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.
Exam Tip
ASVAB has 10 subtests. CAT-ASVAB (computer) has 145 questions; paper has 225. AFQT = 2VE + AR + MK determines enlistment. Line scores determine job qualification. Scores valid for 2 years.
What is the ASVAB?
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized test used by all branches of the U.S. military to assess an applicant's abilities and match them to appropriate military occupations.
ASVAB Subtests
| Subtest | Abbreviation | Questions (CAT) | Time (CAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Science | GS | 15 | 10 min |
| Arithmetic Reasoning | AR | 15 | 55 min |
| Word Knowledge | WK | 15 | 9 min |
| Paragraph Comprehension | PC | 10 | 27 min |
| Mathematics Knowledge | MK | 15 | 23 min |
| Electronics Information | EI | 15 | 10 min |
| Auto Information | AI | 10 | 7 min |
| Shop Information | SI | 10 | 6 min |
| Mechanical Comprehension | MC | 15 | 22 min |
| Assembling Objects | AO | 15 | 18 min |
Test Versions
| Version | Where Taken | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT-ASVAB | MEPS | 145 | ~154 min |
| Paper ASVAB (P&P) | MET sites | 225 | 149 min |
| PiCAT | Home (online) | Same as CAT | Untimed |
Key Scores
| Score | Purpose |
|---|---|
| AFQT | Determines enlistment eligibility (percentile 1-99) |
| Line Scores | Composite scores determining job qualification |
| Standard Scores | Individual subtest scores (mean ~50, SD ~10) |
AFQT Formula
AFQT = 2VE + AR + MK
VE = WK + PC
Score Validity
ASVAB scores are valid for 2 years for enlistment purposes. Retake policy: 1 month after first attempt, 1 month after second, then 6 months between additional retakes.
Study This Term In
Related Terms
Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT)
The AFQT is the most important ASVAB score, calculated from four subtests using the formula AFQT = 2VE + AR + MK. It is reported as a percentile (1-99) and determines eligibility for military enlistment across all branches.
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.
MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station)
MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) is a Department of Defense facility where military applicants complete the CAT-ASVAB, undergo medical examinations, and take the oath of enlistment. There are 65 MEPS locations across the United States.
10 free AI interactions per day
Stay Updated
Get free exam tips and study guides delivered to your inbox.