Using the Technique of Elimination for Better ASVAB Scores
When taking the ASVAB/AFQT, it is important that you keep pace with the test taking process. Each section is timed. The amount of time you have to take each section is announced; it is important that you keep within the time allowed, using a wristwatch to help you in keeping pace. Even though you studied regularly, you still do not know all the answers. That's where the technique of elimination will help you keep pace.
You may not know all the answers but you can tell an obviously wrong answer when you see one. Consider the word "ominous" in the following example:
The small number of shoppers on Black Friday was an ominous sign of a poor economy.
The word "ominous" in this sentence most nearly means
A. mechanical
B. comedic
C. agricultural
D. warning
Read the sentence first for meaning. Even if you do not know the meaning of the word "ominous," you know the sentence is referring to a small number of shoppers and a poor economy. By the process of elimination, "mechanical" has no relationship to those things, so it can be eliminated. It's the same for "comedic." There is nothing comical about a small number of shoppers and a poor economy. You can eliminate that answer too. Now there are two words left and you strongly believe that "agriculture" has something to do with farming, so that's probably not it either. That leaves you with the word "warning." You try the "warning" word in the sentence, putting it in place of the word "ominous." That works very well so there's your answer. The sentence could just as well read as follows:
The small number of shoppers on Black Friday was a warning sign of a poor economy.
When you're trying to eliminate wrong answers, it may help you to use a marking system that will distinguish "good" answers from "bad" ones. Your system can be a number or letter system. It can be something as simple as "b" for bad, and "g" for good, and "m" for maybe. Keep in mind that there is no penalty for wrong answers on the ASVAB; you are scored on the number of correct answers only, so you shouldn't leave any questions blank. To do so would be to miss a chance for guessing correctly and getting a higher score.