Are you struggling with what to study for the ASVAB exam? Are you drawing a blank about where to find the best resources? You have come to the right place. You don’t need to struggle anymore.
The ASVAB is used to determine a person’s fitness for serving in the military. This test is taken by anyone looking to enlist and can also be taken by high school juniors and seniors. Besides helping you understand what you should be studying for the ASVAB exam, we will also provide you with tips and techniques for doing well.
The exam will aid in determining which service branch you are eligible for. Still, it also determines what incentives you will receive when joining the military and is extremely important for you to do well. Keep reading for an abundance of information you can use to do fantastic on the ASVAB exam.
Should You Study for the ASVAB?
Asking if you should study for the ASVAB is like saying should you study for the ACT. The answer is yes. You need to ensure that you are adequately prepared to score as high as possible on your first try. Though you can take a retest, that might be more of a hassle than it’s worth.
Since the ASVAB does not have a pass or fail score, it may be harder to get accepted for a retest. Most branches will only allow a retest if you fail to meet the threshold for acceptance into the program but not only to garner a better score. Therefore, you must do well on the first try.
Your ASVAB score may also significantly affect how you enjoy your time in the military. The lower your score, the more incentives which are not available to you. There are several incentives available to you if you have received a high ASVAB score. These incentives include the following:
Programs Available on Enlistment. Though different individual line items generally determine program eligibility in the military, your composite AFQT can also be used. If this score is massively higher than the average AFQT, you will likely be eligible for more programs.
Eligibility Waivers. Since many individuals are not eligible for enlistment due to many factors, having a high ASVAB score can aid in waiving some of these criteria. This criterion can include things like the level of your education, dependency numbers, medical history, or even criminal history. This means that the military is taking a gamble on you for ineligible recruits because you are highly qualified, as proven by your ASVAB.
Payment Incentives. There are several incentives available to individuals who score high on their ASVAB, with many being monetary. This includes bonuses and even education benefits. Individuals also can become eligible for a student loan repayment program depending on their score.
Enlistment Quotas. At times, when the number of individuals applying for the military is substantial, and there are no surges in enlistment, each branch will often have a quote. Scoring higher on your ASVAB puts you into a category of more qualified applicants, and that should do better in the military. These are also likely the individuals who will be enlisted and accepted.
Outside of doing well for the many amenities available to you, you should do well to measure your aptitude as accurately as possible. There are several ASVAB study guides available to you to ensure that you have all of the information you need.
How Long Should You Study for the ASVAB?
The amount of time that you study for the ASVAB is essential. It should not be too long to cause burnout, and it should not be so short that you aren’t able to retain information. It is recommended that you give yourself at least two months to study for the ASVAB. Depending on your learning style, this can be extended if needed; however, the amount of time should not be shortened.
You want to ensure that it is not necessary to have to cram for the exam. Create a calendar for yourself that maps out your studies and provides time to factor in the use of practice exams.
If you are someone who has had your eyes on the service for some time now, you may have been preparing for the ASVAB long before taking the test. However, if that person is not you, two months is an extraordinary study length.
How to Prepare for the ASVAB?
Before you can begin to prepare for the exam adequately, you must take inventory of what the exam covers. It’s essential that you are aware of what to expect and what you are getting yourself into.
Depending on the version of the exam you are taking, you will have a differing number of subtests. The computerized version of the exam covers ten subtests, whereas the traditional version only includes nine. This is because, on the conventional version of the exam, some information has been condensed into one subset rather than two.
The ASVAB contains four different domains which the subtests fall under. The four domains include spatial, verbal, math, and the exam’s technical or science portion. Each of these domains contains one or more subtests. These subtests include the following:
Spatial Domain: Assembling Objects subtest
Science Domain: General Knowledge Science, Mechanical Comprehension, Shop Information, Electronics Information, Auto Information
Verbal Domain:Â Paragraph comprehension, Word knowledge
Besides knowing what to expect on the exam, you should also know what to expect on the actual test day. This includes where you will be taking it. The test can be administered in multiple locations, including schools, entrance exam sites, and processing stations. You should also know the format in which you are taking the exam and what that means for how much time you have and the test procedure. The test can be administered on the computer or in a traditional style, paper & pencil.
Depending on your exam location, there may be other tests administered before or after the ASVAB. This includes things like vision exams, blood pressure tests, and even pregnancy tests.
There are several other ways that you can prepare for the exam. This includes doing things like not being late for the exam and getting ample rest the night before. One major thing that you should also do is relax, breathe, and make sure you are following instructions.
How to Study for the ASVAB?
Studying for the ASVAB doesn’t have to be hard as long as you pace yourself. There are several strategies and tips that you can employ to make sure that you are retaining what you study.
Create a Study Calendar
Start by building a calendar that you can use to study for each area of the exam that incorporates everything that will be on the test. This ensures that when you sit down to study, you know what you are studying and where you left off last.
Study in your Exam’s Format
Depending on which way you are taking the exam, you should study in that exact manner. Get yourself familiar with writing your answers and timing yourself. You will then know what to expect. You will also need to ensure that you have a good eraser so that no questions are marked wrong due to debris or pencil markings.
Focus on Improvement Areas
You should have an idea of what subjects or domains that you struggle with the most. If not, take a practice test before you begin studying. This makes sure that you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Once you have done this, zero in on the areas where you need the most help, for example, if you are someone who doesn’t do well in math, it would make sense to review reasoning math problems and arithmetic reasoning problems.
You should also focus on areas for positions that you would like to work in. For example, if you are interested in Mechanics, you should zero in on the items specific to that job.
Understand the Test Questions & Test Areas
To do well on the exam, you will also need to ensure that you understand the questions and how they are worded. If you can easily recognize the information presented to you, you can also move through the test quicker. This is excellent for ensuring that you do not spend too much time on a single question or area.
Recommended ASVAB Study Guides
Having the right study guide is essential to studying adequately on the exam. There is an abundance of resources available to you for taking the exam. To do well, getting one of these guides is extremely important. The following are some ASVAB study guides that are highly recommended for preparing for the exam.
ASVAB For Dummies by Angie Johnston
This ASVAB guide is excellent if you are looking for an overview of the exam. Many students are fond of breakdown the guide provides and finds it massively useful. The text includes an abundance of resources to ensure that you do well on the exam. These resources include practice exams, test-taking strategies, and even online resources, which are accessible in a variety of ways.
ASVAB Prep Plus by Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan, one of the leading test prep companies around, also has provided an excellent ASVAB study guide. The books include six practice exams, online and video content, and a diagnostics test. Several purchasers attest to the power of this text. Many say said that it helps them improve their scores substantially.
Wrapping Things Up: What to Study for the ASVAB
Knowing what to study on the ASVAB is essential for doing well. This will ensure that you can get the best score and the best incentives when enlisting before you can know what to study, you will need to ensure that you are familiar with what is on the exam.
There are several ASVAB study guides out there to help you do well on the exam. One excellent option is the ASVAB Prep Plus.  This text is created by Kaplan and includes an abundance of resources like a diagnostic exam, practice exams, and so much more.
As long as you dedicate enough time and have the right resources to study with, you will do just fine. Good luck!
