ASVAB Test Guide: AFQT Scores, Subtests and Retest Rules
ASVAB test guide for independent study: review 73 questions about how the ASVAB and AFQT work, each cited to OfficialASVAB.com. These are about the test, not math or word-knowledge practice items and not copies of live ASVAB items.
Questions and answers about how the ASVAB works and the AFQT score it produces, as given in 2026: CAT-ASVAB at the MEPS and most MET sites, paper-and-pencil at a handful of MET sites, the unproctored PiCAT and the AFQT Predictor Test. Covers subtests and domains, AFQT composition, percentiles and categories, CAT vs P&P rules, retest waits, score validity and the Vtest. Original questions grounded in OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program); they are about the test, not copies of live items.
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01A friend says you must pass two separate entrance exams, the ASVAB and the AFQT. Is that right, and how many tests does the ASVAB contain?
No. There is only one exam, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), and it has 10 tests.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“No, there is only one exam, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB for short. The ASVAB has 10 tests.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗02Which four ASVAB subtests are combined to compute the AFQT score?
Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) and Mathematics Knowledge (MK). Together they produce the Armed Forces Qualification Test score.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Your scores from four of the tests—Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK)—are combined to compute your score on what is referred to as the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT).”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗03All of the following subtests feed the AFQT EXCEPT: A) Arithmetic Reasoning B) Word Knowledge C) General Science D) Mathematics Knowledge
C) General Science. AFQT scores are computed from the Standard Scores of AR, MK, PC and WK only.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“AFQT scores are computed using the Standard Scores from four ASVAB subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Word Knowledge (WK).”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Understanding ASVAB Scores ↗04What is the AFQT score used for, and what are the scores on all ten ASVAB tests used for?
The AFQT decides whether you are eligible to enlist; the full set of ASVAB scores is used to find the best military job for you.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Scores on the AFQT are used to determine your eligibility for enlistment in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Scores on all of the ASVAB tests are used to determine the best job for you in the military.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗05On what scale is the AFQT score reported, and what does the number mean?
As a percentile from 1 to 99. It shows the percentage of a reference group that scored at or below your score.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“AFQT scores are reported as percentiles between 1-99. An AFQT percentile score indicates the percentage of examinees in a reference group that scored at or below that particular score.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Understanding ASVAB Scores ↗06Current AFQT percentiles are compared against which reference group?
A sample of 18- to 23-year-old youth who took the ASVAB in a 1997 national norming study.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“For current AFQT scores, the reference group is a sample of 18 to 23 year old youth who took the ASVAB as part of a national norming study conducted in 1997.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Understanding ASVAB Scores ↗07An applicant's AFQT score is 75. What does that mean? A) 75% of the questions were answered correctly B) The applicant scored as well as or better than 75% of the national 18-23 reference sample C) The applicant is in the top 25 people tested that day D) The applicant needs 75 points to enlist
B) It is a percentile, not a percent correct. OfficialASVAB.com explains that a score of 90 means scoring as well as or better than 90% of the nationally representative sample of 18 to 23 year olds; 75 works the same way.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Thus, an AFQT score of 90 indicates that the examinee scored as well as or better than 90% of the nationally-representative sample of 18 to 23 year old youth.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Understanding ASVAB Scores ↗08Which AFQT percentile range makes up Category I?
93 to 99, the top AFQT category.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“AFQT Category Score Range I 93 – 99”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Understanding ASVAB Scores ↗09An applicant scores 58 on the AFQT. Which AFQT category is that? A) II B) IIIA C) IIIB D) IVA
B) IIIA, which covers 50 to 64. IIIB is 31 to 49.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“II 65 – 92 IIIA 50 – 64 IIIB 31 – 49”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Understanding ASVAB Scores ↗10AFQT Category V covers which percentile range?
1 to 9, the lowest category. Category IVC is 10 to 15 and IVB is 16 to 20.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“IVA 21 – 30 IVB 16 – 20 IVC 10 – 15 V 1 – 9”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Understanding ASVAB Scores ↗11Individual ASVAB subtest scores are reported as what kind of score, and roughly what share of people reach 60 or higher?
Standard Scores. About half the population scores 50 or above and about 16% scores 60 or above.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“About half the population scores at or above a Standard Score of 50 and about 16% of the population scores at or above a Standard Score of 60.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Understanding ASVAB Scores ↗12The ASVAB measures aptitude in four domains. Which of these is NOT one of them? A) Verbal B) Spatial C) Clerical D) Science and Technical
C) Clerical. The four domains are Verbal, Math, Science and Technical, and Spatial.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The ASVAB subtests are designed to measure aptitudes in four domains: Verbal, Math, Science and Technical, and Spatial.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗13Which ASVAB subtest asks how an object will look once its parts are put together, and what domain does it measure?
