MASTER THE ASVAB Dr. Scott A. Ostrow Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.) 2
About Peterson s Peterson s provides the accurate, dependable, high-quality education content and guidance you need to succeed. No matter where you are on your academic or professional path, you can rely on Peterson s print and digital publications for the most up-to-date education exploration data, expert test-prep tools, and top-notch career success resources everything you need to achieve your goals. For more information, contact Peterson s, 3 Columbia Circle, Suite 205, Albany, NY 12203-5158; 800-338-3282 Ext. 54229; or find us online at www.petersonsbooks.com. 2014 Peterson s, a Nelnet company Previous editions 1977, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher or the authors. For permission to use material from this text or product, complete the Permissions Request Form at http://www.petersonspublishing.com/spa/permissions.aspx. e-isbn-13: 978-0-7689-3954-5 Twenty-second Edition 3
PUBLISHING UPDATES Check out our Web site at www.petersonspublishing.com/publishingupdates to see if there is any new information regarding the test and any revisions or corrections to the content of this book. We ve made sure the information in this book is accurate and upto-date; however, the test format or content may have changed since the time of publication. 4
Contents Acknowledgments Before You Begin How This Book Is Organized You re Well on Your Way to Success Top 10 Strategies to Raise Your Scores PART ONE: ASVAB BASICS Chapter 1: All About the ASVAB The Student ASVAB The Enlistment ASVAB The Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) Subject Tests Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) Preparing for the ASVAB Taking the ASVAB Your ASVAB Results Percentile Scores Composite Scores Frequently-Asked Questions About the ASVAB Self-Evaluation Chart PART TWO: DIAGNOSING STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Chapter 2: Practice Test 1: Diagnostic Part 1: General Science Part 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Part 3: Word Knowledge Part 4: Paragraph Comprehension Part 5: Mathematics Knowledge Part 6: Electronics Information Part 7: Auto & Shop Information 5
Part 8: Mechanical Comprehension Part 9: Assembling Objects PART THREE: ASVAB SUBJECT REVIEW Chapter 3: General Science Life Science Physical Science Earth Science Exercise Chapter 4: Arithmetic Reasoning Review of Basic Arithmetic Exercises Chapter 5: Word Knowledge Review Word Formation A Key to Word Recognition Exercise Chapter 6: Paragraph Comprehension Exercise Chapter 7: Mathematics Knowledge Adding Fractions Adding Mixed Numbers Adding Percents Subtracting Fractions Subtracting Mixed Numbers Subtracting Percents Multiplying Fractions Multiplying Mixed Numbers Multiplying Percents Other Multiplication Properties 6
Dividing Fractions Dividing Percents Dividing Mixed Numbers Other Division Properties Factors of a Product Roots Algebra Geometry Exercise Chapter 8: Electronics Information Electricity Basic Electronic Theory Exercise Chapter 9: Auto & Shop Information Basic Auto Information Basic Shop Information Exercise Chapter 10: Mechanical Comprehension Levers Block and Tackle The Wheel and Axle The Inclined Plane and the Wedge The Screw Gears Work Power Force and Pressure Machine Elements and Basic Mechanisms Basic Mechanisms Clutches 7
Exercise Chapter 11: Assembling Objects Exercise Answers PART FOUR: THREE ASVAB PRACTICE TESTS Practice Test 2 Part 1: General Science Part 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Part 3: Word Knowledge Part 4: Paragraph Comprehension Part 5: Mathematics Knowledge Part 6: Electronics Information Part 7: Auto & Shop Information Part 8: Mechanical Comprehension Part 9: Assembling Objects Practice Test 3 Part 1: General Science Part 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Part 3: Word Knowledge Part 4: Paragraph Comprehension Part 5: Mathematics Knowledge Part 6: Electronics Information Part 7: Auto & Shop Information Part 8: Mechanical Comprehension Part 9: Assembling Objects Practice Test 4 Part 1: General Science Part 2: Arithmetic Reasoning Part 3: Word Knowledge Part 4: Paragraph Comprehension 8
APPENDIXES Part 5: Mathematics Knowledge Part 6: Electronics Information Part 7: Auto & Shop Information Part 8: Mechanical Comprehension Part 9: Assembling Objects Appendix A: Military Enlisted Occupations and Civilian Counterparts Occupational Index Accounting, Budget, and Finance Occupations Arts, Communications, Media, and Design Occupations Aviation Occupations Business Administration and Operations Occupations Combat Operations Occupations Communications Equipment Technologists and Technicians Occupations Construction, Building, and Extraction Occupations Counseling, Social Work, and Human Services Occupations Education and Training Occupations Engineering and Scientific Research Occupations Environmental Health and Safety Occupations Healthcare Practitioners Occupations Human Resources Management and Services Occupations Information Technology, Computer Science, and Mathematics Occupations Intelligence Occupations International Relations, Linguistics, and Other Social Sciences Occupations Law Enforcement, Security, and Protective Services Occupations Legal Professions and Support Services Occupations Mechanic and Repair Technologists and Technicians Occupations 9
Appendix B: Enlisted Opportunities In The U.S. Military General Enlistment Qualifications Enlisting In The Military Military Training Pay and Benefits Appendix C: Coding Speed Sample Questions Answer Key 10
Acknowledgments Thanks go out to the following organizations for contributing to this book: U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command, North Chicago, Illinois 60064-3094, for making available the following resource material: ASVAB 25/26 Student and Parent Guide ASVAB 25/26 Educator and Counselor Guide ASVAB 25/26 Counselor Manual ASVAB Career Exploration Program ASVAB Technical Manual for the ASVAB 25/26 Career Exploration Program Exploring Careers: The ASVAB Workbook U.S. Department of Defense, Washington, DC, for: Military Careers Bureau of Naval Personnel, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, for: Tools and Their Uses Basic Machines General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan, for: What Makes Autos Run 11
