB practice tests online. This will help the students to get a better understanding of the question patterns and will also help them in time management even though time constraints are not that demanding in the exams. Furthermore taking repetitive ASVAB practice tests online will instill a sense of confidence in you.

An overview of sections and time limits.