Key Takeaways
- Common ASVAB vocabulary includes military, technical, and academic terms frequently tested.
- Process of elimination can narrow down choices even when you do not know the exact definition.
- Watch for answer choices that are synonyms of each other - usually both are wrong.
- Words with similar prefixes or roots to the target word are often incorrect distractors.
- Trust your first instinct but verify using word parts and context when available.
Word Knowledge Practice
This section focuses on commonly tested ASVAB vocabulary words and strategies for handling questions when you encounter unfamiliar terms.
High-Frequency ASVAB Words
These words appear frequently on the ASVAB. Study them carefully:
Level 1: Essential Words
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Abate | To reduce or decrease | The storm began to abate by evening. |
| Acute | Sharp, severe, or keen | She felt acute pain in her shoulder. |
| Advocate | To support or recommend | The general advocated for better equipment. |
| Concise | Brief and to the point | Write a concise report of the incident. |
| Deficient | Lacking something needed | The diet was deficient in vitamins. |
| Diligent | Hardworking, careful | A diligent soldier checks equipment daily. |
| Feasible | Possible, practical | The mission was deemed feasible. |
| Fortitude | Courage in adversity | Prisoners showed remarkable fortitude. |
| Hostile | Unfriendly, aggressive | They entered hostile territory. |
| Implement | To put into action | The commander will implement the plan. |
Level 2: Intermediate Words
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Ample | More than enough | There was ample time to complete the task. |
| Candid | Honest, straightforward | She gave a candid assessment of the situation. |
| Competent | Capable, qualified | Only competent personnel may operate the vehicle. |
| Deter | To discourage or prevent | The security measures deter intruders. |
| Elaborate | Detailed, complex | The plan was too elaborate to execute quickly. |
| Feasible | Possible, achievable | Is this timeline feasible? |
| Hazardous | Dangerous, risky | Handle hazardous materials with care. |
| Imminent | About to happen | An attack was imminent. |
| Meticulous | Extremely careful | The inspector was meticulous in his review. |
| Proficient | Skilled, expert | She is proficient in three languages. |
Level 3: Advanced Words
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Ambiguous | Unclear, having multiple meanings | The orders were ambiguous and caused confusion. |
| Benevolent | Kind, generous | The benevolent leader helped the community. |
| Concur | To agree | I concur with your assessment. |
| Detrimental | Harmful, damaging | Lack of sleep is detrimental to performance. |
| Exemplary | Outstanding, serving as a model | Her conduct was exemplary. |
| Indifferent | Not caring, neutral | He seemed indifferent to the outcome. |
| Negligent | Careless, failing to take proper care | Negligent handling caused the accident. |
| Obsolete | Outdated, no longer used | The equipment is obsolete and must be replaced. |
| Prudent | Wise, careful in practical matters | A prudent decision saved resources. |
| Substantiate | To prove, provide evidence | Can you substantiate your claim? |
Strategies for Unknown Words
Strategy 1: Eliminate Obvious Wrong Answers
Even if you do not know a word, you can often eliminate choices:
Example: "Laconic most nearly means:" A. Talkative B. Brief in speech C. Musical D. Angry
Even without knowing "laconic," you might eliminate:
- "Musical" - seems unrelated to a personality trait word
- "Angry" - common word that would not be tested this way
This leaves A and B, giving you a 50/50 chance.
Strategy 2: Watch for Synonym Traps
If two answer choices mean nearly the same thing, both are usually wrong:
Example: "Serene most nearly means:" A. Angry B. Furious C. Calm D. Loud
"Angry" and "Furious" are synonyms - if one were correct, both would have to be. They are both wrong. Answer: C (Calm)
Strategy 3: Beware Similar-Sounding Distractors
Wrong answers often share word parts with the correct term:
Example: "Benevolent most nearly means:" A. Violent B. Kind C. Blessed D. Beneficial
"Beneficial" shares the root "bene-" but is a trap. "Benevolent" specifically means kind and generous in nature. Answer: B
Strategy 4: Consider Word Tone
Positive words usually have positive answers; negative words have negative answers:
| Word Tone | Likely Answer Tone |
|---|---|
| "Benevolent" (positive) | Kind, generous, helpful |
| "Malicious" (negative) | Harmful, evil, cruel |
| "Diligent" (positive) | Hardworking, careful |
| "Negligent" (negative) | Careless, irresponsible |
Practice Applying Strategies
When you encounter an unknown word:
- Break it into parts - Look for familiar prefixes, roots, suffixes
- Use context clues - What does the sentence suggest?
- Determine tone - Is it positive or negative?
- Eliminate wrong answers - Remove obvious mismatches
- Make your best choice - Trust your analysis
Military Vocabulary
The ASVAB often includes military-related terms:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Reconnaissance | Military observation to gather information |
| Deploy | To position troops or equipment for action |
| Tactical | Relating to small-scale military actions |
| Strategic | Relating to long-term military planning |
| Logistics | Organization of supplies and equipment |
| Ordinance | Military weapons and ammunition |
| Personnel | People employed in an organization |
| Surveillance | Close observation, especially of a suspected person |
Key Takeaways
- Study high-frequency ASVAB vocabulary systematically.
- Use elimination strategies when facing unknown words.
- Watch for synonym traps and similar-sounding distractors.
- Consider word tone to narrow down choices.
- Familiarize yourself with military terminology.
"The soldier showed exemplary conduct throughout the deployment." Exemplary most nearly means:
Obsolete most nearly means:
"His negligent attitude toward safety regulations endangered the entire team." Negligent most nearly means:
If two answer choices are synonyms of each other (like "angry" and "furious"), what should you conclude?