Before You Begin Congratulations on making the decision to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)! By doing this, you are on the right path to determining your next step in life: college, the military, or a civilian career. A high score on the ASVAB is important for determining your potential for careers in both the military and civilian life. Peterson s Master the ASVAB will help you gain the confidence you need to score higher by providing you with a comprehensive review of the ASVAB content, as well as four practice tests. You can spend your time wisely and focus on your weak areas by studying the subject reviews and build confidence in your test-taking abilities by taking the practice tests. Knowing the format of the ASVAB and feeling at ease on test day is an important factor for your success. 12
HOW THIS BOOK IS ORGANIZED Divided into sections, this book provides four main parts that can help you with your preparation. Use Part One to learn more about each exam subject and how the exam is scored. Use Part Two to diagnose your strengths and weaknesses by taking your first practice test. Part Three includes the subject reviews that will help you strengthen your weak areas. Part Four includes three practice tests. Start at Part One of the book and carefully read through the introductory sections so you fully understand the ASVAB and how the test is scored. Then take the Diagnostic Test in Part Two to assess what kind of review you might need. Devote extra time to those sections that deal with the subjects in which you need to improve your skills. Next spend time in Part Three reviewing the subjects that will be tested on the ASVAB. Here you will find exercises with answers and explanations to help you strengthen your skills. Then, take the practice tests in Part Four. Each test is especially designed to help you prepare with little anxiety. As you complete each test, take some time to review your answers. Always take the time to check the review section for clarification. As a bonus, the Appendixes at the back of the book provide you with military enlisted occupations and civilian counterparts, as well as profiles of 120 military careers. YOU RE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS Remember that knowledge is power. By using Peterson s Master the ASVAB, you will be studying the most comprehensive ASVAB preparation guide available. We look forward to helping you raise your ASVAB scores and get that career you deserve! Good luck! TOP 10 STRATEGIES TO RAISE YOUR SCORES Follow the 10 steps listed below to maximize your efforts and make the most of your test preparation. 1. Read ASVAB Basics. This will give you a better understanding of the ASVAB, the different reasons to take the test, when and where you can take it, strategies for preparing for 13
the test, and much more. 2. Take the first ASVAB practice test. After completing this practice test, you can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and record your scores on the Self-Evaluation chart on page 19. Don t worry if you do not do well; the first time you take the test will be the hardest because you are not familiar with it. 3. Review the areas you need more practice on in ASVAB Subject Reviews. This chapter provides a dedicated section to each ASVAB subject test. You can spend your time wisely and focus on the areas you need to work on and any area of which you are unsure. 4. Take the second ASVAB practice test. You should feel more comfortable with this the second time and know what to expect for the test format. Be sure to record your scores in the Self- Evaluation chart on page 19. 5. Refer to the review section. If you need more review in specific areas, go back to the review section to get the help you need. 6. Take the third ASVAB practice test. You are gaining familiarity with the test and are striving to surpass your scores from the previous test. Record your scores in the Self- Evaluation chart and take note of the progress you have made. 7. Go back to the review section if needed. The more you study the sections you are unsure of, the more you will learn. 8. Take the fourth and final ASVAB practice test. You should feel confident in your progress and knowledge about the test. Record your scores in the Self-Evaluation chart. 9. Review your progress on the four practice tests you have completed. You can now go on to Your ASVAB Results to help you determine how the military interprets ASVAB scores. 10. Turn to the Appendixes to look for career areas that interest you. Note that the military careers listed include their civilian counterparts. Also included are the Military Careers Score required for each career. Don t hesitate to reread the review section or retake one or more of the practice tests. Remember, the more confident you are about the test subjects and the test format, the higher you will score on the ASVAB. 14
PART ONE ASVAB BASICS CHAPTER 1: ALL ABOUT THE ASVAB 15
