Assembling Objects (AO)
Assembling Objects is an ASVAB subtest that measures spatial reasoning and the ability to visualize how pieces fit together. It appears only on the CAT-ASVAB and is used in some Navy line score calculations.
Exam Tip
AO tests spatial reasoning with connector and puzzle questions. Only on CAT-ASVAB (not paper version). Used mainly by Navy for line scores. NOT part of AFQT calculation.
What is the Assembling Objects Subtest?
Assembling Objects (AO) is the ASVAB subtest that tests your spatial reasoning abilities. It measures how well you can mentally manipulate shapes and determine how parts connect or fit together.
Subtest Details
| Feature | CAT-ASVAB | Paper ASVAB |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 15 | Not included |
| Time | 18 minutes | N/A |
| Format | Multiple choice | N/A |
Question Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Connectors | Two shapes connected at specific points; identify the correct assembled result |
| Puzzles | Fragmented shapes; determine how pieces fit together to form a complete shape |
AO in Line Scores
The AO subtest is primarily used by the Navy for certain line score calculations:
| Composite | Uses AO? |
|---|---|
| Navy AO composite | Yes |
| AFQT | No |
| Army composites | No |
| Air Force composites | No |
Study Tips
- Practice rotating shapes mentally
- Focus on connection points in connector problems
- Look at overall shape outlines first, then details
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers before analyzing closely
- Use scratch paper to sketch if needed
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Related Terms
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude test administered by the U.S. Department of Defense to determine qualification for military enlistment and job placement across all branches. It consists of 10 subtests covering verbal, math, science, and technical domains.
Line Scores (ASVAB)
Line scores are composite scores derived from specific combinations of ASVAB subtest results. Each military branch uses different line score formulas to determine which jobs a recruit qualifies for, separate from the AFQT enlistment score.
CAT-ASVAB (Computer Adaptive Test)
The CAT-ASVAB is the computer-adaptive version of the ASVAB taken at Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS). It adapts question difficulty based on your answers, contains 145 questions across 10 subtests, and takes approximately 154 minutes.
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