General Content Information Regarding the ASVAB

You already know that the ASVAB contains four subtests that make up your AFQT score. The four AFQT subtests that are used to determine basic eligibility for enlistment are as follows: Arithmetic Reasoning, Math Knowledge, Word Knowledge, and Paragraph Comprehension.

Aside from the four core tests from which the AFQT score is obtained, the other ASVAB tests aim to determine your aptitudes for a variety of military service occupations. The military services determine whether you can be an electronics technician, a military policeman, or an aviation mechanic, for example, by a mix of your AFQT scores and your scores on the other aptitude tests, such as the Electronics Information test, the Mechanical Comprehension Test, the Auto and Shop Information Test, and the General Science test.

The entire ASVAB takes about three hours to complete and consists of about 200 questions or challenge items. Review a ASVAB test study guide or study using ASVAB test flashcards so that you strengthen any areas that might be more difficult for you on the test. Some of the three hour time period allotted for the test is set up for reading the instructions, stretch breaks, or other administrative activities. About 35 minutes is set for administrative tasks, and about 135 minutes is actual test time.

With regard to the individual ASVAB tests, they vary in length, ranging from 9 minutes for the 20-question Electronics Information test to a total of 36 minutes for the 30-question Arithmetic Reasoning exam. It may be of interest to you that the sequence of individual testing is always the same.

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