Table Of ContentWelcome to
McGraw Hill
ASVAB
Congratulations! You’ve chosen McGraw Hill: ASVAB. You probably know McGraw Hill
from many of the textbooks you used in school or college. Now we’re ready to help you reach
your next goal—an exciting career in the U.S. Armed Forces.
This book gives you everything you need to succeed on the ASVAB. You’ll get in-depth instruction
and review of every topic tested, tips and strategies for every question type, and plenty of practice
exams to boost your test-taking confidence. You’ll also get some answers to your questions about
enlistment and jobs in today’s military. Additionally, in the following pages you’ll find:
How to Get the Most Out of This Book: A map of what you can find in this book.
What It Takes to Achieve Enlistment: Learn the difference between selection and
classification and how the military uses your ASVAB scores.
Your ASVAB Preparation Program: Figure out what you know and don’t know and decide
on a study strategy.
Your ASVAB Study Schedule: Be focused with your study time.
Test-Time Advice: Follow this good advice.
Other Criteria for Enlistment: Keep these factors in mind as you apply for the military.
ABOUT McGRAW HILL
This book has been created by a unit of McGraw Hill. McGraw Hill is a leading global provider of
instructional assessment and reference materials in both print and digital form. McGraw Hill has
offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 65 languages. With a broad range of products and
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Learn more. Do more.
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How to Get the Most Out of This Book
This book provides the material you need to score well on the ASVAB. It will teach you the
knowledge and skills that are required for this difficult exam, including information about
the types of questions the test includes. It also provides ample practice for you to refine the
skills you are learning and then test yourself with full-length practice tests. To make the best use of
this book, f ollow the following suggestions. Then d evelop your own personalized ASVAB study plan
(see Chapter 6).
1
If you are not sure which branch of the military interests you:
• Read Chapter 1: “Deciding on Military Service.”
• Go to Part 5 and learn about various military occupations.
2
If you want to know about the ASVAB and why scoring high matters to you:
• Read Chapter 2: “Introducing the ASVAB.”
• Read Chapter 3: “ASVAB Scores and Score Reports.”
• Read Chapter 4: “The ASVAB, the AFQT, and Military Entrance.”
• Read Chapter 5: “Taking the CAT-ASVAB.”
3
If you want general study tips and guidelines for planning your study:
• Review Chapter 6: “Follow These Suggestions to Ace the ASVAB.”
4
If you want to find out how well you might do right now on the real ASVAB:
• Take the ASVAB Diagnostic Tes t Form in Part 2 and use it to identify your strengths and
weaknesses.
5
If you want to refresh your knowledge of the ASVAB subject areas:
• Go to Part 3 of this book, which provides a complete review of typical topics tested.
6
If you want to practice taking the ASVAB test:
• Go to Part 4 of this book and take the ASVAB Practice Test Forms 1 through 3 under actual
test conditions.
7
If you want to know about some specific jobs and in the military:
• Go to Part 5 of this book.
8
If you are active duty and want to raise your score to change your military
occupational specialty:
• Go to Part 3 of this book to review the kinds of topics you may be tested on.
• Go to Part 2 to take a diagnostic test and Part 4 to take more practice items.
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What It Takes to
Achieve Enlistment
You can think of military enlistment as a two-step
process: first selection and then classification. To be
initially “selected” to enter the military at all, you need
to do well on the ASVAB, in particular on four of the tests that make up the Armed Forces Quali-
fying Test (AFQT). So it is important to focus on those four tests: Arithmetic Reasoning, Word
Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge. You need to score well on
those four tests in order to reach the minimum AFQT score to even be considered for enlistment.
You should aim for higher than the minimum; the higher your score, the more job and training
options you have. High scores may even have an enlistment bonus!
Once you meet the selection criteria, the second step is classification. That means a review of
your scores in various combinations, called line scores, to see which jobs/training programs you
are eligible for. Many of the line scores include one or more of the initial AFQT scores, so, again,
concentrating on the four AFQT tests is very important.