CHAPTER 1 All About the ASVAB If you plan to join the military or want to find out what type of career you are suited for, your first step is to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB. The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery consisting of either nine or ten subject tests. More than 1 million people each year take it to join the military or as part of a student testing program offered in high schools. Its primary purpose is to determine your basic skills and your aptitude for other skills. There are three main versions and purposes for taking the ASVAB. THE STUDENT ASVAB The student ASVAB, also known as the institutional ASVAB, is sponsored by high schools and is offered to all interested students (some schools make the ASVAB mandatory for all students). It was created for high school students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year or in a postsecondary school to help identify their abilities. It is a great tool, and it has helped many students decide on their future educational or career path. The student ASVAB also helps the military attract wellqualified volunteers for enlistment and to place them in military occupational programs. More than 1 million people take the student ASVAB each year as part of the military s Career Exploration Program. With this program, students take surveys about their interests, identify personal characteristics, and use their ASVAB scores to match their background to possible careers. If you choose to take the student ASVAB, you will take the exam with other students at your school. More than likely, there will be one or more military recruiters present as proctors of the exam. This is their sole purpose for being there, and they are prohibited by regulations from actively recruiting during the ASVAB. However, the ASVAB answer sheet contains questions about your plans after high school. Those plans may be attending a two- or four-year college, attending a vocational (or trade) school, or enlisting in the military. If you do well on the ASVAB, military recruiters may contact you regardless of your intended plans. If you list plans military, you are a prime candidate for enlistment and will be pursued by recruiters from all of the military services. If you do choose to enlist in the military, your student ASVAB scores can be used for qualification for enlistment. Note that your 16
scores remain valid for two years. THE ENLISTMENT ASVAB Another form of the ASVAB is referred to as the enlistment ASVAB, also known as the production ASVAB. This version is given to those pursuing enlistment who either did not take the student version or want to retake the exam in the hope that they will improve their scores. Your enlistment ASVAB scores determine your learning ability and vocational aptitude. More than 500,000 potential recruits take the enlistment ASVAB each year. The enlistment ASVAB is given in one of two places, either at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) or at a Mobile Examining Team (MET) site. In either place, you take the exam with others who have also decided to join the military. All tests given at the MEPS, and some MET sites, are computer-adaptive tests. For more information on the computer-based ASVAB, see Computerized Adaptive Testing. Note that your recruiter may arrange for you to take a pre-asvab test called the Entrance Screening Test (EST) or a computer version called the CAST (Computerized Adaptive Screening Test). These pretests are given at the recruiter s office. It gives the recruiter an idea of your potential for scoring high enough on the ASVAB to qualify, and it contains only subjects pertaining to math and English skills. THE ARMED FORCES CLASSIFICATION TEST (AFCT) The AFCT, also known as the in-service ASVAB, is required when military personnel want to change career fields and do not currently have qualifying ASVAB scores for that career field. The only difference between the AFCT and the ASVAB is the name. Presently, the AFCT is given only in the traditional paper-and-pencil version. SUBJECT TESTS The ASVAB consists of subject tests designed to measure acquired knowledge as well as general abilities acquired from interests or hobbies. Listed in the following chart are specifics about the tests and the times allotted for each section. ASVAB CONTENT Testing Time Approximately 149 minutes: student ASVAB (or paper-and-pencil enlistment ASVAB) Approximately 154 minutes: CAT-ASVAB and AFCT Administrative Time 46 minutes Total Testing Time Approximately 195 minutes: student ASVAB (or paper-and-pencil enlistment ASVAB) Approximately 190 minutes: CAT-ASVAB and AFCT Total Number 225: student ASVAB (or AFCT paper-and-pencil enlistment ASVAB) 17
of Items 145: CAT-ASVAB TEST TIME ITEMS DESCRIPTION General Science 11 minutes Arithmetic Reasoning 36 minutes Word Knowledge 11 minutes Paragraph Comprehension Mathematics Knowledge Electronics Information Auto & Shop Information Mechanical Comprehension Assembling Objects 13 minutes 24 minutes 9 minutes 11 minutes 19 minutes 25 Measures knowledge of the physical and biological sciences 30 Measures ability to solve arithmetic word problems 35 Measures ability to select the correct meaning of words presented in context and to identify the best synonym for a given word 15 Measures ability to obtain information from written passages 25 Measures knowledge of general mathematics principles, including algebra and geometry 20 Measures knowledge of electricity, radio principles, and electronics 25 Measures knowledge of automobiles, tools, and shop terminology and practices 25 Measures knowledge of mechanical and physical principles and ability to visualize how illustrated objects work 15 minutes 25 Measures spatial aptitude the ability to perceive spatial relations You can become more familiar with the ASVAB by getting an overview of the subject tests and the areas that they cover. The following list contains the general contents and purpose of the tests, shows you what to expect on the tests, and provides you with a better understanding of the content areas covered on the official test battery. Part Three of this book, ASVAB Review Basics, contains a section for each of the subject areas. 18
Part 1 General Science (GS) The General Science test consists of 25 items and covers the material generally taught in junior and senior high school science courses. Most of the questions deal with life science and physical science, with a few questions on earth science. Specifics about what each area covers are: Life Science: basic biology, human nutrition, and health Physical Science: elementary chemistry and physics Earth Science: geology, meteorology, and astronomy 19
Part 2 Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) The Arithmetic Reasoning test consists of 30 items and covers basic mathematical problems you may come across in everyday life. These questions are designed to measure general reasoning and the ability to solve mathematical problems. 20