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FREE ASVAB Study Schedule 2026: 30-Day Plan to Score 70+

Free 30-day ASVAB study schedule for 2026. Day-by-day plan covering all 10 subtests with 2-3 hours daily. Week 1: Verbal, Week 2: Math, Week 3: Technical, Week 4: Practice tests. Score 70+ on your AFQT with this proven study plan.

Ran Chen, EA, CFP®February 15, 2026

✓Key Facts

  • •A structured 30-day ASVAB study plan with 2-3 hours daily (60-90 total hours) can improve AFQT scores by 20-40+ points over unstructured studying.
  • •Week 1 focuses on verbal subtests (WK + PC) because Verbal Expression is doubled in the AFQT formula (2VE + AR + MK), giving the biggest score boost per study hour.
  • •Week 2 covers math subtests (AR + MK) with emphasis on no-calculator practice since the ASVAB does not allow calculators.
  • •Week 3 addresses technical subtests (GS, EI, MC, AS, AO) that determine line scores and job qualification but do not affect AFQT.
  • •Week 4 includes two full-length timed practice tests under test-day conditions plus targeted weak area review.
  • •Taking a diagnostic practice test before starting (Day 0) establishes a baseline and identifies which subtests need the most improvement.
  • •Mastering 50 Latin and Greek word roots can unlock the meaning of hundreds of vocabulary words tested on Word Knowledge.
  • •The top 5 math topics for ASVAB AR are: percentages, ratios/proportions, distance-rate-time, combined work rates, and unit conversions.
  • •For MK, memorize Pythagorean triples (3-4-5, 5-12-13, 8-15-17) and key geometry formulas (area, volume, circumference) to save time on test day.

Your 30-Day ASVAB Study Schedule: From Zero to 70+ AFQT

A structured study plan is the single biggest factor in ASVAB success. Most candidates who score 50+ follow a plan; most who score below 31 studied randomly or not at all.

This 30-day study schedule is designed to take you from wherever you are now to an AFQT score of 70+ — high enough to qualify for nearly every job across all branches. The plan requires 2-3 hours of focused study per day and prioritizes the AFQT subtests (which determine your enlistment eligibility) while covering all 10 subtests for maximum line score potential.

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Follow this study schedule with our free practice questions, AI study help, and detailed explanations for all 10 subtests.

Before You Begin: Diagnostic Assessment

Day 0 (Before Your 30 Days Start):

Before following this schedule, take a full-length practice ASVAB to establish your baseline. Record your scores for all 10 subtests:

SubtestYour ScoreTarget ScoreGap
Word Knowledge (WK)___55+___
Paragraph Comprehension (PC)___55+___
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)___55+___
Mathematics Knowledge (MK)___55+___
General Science (GS)___50+___
Electronics Information (EI)___50+___
Mechanical Comprehension (MC)___50+___
Auto Information (AI)___50+___
Shop Information (SI)___50+___
Assembling Objects (AO)___50+___

Important: Focus most of your energy on the subtests with the largest gaps.

Week 1: Verbal Mastery (Days 1-7)

The verbal subtests (WK + PC) combine into Verbal Expression (VE), which is doubled in the AFQT formula. Improving VE gives you the biggest AFQT boost per hour of study.

Day 1: Word Knowledge Foundations (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivityDetails
0:00-0:30Learn 30 ASVAB vocabulary wordsFocus on commonly tested words (e.g., abate, benevolent, candid)
0:30-1:00Study prefixes and suffixesMaster 20 common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis-, anti-) and 15 suffixes (-tion, -ous, -ible, -ment, -ness)
1:00-1:30WK practice set (25 questions)Timed: 30 seconds per question to simulate test speed
1:30-2:00Review wrong answersLook up every word you missed; add to flashcard list
2:00-2:30Word roots studyLearn 20 Latin/Greek roots (bene = good, mal = bad, dict = speak, scrib = write)

Day 2: Word Knowledge Advanced (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Review Day 1 vocabulary + learn 30 new words
0:30-1:00Context clues strategy practice
1:00-1:30WK practice set (25 questions, timed)
1:30-2:00Synonym and antonym drills
2:00-2:30Read a news article and identify 10 unfamiliar words

