This overview includes information to help you prepare for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. You will find details about the current test formats, ASVAB subtests, AFQT scoring, registration, test-day procedures, retesting, preparation, and study resources.
Enlistment Subtests10 aptitude subtests | CAT-ASVAB135 scored questions |
Average CAT Testing TimeApproximately 2 hours | CalculatorNot permitted |
What Is the ASVAB?
ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It is a multiple-aptitude test used to help determine military enlistment eligibility and qualification for military occupations and training programs.
The ASVAB measures developed abilities in verbal, mathematical, scientific, technical, mechanical, and spatial areas. It does not produce only one score. Test takers receive individual subtest scores, an Armed Forces Qualification Test score, and service-specific composite scores.
The ASVAB is also administered to high school and post-secondary students through the ASVAB Career Exploration Program. Participation in the school program does not create an obligation to join the military.
Key point: The ASVAB and AFQT are not two separate entrance examinations. The AFQT is a score calculated from four ASVAB subtests.
What Is on the ASVAB?
The enlistment version of the ASVAB contains 10 subtests measuring aptitude in four broad domains: Verbal, Math, Science and Technical, and Spatial.
Auto Information and Shop Information are administered separately on the CAT-ASVAB but are combined into one Auto and Shop score. On the paper-and-pencil test, they are administered as one combined subtest.
ASVAB Test Formats
The ASVAB may be delivered as a proctored computerized test, a paper-and-pencil test, or the unproctored PiCAT. Your recruiter, school, testing location, and program determine which format is available.
CAT-ASVAB Questions and Time Limits
The proctored CAT-ASVAB contains 135 scored questions. Each subtest has its own time limit.
Some test takers receive unscored tryout questions in two to four subtests. When tryout questions are included, additional questions and additional time are added to those subtests.
The published limits are maximum times, not expected completion times. Most candidates finish the proctored CAT-ASVAB in approximately two hours.
How Does the CAT-ASVAB Work?
CAT stands for computerized adaptive testing. The difficulty of the questions changes based on the test taker’s performance.
A correct response may lead to a more difficult question, while an incorrect response may lead to an easier one. This allows the system to estimate aptitude efficiently with fewer scored questions than the paper-and-pencil test.
CAT-ASVAB Rules
- Each subtest has a separate time limit.
- The screen displays the remaining questions and time.
- You move to the next subtest as soon as you complete the current one.
- You cannot return to a previous question after submitting an answer.
- You cannot return to a completed subtest.
- Tryout questions are not identified and should be treated like scored questions.
What Is the PiCAT?
PiCAT stands for Pending Internet Computerized Adaptive Test. It is an unproctored version of the CAT-ASVAB that may be taken from home or another suitable location with internet access.
PiCAT is not available through public self-registration. A military recruiter must determine that the applicant is eligible and provide an access code.
PiCAT Verification Test
The Verification Test, sometimes called the Vtest, confirms that the PiCAT result accurately represents the applicant’s performance.
The verification session is much shorter than the full PiCAT and generally takes 25 to 30 minutes. A successful verification converts the PiCAT result into the applicant’s official ASVAB score of record.
Candidates do not receive a separate numerical score for the Verification Test. Follow the recruiter’s instructions regarding the verification location, deadline, and possible follow-up testing.
How Is the ASVAB Scored?
Each ASVAB subtest produces a Standard Score. Standard Scores describe performance compared with a national reference group.
Military applicants also receive an AFQT percentile score and service-specific composite scores. These scores serve different purposes.
AFQT Subtests
The AFQT score is calculated using four ASVAB subtests:
- Arithmetic Reasoning
- Mathematics Knowledge
- Word Knowledge
- Paragraph Comprehension
AFQT scores are reported as percentiles from 1 to 99. An AFQT score of 60 means that the candidate performed as well as or better than 60% of the national reference group.
Military branches establish their own enlistment and job-qualification requirements. These standards can change and may differ based on education, recruiting needs, program, and occupation. Confirm current requirements with a recruiter.
How Long Are ASVAB Scores Valid?
ASVAB scores may generally be used for military enlistment for up to two years after the testing date, provided the scores can be verified as belonging to the applicant.