Assembling Objects (AO), which falls in the Spatial domain.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Assembling Objects (AO) Ability to determine how an object will look when its parts are put together Spatial”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗14What does the General Science (GS) subtest cover, and which domain is it in?
Knowledge of physical and biological sciences; it falls in the Science/Technical domain.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“General Science (GS) Knowledge of physical and biological sciences Science/ Technical”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗15Choosing the meaning of a word used in context and picking the best synonym describes which subtest?
Word Knowledge (WK).
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Ability to select the correct meaning of words presented in context and to identify the best synonym for a given word”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗16What is the difference between Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) and Mathematics Knowledge (MK)?
AR is solving arithmetic word problems; MK is knowledge of high school mathematics principles. Both are in the Math domain.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Math Knowledge (MK) Knowledge of high school mathematics principles Math”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗17Which subtest measures knowledge of mechanical and physical principles?
Mechanical Comprehension (MC), in the Science/Technical domain.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Mechanical Comprehension (MC) Knowledge of mechanical and physical principles Science/ Technical”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗18How are Auto Information (AI) and Shop Information (SI) handled on the computer and paper versions?
On the computer they are separate subtests but reported as one combined AS score; on paper they are a single AS subtest.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“AI and SI are administered as separate subtests in the computer administration but combined into one single score (labeled AS). AI and SI are combined into one single subtest (AS) in the paper-and-pencil administration.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗19Which subtest is given in the Enlistment Testing Program but not in the Student Testing Program?
Assembling Objects (AO).
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“the Assembling Objects test is given in the Enlistment Testing Program but not the Student Testing Program.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗20Students who take the ASVAB at school get which three composite scores, and what do enlistment testers get instead?
Verbal Skills, Math Skills, and Science and Technical Skills; enlistment testers get an AFQT score and Service composite scores for job assignment.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“In the Student Testing Program, examinees receive three composite scores called Verbal Skills, Math Skills, and Science and Technical Skills. In the Enlistment Testing Program, examinees receive an AFQT score and Service composite scores, used for military job assignment.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗21How does the CAT-ASVAB pick the next question?
After each item it evaluates your responses and gives the item best suited to your estimated ability level.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“After each item is administered, information is collected and evaluated, and the item best suited for the examinee’s estimated ability level is selected to be administered next.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), The CAT-ASVAB ↗22On the CAT-ASVAB you miss a question. What typically comes next? A) A harder item B) An easier item C) The same item again D) The next subtest
B) An easier item. A correct answer typically brings a harder item.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Typically, if an examinee answers an item incorrectly on the CAT-ASVAB, an easier item is selected to be administered next. If an examinee answers an item correctly, then a harder item is selected to be administered next.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), The CAT-ASVAB ↗23True or false: on the CAT-ASVAB you can skip ahead and come back to change an earlier answer.
False. Once you submit an answer on the CAT-ASVAB you cannot review or change it, so be sure of your choice before moving on.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Be sure the answer you have selected is the one you want to select, as you aren’t allowed to return to a question once you have answered it.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Preparing for the ASVAB ↗24Time is almost up on a CAT-ASVAB subtest with several items left. What does the official prep guidance recommend?
Keep reading and answering honestly instead of filling in random guesses, because the CAT-ASVAB gives a relatively large penalty for several wrong answers at the end of a subtest.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“If time is running short, try to read and legitimately answer the questions, rather than filling in random guesses for the remaining items, as the CAT-ASVAB applies a relatively large penalty when several incorrect answers are provided toward the end of a subtest.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Preparing for the ASVAB ↗25Time is almost up on a paper-and-pencil ASVAB section with items left blank. What should you do?
Fill in guesses for the rest. The paper test has no penalty for guessing, so answering every question is to your advantage.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Answer every question. If you run out of time, it is to your advantage to fill in random guesses for the remaining items, as there is no penalty for guessing.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Preparing for the ASVAB ↗26How does the CAT-ASVAB score items you never reached before time ran out?
As though you answered them at random. That penalty applies to everyone who does not finish a subtest in time.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“This is done by scoring the items that were not completed as though they were answered at random.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), The CAT-ASVAB ↗27On the paper-and-pencil ASVAB, can you go back over your answers?