Day 3: Paragraph Comprehension Foundations (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Learn 4 PC question types: main idea, detail, inference, vocabulary in context
0:30-1:15Practice 10 PC passages with questions (timed: 2 minutes per passage)
1:15-1:45Review wrong answers; identify which question types you miss most
1:45-2:15Active reading technique: practice summarizing each paragraph in one sentence
2:15-2:30Review Day 1-2 vocabulary flashcards

Day 4: Paragraph Comprehension Strategies (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Strategy drill: "Read the question first, then the passage"
0:30-1:15Practice 10 PC passages (focus on inference questions)
1:15-1:45Elimination technique practice: remove extreme answer choices
1:45-2:15Speed reading exercises: read 3 passages under time pressure
2:15-2:30Learn 20 new vocabulary words

Day 5: Combined Verbal Practice (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-1:00Full WK practice test (35 questions, timed 11 minutes)
1:00-1:30Review WK results; study every missed word
1:30-2:15Full PC practice test (15 questions, timed 13 minutes)
2:15-2:30Review PC results; note weak question types

Day 6: Verbal Weak Area Focus (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:45Focus on your weakest verbal skill (WK or PC)
0:45-1:30Learn 40 new vocabulary words; review all previous words
1:30-2:15Mixed WK/PC practice set (30 questions)
2:15-2:30Read for pleasure — 15 minutes of any reading improves comprehension

Day 7: Week 1 Review & Assessment (3 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Review all vocabulary flashcards (aim for 80%+ recall)
0:30-1:00Review all PC strategies and question types
1:00-2:00Take a timed verbal mini-test: WK (35 questions) + PC (15 questions)
2:00-2:30Score and analyze: compare to Day 0 baseline
2:30-3:00Create Week 2 adjustment plan based on remaining weak areas

Week 2: Math Intensive (Days 8-14)

Arithmetic Reasoning and Mathematics Knowledge are the other two AFQT subtests. Remember: no calculator is allowed on the ASVAB.

Day 8: Arithmetic Reasoning Foundations (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Review basic operations: fractions, decimals, percentages — all without a calculator
0:30-1:00Learn the AR question types: ratios, percentages, distance/rate/time, work problems
1:00-1:45AR practice set (15 questions, timed: 2.5 minutes each)
1:45-2:15Review wrong answers; write out step-by-step solutions
2:15-2:30Mental math drills: multiply/divide two-digit numbers without paper

Day 9: Arithmetic Reasoning Word Problems (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Strategy: translate word problems to equations
0:30-1:15Practice 15 word problems (percentages, ratios, proportions)
1:15-1:45Distance-rate-time problems drill (D = R x T)
1:45-2:15Work-rate problems drill (combined work rates)
2:15-2:30Review Day 8 vocabulary (keep verbal fresh)

Day 10: Mathematics Knowledge — Algebra (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Review order of operations (PEMDAS)
0:30-1:00Solve linear equations and inequalities (15 problems)
1:00-1:30Quadratic equations: factoring and the quadratic formula
1:30-2:00Exponents and roots: rules and practice (x^a * x^b = x^(a+b))
2:00-2:30MK practice set (16 questions, timed: 20 minutes)

Day 11: Mathematics Knowledge — Geometry (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Memorize geometry formulas: area, perimeter, volume
0:30-1:00Triangle problems: Pythagorean theorem (a^2 + b^2 = c^2), common triples (3-4-5, 5-12-13)
1:00-1:30Circle problems: circumference (2 pi r), area (pi r^2), arc length
1:30-2:00Volume problems: cylinder (pi r^2 h), rectangular solid (lwh), sphere (4/3 pi r^3)
2:00-2:30Mixed geometry practice set (15 problems)

Day 12: Combined Math Practice (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-1:00Full AR practice test (30 questions, timed 36 minutes)
1:00-1:15Score and review AR results
1:15-2:00Full MK practice test (25 questions, timed 24 minutes)
2:00-2:15Score and review MK results
2:15-2:30Identify your 3 weakest math topic areas for Day 13