ASVAB Factoids
The ASVAB is the most widely used multiple aptitude test in the world.
The ASVAB was introduced in 1968. Over 40 million examinees have taken various updated
forms of the ASVAB since then.
The ASVAB is administered via both computer and paper and pencil. Roughly 90 percent of
military applicants take the test via computer. Every year more high school or postsecondary
school students are taking the computerized version.
The CAT-ASVAB was implemented after decades of extensive research and evaluation. It was
the first large-scale adaptive test battery to be administered in a high-stakes setting.
The CAT-ASVAB generally takes less time to complete than the paper-and-pencil ASVAB.
Women compose about 20 percent of enlisted personnel in the military. The percentage varies
by Service.
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Your ASVAB Preparation Program
Take the Diagnostic Test
Start your ASVAB preparation program by taking the Diagnostic Test in Part 2
of this book. The steps outlined as follows will help you figure out your
strengths and weaknesses. Be sure to read the directions for each test and
work as fast as you can while being very careful with your answers.
Starting on page 116, you can begin to score each of the tests.
Depending on how well you do, you may be happy with the results or
realize that you need to buckle down and start to study hard. Here is
an example of how to interpret your scores:
Part 4. Paragraph Comprehension
Mark X if You
Item Correct Picked the
Number Answer Correct Answer Score Interpretation–Total Correct
1 A X 15 This is pretty good work. Review the explana-
2 B 14 tions of the answers you got incorrect. This test
is a part of the AFQT, and you must do well.
3 C X
4 A 13 You are doing pretty well. Review the explana-
5 D X 12 tions for the items you got incorrect. This test is a
part of the AFQT, and you must do well.
6 B
7 A X 11 You need to keep studying. Pay close attention to
8 B X 10 the explanations for each item, even for the ones
you got correct. This will help you understand
9 C 9
why the answer is correct.
10 A X 8
Spend time reviewing the Paragraph Compre-
11 C X 7
hension and Word Knowledge reviews in Part 3
12 A 6 of this book. Keep reading books and newspapers.
13 B X 5
14 C 4
15 D X 3
Total Correct 9 2
1
0
If you scored 11 or lower on this test (the dark gray area for any of the tests in this book), you need
to put some skin in the game and start studying. Fortunately, this ASVAB book shows you how to do
better in two ways. First, for the Diagnostic Test and the other three full ASVAB tests, this ASVAB
book gives you the explanation for the correct answers. For example, for the Paragraph Comprehension
test, pages 132 and 133 give you an explanation of why each correct answer is correct. This type of
information is provided for the Diagnostic Test and the other three practice tests. Be sure to read the
explanations because they will help you do better on the real ASVAB.
Second, for the Paragraph Comprehension test, there is an entire review section that helps build
your skills in this important ASVAB area. The review information for Paragraph Comprehension starts
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on page 227. This type of information is provided for each of the content areas as described in the next
section.
If you faithfully follow this advice, you will know which tests you need to focus on with more time
and energy. That’s where you should put in more study time.
Review ASVAB Test Content
Starting on page 141, you will find an extensive review of all the ASVAB test topics starting with the
General Science test. Each content area is thoroughly covered and contains an end-of-section quiz
that will help you figure out if you learned the material in the review section. Where you answered
incorrectly, go back to the section and study the material until you are sure you understand it.
This book provides almost 200 pages of content review, because you can’t predict specifically what
information will be asked on the ASVAB. Part 3 covers all ASVAB test topics and gives you the tools
you need to answer ASVAB questions. For example, you will learn how to figure out vocabulary words,
how to set up math problems to get the right answer, how to answer geometry items, how to decipher
levers and pulleys, how to figure out electrical circuits, how to conquer angles and geometric shapes,
how to answer auto and shop questions, and hundreds of other topics that you could be tested on.
