GS — General Science
16 questions • 8 min (CAT) / 25Q • 11 min (P&P)
Earth/space, life, and physical sciences — basic biology, chemistry, physics, and geology.
Tactic: Focus on Bozeman Science and Khan Academy high-school bio + chem refreshers.
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ASVAB Study Guide & Practice Test
Built for poolees, prior-service candidates, and current service members trying to retake for a job change. Free subtest breakdowns, study tactics, and unlimited AI-generated practice questions when you sign up.
Minimum AFQT scores by branch
| Branch | HS Diploma | GED |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 31 | 50 |
| Marine Corps | 32 | 50 |
| Navy | 35 | 50 |
| Air Force | 31 | 50 |
| Space Force | 31 | 50 |
| Coast Guard | 36 | 47 |
Minimums change. Verify current requirements with your recruiter before testing.
The 9 ASVAB subtests
CAT-ASVAB (computer adaptive) is the standard at MEPS. Question counts and times vary slightly on the paper version (P&P-ASVAB) used at some MET sites.
AR — Arithmetic Reasoning
16 questions • 39 min (CAT)
Word problems using arithmetic — ratios, percentages, rates, basic algebra setups.
Tactic: AFQT subtest. Practice translating English into equations. Speed kills — drill timed word problems daily.
WK — Word Knowledge
16 questions • 8 min (CAT)
Vocabulary in isolation and in context — synonyms and sentence meaning.
Tactic: AFQT subtest. Learn Latin/Greek roots. Anki a 500-word ASVAB deck for 2 weeks.
PC — Paragraph Comprehension
11 questions • 22 min (CAT)
Read short passages and answer main idea, detail, and inference questions.
Tactic: AFQT subtest. Read the question first, then scan the passage. Don't overthink.
MK — Mathematics Knowledge
16 questions • 20 min (CAT)
High-school algebra and geometry — equations, inequalities, lines, polygons, circles.
Tactic: AFQT subtest. Memorize formulas (slope, area, Pythagorean). Khan Academy Algebra 1 + Geometry covers ~90%.
EI — Electronics Information
16 questions • 8 min (CAT)
Electrical concepts — circuits, Ohm's law, components, current vs voltage.
Tactic: Critical for line scores (EL, GT). Watch ElectroBoom intros and memorize V=IR.
AS — Auto & Shop Information
11 questions • 7 min (CAT)
Automotive systems, tools, and shop practices — engines, brakes, wood/metal tools.
Tactic: If you've never wrenched, watch ChrisFix and Project Farm tool overviews.
MC — Mechanical Comprehension
16 questions • 20 min (CAT)
Levers, pulleys, gears, fluid dynamics, and basic mechanical principles.
Tactic: Required for many MOS line scores. Practice pulley and gear ratio problems.
AO — Assembling Objects
16 questions • 16 min (CAT)
Spatial puzzles — connect shapes by labeled points or assemble disassembled objects.
Tactic: Pure pattern recognition. 30 timed problems and you'll plateau fast — just do reps.
8-week study plan
- Week 1 — Diagnose. Take a full free practice ASVAB. Score every subtest. Rank weakest → strongest.
- Weeks 2–3 — AFQT core. Daily: 30 min WK (Anki roots), 30 min MK (Khan Academy Algebra 1), 30 min AR word problems.
- Week 4 — Reading speed. Read 2 short articles/day. Time yourself answering 3 PC-style questions per passage.
- Weeks 5–6 — Technical line scores. If you need EL, GT, MM, or EI — drill EI, AS, MC daily. Watch ChrisFix and Practical Engineering on YouTube.
- Week 7 — Full retakes. Two full timed practice ASVABs. Review every miss. Re-quiz the misses 48 hours later.
- Week 8 — Test prep. Sleep, light review only, hydrate, eat protein the morning of. Report to MEPS rested.
Test-day tactics
- Don't waste guesses on CAT. CAT-ASVAB penalizes random end-of-test guessing more than skipped early questions. Pace yourself.
- Lock in the first 5. Early answers weight more on adaptive tests — slow down and lock in the first block.
- Eliminate, don't solve. On MK and AR, plug-and-check answer choices when stuck.
- No calculator. Practice mental math drills daily. Times tables to 15, percent shortcuts, fraction conversions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good ASVAB score?
Your AFQT score determines enlistment eligibility. Minimums: Army 31, Navy 35, Air Force 31, Marines 32, Coast Guard 36, Space Force 31. A 50+ opens most jobs; 65+ qualifies for nearly every MOS, ratings, and AFSC plus most enlistment bonuses.
How is the AFQT calculated?
AFQT = Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) + Math Knowledge (MK) + (2 × Verbal Expression). Verbal Expression is Word Knowledge (WK) + Paragraph Comprehension (PC). The four subtests that matter most for enlistment are AR, MK, WK, and PC.
Can I retake the ASVAB?
Yes. After your first test you can retake after 1 calendar month, then again after another month, then any retakes after that require a 6-month wait. The highest score is used.
How long should I study for the ASVAB?
Most candidates see strong gains with 4–8 weeks of consistent prep (1–2 hours/day). If you're aiming for a 70+ AFQT or a specific high-cutoff job, plan 8–12 weeks.
Is the ASVAB hard?
It's roughly high-school level across 9 subjects. The challenge is breadth and time pressure (CAT-ASVAB averages ~1.5 minutes per question). Targeted prep beats raw IQ.
Can I use a calculator on the ASVAB?
No. All math is done by hand or in your head. Practice mental math and scratch-paper arithmetic.
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