Yes, within the subtest you just finished, but you cannot return to an earlier subtest or move ahead until told to.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Once you complete the questions in a subtest, you will be able to review your answers. However, you will not be able to go back to an earlier subtest or proceed to the next subtest until instructed.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗28How many scored questions are on the CAT-ASVAB compared with the paper-and-pencil ASVAB?
135 on the CAT-ASVAB (197 minutes of limits) and 225 on the P&P-ASVAB (149 minutes).
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Assembling Objects (AO) 25 15 Total 225 149”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗29On the CAT-ASVAB, how many scored Arithmetic Reasoning questions are there, and what is the time limit?
15 questions in 55 minutes, or 113 minutes if tryout questions are added to that subtest.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) 15 15 55 113”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗30How many scored Paragraph Comprehension questions does the CAT-ASVAB give, and in what time limit?
10 questions in 27 minutes.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“PC 10 Questions 27 Minutes”
— ASVAB Fact Sheet, Enlistment Testing Program (OfficialASVAB.com), p. 3 ↗31What are ASVAB tryout questions?
New questions that do not count toward your score. Each examinee gets them in 2 to 4 subtests, mixed in at random, with extra time added to those subtests.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Tryout questions are new questions that do not count toward your score. Each examinee receives tryout questions in 2 to 4 of the ASVAB subtests, with tryout questions randomly dispersed throughout each of the selected subtests. Extra time is given to complete a subtest when tryout questions are administered.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗32About how long does the proctored CAT-ASVAB take?
About 2 hours on average, per the current What to Expect page (2026). The older ASVAB Fact Sheet said about 1 1/2 hours, roughly half the time of the paper test.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“On average, the CAT-ASVAB takes about half the time of the P&P-ASVAB.”
— ASVAB Fact Sheet, Enlistment Testing Program (OfficialASVAB.com), p. 4 ↗33Including administrative tasks and instructions, how long does a paper-and-pencil ASVAB session take?
3 to 4 hours in total.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The total time required, including administrative tasks and instructions, is 3 to 4 hours.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗34When do CAT-ASVAB examinees at a MEPS or MET site get their scores?
Immediately after the testing session.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Your test scores will be available immediately following your testing session at the MEPS or MET site.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗35What happens to paper-and-pencil ASVAB answer sheets after the session?
They are sent to the MEPS to be scanned and scored, which usually takes a few days.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“After the test session, completed answer sheets are sent to the MEPS to be scanned and scored. This process usually takes a few days.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗36Roughly what share of military applicants take the ASVAB by computer, according to the ASVAB Fact Sheet?
About 70%.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Roughly 70% of military applicants take the test via computer.”
— ASVAB Fact Sheet, Enlistment Testing Program (OfficialASVAB.com), p. 1 ↗37When did the CAT-ASVAB go into operational use at all MEPS?
1996-1997, after 20 years of research. It was the first large-scale adaptive test battery used in a high-stakes setting.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“After 20 years of extensive research and evaluation, the CAT-ASVAB was implemented operationally in 1996-1997 at all Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS). It was the first large-scale adaptive test battery to be administered in a high-stakes setting.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), History of Military Testing ↗38Where do military applicants normally take the ASVAB, and how many of those stations are there?
At a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). There are 65 MEPS across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“There are 65 MEPS located across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗39An applicant lives far from any MEPS. Where can they take the ASVAB instead?
At a Military Entrance Test (MET) site, a satellite location often in a federal office building, National Guard armory or Reserve center.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“If you do not live near a MEPS, you can take the ASVAB at a satellite location called a Military Entrance Test (MET) site. MET sites are often located in federal government office buildings, National Guard armories, or Reserve centers.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗40As of 2026, where is the paper-and-pencil ASVAB still given?
Only at a handful of MET sites; the computer version is used at the MEPS and most MET sites. The older Fact Sheet said P&P was used at most MET sites, but the 2026 What to Expect page is current.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The ASVAB is administered by computer at all MEPS, and by paper and pencil (P&P) at most MET sites.”
— ASVAB Fact Sheet, Enlistment Testing Program (OfficialASVAB.com), p. 1 ↗41What happens if you arrive late for an ASVAB session at a MEPS or MET site?
You are turned away and must reschedule.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Don’t be late—you’ll be turned away and required to reschedule if you are.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗42True or false: your recruiter may sit in the testing room with you as long as they do not speak.