Memorizing isn’t always the best way to score high on the ASVAB. Be sure that you understand the
concepts behind each question. For example, you could memorize the answer to a math question,
but on the real ASVAB you probably won’t find that same question. You will need to understand
the steps in solving the problem, regardless of the numbers involved.
Take the Practice Tests
Once you have taken the Diagnostic Test, reviewed the test content that you needed to study, and
taken the end-of-section quizzes, you are now ready to test yourself again. Go to page 337 to start the
first test form in the book. Sit in a quiet location and prepare to spend about 2 to 21/2 hours taking this
test. Make sure you have a few pencils and a clock to show the time.
Carefully tear out page 339 and use it as your answer sheet. When you are ready to begin, read
the instructions for each section and answer the questions to the best of your ability. When you have
finished, go to pages 388 to 396 and compare your answers with the correct answers. Check the score
interpretation chart for each subject test. If your number of correct answers is in the dark gray area,
you need to review that test content in depth to raise your score. You will probably find some areas
where you can improve. Go back to Part 3 of this book and spend some quality time studying. If your
number of correct answers is in the light gray area, you’re doing better, but you should still spend
some time studying that content area to improve your score.
Here are some tips to help you prioritize your study time:
If your scores are in the dark gray area on the AFQT tests—Arithmetic Reasoning, Word
Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, or Mathematics Knowledge—you should spend most of
your time on the AFQT subjects.
If your scores on the AFQT tests are in the light gray areas but you have other scores in the dark
gray areas, go back and review the content for tests where your scores were lowest.
If all of your scores are in the light gray areas, focus again on the four AFQT tests.
If it takes you more than 21/2 hours to complete each test form, try to speed up your pace.
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Your ASVAB Study Schedule
Plan Your Study Time
Let’s be realistic. Maybe you were a whiz kid in high school and just need to brush up your
knowledge and skills. Perhaps you totally blew off high school and just got your diploma by the
skin of your teeth, or perhaps you have been away from school activities for a few years.
Regardless of your situation, the advice in the previous section on how to use this book is
right on target. The difference may be in the amount of time you need to spend on getting
yourself up to speed on the content of a particular test.
If you just need a refresher, you should probably spend about one to two hours per day for
two weeks in focused study. If you really need to improve after starting from a low point, you
should plan on one to three months of work, at least 6 to 8 hours per week.
Set up your study schedule accordingly. Use the chart in Figure 6.3 to see an example of what
you might do, and then you can construct your own schedule with the chart in Figure 6.4.
Don’t be a couch potato. Add some exercise into your schedule as it will keep your brain
clear and your stress level down. This will also help you in the enlistment process, as you will
need a decent level of fitness to be accepted into the military and to do well in your basic training.
Keep in mind that many military applicants are rejected because they are not in shape!
Study Tips
Dos:
Find a quiet place to study. Quiet means no TV, texting, phone, games, or other distractions.
Take notes and summarize what you have learned as you move through the material.
Highlight special facts or concepts you want to remember.
Take a short, 10-minute break every 45 minutes.
Think about the kinds of test questions you might be asked as you study the content review
sections of this book.
Eat healthy foods and eliminate fatty foods and alcohol and eliminate anything that may be
interfering with your focus and learning.
Stick to your study schedule but be sure to also include a decent amount of sleep each night.
Don’ts:
Pretend you are studying, when you are actually daydreaming, gaming, scrolling though your
feed, or multitasking. You are just wasting your time if you are not focused.
Study with others unless they are very serious about studying for the ASVAB or they are
serious about helping you study.
Wait until the last few days before the real test to start studying.
Get stressed out. Know and believe that if you study the material you will do well on the
ASVAB.
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Test-Time Advice
The Day Before the Test
It’s too late to cram now. You have followed a good study schedule and have prioritized your
studies. Be proud of your hard work. It will pay off.
Put this book down and just use the day to get some fresh air. Go for a run or a long walk, or relax
with your favorite healthy hobby.