Day 13: Math Weak Areas (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-1:15Deep dive into your weakest math topics (from Day 12 analysis)
1:15-2:0020 targeted practice problems on weak areas
2:00-2:30Review verbal flashcards + 10 new vocabulary words

Day 14: Week 2 Review & Full AFQT Practice (3 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-2:00Take a full AFQT practice test: WK + PC + AR + MK (timed)
2:00-2:30Score and calculate estimated AFQT percentile
2:30-3:00Compare to Day 0 baseline; adjust Week 3 priorities

Week 2 Target: Your AFQT estimate should be at least 10-15 points higher than your Day 0 baseline.

Week 3: Science & Technical Subtests (Days 15-21)

These subtests don't affect your AFQT, but they determine your line scores and which jobs you can access. High scores here open doors to technical, medical, and electronics career fields.

Day 15: General Science (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:45Life science review: cell biology, human body systems, ecology
0:45-1:15Physical science: atomic structure, periodic table basics, states of matter
1:15-1:45Earth and space science: weather, geology, solar system
1:45-2:15GS practice set (25 questions, timed 11 minutes)
2:15-2:30Review wrong answers; note topics that need more study

Day 16: Electronics Information (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Ohm's Law mastery: V = IR, practice 10 calculations
0:30-1:00Series vs. parallel circuits: rules, total resistance, current flow
1:00-1:30Electrical components: resistors, capacitors, diodes, transformers
1:30-2:00AC vs. DC, conductors vs. insulators, electrical safety
2:00-2:30EI practice set (20 questions, timed 9 minutes)

Day 17: Mechanical Comprehension (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Simple machines: 6 types, mechanical advantage formulas
0:30-1:00Gears and pulleys: direction, speed, force relationships
1:00-1:30Forces: work (W = Fd), energy, Newton's laws
1:30-2:00Fluid mechanics: pressure, hydraulics, Bernoulli's principle
2:00-2:30MC practice set (25 questions, timed 19 minutes)

Day 18: Auto & Shop Information (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:45Auto: 4-stroke engine cycle (intake, compression, power, exhaust)
0:45-1:15Auto: braking systems, cooling systems, electrical systems
1:15-1:45Shop: common hand tools, power tools, measuring tools
1:45-2:15Shop: fasteners (bolts, screws, nails), materials, safety
2:15-2:30AS practice set (25 questions, timed 11 minutes)

Day 19: Assembling Objects (2 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Learn the two AO question types: connector and puzzle assembly
0:30-1:00Strategy: start with the most distinctive shape, use elimination
1:00-1:30AO practice set (25 questions, timed 15 minutes)
1:30-2:00Spatial reasoning puzzles: tangrams, mental rotation exercises

Day 20: Technical Review (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:45Review GS weak areas
0:45-1:15Review EI weak areas (focus on Ohm's Law calculations)
1:15-1:45Review MC weak areas (focus on simple machines)
1:45-2:15Mixed technical practice: 30 questions across GS, EI, MC, AS
2:15-2:30Verbal review: 20 vocabulary flashcards + 1 reading passage

Day 21: Week 3 Review & Technical Assessment (3 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-1:30Take a full technical subtests practice test (GS + EI + MC + AS + AO, timed)
1:30-2:00Score and analyze line score estimates
2:00-2:30Quick AFQT review: 15 WK + 5 PC + 10 AR + 10 MK (mixed)
2:30-3:00Plan Week 4 focus areas based on all scores

Week 4: Full Practice Tests & Weak Areas (Days 22-30)

The final week is about test simulation, weak area targeting, and building confidence.

Day 22: Full-Length Practice ASVAB #1 (3 hours)

Take a complete, timed practice ASVAB covering all 10 subtests under test-day conditions:

  • No calculator
  • No going back to previous questions
  • Timed per subtest
  • Quiet environment, no distractions

After completing, score every section and calculate your estimated AFQT.

