Key Takeaways
- General Science (GS): 16 questions, 8 minutes—quick recall of biology, chemistry, and physics facts.
- Electronics Information (EI): 16 questions, 8 minutes—Ohm's Law calculations and component identification.
- Mechanical Comprehension (MC): 16 questions, 20 minutes—problem-solving with machines and physics.
- Read questions carefully; many wrong answers are based on common misconceptions.
- Practice with diagrams—many MC and EI questions include visual elements.
Last updated: January 2026
Applied Science Questions
Quick Answer: The three Science & Technical subtests have different time pressures: GS and EI give you 30 seconds per question (fast recall), while MC gives you 75 seconds (problem-solving). Know the common question types and practice with visual diagrams.
Subtest Comparison
| Subtest | Questions | Time | Seconds/Question | Question Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Science (GS) | 16 | 8 min | 30 sec | Factual recall |
| Electronics Information (EI) | 16 | 8 min | 30 sec | Calculations + identification |
| Mechanical Comprehension (MC) | 16 | 20 min | 75 sec | Problem-solving + reasoning |
General Science (GS) Question Types
Life Science Questions (≈50%)
Common topics tested:
- Cell structure and function
- Human body systems
- Ecology and food chains
- Genetics and heredity
- Classification of organisms
Example question types:
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Which organelle produces ATP?" |
| Classification | "Which is a mammal characteristic?" |
| Process | "What happens during photosynthesis?" |
| Relationship | "What is the relationship between predator and prey?" |
Physical Science Questions (≈50%)
Common topics tested:
- Atomic structure and periodic table
- States of matter
- Chemical reactions
- Force and motion
- Energy transformations
Example question types:
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Identification | "Which particle has a positive charge?" |
| Calculation | "What is the mass number of an element with 6 protons and 7 neutrons?" |
| Concept | "What happens when water freezes?" |
| Application | "Which type of reaction releases heat?" |
GS Test-Taking Tips
- Speed is critical - 30 seconds per question means quick recall
- Don't overthink - First instinct is often correct
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers - Narrow to 2 choices
- Review basic facts - Memorize key terms and definitions
- Know your prefixes - "bio-" means life, "geo-" means earth, etc.
Electronics Information (EI) Question Types
Calculation Questions (≈40%)
Most calculation questions use Ohm's Law or power formulas.
Common calculations:
| Formula | What You Might Solve For |
|---|---|
| V = IR | Voltage, current, or resistance |
| P = VI | Power consumption |
| Series: R_total = R₁ + R₂ + R₃ | Total resistance |
| Parallel: 1/R_total = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ | Total resistance |
Example: "A circuit has 120V and draws 2A. What is the resistance?"
- Answer: R = V/I = 120/2 = 60Ω
Component Identification (≈30%)
Know these components:
| Component | Function | Symbol Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Resistor | Limits current | Zigzag line |
| Capacitor | Stores charge | Two parallel lines |
| Diode | One-way current | Triangle with bar |
| Transistor | Amplify/switch | Three leads |
| Fuse | Overcurrent protection | Small box/link |
Concept Questions (≈30%)
Common concepts:
- AC vs. DC differences
- Series vs. parallel behavior
- Conductor vs. insulator properties
- Grounding and safety
- Current flow direction
EI Test-Taking Tips
- Memorize Ohm's Law triangle - Cover the variable you need
- Know component symbols - Practice identifying schematic symbols
- Remember series vs. parallel rules - They're opposite
- AC is for outlets, DC is for batteries
- Current flows from + to - (conventional flow)
Mechanical Comprehension (MC) Question Types
Machine/Device Questions (≈40%)
Common scenarios:
| Topic | What to Analyze |
|---|---|
| Levers | Class type, MA calculation |
| Pulleys | Count supporting ropes for MA |
| Gears | Direction of rotation, speed vs. torque |
| Inclined planes | Force reduction vs. distance increase |
Example: "Which pulley system requires the least effort to lift a 100 lb weight?"
- Look for the system with the most supporting rope sections
Physics Application Questions (≈35%)
Common applications:
| Concept | Common Question Type |
|---|---|
| Force & motion | Predicting movement direction |
| Work & power | Calculating energy or rate |
| Pressure | Hydraulic systems, area relationships |
| Buoyancy | Will it float or sink? |
Visual/Diagram Questions (≈25%)
MC heavily uses diagrams. Practice analyzing:
- Lever diagrams (identify class, find MA)
- Gear arrangements (direction of rotation)
- Pulley systems (count rope sections)
- Force vectors (direction and magnitude)
MC Test-Taking Tips
- Use your time - 75 seconds is more than other subtests
- Draw diagrams - Use scratch paper to visualize
- Label everything - Mark forces, directions, measurements
- Check your units - Make sure calculations make sense
- Think about trade-offs - More force = less distance, and vice versa
Common Mistakes to Avoid
GS Mistakes
| Mistake | Example |
|---|---|
| Confusing mitosis/meiosis | Mitosis = 2 identical cells; meiosis = 4 gametes |
| Mixing up protons/electrons | Protons = positive; electrons = negative |
| Forgetting energy conservation | Energy transforms, never created or destroyed |
EI Mistakes
| Mistake | Example |
|---|---|
| Wrong Ohm's Law formula | Practice V=IR, I=V/R, R=V/I |
| Confusing series/parallel | Series adds R; parallel uses reciprocal |
| Ignoring units | Keep track of Ω, V, A, W |
MC Mistakes
| Mistake | Example |
|---|---|
| Wrong gear direction | Meshing gears go opposite; belted pulleys go same |
| Forgetting trade-offs | More MA = more distance traveled |
| Not reading diagrams carefully | Count ALL supporting ropes in pulley systems |
Practice Strategy
GS Practice
- Use flashcards for terminology
- Review diagrams of body systems
- Practice periodic table questions
EI Practice
- Solve many Ohm's Law problems
- Study circuit diagrams
- Learn component symbols
MC Practice
- Work through lever and pulley problems
- Practice gear ratio calculations
- Analyze diagrams from multiple angles
Score Impact
These subtests contribute to important line scores:
| Line Score | Subtests Used |
|---|---|
| EL (Electronics) | GS + AR + MK + EI |
| GT (General Technical) | VE + AR |
| MM (Mechanical Maintenance) | AS + MC + EI |
| ST (Skilled Technical) | GS + VE + MK + MC |
High scores in GS, EI, and MC open doors to technical military jobs in electronics, mechanics, aviation, and engineering fields.
Test Your Knowledge
A circuit contains a 9V battery and three resistors in series: 3Ω, 6Ω, and 9Ω. What is the current flowing through the circuit?
A
B
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D
Test Your Knowledge
Two gears are meshed together. Gear A has 20 teeth and Gear B has 40 teeth. If Gear A rotates clockwise, which direction does Gear B rotate?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which statement about photosynthesis is correct?
A
B
C
D