The ASVAB

ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a tool used by the military to identify occupational fields that applicants are more prone to succeed. This is one the most important steps within the enlistment process. This test will determine which jobs you are eligible for and the higher the score, the more options you will have when picking a rating.

These are the areas covered on the exam:

• General Science - Measures knowledge of physical and biological sciences.
• Arithmetic Reasoning - Measures ability to solve arithmetic word problems.
• Word Knowledge - Measures ability to select the correct meaning of words presented in context, and identify synonyms.
• Paragraph Comprehension - Measures ability to obtain information from written material.
• Auto and Shop Information - Measures knowledge of automobiles, tools, and shop terminology and practices.
• Mathematics Knowledge - Measures knowledge of high school mathematics principles.
• Mechanical Comprehension - Measures knowledge of mechanical and physical principles, and ability to visualize how illustrated objects work
• Electronics Information - Tests knowledge of electricity and electronics
• Assembling Objects - Tests ability to select what mechanical device could be built from given parts.

Test takers get a score for each of theses areas and also an AFQT score, that is derived from the Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) and Mathematics Knowledge (MK) portions of the test.

Now, most of my background is in sciences and mathematics was not one of my favorite topics in school. Most of the content covered on the ASVAB is high school level, and it had been almost 14 years since I saw that stuff. Oh boy!!! So I purchased two books and spent some time brushing up my math skills.

I had two weeks until test day, so I practiced and practiced and practiced some more. I concentrated my time on mathematics, word knowledge, general science and paragraph comprehension.

I did not sweat over all of the other stuff, tools, automobile, mechanics, electricity because they were not directly related with jobs that I was looking for.

So find out which sub tests you need to score well for the job you are seeking and concentrate on those areas. Here are some examples of rates:

• Air Traffic Controlman - (AR+2MK+GS=210)
• Engineman - (MK+AS=96)
• Seaman(Submarine) - (AR+MK+EI+GS=200)

I ended up scoring on the 70 percentile. Applicants can retake the test (after 30 days), if they wish to increase their score, but the most recent attempt will prevail. So if your score is lower on your second attempt, you will have to wait for six months until you can retake the test.

Taking the test does not commit you to enlist in the Navy.

Emerson Bertoni

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