US Department of Defense
ASVAB
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
The aptitude battery used to qualify and classify applicants for all branches of the US military. Four of its subtests form the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) that determines enlistment eligibility, and the full battery sets which military jobs an applicant can hold.
Full program: 9 decks, 697 cards.
What's on the exam
Current ASVAB (ten-subtest battery; four AFQT subtests)
Verbal (AFQT)
AFQT coreWord Knowledge (WK): synonyms and word meaning in context · Paragraph Comprehension (PC): obtaining information from passages · Vocabulary · Reading inference
Math (AFQT)
AFQT coreArithmetic Reasoning (AR): arithmetic word problems · Mathematics Knowledge (MK): high-school math principles · Algebra and geometry · Ratios and percentages
Science and Technical
Classification (line scores)General Science (GS): physical and biological sciences · Electronics Information (EI) · Auto Information (AI) · Shop Information (SI) · Mechanical Comprehension (MC)
Spatial
Classification (line scores)Assembling Objects (AO): visualizing assembled parts · Spatial relations · Shape orientation
Frequently asked questions
How much does the ASVAB cost?
The ASVAB costs $0. No cost to the applicant; administered free through military recruiting and the DoD.
How long is the ASVAB and how many questions does it have?
Ten subtests (paper version combines Auto and Shop into one); item counts vary by version — About 1.5 to 3 hours depending on version.
What do you need to pass the ASVAB?
AFQT reported as a 1-99 percentile; minimum qualifying score varies by branch (roughly 31-36 for a high-school diploma graduate).
Can you retake the ASVAB?
After 1 calendar month for a first retest, another month for a second, then six months between further attempts.
What is the best way to study for the ASVAB?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Verbal (AFQT) AFQT core, Math (AFQT) AFQT core, Science and Technical Classification (line scores), Spatial Classification (line scores)). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our ASVAB program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.