The ASVAB is a multiple-choice test designed to evaluate your skills in ten areas:
- General Science
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Word Knowledge
- Paragraph Comprehension
- Numerical Operations
- Coding Speed
- Auto and Shop Information
- Mathematics Knowledge
- Mechanical Comprehension and
- Electronics
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has provided the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a nationally-normed, multi-aptitude test battery, to high school and post-secondary school students since 1968.
Additional ASVAB information:
- The ASVAB has a total number of 200 items
- The Test Time is 134 minutes
- Administrative Time is 46 minutes
- The Total Test Time is 180 minutes
Note: “Numerical Operations” and “Coding Speed” were formerly addressed on ASVAB, but have been discontinued.
TEST SUBJECTS:
General Science covers the material generally taught in junior and senior high school science courses. Most of the questions deal with life and physical science. There are also a few questions on earth science. The life science items deal with basic biology, human nutrition, and health. The physical science items are concerned with elementary chemistry and physics. Fundamentals of geology, meteorology, and astronomy may be included in the earth science area.
Arithmetic Reasoning covers basic mathematical problems generally encountered in everyday life. These questions are designed to measure general reasoning and the ability to solve mathematical problems.
Word Knowledge tests ability to understand the meaning of words through synonyms”words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as other words. The test questions may appear in either of two forms: (1) the key word appears in the stem and is followed by “most nearly means,” or (2) the key word is used in a sentence.
Paragraph Comprehension consists of reading paragraphs that vary in length from one paragraph to several, and they are followed by one or more questions.
Numerical Operations contains simple, two-number computations in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. All numbers are one- or two-digit whole numbers.
Auto & Shop Information covers the material generally taught in automobile mechanics in vocational-technical schools and in shop instruction. The automotive information may also be acquired as a hobby or by working with automobiles. The questions generally pertain to diagnosing malfunctions of a car, the use of particular parts on a car, or meaning of terminology. The shop information may also be acquired as a hobby or through shop experience using a variety of tools and materials.
Mathematics Knowledge measures general mathematical knowledge. It is a test of your ability to solve problems using high school mathematics, including algebra and some basic geometry.
Mechanical Comprehension measures your understanding of mechanical and physical principles. Many of the questions use drawings to illustrate specific principles. Understanding of these principles comes from observing the physical world, working with or operating mechanical devices, or reading and studying.
Electronics Information deals with electricity, radio principles, and electronics. This information can be learned through working on radios, working on electrical equipment, reading books, or taking courses.
Assembling Objects is only provided on the computer-based test and requires the test taker to determine how parts of an object might logically fit together.
|
Subtest
|
Minutes
|
Questions
|
Description
|
| General Science |
11
|
25
|
Measures knowledge of physical and biological sciences |
| Arithmetic Reasoning |
36
|
30
|
Measures ability to solve arithmetic word problems |
| Word Knowledge |
11
|
35
|
Measures ability to select the correct meaning of words presented in context, and identify synonyms |
| Paragraph Comprehension |
13
|
15
|
Measures ability to obtain information from written material |
| Auto and Shop Information |
11
|
25
|
Measures knowledge of automobiles, tools, and shop terminology and practices |
| Mathematics Knowledge |
24
|
25
|
Measures knowledge of high school mathematics principles |
| Mechanical Comprehension |
19
|
25
|
Measures knowledge of mechanical and physical principles, and ability to visualize how illustrated objects work |
| Electronics Information |
9
|
20
|
Tests knowledge of electricity and electronics |
 |
|
|
|