School ASVAB and Enlistment ASVAB
Students may take the ASVAB through the Career Exploration Program at a high school or post-secondary institution. Military applicants usually take the enlistment ASVAB through a recruiter at a Military Entrance Processing Station or Military Entrance Test site.
Career Exploration Program
| Enlistment Testing Program
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A qualifying school ASVAB result may be used for enlistment for up to two years if the score can be verified. A recruiter can explain whether an existing school score is usable for the applicant’s current enlistment process.
How Do I Register for the ASVAB?
Applicants interested in joining the military must contact a recruiter. The recruiter conducts an initial eligibility review and schedules testing when the applicant is eligible to continue.
Most enlistment testing takes place at a Military Entrance Processing Station, commonly called a MEPS. Applicants who do not live near a MEPS may test at an affiliated Military Entrance Test site.
Registration Paths
- Military applicant: Contact a recruiter for eligibility screening and scheduling.
- High school or post-secondary student: Contact a teacher, counselor, or participating school.
- Current service member: Contact the appropriate base education office for in-service testing information.
How Much Does the ASVAB Cost?
Military applicants do not register for the enlistment ASVAB as a commercial public examination. Testing is arranged through a recruiter as part of military applicant processing.
School testing is coordinated through the participating educational institution or Career Exploration Program.
What Should I Expect on Test Day?
Follow the instructions from your recruiter, school, testing administrator, MEPS, or MET site. Requirements can vary by location and testing program.
Candidates who arrive late may be turned away and required to reschedule. Plan transportation and arrival time in advance.
Can I Use a Calculator on the ASVAB?
Calculators are not permitted on the ASVAB. Mathematical questions are designed to evaluate whether the candidate can apply arithmetic and mathematical principles without calculator assistance.
Practice completing all arithmetic by hand. You should be comfortable working with:
- Whole-number operations
- Fractions and mixed numbers
- Decimals
- Percentages
- Ratios and proportions
- Rates and unit conversions
- Basic algebra
- Geometry formulas
Can I Retake the ASVAB?
Candidates may retake the ASVAB, but mandatory waiting periods apply.
The retesting policy applies whether the previous ASVAB was taken through a school or as an enlistment test.
Additional rules may apply when a score is invalidated, a major AFQT increase requires confirmation, or an applicant is already participating in a branch-specific enlistment program.
A critical AFQT increase of 20 or more points within six months may require an immediate Confirmation Test. Follow the current instructions from your recruiter.
How Can I Prepare for the ASVAB?
Begin with a diagnostic practice test. Separate missed questions into content errors, calculation errors, misunderstanding, and time-management problems.
Candidates primarily concerned with enlistment eligibility should give extra attention to the four AFQT subtests. Candidates seeking qualification for particular military occupations must also prepare for the science, technical, mechanical, and spatial subtests used in service composite scores.
ASVAB Study Checklist
- Confirm whether you are preparing for the CAT-ASVAB, paper-and-pencil test, or PiCAT.
- Prioritize Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension.
- Review biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and scientific reasoning.
- Study electricity, circuits, electronic components, and electrical safety.
- Review automobile systems, tools, materials, fasteners, and shop practices.
- Study force, motion, work, energy, gears, pulleys, levers, fluids, and pressure.
- Practice spatial-assembly questions.
- Complete all math practice without a calculator.
- Complete timed practice after learning the underlying methods.
- Review every missed question and every correct answer obtained through guessing.
Preparing for the AFQT Subtests
Arithmetic and Mathematics
| Vocabulary and Reading
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Preparing for Technical and Spatial Subtests
Science and Technical
| Mechanical and Spatial
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ASVAB Study Resources
Free Downloadable Study Guide:
Top Study Guide:
Best Online Course:
High-Quality Flashcards:
Free Practice Resources:
ASVAB®, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery®, AFQT®, CAT-ASVAB®, and PiCAT® are terms associated with United States military testing programs. Mometrix Media LLC and StudyGuideZone.com are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Armed Forces, Department of Defense, United States Military Entrance Processing Command, or any official military testing authority.
