PiCAT (Pre-screening Internet-delivered CAT)
The PiCAT is an unproctored, internet-based version of the ASVAB that can be taken at home. If the results are verified at MEPS through a short confirmation test, PiCAT scores are used as official ASVAB scores for enlistment.
Exam Tip
PiCAT is the at-home ASVAB option. Untimed but must finish within 24 hours. Requires verification at MEPS within 30 days. If verification fails, you take the full CAT-ASVAB instead.
What is the PiCAT?
The PiCAT (Pre-screening Internet-delivered Computer Adaptive Test) is an alternative way to take the ASVAB. It allows recruits to complete the test at home on their own computer, then verify their scores with a brief test at MEPS.
How the PiCAT Works
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Recruiter provides access code |
| 2 | Take the full ASVAB at home (unproctored) |
| 3 | Complete within 24 hours of starting |
| 4 | Visit MEPS within 30 days |
| 5 | Take a short verification test at MEPS |
| 6 | If verified, PiCAT scores become official |
PiCAT vs. CAT-ASVAB
| Feature | PiCAT | CAT-ASVAB |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Home computer | MEPS |
| Proctored | No | Yes |
| Time limit | Untimed (24-hour window) | Timed per subtest |
| Subtests | Same 10 subtests | Same 10 subtests |
| Verification | Required at MEPS | Not needed |
| Scores | Same scale | Same scale |
Verification Test
- Short test (approximately 25-30 minutes)
- Covers a subset of questions
- Compares PiCAT performance to verification performance
- If scores are consistent, PiCAT scores are accepted
- If scores differ significantly, you take the full CAT-ASVAB instead
Important Notes
- Must be completed within 30 days before MEPS visit
- Cannot be paused and resumed (once started, finish within 24 hours)
- No penalty for failing verification (you just take the full CAT-ASVAB)
- Available through recruiter only (cannot self-register)
- Great option for reducing stress on MEPS processing day
- Scores are identical in value to CAT-ASVAB scores
Study This Term In
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.
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.
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