Eat light, healthy meals and go to sleep a little earlier than usual. No alcohol, please. Try for a good
eight hours of shut-eye.
The Day of the Test
Get up early and take a short walk or run. A half-hour of exercise will do you wonders. It will clear
the cobwebs from your brain and help you relax.
Spend a few minutes skimming any important notes you may have taken—no more than a
half-hour, though.
Have a decent breakfast, but no sticky buns or heavy, fatty food. Think cereal, yogurt, fruit, eggs,
veggies, milk, and coffee. You won’t feel your best if you overload on goopy food.
Do some deep-breathing exercises to relieve any stress.
Get to the testing room with time to spare. No sense in adding more pressure on yourself by
running late.
Adjust your attitude upward. You have worked hard, you know the material, and you will do well.
Be confident in your ability. Turn your knowledge into a powerhouse of confidence.
During the Test
Show your stuff. If you have followed the study and review suggestions in this book, you will be
able to go into the real test with a positive attitude. Feel confident that you’ve got the right stuff to
succeed in the military.
Breathe. Take a few moments to breathe deeply and relax if you get stressed during the test.
You will feel better.
Pace yourself. Budget enough time for each question so that you won’t have to rush at the end of
the section.
Stay focused. Ignore the things going on around you that you cannot control.
Use what you know. When you don’t know the answer and need to guess, try to make an educated
guess by eliminating answer choices that you know are wrong. The more you can eliminate, the
better your chance of getting the answer right.
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Other Criteria for Enlistment
Education
Success in any branch of the military depends on a good education, so a high school diploma and even
some college credits is most desirable. Candidates with a GED can enlist, but some services may limit
opportunities. It is very difficult to be considered a serious candidate without either a high school
diploma or accepted alternative credential. Your minimum qualifying score on the AFQT can change
depending on whether or not you have a regular high school diploma. In any case, staying in school is
important for entering the military. The military does not want high school dropouts.
Physical Requirements
Because of the varying physical demands on service members in each branch, physical requirements
vary greatly. These differences can vary even within each branch of the service. Generally speaking,
potential service members should be in good physical condition, of appropriate weight, and be able to
pass a standard physical screening prior to entry. Certain physical conditions can disqualify you, but
talking with a recruiter will help you understand the specifics.
Behavior and Moral Character
The services do not want to enlist troublemakers, extremists, or persons with serious offenses. Each service
takes a different approach to evaluating the severity and number of offenses on a candidate’s record. The
results of this evaluation may—or may not—disqualify candidates. A review is done on a case-by-case basis.
A word of caution: The military looks down on persons who lie about their record. The military
conducts background checks; if you’ve provided false information, you’ll be exposed as a liar and
receive the appropriate punishment.
Age Requirements
Take a look at the following chart to see the age requirements for each of the services and the Coast Guard.
Marine Space Coast
Army Corps Navy Air Force Force Guard
Active Duty 17–35 17–28 17–39 17–39 Contact your 17–32
Reserve 17–35 17–28 17–39 17–38 Air Force 17–40
Guard 17–35 N/A N/A 17–39 recruiter for the N/A
Service Academies 17–23 17–23 17–23 17–23 requirements. 17–22
Gender
Both men and women are eligible to enlist in the military. All jobs in the military are open to women.
The percentage of women serving on active duty in the military has steadily increased over the years.
Women play a very important role in today’s military.
Citizenship
Properly documented noncitizens may enlist. However, each service has its own enlistment require-
ments for noncitizens. You should contact a recruiter for details about a specific situation. For enlist-
ment purposes, the United States includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern
Marianas Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and
Palau. There are some special programs for certain ethic and cultural groups who may want to enlist.
NOW GO ACE THE ASVAB! YOU CAN DO IT!
*BEST WISHES FOR A SUCCESSFUL MILITARY CAREER*
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McGRAW HILL
ASVAB
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