ASVAB Study Guide
Tips, strategies, and key concepts for each AFQT section
What is the AFQT?
The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score determines your eligibility for military service. It's calculated from four sections: Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK). Focus your study on these four areas to maximize your AFQT score.
What It Tests
Word problems that require mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Key Strategies
- ✓Read the entire problem carefully before solving
- ✓Identify exactly what the question is asking
- ✓Write down all given information
- ✓Estimate first, then calculate
- ✓Check if your answer makes logical sense
- ✓Watch for unit conversions (hours to minutes, etc.)
Key Topics to Review
- •Percentages and discounts
- •Ratios and proportions
- •Distance, rate, and time (D = R × T)
- •Work rate problems
- •Basic algebra equations
- •Averages and weighted averages
What It Tests
Vocabulary knowledge and understanding of word meanings in context.
Key Strategies
- ✓Look for context clues in the sentence
- ✓Break words into roots, prefixes, and suffixes
- ✓Eliminate obviously wrong answers first
- ✓Consider the word's connotation (positive/negative)
- ✓Read widely to naturally build vocabulary
- ✓Make flashcards for unfamiliar words
Common Word Roots
- •-ject (throw): reject, inject, project
- •-dict (say): predict, contradict, verdict
- •-port (carry): transport, import, support
- •-vert/vers (turn): convert, reverse, divert
- •bene- (good): benefit, benevolent
- •mal- (bad): malfunction, malevolent
What It Tests
Mathematical concepts and principles without word problem context.
Key Strategies
- ✓Memorize key formulas before the test
- ✓Practice mental math (no calculator allowed!)
- ✓Draw diagrams for geometry problems
- ✓Plug answer choices back in to verify
- ✓Remember order of operations (PEMDAS)
- ✓Review common Pythagorean triples (3-4-5, 5-12-13)
Key Formulas to Know
- •Area: rectangle (l×w), triangle (½bh), circle (πr²)
- •Perimeter: rectangle (2l+2w), circle/circumference (2πr)
- •Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c²
- •Slope: (y₂-y₁)/(x₂-x₁)
- •Quadratic formula: x = (-b ± √(b²-4ac))/2a
- •SOH-CAH-TOA for trigonometry
What It Tests
Ability to understand and analyze written passages.
Key Strategies
- ✓Read the questions FIRST, then the passage
- ✓Distinguish between main idea and supporting details
- ✓Don't add outside knowledge - answer from the text
- ✓Watch for words like 'except,' 'not,' and 'least'
- ✓For inference questions, find text evidence
- ✓Vocabulary questions: use context clues
Question Types to Expect
- •Main idea: What is the passage mainly about?
- •Detail: According to the passage...
- •Inference: The author implies that...
- •Vocabulary in context: As used here, X means...
- •Purpose: The author wrote this to...
- •Tone: The author's attitude is...
General ASVAB Tips
Time Management
- •Don't spend too long on any single question
- •If stuck, mark it and move on
- •Answer every question - there's no penalty for guessing
- •Save a few minutes at the end to review
Test Day Preparation
- •Get 7-8 hours of sleep the night before
- •Eat a good breakfast with protein
- •Arrive at the testing center early
- •Bring required ID and documentation
- •Stay calm - you've prepared for this!
Smart Guessing
- •Never leave a question blank
- •Eliminate obviously wrong answers first
- •Look for answers that are too extreme
- •When unsure, go with your first instinct
- •Watch for answers that are just slightly off