What is ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension?
The Paragraph Comprehension (PC) section of the ASVAB is one of the most important subtests you'll encounter on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.Tests ability to understand and analyze written passages. This section consists of 11 questions that you must complete in 22 minutes, giving you approximately 120 seconds per question.
The PC section directly contributes to your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score, which determines your eligibility to enlist in any branch of the U.S. military. A strong score here can significantly boost your overall AFQT score and open doors to more Military Occupational Specialties (MOS).
Topics Covered in Paragraph Comprehension
To succeed on the PC section, you'll need to master these key topics:
- main idea
- supporting details
- inference
- vocabulary in context
- author's purpose
Study Tips for Paragraph Comprehension
These proven strategies will help you improve your PC score:
- 1Read questions first, then the passage
- 2Look for the main idea in first/last sentences
- 3Don't add outside knowledge
- 4Watch for words like 'except' and 'not'
- 5Refer back to the passage for answers
How to Practice for Paragraph Comprehension
Consistent practice is the key to improving your PC score. ASVAB Mastery offers hundreds of practice questions specifically designed for the Paragraph Comprehensionsection. Our adaptive learning system identifies your weak areas and focuses your study time where it matters most. With detailed explanations for every question, you'll understand not just the correct answer, but why it's correct.
Many test-takers improve their scores by 15-20 points after just two weeks of dedicated practice. Start with our free practice questions and track your progress as you work toward your goal score.