How to Study for the ASVAB

This article was co-authored by Ted Coopersmith, MBA. Ted Coopersmith is an Academic Tutor for Manhattan Elite Prep, a test prep and academic tutoring company based in New York City. In addition to general academic advising, Ted has expertise in preparing for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, and ASVAB tests. He also has over 30 years of financial controller advising and consulting experience. He holds a BA from the City University of New York (CUNY) and an MBA from Pace University.

There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

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The ASVAB—or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery—is a military aptitude test that you’ll be required to take before enlisting in any branch of the U.S. Armed Services. The ASVAB comprises 10 separate tests that gauge your knowledge on a variety of subjects. Once you’ve met with a military recruiter, if they think that you’re fit to join the military, you’ll be assigned a date on which to take the ASVAB. The test can be taken either by computer or with pencil and paper, but the 2 versions are more or less identical. [1] X Research source In order to ensure that you perform as well as possible on the test, it’s important for you to study in advance.

Setting up a Study Schedule

• If you’re not sure of your testing date, get in touch with your military recruiter. They’ll be able to tell you.

• For example, plan to study from 7 to 8 am before going in to work. Or, if you’re more of a night owl, study after dinner from 9 to 10 pm.

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• Don’t just use the calculator on your phone. During the real ASVAB test, you’ll need to either turn off or surrender your phone so you can’t use it to look up information online.

• For example, the Union Test Prep guide lets you hone in on each of the 10 study areas. Learn more online at: https://uniontestprep.com/asvab/study-guide.
• Also check out the free study guide provided by ASVAB Tutor online here: https://asvabtutor.com/asvab-study-guides//

Take practice tests to prepare you for taking the actual ASVAB exam. As the testing date approaches, take at least 3–4 practice ASVAB tests to get yourself ready for taking the real thing. This is especially important if you’re not great at taking tests in general or if you get nervous during exams. Limit yourself to 2 hours and 30 minutes—the time limit of the real ASVAB—so that you’ll be used to the time constraint. [6] X Research source You can find practice exams online. [7] X Expert Source

• Access the official military-run ASVAB practice test site online at: https://www.asvabpracticetests.com/.
• You can also view sample questions on the official ASVAB exam website online at: http://official-asvab.com/samples_coun.htm.

Preparing for Each Test

Practice your reading comprehension skills for the Paragraph Comprehension test. This important section of the text will quiz you on reading comprehension at the paragraph level. The test is used to determine your aptitude for certain types of reading-heavy military positions. You’ll be given 1 paragraph, followed by a series of questions that test your understanding of what you just read. Study for this test by reading single paragraphs in a variety of fields (e.g., sports, politics, and culture) in a newspaper. Then stop and try to remember as much as you can about what you just read. [8] X Research source

• If you take the ASVAB with pencil and paper, you’ll be given 13 minutes to answer 15 questions. In the computer version of the test—known as the CAT-ASVAB—you’ll have 22 minutes to answer 11 questions.
• Keep your reading and vocabulary skills current by spending some time each day reading major periodicals, magazines, and books. [9] X Expert Source

• On the paper version of the ASVAB, you’ll be given 11 minutes to answer 35 questions. If you take the test on a computer, you’ll have 8 minutes to answer 16 questions.

• If you take a pen-and-paper ASVAB test, you’ll have 36 minutes to answer 30 questions. In the computer-administered version, you’ll have 39 minutes to answer 16 questions.
• You are not allowed to use a calculator on this test.

Crack a math textbook to prepare for the Mathematics Knowledge test. As its name suggests, this portion of the ASVAB tests your knowledge of high-school-level math topics including geometry and algebra. You’ll also be asked to convert fractions into decimals and to add and subtract fractions. If you score well on the test, you’ll be in a good position to be considered for military jobs that are heavy on math and logistical planning. Study by brushing up on your math skills from a high-school textbook. Answer problems from each chapter, since the Math Knowledge test covers many areas of math. [12] X Research source

• This is the only ASVAB test on which you’re allowed to use a calculator.
• In the paper version of the ASVAB, you’ll have 24 minutes to answer 25 questions. In the CAT-ASVAB, you’ll have 20 minutes to answer 16 questions.
• The math portion is often the most difficult, especially if you've been out of school for a while. It may help to hire a tutor to help you brush up on math concepts like algebra and geometry. [13] X Expert Source