False. You need valid ID to enter the testing room, and your recruiter may drive you but is not permitted in the room.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Your recruiter may give you a ride to and from the session, but he/she is not permitted in the testing room.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗43Before scheduling you for the ASVAB, a recruiter screens you. Which topics does that screening cover?
Marital status, health, education, drug use and arrest record. Answer openly and honestly.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“It’s very important that you answer these questions openly and honestly.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗44A person who already tested offers to tell you what questions were on their ASVAB. Why is that a problem?
ASVAB questions are controlled testing materials, and anyone who gives or receives information about them faces severe penalties.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Applicants who either give or receive information about test questions are subject to severe penalties.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), What to Expect When You Take the ASVAB ↗45Can you use a calculator on the ASVAB, and why not?
No. The ASVAB is an employment test that checks whether you can apply principles to solve job problems, not what you have learned.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The ASVAB, however, is an employment test, whose goal is to assess, not what you have learned, but whether you can correctly apply principles to solve problems you might have to do in your job.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗46Myth or fact: if calculators were allowed on the ASVAB, more people would qualify for the military.
Myth. Scores would be adjusted for any calculator advantage, so there would be no change in who qualifies.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“So, if calculators were allowed, there would be no impact on who does or doesn’t qualify for entrance into the military”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Myths About the ASVAB ↗47How do CAT-ASVAB and paper-and-pencil scores come to mean the same thing?
Through equating. Every CAT item pool and every paper form is statistically linked so that scores mean the same regardless of the form taken.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“This is because scores are statistically linked across CAT and P&P administrations through a process called equating. Equating studies are conducted for every CAT-ASVAB item pool (and for every paper and pencil ASVAB form) to ensure that scores have the same meaning regardless of which item pool or test form the examinee receives.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Myths About the ASVAB ↗48A high-ability applicant says the CAT-ASVAB felt harder than the paper test their friend took. Why, and does it hurt their score?
The CAT gives above-average examinees above-average items, so it can feel harder; but scores are linked, so a similar score is expected either way.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Thus, you would be expected to receive a similar score regardless of whether you take the CAT-ASVAB or the P&P-ASVAB.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗49After your initial ASVAB, how long must you wait before your first retest?
One calendar month.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“After you take your initial ASVAB, you must wait one calendar month to retake the test.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗50An applicant has already taken two ASVAB retests. When can they take a third?
Six months after the second retest; the six-month rule covers every retest after the second.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The applicant may be administered a third retest six months from the date of the second retest. Note that the six month rule applies to all retests after the second retest.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), ASVAB Retest Policy ↗51An applicant's first retest was on June 12. What is the earliest date for a second retest? A) June 13 B) July 12 C) December 12 D) Any time
B) July 12, one month after the first retest. A second retest given earlier is invalidated.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The applicant will be allowed a second retest any time after one month from the first retest. Second retests administered before the one month period will be invalidated.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), ASVAB Retest Policy ↗52An applicant's AFQT jumps 20 or more points within six months. What happens next?
They must take a confirmation test (C-Test) and may take it right away, without the one-month wait.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“In this case, the applicant is required to take a confirmation test (C-Test). The applicant may retest immediately and is NOT required to wait one month before administration of the C-Test.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), ASVAB Retest Policy ↗53A fire drill invalidates an applicant's initial ASVAB. Does it count as their first test?
No. It does not count, and the applicant may come back for another initial test as MEPS scheduling allows.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The invalid initial test does NOT count as the first test. The applicant may return for another initial test based on MEPS scheduling.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), ASVAB Retest Policy ↗54An applicant's retest is invalidated for cheating. How long must they wait to test again?
Six months.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The applicant must wait six months before retesting.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), ASVAB Retest Policy ↗55Does the retest wait differ when the first ASVAB was a high school student test rather than an enlistment test?
No. The retest policy is the same either way.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The retest policy is the same, regardless of whether the initial test is a student test or an enlistment test.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), ASVAB Retest Policy ↗56How long can ASVAB scores be used for enlistment?
Up to two years from the date of testing.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Your scores may be used for enlistment for up to two years from the date of testing.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗57A student took the ASVAB through School Staff Testing (SST). What must happen before those scores can be used to enlist?
They must pass a Verification Test (Vtest); a recruiter can give guidance.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“If you took the ASVAB through School Staff Testing (SST, which means school staff administered the test rather than military personnel), a Verification Test (Vtest) is required before your scores can be used for enlistment.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), ASVAB Career Exploration Program ↗58What is the PiCAT?