Day 23: Practice Test #1 Review (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-1:00Review every wrong answer on AFQT subtests (WK, PC, AR, MK)
1:00-1:45Review wrong answers on technical subtests
1:45-2:15Identify your 5 weakest topic areas across all subtests
2:15-2:30Create a targeted study list for Days 24-26

Day 24: Weak Area Deep Dive #1 (2.5 hours)

Focus entirely on your two weakest subtests from Practice Test #1. Spend 75 minutes on each, mixing review with practice questions.

Day 25: Weak Area Deep Dive #2 (2.5 hours)

Focus on your next two weakest areas. Continue drilling practice problems and reviewing concepts you missed on the practice test.

Day 26: AFQT Power Session (2.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30WK speed drill: 35 questions, 8 minutes (simulate CAT-ASVAB pace)
0:30-1:00PC passage practice: 10 passages, 20 minutes
1:00-1:30AR word problems: 15 questions, 35 minutes
1:30-2:00MK algebra + geometry: 16 questions, 20 minutes
2:00-2:30Review and fill remaining knowledge gaps

Day 27: Full-Length Practice ASVAB #2 (3 hours)

Take another complete, timed practice ASVAB. Same test-day conditions as Day 22. Compare scores to Practice Test #1 and your original baseline.

Day 28: Practice Test #2 Review (2 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-1:00Review all wrong answers; focus on patterns in mistakes
1:00-1:30Final vocabulary review: test yourself on all flashcards
1:30-2:00Final math formulas review: write out every formula from memory

Day 29: Light Review Day (1.5 hours)

Time BlockActivity
0:00-0:30Quick AFQT mixed review: 20 questions (5 WK, 5 PC, 5 AR, 5 MK)
0:30-1:00Review your formula sheet and vocabulary list
1:00-1:30Relaxation and confidence-building: visualize test-day success

Do NOT cram today. Trust your preparation.

Day 30: Test Day Preparation

  • Night before: Prepare ID, directions to MEPS, set 2 alarms
  • Morning: Eat a protein-rich breakfast, arrive 15 minutes early
  • At MEPS: Stay calm, read each question carefully, never leave blanks
  • Remember: No calculator, no going back on CAT-ASVAB, no penalty for guessing

Study Strategies for Each AFQT Subtest

Word Knowledge (WK) Strategies

  • Learn 5-10 new words daily using flashcards
  • Study word roots: knowing 50 roots unlocks hundreds of words
  • Read daily (even 15 minutes) for natural vocabulary growth
  • Practice under time pressure: 30 seconds per question

Paragraph Comprehension (PC) Strategies

  • Read the question before the passage to know what to look for
  • The answer is always in the text — never use outside knowledge
  • Eliminate extremes: answers with "always," "never," or "only" are usually wrong
  • Practice active reading: summarize each paragraph mentally

Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) Strategies

  • Translate words to math: "of" = multiply, "is" = equals, "per" = divide
  • Draw diagrams for word problems
  • Master these topics: percentages, ratios, D=RT, combined work rates
  • Estimate first to eliminate wrong answers

Mathematics Knowledge (MK) Strategies

  • Memorize formulas: area, volume, Pythagorean theorem, quadratic formula
  • Practice without a calculator — this is non-negotiable
  • Know Pythagorean triples: 3-4-5, 5-12-13, 8-15-17
  • Focus on algebra and geometry — they make up most MK questions

Your 30-Day ASVAB Journey Starts Now

-> Start FREE ASVAB PrepFree exam prep with practice questions & AI tutor

Our free ASVAB prep includes:

  • All 10 subtests with practice questions matching this 30-day schedule
  • AI-powered study assistant for instant help when you're stuck
  • Detailed explanations for every question
  • Score tracking to monitor your progress

No credit card. No catch. Start studying today and score 70+ on your AFQT.

Official Resources

Test Your Knowledge
Question 1 of 5

In the AFQT formula (2VE + AR + MK), why is VE doubled?

A
A) Because verbal subtests have more questions
B
B) Because reading ability is the strongest predictor of military success
C
C) Because VE combines two subtests (WK + PC) and the military weighs verbal aptitude heavily
D
D) Because math subtests are easier than verbal subtests
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