The unproctored online version of the CAT-ASVAB (Pending Internet Computerized Adaptive Test), which can be taken anywhere with internet access.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The unproctored version of CAT-ASVAB is called PiCAT (short for Pending Internet Computerized Adaptive Test) and can be taken from anywhere that has an internet connection.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Unproctored Administration of the ASVAB: PiCAT ↗59Who may take the PiCAT, how many times, and are its subtests timed?
Only people who have never taken the ASVAB, and only once; the individual subtests have no time limits.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“there are no time limits for the individual subtests”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Unproctored Administration of the ASVAB: PiCAT ↗60A recruiter issues a PiCAT access code. How long is the code good for, and once started, how long do you have to finish?
The code expires 30 days after it is issued; once you begin, you must finish within 48 hours.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“An applicant must contact a military recruiter for an access code to take the PiCAT, which expires 30 days after it is issued. Once an applicant begins taking the PiCAT, it must be completed within 48 hours.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Unproctored Administration of the ASVAB: PiCAT ↗61After the PiCAT, when must the proctored Verification Test (Vtest) be taken, and how long is it?
Within 45 days of the PiCAT; it usually takes 25 to 30 minutes.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“It must be taken within 45 days of when the PiCAT was taken. It is much shorter than the PiCAT and generally takes 25 to 30 minutes to complete.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Unproctored Administration of the ASVAB: PiCAT ↗62True or false: applicants receive a separate score on the Vtest.
False. There is no Vtest score; the Vtest only confirms that the PiCAT scores are accurate.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Applicants are not provided a score on the Vtest. Instead, the Vtest is simply used to validate the accuracy of the PiCAT scores.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Unproctored Administration of the ASVAB: PiCAT ↗63What is the AFQT Predictor Test (APT), and how long is it?
A short online test that predicts the AFQT score you would get on the ASVAB. It has 20 items and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“There are a total of 20 items on the APT, and it generally takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), The AFQT Predictor Test: APT ↗64How many times can an applicant take the APT, and is it timed?
As many times as they like, with no time limits.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“There is no limit to the number of times an applicant can take the APT, and there are no time limits.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), The AFQT Predictor Test: APT ↗65True or false: a qualifying APT score guarantees the same score on the ASVAB.
False. The APT is a prediction, not a guarantee of the ASVAB score.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“It is important to understand that an applicant’s score on the APT is not a guarantee of what the applicant will score on the ASVAB.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), The AFQT Predictor Test: APT ↗66Why is the ASVAB not offered in Spanish?
All military members must be able to speak English, and the many Spanish dialects would also be a problem.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Also, there are many different dialects of Spanish spoken.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗67Can ACT or SAT scores be used in place of the ASVAB?
No. The ASVAB predicts success in the military; the ACT and SAT predict success in college.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The ASVAB is designed to predict success in the military, while the ACT and SAT are designed to predict success in college.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), FAQs ↗68What test preparation does the ASVAB Testing Program officially recommend?
No particular method. It recommends only a solid core of math, English and science courses in high school or college.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The ASVAB Testing Program does not endorse any particular method of test preparation beyond recommending that examinees take a solid core of courses in mathematics, English, and science in high school and/or college.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Preparing for the ASVAB ↗69What were the Army Alpha and Army Beta tests?
Army aptitude tests developed in 1917-1918; the Beta was a non-verbal version for illiterate, unschooled or non-English-speaking recruits.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The Army Beta was a non-verbal counterpart to the Army Alpha. It was used to evaluate the aptitude of illiterate, unschooled, or non-English speaking draftees and volunteers.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), History of Military Testing ↗70When was the first ASVAB introduced, and when did all the Services begin using it?
1968, as a paper-and-pencil test in the Student Testing Program; all the Services used it for selection and classification starting in 1976.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“In 1976, the ASVAB was first used by all of the Services for selection and classification.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), History of Military Testing ↗71In what year did the Services go back to a single screening test called the AFQT?
1950.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“In 1950, the Services returned to a single test, the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT).”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), History of Military Testing ↗72A soldier already on active duty wants to retake the ASVAB to change jobs. Is that possible, and where do they start?
Yes. The Services give the ASVAB to current members; ask the base educational office about in-service testing.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“To get more information about in-service testing, contact your base educational office.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), Where to Take the ASVAB ↗73Does a high school pay to give the ASVAB Career Exploration Program?
No. It is free for participating schools.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is free of charge to participating schools.”
— OfficialASVAB.com (DoD ASVAB Testing Program), ASVAB Career Exploration Program ↗Know questions we're missing?
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